Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrew Vargas for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Mongol Ascension coming out September 3, 2024. The honest opinions.

I’ve read the first book in the series, but not the second one. So there might be some things I missed. There were definitely some changes since the first book. I love Dan’s character and the time jumping through history ability is so amazing. I’d love a superpower like that! I was a little confused with how things turned out at the end. I don’t want to give anything away, but I was thinking it would go a little differently. I’m glad Dan has some positive things to look forward to in his life though. I’d definitely read more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys time travel books!

Dan Renfrew is trying his best to live a normal life, but that is difficult as an orphaned teenager who must do everything for himself. Complicating matters is the fact that Dan is a time jumper, and he knows very little about what is expected from him in his job. Nobody seems willing to help Dan, however, and just as he starts falling for a girl in his class, time snatches Dan and his best friend Sam back into ancient Mongolia to repair a rift in the continuum of history. This jump is different than any they have yet faced, however, and as they work to reset history, they must also determine the truth of their relationship with one another.

This third in the Jump in Time book series continues Dan’s story after the exciting conclusion of book two. While formulaic in its design, the book educates readers about ancient Mongolia in a way that is fun and engaging within the framework of a story that revolves around teenagers. It is important to have read the first two books before reading this one, especially as the idea of time jumping and Dan’s unique situation are set up prior to this novel. Like the two stories before it, this book is well written and keeps readers involved throughout the challenges Dan and Sam face.

There is a bit more of a focus on the relationship between Dan and Sam in this book, and both have reasons to lean more on the other than they have in the past. This enhances their connection while giving them the opportunity to explore what their friendship truly means. Though it is not as strong as the first two novels, this one invites readers into a rarely discussed piece of human history, which makes it stand out as a unique contribution to the genre. At the end, historical notes give readers a sense of where the line between history and fiction resides. Built for a sequel, this book is a good addition to the series, and young adult readers who enjoy history, time travel, and adventure will find this to be an entertaining story.

Dan is trying to rally help to foil Victor’s plot but has been so far unsuccessful. So if he can't find answers in the present he hopes he can find more in the past. When the time rod indicates a new glitch he and Sam jump back and find themselves in Mongolia. They meet a teenager on a mission to rescue his wife from a rival tribe. But so much more than a stolen bride is on the line here and it could put the entire Mongolian empire on a different path.

I am really enjoying this series despite Dan coming off a bit obnoxious in this book in particular. I can't really put my finger on it, he just seemed a bit all over the place. But the reason I enjoy these books so much is because of the historical aspect of them. While I do know of Genghis Khan, I didn't know much of his story so this peaked my interest. As a historical fiction I feel this would do a good job introducing people to the Mongolian Empire. As for the overarching story with Victor, I was a bit confused by his direction as well. Meeting with Dan and just revealing his plan came so out of left field for me. Like why. Guess will have to wait for the next book to see.

Rating 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Imbrifex Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this read blind, having not read the first two books in the series. I’m also a bit older than the intended audience. None the less, I had a great time reading about Dan and Sam’s adventures in Mongolia. Varga provides enough context for the earlier two books, so I didn’t feel as behind as I should have.

Dan’s adventures through time lead him to 1100s Mongolia, where he meets a young Genghis Khan – known then as Temujin – his group of loyal friends, and an army of thousands at their backs. Dan and Sam join the quest to recover Temujin’s kidnapped wife, Borte, from a rival tribe of Mongols, called the Merkits.

Dan and Sam’s relationship is complicated, and throughout the course of the novel takes multiple turns, realistic for a pair of teenagers in a difficult and isolating set of situations. In current times, Dan also navigates finding new friends in the time-jumping community after the death of his father, as well as a potential relationship with a girl from school. He also meets up with his father’s murderer, Victor, who is plotting to take over the world using his superior time-jumping knowledge, a plot thread that should lead toward a super exciting fourth installment.

The story is engaging, enjoyable, well researched, and realistic for a Middle Grade story about teenagers. Cheers to Varga!

