The Mongol Ascension

A Jump in Time Novel, Book Three

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Book 3 of A Jump in Time
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Pub Date Sep 03 2024 | Archive Date Not set

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Description

MISSION: SAVE THE WORLD
DESTINATION: ANCIENT MONGOLIA


Seventeen-year-old Dan Renfrew leads a normal high school life full of all the usual challenges: homework, bullies, and the enigmatic world of dating. It would be enough for most teens, but Dan has a secret. He’s a time jumper, a member of a clandestine group tasked with journeying to the past to repair glitches in history that imperil subsequent events. This responsibility alone is daunting, but it’s even more crucial now. A band of rogue time jumpers is bent on taking over the world, and Dan can’t find any allies to join him in the fight to stop them.

In a last-ditch effort to foil the conspiracy, Dan and his partner Sam plunge into history together. Landing on the steppes of Mongolia in the year 1179, they meet a brave Mongol teen on a courageous quest to rescue his kidnapped wife. But Dan and Sam soon discover that there’s far more at stake than a stolen bride. They’re thrust into a desperate race against time to save the Mongol Empire—and the future of the entire world.

MISSION: SAVE THE WORLD
DESTINATION: ANCIENT MONGOLIA


Seventeen-year-old Dan Renfrew leads a normal high school life full of all the usual challenges: homework, bullies, and the enigmatic world of...


A Note From the Publisher

This is the third book in the series.
The Last Saxon King was published March 2023 (Book One)
The Celtic Deception was published August 2023 (Book Two)
The Spartan Sacrifice will be published in August 2025 (Book Four)
The Last Saxon King has been nominated for the 2024 Red Maple Award in the Forest of Reading Festival.
All of the books in the series can be read STAND-ALONE.

This is the third book in the series.
The Last Saxon King was published March 2023 (Book One)
The Celtic Deception was published August 2023 (Book Two)
The Spartan Sacrifice will be published in...


Advance Praise

“The history presented is genuinely rendered alongside the captivating fantasy and fictional elements. The storyline is replete with ancient battle action and tactics, flashes of romance, clever humor, and unexpected turns in events. Exceeding my expectations throughout, the book delivers not only fast-paced fun and adventure but engaging historical insight into a time of turmoil and change. Unreservedly recommended for readers of all ages.”–Thomas J. Howley, Historical Novel Society

“Fun immersion in the world of the Celts and the lives of endearing characters the two protagonists come to know as well as plenty of fast-paced, bloody action sequences.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The history presented is genuinely rendered alongside the captivating fantasy and fictional elements. The storyline is replete with ancient battle action and tactics, flashes of romance, clever...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781955307048
PRICE $20.99 (USD)
PAGES 304

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Average rating from 76 members


Featured Reviews

Andrew Varga delivers another winner. I love this series, it's not only fun but makes the reader think about history. What were those characters like while history was being made. Fun and action filled. Thank you.

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5 Stars! Another winner from author Andrew Varga! This is the 3rd book, & the 3rd 5 star rating from me in the ‘A Jump in Time’ series and while it can be read as a standalone, I’d highly recommend reading this series in order, I’ve loved every book so far. In this book, the main character, 17 year old Dan & jump partner Sam, jump back to Mongolia in 1179 to help 17 year old Temujin get his wife, Borte, back from the Merkits. Not meerkats like Timon from The Lion King, Merkits, a tribe in 12th century Mongolia. According to Wikipedia, after a struggle of over 20 years, they were defeated in 1200 by Genghis Khan and were incorporated into the Mongol Empire.
I love how this author makes it exciting to learn history. If I had a history teacher that made history fun to learn and imagine, I’d have learned a lot more. I’d categorize this book as historical fiction, action packed with a smidge of romance and life of a 17 year old high school student who time travels and is trying to stop an evil senator from taking over the world! Lots of interesting and entertaining information and this series should be added to middle or high school history classes.
I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Where will Dan & Sam go next? The Roman Empire? The Wild West? Maybe an African tribe as they rounded up and sold slaves? That would be a great way to teach kids about the start of slavery in the US & how it came to be. This really is a great series and one of my absolute favorites! Highly recommend this book & this series! 100% absolutely worth it!
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

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Third book in an excellent series for middle school readers. Time jumping allows contemporary characters to interact with historical characters in a way that shows the past era as well as what remains the same in human actions and relationships. Creative plots and good use of characters.

