This is the second of the time trial books. I really enjoyed the first one and was looking forward to this one, especially as it seemed to be developing the story around the mysterious time keepers. However the plot focused very heavily on the romantic interactions between the characters which I found distracting. As the book was aimed at the YA market they may find this slant agreeable but I can't see the boys enjoying romance over the action and adventure that dominated and excited in the first book.
With not much revealed about the time-keepers, I hope the third instalment picks up the core of the story and gives some answers.

The Wharton Academy Historians Club, fresh from unexpectedly winning the Time Trials, are back and ready for the next season competition. They are back to school after a wonderful summer break only to have everything turned upside down. A new mentor, a new team member, an old team member no longer able to compete. Tensions rise fast, and they begin to fall apart quickly. The Timekeepers warn them in no uncertain terms that if they don’t try to win their punishment will be dire. Furthermore, one Timekeeper in particular seems to have a vendetta against them.

This book is a direct follow on from The Time Trials. If you have not read the first book, you may struggle with some of the context in this one. It starts off exactly where the last book left off. The members of the Historians Club are all struggling with a new personal challenge to some extent, along with a collective team challenge. The story is fast paced, and keeps things moving. My biggest problem with this book, same as in the first, is that there is more time spent on the characters' love lives, and internal struggles and teenage angst than what are the really fascinating time trials. When we get to experience the trials they are fantastic, gripping and a wonderful glimpse into history. But they are too few and too brief. The mystery of the Timekeepers continues, unanswered, so roll on book three, and hopefully more history and some more answers and less hang up on the teenage romance!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

After reading the first of this duo, I was very much looking forward as to what our quartet had to face next; including the aftermath of Mordecai's decision.

As with the first book, the characterisation was brilliant, and Philomena Vandecraft had her time to shine in this book. Her villainous and wicked ways were so well thought out in a game of emotion

I think that I actually liked this book better than the first. My teenage Grandaughter enjoyed the romance better than I did but I suppose she is more the demographic the book is positioned for.

I did enjoy this book, but found a lot of the focus in the middle was more on the relationships and less on the actual time trials. It did feel a bit unbalanced. That being said, the last 10/15% of this book was non-stop and I couldn't put it down once it got going.
I definitely hope the story continues as it did end on quite the cliffhanger, and I want to see what happens to the Young Historians. I'll keep an eye out for book 3!

2.5 I just finished this book and I’m so frustrated. None of my questions from the last book were answered and this book ended with something of a cliff hanger, leaving me with even more questions.

The thing I disliked about the first book, the relationship between Finn and Everly was even more pronounced in this book. The reasons they couldn’t make it work just didn’t make sense to me and I hate love triangles. I’m glad that was somewhat resolved by the end…

There was even less time travel in this book and as I mentioned, the majority of the book was focused on the romantic relationships. I felt like Edison and Valerie really took a backseat in this book.

The ending didn’t make sense to me. I have so many questions and there is no indication anywhere that I could find that there is going to be another book. I mean obviously I hope there is but I hate when a book doesn’t really contain a completed story.

Questions I had:
1. Why are the timekeepers ageless?
2. What is going on with Everly’s father ( I think he must be a time tourist but how does going back in time stop his wife from dying of cancer?)
3-a lot: these would present spoilers so I won’t list them but needless to say I have A LOT of questions.

This book was hard for me to get through, mainly because I was frustrated with all the relationship stuff, but I would be willing to read the next one. I think as an adult, it’s hard to read about the stupidity of teenage love. And even though the characters are pretty stereotypical, I still enjoy them. I hope the next book has more time traveling and more explanations and less romantic drama.

***Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the authors for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed within are my own. ***

I did not actually end up reading this one. I stopped 25% through the first book because I could not stand it

I enjoyed The Fifth Timekeeper. I was already hooked after book #1, but was hooked even more after the first chapter in this book. Devoured the thrilling continuation in about 2 days. And it would have been one day, but kids need their mom's, so I had to mom.

I'm a forever fan of Jon and Dayna McConnell! Thank you for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Tiny Fox Press for an ARC for my honest opinion!

A lot happens in this second installment, starting with a new player, mentor, and some long term plans coming into fruition. This second book really has a lot of moving parts and it can be kind of confusing with the intermingling nature of the relationships. We definitely spend more time outside of the competition, aka many pages focused on the love triangle, but I wish we could learn more about Edison and Valerie, though we do get a quick peek for Valerie.

I wish the chapters would note which perspective you’re reading to set the expectation, but it is fairly easy to figure out once you start reading. Being outside of the upper age range for this series, I definitely felt that it read a little young, but I thought this was engaging enough to want to find out what was happening next. There was some set up, especially with the new added layers, so it does suffer a little from second book syndrome. Overall, I am still invested to see what the next book entails!

3.5 stars

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second in the series, which I wasn't quite sure of until reading. Has those dystopia YA vibes for sure. It is an interesting read!

This book was the second in the Time Trials series which I'm not familiar with and had no idea was part of the series.

For some reason, this book reminds me of Hunger Games, though little similarities I still enjoy the story and I would say can be also a standalone.