This is Book 3 in the Jump in Time Series. Dan Renfrew leads a normal high school life full of all of the normal things - homework, dating, you know the "normal" things. Dan has a secret though, he is a time jumper. Time Jumpers go back in time to "fix glitches in history that would make things difficult in the future". This time, he joins with his partner Sam to stop a rogue band of time jumpers that is trying to take over the world. They Jump to 1779 to help a man save his bride who was kidnapped. Together the 3 of them must stop the take over and save the Mongolian Empire.

“My stomach recoiled like I'd just been kicked in the gut. Sam and I were in the middle of a Mongol army heading for war.”

As always when I’m reading these books I find myself having fun and getting through another historical drama period where wars are threatening the little balance Dan has on his life. Dan and Sam are together again and they find themselves in the middle of a mongol war. More action, more history, more new characters, more truths about Victor and how he was involved in Dan’s father’s death. And I absolutely loved the relationship between Dan and Sam !!! Always have and always will and I’m pretty sure that it will continue to evolve in the next books. I loved that in this book there is even more of real life and time jump colliding in Dan’s existence and I was there for it. The way he tried to balance his regular life as a student with the possibility to get a girlfriend, and his life as a time traveller… it’s hard to get a normal life when you jump from one period to the other. But again I absolutely loved it !!! Quite excited for the future, especially after the events of the last chapters !!!

An interesting continuation of the Time Jumpers series where Victor continues his quest to rule the world and Dan is obsessed with his personal life. And I think Mongols showed up for part of it.

Three books in, Daniel Renfrew has gone through some changes. After years of homeschooling, he has to find acceptance among his peers at a local secondary school. Fortunately, his martial arts skills, learned from his father and honed on the battlefields of Hastings and Celtic Britain, intimidate the local bullies. He even makes a tentative connection with a “normal” (i.e., not time-jumping) girlfriend, although dating someone who may disappear into the past at any moment is a challenge, to say the least.

Indeed, Daniel soon finds himself on another mission, one very different from his previous adventures. As the title suggests, Daniel jumps back in time to the Eurasian steppe and meets a fellow adolescent named Temujin. Daniel agrees to help Temujin rescue his wife, abducted by a rival clan, but only after a sneak attack forces Daniel to return to his present does he discover that the teen he is trying to help will become Genghis Khan, the World Conqueror. Now Daniel faces a dilemma: should he help a young man who will someday order the murder of millions? Or should he skirt his responsibility to prevent any rewriting of history, knowing that by doing so his actions will support a world conspiracy in his present?

But Daniel is a time-jumper, and besides, he left his friend Sam in the past. So he returns to the Mongolian steppe, still not knowing the nature of the time glitch that he and Sam need to fix. Information about the plans of that world conspiracy is also at stake.

This is a fun series, aimed at young adults but enjoyable for older readers as well. It was good to see Daniel get out of Britain and recognize the value of history he didn’t learn in school—specifically, that of Asia and the steppe. From what the author said when I spoke to him last year, Daniel has at least four more adventures to go, so I look forward to following his adventures as he—and Sam—come to terms with their difficult heritage.

I plan to interview Andrew Varga about this book on my blog (link below) when it comes out in September 2024. You can hear an earlier interview about the first two installments in the series at the New Books Network link, also below.

Mongol Ascension by Andrew Varga is a book for teenagers that I stumbled on to and initially, I found the jump in time difficult to comprehend. The book is all about a teenage boy along with his friend going back in time to fix some glitches in history. This time they embark on a dangerous mission to Mongolia in the 12th Century before the rise of Genghis Khan to set right certain anomalies. The book describes in a beautiful way the life of the Mongols, the various factions within and how the time jumpers help the virtuous win over the evil. It is in fact a very good way to teach history in such absorbing story form so the retention is better. Overall a very good book to read and a different experience altogether compared to a normal crime thriller.

The Mongol Ascension follows Dan & Sam's time travel jump back to the rise of Genghis Khan and the battle with the Merkits following the abduction of the 17 year old Khan's wife Borte.

This series of books is great for boys aged 10-13 that maybe aren't so into reading - they depict real battles in history with real snippets of what life was like back then. A museum story come to life, with high stakes.

This 3rd instalment in the series is differently paced, as the time jump section of the story only takes up the first half of the novel - the rest is taken up with setting up for a big arc for a future narrative, without spoilers - some teenage relationship angst, finding your place in the world, coming of age and Saving the World With a Bunch of Misfits.