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- The Summary -
The Mongol Ascension is the third book in the A Jump in Time series, in this installment, we follow Dan and Sam to 1179 Mongolia. After landing in the Mongolian steppe, they save a young man named Temujin to rescue his wife. Hoping that this jump will help them understand what Victor Stahl's plans are and hopefully help them with a plan on how to stop them.
Outside of the time jump, Dan and Sam continue to dig to uncover Victor's plans in the present.

- The Review -
Another fantastic book, I love this series so much; I would have been more interested in history if I grew up with these books.
There's a really nice balance in this book, we get to see a bit more about Dan's life outside of the time jump which allows for a bit more character development. This is nicely balanced with the time jump and larger plots being developed as well. I'm excited to see more of Dan's experiments when traveling in the time stream.
Overall, a fantastic read, I binged the whole this in a few days and already I can't wait for the next one.

- The Acknowledgement -
Thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Varga, and Imbrifex Books for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, but my words and opinions are my own.

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Das hier ist nun der dritte Band um den 17jährigen Dan Renfrew, dem unfreiwilligem Time-Jumper, der gemeinsam mit seiner besten Freundin Sam immer wieder zurück in die Vergangenheit reist, um dort Störimpulse aufzuspüren und zu beseitigen, sodass die Geschichte sich so abspielen kann, wie wir sie aus unseren Geschichtsbüchern gewohnt sind. Das ist so der grobe Rahmen des Geschehens, und hier nun finden sich Dan und Sam in den mongolischen Steppen vor etwa 1000 Jahren wieder, gerade rechtzeitig, um den ebenfalls 17jährigen Temuzin bei einem Angriff zur Seite zu stehen und ihm das Leben zu retten. Als Dank dürfen sie ihn dann dabei begleiten, seine gekidnappte Frau aus den Klauen feindlicher Stämme zu befreien. Falls es irgendjemand jetzt schon vermutet: besagter mongolische Teenie soll später als Dschingis Khan ein Weltreich erobern, und wir haben nun als Leser das Vergnügen, gemeinsam mit Dan und Sam eine ganz neue Seite an dieser historischen Persönlichkeit zu entdecken 😊.
Zwischenzeitlich sind wir aber auch immer mal wieder mit Dan im hier und heute, und hier hat er mit ganz anderen Problemen zu kämpfen. Seit dem Tod seines Vaters lebt er alleine und geht seit neuem zur Schule - bislang hatte ihn sein Vater unterrichtet, und das vorwiegend in Geschichte und Martial Arts jeglicher Art. Dan ist ein wenig ein Sonderling auf seiner Schule, und hat so seine Schwierigkeiten mit den dortigen Maulhelden…. Allerdings gibt es auch positive Dinge, als er die hübsche Jenna kennenlernt und sich eine zarte Romanze anbahnt. Und wie passt Sam da jetzt rein? Dan muss einige Entscheidungen treffen….
Und nicht zu vergessen, Viktor, der große Feind, der nichts anderes als die Weltherrschaft im Sinn hat, ist auch noch da. Alle Time-Jumper fürchten ihn, und doch muss er gestoppt werden. Dan ist bereit, den Kampf aufzunehmen. Das ist hier die ganz große Storyline drumherum: egal in welches historische Abenteuer Dan sich auch stürzt, im Hintergrund ist immer die Bedrohung durch Viktor und dessen Gehilfen. Und kleiner Spoiler: das Buch endet mit einem üblen Cliffhanger, gerade als Dan gegen Viktor aufrüstet.
Mein Leseeindruck: Ich war wieder total begeistert 😊. Ich habe die beiden Vorgängerbände schon gefeiert, und das hier war wieder ein geniales Abenteuer. Richtig, richtig gut geschrieben, ich war von Seite 1 mitgerissen. Die Personen bekommen mittlerweile alle richtig Tiefe, und egal ob im Jetzt oder in der Vergangenheit, ich war gefesselt.
Was halt auch immer toll ist: der Autor ist Historiker und kennt sich in den jeweiligen Epochen sehr gut aus. Das war eine coole Geschichtsstunde, ich glaube, ich habe mit diesem Roman mehr über die Mongolen und Dschingis Khan gelernt, als je zuvor.
Wir haben hier ein permanent hohes Spannungslevel, plus viele authentische Dialoge, coole Charaktere, es passt alles, man kann durch den Roman fliegen.
Es war mir ein Vergnügen, und ich warte jetzt schon auf den nächsten Teil!
Vielen Dank an den Verlag und an Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!

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I loved this book! A departure from the typical historical fiction genre, but so entertaining,. Not a complex story, but I still feel like I learned a lot and I’m now going to read this author’s other works, in fact, I can’t wait!

