The Navigator (review)

Owen has grown up weighted by his father's apparent suicide and his mother's grief: uncomfortable under the curious gaze of his neighbors, he spends most of his time in solitary explorations. A sudden and dramatic temporal shift leaves him stranded on a "time island," along with the Resisters, a group of humans who awaken only when time is jolted. Ancient dark forces, the Harsh, have turned back time, essentially erasing any period in which humans existed. Owen quickly learns that it is no accident that he survived the shift: he is the Navigator, destined to play a key role in the struggle to reinstate normalcy. Even with a large cast, individual characters are distinct and compelling, including the villainous Harsh and their human compatriots who are complex and well developed. Unfortunately, Owen's role as Navigator is underwhelming, as he spends most of the book kidnapped or being saved by various tough female Resisters. In addition, the concept itself is filled with questionable holes: if the Harsh can create time islands, why can't they destroy other ones, in what ways will it benefit the Harsh if humans never existed, and how did Owen's family become engaged in these efforts (Owen's father was also involved before his death)? Frenetic pacing and an unforgettably dark and fascinating setting almost compensate for the many confusing plot elements, and it is possible that, given the fact that a sequel is forthcoming, Irish author McNamee intends to dole out more complete answers in the future. In the meantime, fantasy readers may still enjoy the creepy Harsh, the unforgiving landscape, and the flawed but determined Owen.