I cheated and read someone else's review before coming here and they raised a seriously enlightening idea, that the more I think about it the more I am manifesting for it to come true - for the fourth instalment, I want some chapters from Samantha's point of view. Following Derpy Sam around for three full novels now is getting a bit tired, he's not very bright as a protagonist.

Andrew Varga brings us the third story of his Jump in Time series. It’s another engrossing tale set in the unusual location of ancient Mongolia, an unfamiliar place and culture for so many of us. Nevertheless we may expect Genghis Khan to make an appearance, one way or another. Does he or doesn’t he ? Read and see !

Naturally you get a better feel and resonance with the story, if you have the continuity of the different threads of the book series, with having read the prior books of the series. Nevertheless, the threads are easy to pick up, so you can soon enjoy the story, nearly just as much. As young adult fiction, it stands up very well on it’s own, as with when I read book two, prior to book one.

Andrew Varga out of enthusiasm for history and weapons of old, has written the Jump in Time series, for the educational pleasure of his own children and for that of young adults. Also it’s for those of us who are still young enough at heart, to enjoy a youthful adventure, set in and among well known or lesser known historical events.

If you’re up for some present time high school adventures with seventeen-year-old Dan Renfrew and teen partner Sam, plunging back in time, into situations where they have to work out, what they’re meant to be doing there, whilst combating the rogue time jumpers, then buy the book when it comes out on the 3rd September 2024 and enjoy the latest historical time adventure, from Andrew Varga.

Andrew Varga's "A Time Jump Novel: The Mongol Ascension" takes readers on a thrilling journey through time and history, blending adventure, suspense, and cultural exploration seamlessly. Receiving my copy knowing I'm starting with book three I dove into this installment with high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed.

The story picks up momentum from the outset, weaving a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of history. Varga skillfully introduces characters like Congressman Victor Stahl, whose unexpected connections add layers of intrigue to the plot. The hinting of Victor's relationship to another character serves as a clever tease, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover more secrets.

Central to the story is the protagonist's relationship with Sam, a love interest whose complexity adds depth to the narrative. Their interactions are imbued with a sense of longing and anticipation, highlighting the emotional stakes amidst the adrenaline-fueled time jumps.

What truly sets this book apart is its ability to seamlessly integrate historical elements into the storyline. Varga expertly navigates the complexities of time travel, offering readers a glimpse into different periods and cultures without overwhelming them with exposition. From reading only book three, I learnt of encounters with Norman cavalry to interactions with ancient Romans, each time jump clearly packed with action and suspense.

The characters themselves are a highlight of the novel, with distinct personalities and motivations that drive the plot forward. The dynamic between the protagonist and their companions, (I particularly love Khasar) adds depth to their journey and underscores themes of trust and camaraderie.

One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to tackle social issues within the context of its narrative. Through Sam's experiences as the only woman in an army of Mongols, Varga sheds light on themes of privilege and gender dynamics, prompting readers to reflect on societal norms and expectations.

Overall, "The Mongol Ascension" is a riveting read that delivers on its promises of adventure, intrigue, and cultural exploration. With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, it's a five-star addition to the series that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.

By all means start from book one. But if for some unknown reason you only have access to this book, read it! Now! Don't wait!

Once Dan Renfrew found out that he comes from a long line of time jumpers, his life has changed. While his father was still in a coma, Dan could at least pretend that things would go back to the way they were. Now that his father has passed, Dan feels lost. He finds himself leaning on Sam for support. When they leave the 21st century to deal with a time glitch, they find themselves in Mongolia, which is problematic since they had been told that time jumpers were only altered to glitches in places where they would blend in. They meet a man who is trying to get his wife back from a tribe that kidnapped her. They try their best to help him while also trying to figure out how they can stop Victor's plan for time jumpers to take over the world. A really great addition to this series. Word of warning, you must read this series in order.

I flew through this book, totally hooked on it. It's not the most lofty of writing, as it's full of cliché story elements and cringy behavior by the teen MC, but the story being told is solidly engaging. It's hard to read some of Dan's internal monolog and actions, but unfortunately, they're largely realistic for some people, although some readers might not relate. I can relate to a lot of his most cringy thoughts and deeds, ha.