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The Mongol Ascension is Andrew Varga's best book so far. The writing style is better, the characters have more personality (although Dan remains annoyingly thirsty) and the plot is moving quicker.

The departure from the familiar old England background also makes a difference versus the previous books, as well as the back and forth between past and present. This book is an "independent" adventure like the previous ones as but it's also where you feel that the bigger plot is moving and more pieces find their place in the board.

Andrew Varga succeeds once again into making the past feel unpleasant. Glory, nobility and heroics? No, because the truth is that you found yourself in medieval Mongolia, you would have to eat the (honestly disgusting) food of the Mongol horsemen, you could be attacked and killed at any moment, and if you're Sam you would be constantly ogled and harassed by thousands of men.

The bigger picture remains kind of vague: Victor is grandstanding and it's quite unclear how he plans to use the past to change the future yet.

One small remark, it's kind of strange that Dan didn't know who their 17-year old Mongol protector/protegee was, this name is quite known especially to history nerds. Like, I knew immediately.

Thank you NetGalley and Imbrifex Books for the ARC!

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Another fabulous installment to the series! Mongolia is such a fresh setting. I loved the new location and new plot twists. I can’t wait for the next one.

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In the third Jump in Time book, Dan Renfrew and his partner Sam travel back in time to ancient Mongolia. There, they work to fix a "glitch" in time. Upon returning home to his time, Dan finds out there's an even bigger challenge to fight in order to save the world. Dan finds allies in new friends. Author Andrew Varga's story brings historical fiction with a touch of fantasy and a promise of more adventures to come for our teen heroes Dan and Sam.

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A time-travelling adventurous teenage duo end up landing in Mongolia, and unbeknowing to them, they stumble into discovering that, it's up to them to save Mongolia and their future, maybe. They don't teach you this stuff in your history class. Whose for saving the Mongols?
This is the third book in the 'A Jump in Time' series by Andrew Varga. You will be following Dan and Sam as they travel to 1179 Mongolia, via Time Travel, of course. Reading this book will not disappoint you, Mr. Varga writes his story, so that it capitulates you faster and faster in the plot, and Dan and Sam are quite the individuals, to lead you, with their unique personalities, you'll want to stay by their side during whole entire reading. And you won't want to stop there, you adventurous soul, you!

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This was the first book in the series that I have read and even without reading the previous 2 books this works as a stand alone book. The premise and story we engaging and even though it is meant for a younger audience kept my attention throughout the book. The history of Genghis Kahn is something I have not read much about and was interesting to learn about his rise to power and quest to unite all the tribes of the area. The history seems to be well researched and enough characters are included to give the story depth while not overwhelming me as a reader trying to keep everyone straight. The time traveling aspect of the book was enjoyable as well. I read some excerpts to my son and he is interested in starting the series from the beginning now. I look forward to experiencing the whole series with him.

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Thank you for the ARC.
I definitely enjoyed this book and the journey. Too bad it wasn't Book-1 in the series. I still dove in and was captivated with each page I turned. This is an awesome adventure for any middle school student.
Time jumps are always exciting to see and learn through the different times of life. A good taste to lightly appreciate science. A good moving story altogether.
I just reviewed The Mongol Ascension by Andrew Varga. #TheMongolAscension #NetGalley

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The Mongol Ascension is the third book in the series written by Andrew Varga. The time glitch that Dan and Sam have to fix takes place in Mongolia during the early years of Genghis Khan. Young seventeen-year-old Temujin is on a quest to rescue his wife from the Merkit army. At first Dan and Sam don’t understand what the glitch is they spend days with the Monguls which includes hordes of armies, near death experiences and fights but nothing obvious about what the glitch they need to fix is. Dan learns important lessons about leadership and how to strategically take down a foe from Temujin. I love the added progression of the character arc of Dan, he’s 17, a time traveler who has inherited the job after his dad was murdered by another time traveler, Victor. Dan not only has to navigate the time traveling world but also high school. How does he stay out of trouble, date and have relationships with others who are not part of the time traveling community. Dan navigates all these challengers the best he can and matures more into what his next role is take down Victor Stahl before he destroys the time travel or community and the world.

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Varga is back with another installment in the A Jump in Time series, featuring homeschooled student Dan Renfred. I love seeing other homeschoolers as protagonists in books as there isn't a lot of represenation here. In this book, we travel to 12th century Mongolia. History has glitched and our characters have to help Genghis Khan recover his wife, Borte. There are many narrow escapes, misadventures, and lucky twists, but they succeed in the end. My only complaint? Given Dan's background knowledge, I felt like he should have known who Temujin was without having to look it up! (However, I understand why the author made that call for plot reasons.)

