Caroline O'Donoghue
Walker Books US
3 June 2025
400
eBook - PDF
Fantasy
ARC via NetGalley
Margo is a troubled schoolgirl. After the death of her father, she’s on her way to a new boarding school in a new city.
Moon is a salesman. He makes his living traveling through a series of interconnected worlds on a network of barely used train lines.
They never should have met. But when Margo suddenly appears one day on Moon’s train, their fates become inextricably linked. If Margo wants to survive, she has to pass as a traveling salesman, too—except it’s not that easy.
Move north on the train line and time speeds up, a day passing in mere hours. Move south and time slows down—a day can last several weeks. Slow worlds are the richest you live longer, your youth lasting decades. Fast worlds are sharp, cruel, and don’t have time for pleasantries. Death is frequent. Salesmen die young of skipshock. That is, if they’re not shot down by the Southern Guard first.
As Margo moves between worlds and her attachment to Moon intensifies, she feels her youth start to slip between her fingers. But is Moon everything he seems? Is Margo?
Skipshock was an original and entertaining fantasy tale focused mostly on action and adventure but with some romance along the way. I loved the premise of the book, with the train lines connecting worlds, but only verified salesmen being allowed to ride them. Both Moon and Margo were interesting characters who developed and grew as the story progressed. Their relationship was believable throughout, and I liked that the romance elements were not rushed into. The plot offered twists and turns along the way that kept things interesting, and while the calculations of age and the passage of time got a bit complex as the characters moved between the different worlds, the world building was mostly nicely handled. This first volume left me keen to read on to see how things will conclude in book two, so I am giving this one 4.5 stars. Recommended for fantasy fans looking for a fresh premise who don't mind a fantasy-sci-fi blend.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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