Book review of Reload

In KJ Nelson's gripping sequel, Reload (The Journeyer Series), the fate of the timeline rests on the shoulders of Gerald Holstrom, a Genous Repeatous – an immortal who repeatedly lives and dies. After awakening from prison, wrongly convicted of murdering his beloved, Gerald discovers his memories are gone, leaving him adrift in a shattered reality. The Order, the organization charged with protecting the timeline, has failed, and Gerald must race against a shadowy enemy to restore order. His journey is fraught with peril, forcing him to confront a darker future and grapple with the mystery of his own past, all while battling to regain the trust of those he loves. Will he succeed in fixing the timeline and reclaiming his lost memories? The answer lies within this thrilling adventure.

Hardcover 24.99 USD

Paperback 19.99 USD

4.4 / 49 ratings

Review Reload

Wow, Reload was a whirlwind! I absolutely devoured it, even more so than the first book in the Journeyer series. The pacing was relentless; I genuinely couldn't put it down. From the very first page, I was hooked by Gerald's desperate struggle to reclaim his stolen memories and unravel the mystery behind his fractured life. The high-stakes plot, involving time travel, immortal beings, and a shadowy antagonist, kept me constantly guessing. The tension was expertly built, leading to several genuinely surprising twists and turns that completely blindsided me. Seriously, I was on the edge of my seat for the entire book!

KJ Nelson has a knack for crafting compelling characters, and Gerald is no exception. His internal conflict – the desire to regain his past versus the fear of what he might find – resonated deeply. The supporting characters, particularly Aubrey, were well-developed and added layers of complexity to the narrative. Their relationships felt genuine and added emotional weight to the already fast-paced action. The world-building, while not overly detailed, was effective in creating a believable and intriguing setting, a blend of futuristic technology and timeless philosophical questions about identity and the passage of time.

However, I did notice a few minor issues that slightly hampered my enjoyment. There were several instances where I felt the editing could have been tighter. I spotted a few instances of incorrect word usage (like "wretch" instead of "retch," as mentioned in earlier feedback) that, while individually small, collectively created a slight sense of disconnect. These little errors were frequent enough to pull me out of the immersive experience at times. I hope this is addressed in the next book, as a little more attention to detail would elevate the quality significantly. A good proofread or another set of eyes on the manuscript would be highly beneficial.

My other concern, admittedly a minor one for a work of fantasy, lies in the plausibility of the antagonist's advanced technology within the given timeframe. The leap in technological advancement felt a bit abrupt given the limitations of current manufacturing processes. While not a deal-breaker – this is fantasy, after all – it did require a bit of suspension of disbelief. This is a small point though, and didn't detract too much from the overall narrative drive.

Overall, despite these minor criticisms, Reload was an incredible read. The story is gripping, the characters are compelling, and the twists are genuinely shocking. I finished the book feeling satisfied but also intensely eager for the next installment. The cliffhanger ending left me desperate to know what happens next! Seriously, KJ Nelson, I can’t wait for the third book – please tell me it’s coming soon! I'm completely invested in Gerald's journey and desperate to see how this incredible story concludes.

Information

• Dimensions: 6 x 0.83 x 9 inches
• Language: English
• Print length: 368
• Publication date: 2024

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