I like where this series is going, and I'm very grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for having made advanced copies available, as that's how I found out about them. I look forward to continuing the story when the next one is out.

I love Andrew Varga's creation.
I loved the start. It was very different to the previous two books. It held the same level of suspense, but in a different kind of scene. And the fact that the scene was mirrored at the end created a symmetry to which I am not used.

The story is mainly plot-driven, but that is OK. In fact, Dan and Sam follow the plot of history. And actually, they have a lot of agency to drive a few other sub-plots.

The side characters are lovely: well-rounded enough for us to know what their main traits are and to make us know what to expect.

The book stimulated an odd philosophical dilemma inside my head. I felt the book drew some parallels between the main antagonist of the series a great historical figure, violent, but also impressive in vision, strategy and accomplishments .

I predicted Dan's love life dilemma and it feels very realistic. Not necessarily because the characters are teenagers, but because I believe that is human nature.

I will say again what I said about the other two books. We cannot get time travel perfect because we have not achieved it! But Andrew Varga's imagination created a new and interesting take on something that has been a staple of literature and television for decades.

oh wow the MC is strong attractive and doesn't know that chicks are into him until they basically confess crazyily AND he took out multiple men at once wow.

Personally everything was hyperbolic and overdramatic. I want to focus on the story shorten the dialogue pleaseee

I have not finished the book yet I do plan on it but, it's a side of history that does not particularly entice me, the Mongolian empire is just not my Forte at the moment I go in phases, right now classical and the British empire is more my thing when I chose the book I did not think that would be an issue since Ive greatly enjoyed the first two novels but apparently it is, for me. What I've read so far I am enjoying but it doesn't hook me like the others novels did. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book I hope I can get through it soon to give a full review.

Another great young adult historical fiction title from Andrew Varga!

As a homeschool parent, I love the blend of time-traveling excitement with a glimpse of how life was for a particular time period. For this one, the reader meets the young (age 17) Temüjin when he has rallied an army to rescue his kidnapped wife Börte. Dan and his time jumper partner Sam become part of that campaign trying to fix whatever time glitch may be threatening Temüjin's transformation into Genghis Khan.

Along with this is time spent in the present as Dan learns what Victor's plan is for world domination and he makes new connections that may be the friends he'll need for his campaign against Victor. And, he gets another look at a city visible when traveling through time without holding the time jumper rod.

While this is the third book in a series (and I've read the previous ones), you could read it as a standalone. Enough details of his past adventures are mentioned that you can make sense of everything.

Having finished this, I'm passing my Kindle to my 14-year-old son who has been eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Imbrifex Books for an advance reader copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the Jump in Time series. The series is moving along nicely and this is a satisfying addition. Dan, the son of a time traveler is continuing his father’s legacy by fixing glitches in time. Meanwhile he needs to figure out how to stop Victor, time traveler supreme, who is planning world domination. dan’s best friend and partner in time travel is Sam. She has kept him alive on past adventures and continues to do so. In this glitch Dan and Sam find themselves on the Mongol Plain helping their new friend Temujin recover his stolen bride. They need to fit into a history in which they are not well versed, figure out the glitch, fix it and stay alive. This makes for an exciting and informative story. Back in the 21st century Dan is making connections, He is finding a way to have a “normal” life while moving forward in his work to stop Victor.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eGalley of this title.

In this third instalment of the A Jump in Time series, Dan and Sam travel to Mongolia where they meet Temujin, a fellow teen who is gathering an army to rescue his wife. By saving his life, Dan and Sam are invited to join and are under his protection. Dan later discovers that Temujin will become Genghis Khan in the future. In this book, Dan learns about being a leader and also learns much more about fellow time travellers in his own time and Victor’s evil plans for the world. On top of all this, Dan struggles with his romantic feelings and with dating.

I really enjoyed this storyline, especially Dan’s voyage of learning more about other travellers and about how he can take steps to try defeat Victor. Dan ‘s relationships with Sam and Jenna are quite puzzling for him and reflect the typical struggles of teenage boys to understand girls’ emotions and the world of budding relationships. This is another great book for learning about historic events, while also following a teenage boy’s adventures and challenges. I highly recommend it to the Ya audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.