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“The Mongol Ascension” by Andrew Varga is a young adult fiction novel that is part of the “Jump in Time” series. The book follows the story of Dan Renfrew, a seventeen-year-old time jumper, who travels back in time to ancient Mongolia in the year 1179 to save the Mongol Empire and the future of the entire world from a band of rogue time jumpers who are bent on taking over the world. The book is well-written and engaging, with a fast-paced plot that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. The author’s writing style is easy to follow, making it an enjoyable read for young adults and adults alike. The book is also filled with vivid descriptions of the Mongol Empire, which adds to the overall reading experience.

One of the strengths of the book is its characters. Dan Renfrew is a relatable protagonist who faces the usual challenges of high school life but with the added responsibility of being a time jumper. The other characters in the book, including the brave Mongol teen whom Dan and his partner Sam meet on their journey, are also well-developed and add depth to the story. However, some readers may find the book predictable, with a plot that follows a familiar formula of time travel and saving the world.

Additionally, the book may not be suitable for readers looking for a more historically accurate portrayal of the Mongol Empire, as the book takes some creative liberties with historical events. In conclusion, “The Mongol Ascension” by Andrew Varga is an enjoyable young adult fiction novel that is part of the “Jump in Time” series. The book’s engaging plot, well-developed characters, and vivid descriptions of the Mongol Empire make it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre. However, readers looking for a more historically accurate portrayal of the Mongol Empire may be disappointed.

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Third in a series of time travel adventures, we find Dan, a 17 year old high schooler facing challenges on every side. Following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a "Time Jumper", Dan jumps back in time with his best friend Samantha who is also a "Time Jumper". They land on the Mongolia steppes to meet a young Genghis Khan. The novel is well paced, well developed and riveting. Along the way, the young Genghis Kahn imparts some sterling life principles to Sam which we would all do well to adopt. There is a minimum of violence and no sex scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am motivated to read the first two in this series, as well .It wasn't clear to me if the series continues. We are left with the fate of the world hanging in the hands of Sam and his new Time Jumper friends. Must find out how it resolves. If you enjoy time travel novels or are looking for some good material for teens or pre-teems this is an excellent choice.

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Adorably wealthy in entertainment, love, and adventure adorned honorably with valor and credibility. Very insightful and wisdom derived like a night owl on branch of sight and action. Couldn’t put this one down until I found how it ended. However, even though the ending felt open ended like a book 4 was a pending possibility, it was still a great read! 😁

Lots of motivation and drive throughout of empowerment and growth mentality with intent to callouse minds of toughness and self-discovery of self, others, and environment.

I very much enjoyed reading this book. I am interested in reading more books by this author! Romanticizing meets History books on a walk through the light museum of time traveling and relationships/friendships. Strong writing voice and skill.

A pleasure reading and reviewing this book. Thank you for the opportunity!! ✌️🤶🤠🍕❤️✅
Good job! 👏 🥸🤪😎🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓😇😎😏😏😏🥰🤩🥳🥳🥳😁😁😁😁☔️☔️☔️

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I really enjoyed this novel even though I had not read the first two in the series (I am now going back and reading them.) This series is a great way to introduce history to kids and adults. The twists between dealing with modern day issues and then trying to not die while figuring out what is going wrong in history and how to solve it was masterful. I can't wait to read more about how they will keep the bad guys from messing up the past and the future.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ebook ARC of #TheMongolAscension in exchange for my honest and independent review.

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Time jumper + mongolia + lets save the world - and I jumped write into it.
This is an interesting series, and it is well-written. I was interested to see the world and story unfold, and did I mention Genghis Khan is also there.
A fun read :)

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I will start this off by saying that I was dumb and didn’t read the disclaimer that said this was the third part in a series. So, that might have affected my perception of the book as a piece of a larger whole. However, with that said, I was definitely able to enjoy this book as a stand-alone, and I don’t think that there was too much plot or context that I was missing to be able to understand what was happening.

This book was a fun historical adventure. As someone who does not know too much about the history of Mongolia but loves fiction set in the past, learning about new places, and time travel adventures, this story was a good and interesting read. The author is great about making the characters feel like real young people in my opinion. He is also good at not making the past feel like a walk in the park, as the characters face several trials that feel realistic to what they would actually face when going back to a distant, unfamiliar past.

Overall, I would give this book 4.5 stars rounded up to 5, as it was fun and enjoyable, as well as informative. I will definitely be reading the first two books in the series!

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I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is book 3 in the series and I think each book just keeps getting better.