A club drafted into the next game, however the loss of their leader and a new leader posed a challenge to the group. Win the game no matter what.

Enjoyed the overall story and may pick up the first book before to get an overview of the series and where its headed. Well drafted story.

Thank you Tiny Fox Press for the ARC & Netgalley.

3.5/5 stars.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was looking forward to the second one. I liked the world building of the past in these books. The 1930s Prohibition era was particularly fun in this one. The conclusion of the story was fast-paced and leads well into a third book.

Unfortunately, my praise is a bit muted by a couple of points. The profanity level kicked up a notch that seemed unnecessary for this series. It's not John Green level, but it was more than the first novel. Second, I will fully concede the authors' knowledge of 90s music is solid, but Finn sounds like a pretentious hipster (like the aforementioned Mr. Green has been known to do). Then again, I really can't much of a difference in quality and style between the much maligned Puddle of Mudd and the beloved Soundgarden. Now this may be an intentional defect, but is an annoying aspect of his character either way in my opinion. Also, I totally knew the "big secret" behind Ryan's presence at the school and I am not usually that good at figuring these things out.

All in all, I would probably give the book a 3.5, but will round up to a 4 for the purposes of this review.

Really enjoyed this one! The character growth is excellent! The "games" were interesting. Philomena Vandecraft is a character you love to hate. Okay I WANT the next in the series! Thanks #netgalley and #TinyFoxPress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Read as a ready to read ARC on NetGalley- Thank you to NetGalley, Tiny Fox Press and the McConnells for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the first of this duo, I was very much looking forward as to what our quartet had to face next; including the aftermath of Mordecai's decision.

As with the first book, the characterisation was brilliant, and Philomena Vandecraft had her time to shine in this book. Her villainous and wicked ways were so well thought out in a game of emotional warfare against teenagers, and I found myself holding my breath to see what her next move was. She really was a standout. I loved that we continued to see the sibling-like relationship between Valerie and Edison; and of course, no YA novel is complete without a teenage love triangle. The writers were able to capture the inability of teenagers being able to talk about their feelings- I remember it well! I'm still not entirely sure on my stance of Ryan as a character, as although she served her role as a pawn and plot device well, I couldn't warm to her as a character.

I really loved the time periods and "games" used in the book's trials. In particular, I really enjoyed the Prohibition era challenge. It made for very fun reading and it was interesting to see how the teens were able to use their problem solving skills.

In the first book, my main issue was with the pacing of the story. This was not an issue this time, however I felt the flow of the novel was a bit disjointed. The events between chapters were a bit stop-start, and lacked connection. I would have liked some insight as to who got left behind in the Musical Chairs round, some more information regarding the role of "mortal compass", Mordecai's perspective of this year's games. I felt this would have made for better linking opportunities.

Nevertheless, this was an excellent sequel to the first book. The ending left a number of questions unanswered, and opened the door for a third book. I was hooked during the closing chapters and was disappointed when it ended as I wanted the action to continue. I really hope there is a 3rd book (maybe? please?), and if so, I look forward to reading it to see the fallout and aftermath of that ending.

4 Stars

This book is the second installment of the Time Trials Series and continues where the first book left off (although it could be read as a stand-alone book if you did not already read the first in the series). The members of the Historians Club are drafted into the next games as they were the victors of the previous games. But now the cohesiveness of the club is challenged by the loss of their beloved mentor, the addition of an unknown new mentor, the exclusion of a key club member (in such a small group, all members are key) and the addition of a new club member. This is a lot of change within the club, but they also have challenges facing the club as a whole as it becomes clear that there is a bias against their team . They will not only have to fight to win the games, but also fight to stay alive, The author does a great job of portraying the anxiety, fear and determination of the characters, and the interplay between them is spot-on! The challenges are exciting and energetic. The club members continue to think outside-the-box in order to affect creative outcomes. The last challenge will hook you and hold you .... because it does not end by the end of the book! There are so many cliffhangers at the end of this book that I hope the next one is out soon! This is an excellent installment to the series and I anxiously await Book 3!!

I absolutely loved this book! I picked this book up without realizing it was the second in a series but by the time I realized, I was in too deep. I was intrigued by the characters and wanted to explore the world created by the authors. I found myself wishing I had these abilities in real life (much like I still wish I receive my acceptance to Hogwarts!)

The writing is easy to read, character development is extremely well done and the story line is creative and fun. I would absolutely recommend this book if you are looking to get away from the real world for a few hours.

This book was an amazing second book, it was captivating and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! I wish there were more as I am really immersed in this story now.

A great second book in the series, an exciting and plot driven book. Leaving you want to read more. I’m absolutely gutted there are only two books in this series - because I would absolutely love to see more.

Wow, this book is a pleasure to read for audiophiles. This author duo takes pride in the details which makes it a pleasure to read. This is not just some book that you skim through on a lazy afternoon, you find yourself truly wishing to devote time and attention to it. This is definitely a story that has texture, adding sound, emotion and imaginary to a captivating storyline.