Extracted by Sherry D. Ficklin & Tyler Jolley

November 18th, 2013 Kimberly Review 65 Comments

18th Nov
Extracted by Sherry D. Ficklin & Tyler Jolley
Extracted
by Sherry D. Ficklin, Tyler Jolley
Series: The Lost Imperials #1
Genres: Science Fiction, Steampunk
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

Welcome to the war. The Tesla Institute is a premier academy that trains young time travelers called Rifters. Created by Nicola Tesla, the Institute seeks special individuals who can help preserve the time stream against those who try to alter it. The Hollows is a rogue band of Rifters who tear through time with little care for the consequences. Armed with their own group of lost teens--their only desire to find Tesla and put an end to his corruption of the time stream. Torn between them are Lex and Ember, two Rifters with no memories of their life before joining the time war. When Lex’s girlfriend dies during a mission, the only way he can save her is to retrieve the Dox, a piece of tech which allows Rifters to re-enter their own timeline without collapsing the time stream. But the Dox is hidden deep within the Telsa Institute, which means Lex must go into the enemy camp. It’s there he meets Ember, and the past that was stolen from them both comes flooding back. Now armed with the truth of who they are, Lex and Ember must work together to save the future before the battle for time destroys them both…again.

Time travel, steampunk, Rifters, and fixed points in time!  It’s enough to make this Whovian* drool. These are the reasons I agreed to read Extracted the first book of The Lost Imperials series by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler Jolley. Gads, this was delightful, and I quickly became caught up in the action and characters. Mini review: original, fast-paced and an excellent start to an exciting new series with limitless possibilities.

The tale is told in dual prospective. Lex and Ember are rifters. When they joined the war, they lost the memory of their past lives. One works for the Tesla Institute led by Nicola Tesla and the other works for a rogue group of rifters called the Hollows run by Claymore. Both the Tesla and Hollows believe they are preserving the timeline against the other. When Lex’s girlfriend dies during a rift, the only way to save her is to go back into his own time-line. To do this safely, he must obtain a gadget known as the “Dox” from the Tesla headquarters. When he rifts, he discovers Ember and their memories come flooding back. The tale that unfolds kept me riveted from the world building to the characters.

The authors do an excellent job of giving each character voice allowing me to connect with them. Ember is strong, opinionated and questions everything. She has a love interest, but she is a leader first, and I admired her strength. Lex, how could I not love Lex, he is ready to die trying to save his girl. *swoon* He is strong, honest, and not quick to temper. The dual perspective really worked for this tale, not only because it allowed me to get inside Lex and Ember’s heads but also because it introduced us to both the Tesla and Hollow rifters. The authors provided solid, unique secondary characters. Stein, Lex’s girlfriend is bad-ass, with a little snark as she tells it like it is. Ethan is sure and a little cocky, but when it comes to Ember he is all gooey on the inside and I loved it. I really liked Nobel; he is a wizard with gadgets and gizmos. Gloves, oh my just wait till you meet him. Other characters added to the tale and weaved their way into my heart. Hey peeps, no love triangles or insta-love. The romances are secondary but help flesh out the characters.

Extracted was a fresh, unique and exciting beginning to the Lost Imperial series. It nailed time travel in a way that even the non-geek will enjoy. The world building was solid and rather than an info dump we were fed information throughout the tale. I love when an author paints a world in such a way that I can see it. It created a wonderful book high for me as I traveled alongside them. The pacing was beautifully done, from the alternating chapters to the converging of the two main character’s timeline. There were heart-stopping moments, chaos, elation and twists that made me smile. As a Dr. Who fan, I am familiar with the whole time continuum and the effects of time travel. The author’s grasp and take on fixed points was delightful. It had an air of believability; the plot was tight, and they felt in control of this epic world. While I still have questions, the tale wrapped up nicely after an intense and climatic event. They provided hints of what is to come, and I closed the book giddy with anticipation.

I recommend Extracted to fans of time travel, steampunk, fantasy and science fiction. Extracted is one of the best books I’ve had the pleasure to read in 2013.  I am anxiously awaiting news regarding book two of the Lost Imperials.

Four and half cups of coffee out of five
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

* Whovian – Doctor Who fan

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

65 Responses to “Extracted by Sherry D. Ficklin & Tyler Jolley”

  1. aurian

    Hmm sounds good. I loved watching Dr Who as a teen, but as an adult, I hardly watch anything anymore. My latest addiction is an Australian tv series, set in the 1920’s in Melbourne. Miss Fisher’s Myrder Mysteries. It is amazingly good.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Miss Fisher’s Myrder Mysteries sound good, I will see if we can get them here.

  2. Michelle

    I really wanted to read this but now that you’ve said it’s great for Whovian’s I’m tempted to buy a copy now!

  3. Lark

    Ooh, this does sound good! Great review, Kimba. I am really intrigued, and the book is headed onto my TBR list. (When I’ll have time to get to it is another question entirely, but at least I will have it on the list for when I’m looking for something SF-ish. Oh, how I want infinite time so I can read ALL the books!)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I feel you on the tbr pile, but this was a wonderful read 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      You are welcome Tyler and thank you..looking forward to the next book 🙂

  4. Lauren

    I keep reading such wonderful reviews for this and I adore time travel (can any Doctor Who fan NOT love it?). Your review has me SO excited to get my hands on a copy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reminding me that I want to read this (sometimes I read about a book and don’t add it on GR and then boom, I get busy and it’s like I have amnesia :D).