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I received this arc from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
The Mongol Ascension is the third installment in this time travel series. Best suited for middle grade to YA this series is packed with adventure and a little romance.
I enjoyed the characters Dan and Sam immensely and found the time travel parts interesting and well researched. I like Dan also learned something about himself and how to deal with the villain in the story.
I didn't know much about the Mongols before reading this book and I felt like I learned something too.
I'd like to get this series for my son in junior high as I think this would be right in his wheel house of interest.

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Did you ever wonder if you went back in time and changed just one thing how the world might be a better place? What if you had the means to fix history? Dan Renfrew is caught in a world of time jumpers. Once again he plunges into time with Sam and together they look for ways to discover and repair a time glitch. The pace is entertaining. The plot keeps you on your toes. Dan manoeuvres between never fitting in, relationships, and learning how to survive. The Mongol. Ascension takes you back to a period on the steppes of Mongolia. What is the glitch? How can Dan and Sam stay alive as they get thrown into another race against time while other time jumpers try to stop them. The adventure continues.

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Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC

This was a very enjoyable historical fiction. I can see young readers enjoying this as an introduction to the Mongol empire. It is a great vessel to make people interested in history without being boring, and the author has done his homework. This was obviously very well researched from the historical characters, to the setting, to what Mongols liked to eat and drink. I appreciate the attention to detail and it makes the reader feel as though they are right there with our time traveling protagonist.
Speaking of, Dan is a great character to see this world through. I think that young readers in particular (but honestly everyone) will be able to identify with his struggle of having this huge responsibility and trying to be a normal teenager at the same time. It is a difficult thing to juggle. I have not read any of the other books in this series (I was unaware that it was a series when I requested it) but that did not hinder my enjoyment of the book. The basic premise and plot that seems to be present in all the books was very easy to pick up on in this one and I did not feel like I was behind at all.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be recommending it to some family members who I also think would enjoy it.

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This book - another time jump novel. I absolutely fell in love with this series and have not been disappointed yet again. I think Andrew Varga has done something great with this series. It was one of my favourite reads last year - and this addition to the series has become one of my favourites of this year. I hope to see more from Varga!!

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Another Varga time travel book that completely captivated me! To be frank, I was uncertain how much I’d like reading about Genghis Khan. However, it didn't take many pages at all before I could not put it down. Now I can’t stop thinking about how charming, inspirational, and loyal he is portrayed in this book. Then there’s Dan’s development in current times with other time jumpers, Victor’s plot to take over the world, and why is Victor almost obsessed with Sam. So many knots to unravel.

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Dan is a young high school student with a strange ability. He belongs to a group that can skip back and forth in time with the use of a strange transmitter. His goal is to correct glitches in time that may alter the future by altering the past. He and his friend Sam (Samantha) have the same devices and travel together. The device also assists in adjusting speech and other communications into understandable language.

He learns to defend himself at the hands of Roman Gladiators.

A time glitch has occurred during the 5th to 7th centuries and he and Sam decide to go back to save humanity and fix the glitch. The issue is: will they die trying or will they actually meet the group they need to help?

This particular glitch centers around Genghis Khan! Gengis is considered one of the premier historical figures of all time. As history tells us, Genghis spent his life in battles; both in Asia and in Europe. Can a teenager from the 21st Century become one of the Khan’s trusted allies?

This book moves well and seems historically accurate. I warn every reader to be sure they have time to devote to the book. You won’t want to put it down! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

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In this third offering in the Jump in Time series, Dan Renfrew takes on bullies at school, finds some local friends at his high school and in his hometown, and, along with Sam, visits the Mongol Empire and meets Genghis Khan.

He is still trying to find a way to stop Victor, who is intent on ruling the world using time jumping. As usual, Sam and Dan risk their lives repeatedly when they find themselves part of Temujin's forces in his attempt to recapture his kidnapped wife, Borte, from another tribe. This adventure was the start of his ascent to power.

Dan was seriously injured and had to jump back to the present for help where he confirmed that Temujin was indeed Genghis Khan. Returning to 1100's, he found Sam very upset with him.

The two finally manage to complete their mission and return to the present, where they still have issues to work out.

Fans of the series for younger students, The Time Warp Trio, will love this series as well as history buffs.

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My thanks to Imbrifex books and NetGalley for the ARC. This book takes the reader in a different direction with the time travelers Dan and Sam encountering Genghis Khan. Life in the modern world also does not disappoint as more about Dan’s life and the plans Victor has come to light. The third book in this series does not disappoint leaving Dan bolder than ever. I cannot wait for the next book. Well done!

