The Mine by John Heldt
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Joel Smith is a college senior heading back to Seattle after a road trip with his friend. The two boys are as carefree as two almost college graduates can be, talking about girls, their bright futures, and the things to look forward to when they get back on campus. But all of that changes when geology major Joel decides he wants to go explore an abandoned Montana mine…which turns out to be a portal to another time. Now Joel is in Montana in the 1940s with a cell phone, debit card, and cash that won’t be minted for decades. When a trip back doesn’t seem to be a possibility Joel heads back to his hometown of Seattle only to meet his future grandmother and the friend he’s only heard about…and one he hasn’t.
When I started this book I did not expect to like it. So few time travel novels really live up to expectations I started this book with no expectations at all. I am glad to say that Heldt surprised me with a story that was well crafted, well researched, and well…pretty intriguing. Joel, like most college students, doesn’t really know what he wants to do with his life after college. Sure, he has a plan, but that plan is just an abstract idea of what could be some time in the future, when it comes down to it, he’s a little lost and ending up in the 40s gives him the opportunity to figure things out. Unlike many characters in unexpected time travel novels Joel doesn’t spend half the novel bemoaning the fact that he’s trapped back in time which makes him an instantly likable character. Joel sees where he’s stuck and takes action.
Once Joel gets to Seattle and starts to make a life for himself things get even more complicated. Joel has to answers questions about himself without giving too much away or changing the future. Not once does Joel consider the possibility that he could try and stop Pearl Harbor from happening, or the dropping of the atomic bomb, or even keep America from getting involved with WWII at all, he contents himself with just being a part of history, living his life as normally as if he’d been born into it. He even falls in love. Then, as you can image, something comes up that changes it all and Joel needs to determine whether it’s better for him to stay or go.
There are a few minor continuity issues with the time travel aspect of the book, especially when the twist ending is revealed, but those are minor and almost go by unnoticed. Heldt has written an excellent book where time travel is really only a minor point in a larger story, going back in time is never his goal it just happens and Joel is the kind of character that just goes along with it. The book is edited very well and keeps the story flowing smoothly and the writing strong. This book is an example of an indie author publishing right.