Time Bomb

Joelle Charbonneau — 2018

Seven students trapped in their school after a bomb goes off must fight to survive while also discovering who among them is the bomber in this provocative new thriller from the author of the New York Times bestselling Testing Trilogy. Perfect for fans of This Is Where It Ends. A congressman's daughter who has to be perfect. A star quarterback with a secret. A guy who's tired of being ignored. A clarinet player who's done trying to fit in. An orphaned rebel who wants to teach someone a lesson. A guy who wants people to see him, not his religion. They couldn't be more different, but before the morning's over, they'll all be trapped in a school that's been rocked by a bombing. When they hear that someone inside is the bomber, they'll also be looking to one another for answers. Told from multiple perspectives, Time Bomb will keep readers guessing about who the bomber could be--and what motivated such drastic action.

Reviews

Tiffany Robinson@movietiffany

Dec 14, 2021

This was a fast paced read that kept you the edge of your seat all the way through even if you figured out who the bomber was early on.

Jeni Enjaian@jenienjaian

Oct 30, 2021

So far I have read four of the 20 books on the nominee list for SCLA Young Adult Book award list and only two of them have seemed even decent. One I absolutely loved. One I really loved. Two I think are actually pretty terrible. This falls into the last category. This short book has six POVs, the same number of shallow characters, and the same number of characters who show no growth or change at all. Don't get me started on Frankie. What an absolutely frustrating character. Charbonneau through major issues into the plot line like the bombs that kept going off in the school. They exploded but no one stuck around long enough to clean things up. I absolutely do not recommend this book.

Bec@becandbooks

Oct 10, 2021

Actual rating: 2.5

Lynn Braden@ftbooklover

Oct 8, 2021

As school is about to begin, several students have come in early for a variety of reasons. All of them have brought a bag with them, and those bags contains the motivations behind their advance school visits. The different motives all relate to serious problems that they have had both at home and at school. While they are there, a bomb explodes. As the students come together and try to survive, fingers are pointed, questions are raised, and issues begin to boil over. Their survival will depend on whether or not they can overcome their contempt for each other and work together to survive. Time Bomb takes a look at what makes high school grueling for so many students. Throughout the story we try to figure out what is in each of the bags and how the items inside relate to the students. The mystery that is teased is whether or not any of the students have something to do with the bombing. The plot is very well thought out, but I found it hard to feel a connection with the characters. Overall, this is an interesting story that I would recommend for YA not middle grade due to the amount of violence and mayhem to which the students are subjected.