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Review: Aw shucks, the reluctant hero with a heart of gold. At 17 YO can take out 5 guys with his martial arts skills and kill known criminals (in self-defense of course). All the girls want to bang him but he walks around clueless until they jump in his lap. His demeanor and abilities shift around to fit the current story line. When he needs information he is suddenly and easily kidnapped and acts like a whipped puppy. He either is a badass or not, but using the MC as a plot device is never a good way to write.

Despite the MC being written as a total asshat, the story line and movement are really good. The historical world building is, as far as my limited education in history allows, very expansive. I think the author does a great job with world building and SHE should be principle to the series. Just kill off dumbass and let her take over the MC role.

I still had a great time reading this.

Rating: 4.4/5

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I found myself surprised that this novel is classified as middle grade. Typically, middle grade novels have the protagonist being at an age close to 13yrs, but Dan is 17yrs-he drives, he's worried about romance. While there are other considerations for making something middle grade, such as the maturity level, I was thrown by its suggested audience. With that said, I also understand why it might not appeal to a young adult audience. Despite its exciting moments of battle and high school concerns, there is a slowness to the book to make it easier to follow and it has a great deal of repetition. So I would suggest this book to more of an avid reader than just the average middle schooler.
As for the novel itself, I enjoyed it. I appreciate all the historical facts that were woven into the story. I like the historical notes at the end that really highlights how much of the truth was kept in the story. I know this book is part of a series, and while I did not read the previous two books, there were enough references to the previous novels that I did not have any trouble following along with the overarching plot line. As a fan of history, I love to learn new things, and this book certainly taught me something new about the Mongols.

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A great blend of fiction, fantasy, and historic action. I loved the story and the characters. The author paints a vibrant picture through the battle scenes, buildup, and drama of the book.

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My 15 year old has read every book of this series, and was excited about the chance to read the third one. I will defer to him for the review: The first part of the book was the best of the series, and he loved the time travel part. The end of the book was a bit slower and he didn't enjoy that part as much. Overall, a solid book and he is looking forward to continuing in the series.

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A fun & gripping story full of interesting characters both Fictional & also Historical & this gives History a whole new perspective especially for young readers. It also examines the frailties in Human Society & how the unscrupulous will try to manipulate Society to gain Power & dominate the world. #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #Amazon.co.uk, #FB, #Instagram, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The his was a very nice true telling of the mingols historic story. It’s a very informative read. It is definitely worth a read into the history and what they faced

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!

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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.

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“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 !!!

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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.

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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!

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The Mongol Ascension, third book in the A Jamp In Time series, is full of action, adventure, and a teen who desperatly tries to save the World.

Dan most of the time is clueless as what to do, both as a regular teen and as a time jumper. I have to concede him that he is getting better at looking for leads to expose the villain's plan, but he is still too impulsive and hasty.

Andrew Varga has the ability to make you curious and passionate about every historical time he writes. Before opening this book I've never heard about the Mongol history, other than the name of its most famous conqueror Gengis Khan, but now I crave to learn more.

I enjoyed this story, I recommend it. You won't want to put it down once you pick it up.

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Another good entry in the series! I appreciate the departure from the European history that was central to the first two books in the series—it’s always fun to read about cultures that you aren’t wholly familiar with. This entry builds well on the greater conflict of the first two and I appreciated that we got to learn more about the greater conflict in this one. This is definitely the book and series to give to a kid who loves history; I know I would have loved to read this when I was younger (but it’s still enjoyable as an adult!!). Overall, a solid entry to the series, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for Dan and Sam.

I received an ARC through NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you Netgalley for providing me an E-ARC in exchange for honest opinion

I liked the book 3 the most, I would say that we can see better writing and also better character description and actions of the main character.
As it is book 3 I don´t want to give any spoilers, so I will be brief the Mongols are awesome, really liked that we have got something other than West Europe historical events or figures. Also Dan starts to "think" more and doesn´t act so reckless.
What I did not like, in my opinion, it has dragged a little towards the end, I liked the twist and the little light of hope at the end, but the historical parts were far more interesting to me.
Looks like we will get another book, so I am quite curious what history event we will be reading about.
Overall solid 4 stars, definitely recommending to read.

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The Mongol Ascension
By Andrew Varga

This is the third in a series that the author has subtitled “Jump In Time” novels. The first and second are set in England and are the skillful and clever stories of a young man and woman who have inherited “time-jumping” technology from their fathers. This story flows from the first two, but you don’t need have read those to enjoy The Mongol Ascension.

