Official Review: Lost Time by D. L. Orton

[Heidi M Simone]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Lost Time" by D. L. Orton.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Trying to save the world was never in Diego's job description, but when he finds out that his true love, Isabel, may be alive after all, he is willing to risk his own life to get to her. In the second installment of D.L. Orton's SciFi/Dystopian Between Two Evils series, Lost Time, we travel with Diego as one machine's malfunction leads him to an unknown place.

Set in 2048, U.S., Diego finds himself landing twenty years into the future rather than where he believes Isabel resides, twenty years in the past. Unfortunately, being in the future, Diego learns about his love's death. His emotions spiral into depression, anxiety, and loneliness. As time passes and Diego begins to heal, he starts to realize that he actually possesses feelings for the sweet and strong Dr. Lani in which he cannot ignore. As Diego struggles with these new feelings for Lani and unable to fully let go of Isabel, a note appears that makes his decision crystal clear.

I was fortunate enough to read the first in this series, Crossing in Time, prior to reading this book. However, Lost Time may work well as a standalone, and might even be more enjoyable as one. The reason being is that the reader develops a connection between the love that Diego and Isabel share from Book 1 and may be expecting more of it in the second installment, which there isn't. Personally, it also led me to have negative feelings towards the Diego and Lani relationship because I wanted him to be with Isabel, not Lani.

Written in alternating character point of views, Orton shows the reader the results of the Doomsday Virus, described in Book 1, that has eliminated much of the planet and other universes very quickly. Taking the time to demonstrate how much life has changed was a very clever move in Orton's part; it shows the reader a potential outcome for Diego's own world. There are themes of love, self-discovery, determination, sacrifice, and friendship woven into this book.

One of the newest character, Shannon, who saves Diego in the first place, is one of my favorites. This seventeen-year-old is not only brave, ambitious, and resourceful, but she also shows what happens when a child grows up living in an almost extinct world where everyone resides in what's called a biodome. There was one particular scene in which Shannon made me laugh out loud; I literally could not contain myself! But then, I had a different set of emotions at the end of the book. Instead of laughing, I wanted to cry for her. When an author can make you feel like this even for one character, you know she has done something right.

I was teetering on giving this book a 3 or a 4 due to not knowing about Isabel and the negative emotions I felt between Diego and Lani. However, these are just personal preferences, and I can see why the author chose to gear her story in this direction. It was well-written and definitely leaves the reader wanting more! I fully plan on continuing this series, and cannot wait for Book 3! Therefore, I grant Lost Time a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend this read to those who enjoy Dystopian worlds, time traveling, and for those who enjoy seeing how different fictional universes connect.

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Lost Time
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[gali]

Great review! It sounds as good as the first one (which is waiting for me). I am glad you enjoyed it overall.

[Heidi M Simone]

Thank you, gali! It was really good and I really can't wait to read the others in this series! Although, I must say, the first one is still my favorite!

[bookowlie]

Another great review! How lucky you are to read the next book in a series you enjoy. The premise of the book sounds interesting, although I sometimes get confused by time travel stories.

[Heidi M Simone]

Thank you, bookowlie! That was very much a coincidence, but I was very excited to see this one up for review! I love the basis of this series and can't wait for more!

[Kourtney Bradley]

Nice review! Thanks for posting! It sounds interesting.

[Heidi M Simone]

Thank you, klbradley! It was very interesting!

[mgolvach]

Agreed. I also read the first book before this one, but, although this book (The second in the Between Two Evils series) switches to different characters and story threads, and paces a little differently than the first book, I couldn't help but love it. The book deals more with the depths of interpersonal relations, and the characters are all fully fleshed out, relatable and (even though I didn't want to like some of them) lovable. This book dials back the "action" but it doesn't suffer because of it. The character studies and story flow smoothly and it's truly a joy to read. Every character's story will hold you and they won't let you go. Heart breaking at times, funny, smart, and bloody-well told. I can't wait to read the next one!!! Great review and Great book!

[Heidi M Simone]

Thank you, mgolvach, for your kind words and thoughts! It was a great read, and I can't wait for the third in the series to come out!

[barb429]

Great review! It sounds like an interesting series. I will definitely need to check this series out.

[Heidi M Simone]

Thank you, barb429! I'm definitely loving the series so far and can't wait for the third book to come out!

[kimmyschemy06]

Sounds like something difficult to put down Now I'm curious if Diego and Isabel will end up together. Great job on the review! Congratulations to D. L. Orton.

[Heidi M Simone]

Thank you, kimmyschemy06! I'm curious too!! Can't wait for the third one to come!

[Silvermoon]

This sounds like a good book. Great review!

[TrishaAnn92]

This is an awesome book review! Congrats to the author on a positive book review!