    • kimbacaffeinate

      These gadgets make sense, and are used to travel. Thanks Jennifer 🙂

  5. Pamela D

    I too am a Whovian, so if this passes your time travel test, this must be a fantastic read. I will have to check it out! Great review. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Always delightful to meet a fellow Whovian, I imagine you are as excited as I am for the 50th Anniversary show…I think I might explode 🙂 This was wonderful and I so hope you get to read it Pamela. 🙂

      • Pamela D

        I get free expanded basic cable (which includes BBC American) at my apartment. My husband and I are so excited to be able to watch DW at the same time as everyone else (and legally)! The mini episode with the 8th Doctor was fantastic. I am also super pumped to see 10 and Rose again!

        • kimbacaffeinate

          Did you know they are running a marathon on BBC America right now? All day I watched the 9th Doctor..so awesome 🙂

  6. Ginny

    I will be buying this one soon. I love time travel stories, dual perspectives, and steam punk elements and after reading your review I can’t wait to get lost in this story. Thanks for sharing.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was wonderful Ginny and I am excited to hear your thoughts on it 🙂

  7. Mishel

    Oooohh I just added this to my TBR pile. Your review just bumped it up considerably =) I haven’t really delved into steampunk yet (I don’t think I’ve read even one novel about it >_< ) so this might be a great place to start.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      The steampunk elements blend beautifully in this tale and yes it is the perfect intro.

  8. Sam

    I’ve been Doctor Who crazy at the moment (I’m getting far too excited for the 50th anniversary episode!), so I already like the sound of this. The premise sounds fantastic, and I like the thought of a steampunk touch too. Plus no love triangle or insta-love? Yes! Those are the magic words. 😉 Great review, Kimba. You definitely make me want to get my hands on this now.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh me too Sam, ya might say I am a little addicted to the show. Extracted was wonderful and imaginative. I hope you pick it up 🙂

  9. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    I’m usually SO not a fan of dual perspectives, but everything else about this book sounds absolutely perfect for me. I’d noticed it before and intented to read it, but now I’m off to buy a copy. I know I’ll love it.
    Thanksfor sharing your thoughts!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It really worked in this instance since we are talking about two different teams, and I cannot wait to see what you think Maja 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was wonderful Melissa and yes I do think you would love this one 🙂

  10. Candace

    I *so* NEED to read this! It’s already on my wishlist, but you just have me dying to read it even more! It really sounds like something I will LOVE!

  11. Michelle

    Tesla has always fascinated me. I think it would be really cool to see his ideas in a steampunk book. I haven’t heard of this one before, so thanks for sharing a new book with me Kimba. It seems like something I would enjoy. I really like dual perspective and I like that you were able to really connect with the characters.

    Great review!

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

  12. Jenea

    I like time travel and steampunk, so I think I would really like this one. Definitely will be checking this one out. Awesome review.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I hope you try it Jenea it was one of my favorite reads this year 🙂

  13. Nick

    I’m honestly just not a fan of time travel books because I struggle a lot with them but this one sounds exciting. The characters seem like they are well-developed and that you ended up really enjoying them. Love your enthusiasm in the review, Kim. Lovely review.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      *tackles and hugs you* How is school Nick, I have missed you but know its because you are working hard. Dude, you need to try this one, it isn’t confusing and well developed, plus the characters are cool.

      • Nick

        Aww! I missed visiting blogs too but I was studying for finals that end this Wednesday and I had a bunch of projects due. But I’ll be back in full swing starting Wednesday when it’s finally going to be winter break!! Wohoo.
        I’ll definitely look more into it. It sounds like something I would enjoy. 🙂

  14. Michele

    This sounds SO good! I love time travel, and these characters sound amazing PLUS no insta-love — bonus! This is definitely going on the TBR. Fantastic review, you delightful Whovian, you! 😉

  15. Lily B

    so many wonderful reviews on this one, it sounds like the author did an amazing job writing this one <3 I love steampunk but I am ashamed to say I have not read it as much as I want to!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I hope you pick this up Lily, it is well paced, and really grabs you from page one.

  16. Victoria (aka Zemfirka)

    OK…can you guys stop putting steampunk and time travel together in your reviews – I can never just pass by, lol and I don’t know when I’ll be reading all these fabulous books. 🙂 Great review, made me very curious. Another one added to the list (I’ll have to quit my job and start reading professionally I think *or rather wish!*)

    V.

  17. Mary

    Another time travel book? There’ve certainly been a lot of them recently. Still, this one sounds like it definitely does things differently (and better), especially if you’re saying it’ll appeal to my inner Whovian (who’s excited about the 50th Anniversary special?!?).

    • kimbacaffeinate

      *bounces* I am counting down the days. This was such a good book, action-packed and geeky.

  18. Vilia

    This sounds like an absolute roller coaster of a book 🙂 Time travel novels are so hard to pull off properly with space time continuum changes often getting confusing.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was done well enough that even the non-geek will enjoy it 🙂

  19. Tanja

    Well you say time travel and steampunk in one sentence and I say bring it on! I love the sound of this one. The characters seem great and the whole plot too. So happy you enjoyed it. Great review, Kim 🙂