The hero throughout these books is Dan Renfrew. The villain is a congress member who wants to take over the world. The other jumper, Sam (for Samantha) has saved Dan’s skin more than once. But just to complicate things, she’s beautiful and clever enough that Dan can’t help seeing her as more than a comrade in arms.

Dan and Sam have made a jump into “they know not where” in this new novel, but of course they figure out quickly that they’re in Mongolia when they encounter the leader of a band of Mongolian warriors. Could it be that the seventeen year old Mongol “prince” they encounter is the future Genghis Kahn? Well, the rest of the story is how they cope and how they prevail, helping Temujin (the 17 year old) recover his wife Borte and accrue the victory that sets him on his historic journey as world conquered.

Vargas’ intended audience is likely to be young men 13-23. But as I said in reviewing an earlier book in the series, this 75 year old woman is quite enjoying them!

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I love this series. As a huge history nerd I love reading about different eras especially ones that I know little about.
I knew very little about Genghis Khan before reading this book and I have since read a few articles about this mighty conqueror.
The book is well researched and the author brings alive the time period, not just with facts and figures but with the everyday life these Mongols would have lived, from what they would have worn and eaten, even some of there customs.
I also loved that we got to learn a little bit more about Victor and what his overall plan is for the world.
I cannot wait for book 4 in this series.

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This is an easy ya read…..
The premise of the story is that teenage schoolboy Dan is a time jumper and has to fix time glitches so that history isn’t changed for the worse. Dan and his friend Sam were great, and I liked them and wanted them to succeed in their quest to save the world from Victor who was determined to take over. The two teenagers jump to Mongolia in the 1600’s, and straight away are thrown into a battle. It then seems to drag in the middle and the last part picks up again.
I had mixed feelings about this book. The beginning started off well but as I read, I really struggled to stay engaged with the story. Such a shame.
Many thanks to Imbrifex books for giving me the opportunity to read this arc copy from Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #ImbrofexBooks, #AndrewVargaAuthor.

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I have to say up front that although this is book three of a series, I have had no exposure to the first two books. I was drawn by the fascinating plot that sends Dan Renfrew, a high school student, back in the history of Mongolia hoping to save the world from a glitch in time. The problem is that Dan and his female companion, Sam, have no idea when or what the glitch might be. They just know that it is coming up in the next few months.

The two are immediately met with a Mongol warrior running toward them and away from a group of enemy soldiers. On impulse, Dan and Sam save the Mongol man and learn that his name is Timujin, the 17 year old leader of a rising clan of people who are at war with the neighboring clan, the Merkits. Timujin’s immediate goal is to free his wife from Merkit captivity. What they do not know is that once Timujin frees his wife, he will become known as Genghis Khan.

Behind the scenes of this story—and all of the series—is the battle Dan and Sam have with the leaders of the time jumpers, Victor. It is not until the very end of the book that the reader learns the background of Victor and the plans behind his crew of time jumpers.

Though I did not read books one and two of the series, I had no trouble being brought up to speed in this novel and found it quite engrossing. It is technically a young adult novel, but I see no reason to limit the audience to the young. It is a well written novel and a great adventure and I am grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.

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Dan's hunt for truth continues, both in his own time and in the past. He feels thwarted at every turn and uncertain of what to do next. But when his next time jump holds a few unexpected surprises, Dan decides to take matters into his own hands.

As with all the novels in this series to date, I love the detail of the historical period. In this book, we spend a lot more time in the present and I thoroughly enjoyed the dive into Dan's 'normal' life.

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The Mongol Ascension, the third book in Andrew Varga's A Jump in Time series, follows Dan Renfrew, a teenager who’s thrust into the dangerous mission of repairing time glitches to save the future.

This time, the adventure takes Dan, Sam, and the readers to 12th-century Mongolia, where they must fix a critical glitch involving a Mongol teen. Sam, the only woman among 20,000 Mongol soldiers, faces unique challenges, and Dan is confronted with danger at every turn. Their mission isn’t just about survival - it’s about saving history itself.

Rich with historical details and infused with teenage drama, The Mongol Ascension is a genre-blending novel that will appeal to fans of mystery, time travel, and science fiction. This young adult adventure is perfect for readers who enjoy exploring history’s twists and turns through the eyes of a teenage hero tasked with repairing time’s fabric.

The narrative flows smoothly, with well-developed characters and a tightly woven plot. Varga’s skillful storytelling captivates from the first page to the last, making it hard to put down once you start.

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This work is the third installment in a YA time travel series and this Mongol historical adventure does not disappoint. I suggest reading the series in order for the best reading experience (plus, the entire series is great). The flow of the writing improves with each subsequent book and the historical research and information the author incorporates into each story is nothing short of incredible. The worldbuilding is extensive and so expressive that the reader is fully embraced and enveloped by the Mongol timeline. It's fast-paced and action-packed (very detailed battle scenes without being cumbersome). I enjoyed the scenery change from the British Isles to Asia in this one as well. Some of the best historical accuracy and authenticity I've read in a YA novel. I love this series, keep up the good work!

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Once again Andrew Varga takes us in to the past with the third book of the Jump in Time series. This time we go back to twelfth century Mongolia and meet who else but Ghengis Khan. Dan and his friend Sam unwittingly aid the young Khan which starts them off on a high adventure. Full of the insecurities of a 17 year old boy, Dan sometimes stumbles through life but always comes through in the end. A fantastic adventure read which also teaches a bit of history as you go. Very enjoyable. I highly recommend for young teens through adults.
Thanks to #NetGalley#TheMongolAscension#ImbrifexBooks for the EARC.

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After their last jump in time, Dan and Sam need answers. They believe the past may contain information that will help them figure out Victor’s plans. This time around they journey to twelfth century Mongolia, where a young man named Temujin dreams of uniting the Mongol tribes and will go to great lengths to get his wife back from their enemy. Unlike their previous jumps, the mission is not readily clear. As they struggle to find the glitch in time, understand Victor’s plans, and figure out their relationship, Dan and Sam experience the loyalty, wisdom, and gratitude of one of the greatest leaders known to history.

It is fair to say that Andrew Varga is one of my favorite authors. Once again, he has delivered a fun adventure backed by strong historical research. He does not romanticize the past but makes the reader curious and interested. The plot is engaging, the pace is agile, and the characters are well rounded, logical, and relatable. Dan faces the challenges of a normal teen compounded by his extraordinary circumstances, but his inclination to act on impulse and his lack of patience tend to work against him. Forced to reflect on his actions, he shows growth. Sam, my favorite character, is intelligent, strong, and cautious, and we get a sense that there is much more to her than what has been revealed.

This is the third book in this fantastic series, but it can be read as a standalone. The series gets better with every new book, and I cannot wait to follow Dan’s journey as the bigger plot develops.

If you love time travel themes, history, action, and adventure, this book is for you.

Favorite quote:
“To succeed at anything, you must wake each day and greet the sun with a purpose ready in your mind and an iron will in your heart. You must possess both to succeed. Purpose without will leads to failed ambitions. And will without purpose is simply wasted energy.”

Thanks to NetGalley and Imbrifex Books for providing me with a free digital copy to review this book prior to its release.

#TheMongolAscension#NetGalley#bookstagram#booktrovert#booklover#netgalleyreviewer#bookstagrammer#bookreviews#goodreads#netgalleyreviews#bookshelf#booknerd

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In "The Mongol Ascension," Andrew Varga manages to narrate a simple and enjoyable teen fantasy based on time travel, set in Mongolia during the times of Genghis Khan. There are some 'glitches' in its narration, and it tends to oversimplify its themes, but an interesting protagonist and the entertaining and informative historical elements save the day.

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Dan Renfrew is a teenage time jumper. It’s a secret. He is a member of a clandestine cadre tasked with journeying to the past to repair glitches in history that imperil subsequent events. This responsibility alone is daunting, but it’s even more crucial now. A band of rogue time jumpers is bent on taking over the world. Dan can’t find any allies to join him in the fight to stop them. Dan and Sam head for a millennium ago, back in the land of small hairy horses, recurve bows, leather armour, fermented milk drinks and sweat. He lands on the vast steppes of Mongolia in the year 1179. Dan’s task is to fix glitches in the fabric of history. that is at risk. He doesn’t know the first thing about it or how to save the present day. Luckily, he has a teammate, Samantha, or Sam, who is good at survival; they are aged seventeen years old. Dan and Sam have a time travel instrument which not only translates spoken words, and controls jumps, it tells them where the glitch will occur. Right now, it’s pointing to an injured teen Mongol called Temujin. The duo promptly helps him, and he invites them to join his army. They don’t have much choice, as the glitch is still glitching. Temujin is looking for his stolen bride Borte. He’s willing to go through an opposing army of the Merkits to rescue her. Dan was homeschooled until his father died a year ago. Dan leads a normal high school life full of all the usual challenges: homework, bullies, and dating. Will Dan find the murderer?

The author writes using historical detail that impressed me. He includes a herding family besides the warriors in Mongolia. The other part I liked that the author has bullying in the current occurring. The author shows how bullying is wrong.

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