For young readers captivated by forbidden love and cultural clashes, this story explores the challenges of finding connection when pulled between two drastically different worlds.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is fascinated by stories of impossible love and feeling torn between different worlds or expectations. In this gripping sequel to 'The Sterkarm Handshake', 21st-century Andrea is in love with Per, a 16th-century warrior. Their relationship is caught in the crossfire between a ruthless corporation exploiting the past and the violent, clannish culture of the Sterkarms. The book explores powerful themes of loyalty, cultural identity, and the consequences of love in the face of insurmountable obstacles. It is a good choice for mature young adults who enjoy historical fiction blended with sci-fi and are ready to grapple with morally complex situations and intense, sometimes violent, scenarios.
The story has a tragic trajectory and a deeply sad, emotionally powerful ending.
Romantic ContentModerate
Focuses on an intense, all-consuming, and forbidden love story. Not sexually explicit.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
Characters make difficult and ethically questionable choices with serious consequences.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and unflinchingly with violence, clan warfare, and death. The 16th-century setting is depicted as brutal and unforgiving, with raids, sword fights, and casual killing presented as a part of life. The approach is secular and historical. The resolution is not cleanly hopeful; it is realistic and bittersweet, emphasizing the tragic consequences of the characters' choices and the fundamental incompatibility of their worlds.
Ideal Reader
A mature teen (14+) who loves historical fiction, high-stakes romance, and morally gray characters. A good fit for a reader who enjoyed the themes in "Outlander" but wants a YA perspective, or who likes sci-fi concepts (like corporate greed) mixed with historical settings. Perfect for a teen questioning authority and drawn to stories about fierce loyalty and impossible choices.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the graphic violence, including descriptions of raids and killings. The climax is particularly brutal. The romance is emotionally intense but not sexually explicit. While it can be read as a standalone, reading the first book, "The Sterkarm Handshake", provides crucial context for the world and the central relationships. A parent notices their teen is engrossed in a relationship that feels all-consuming or misunderstood by others. The teen expresses frustration about being caught between two conflicting groups, like different friend circles or family expectations, and feels like they have to choose.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely focus on the thrilling romance and adventure, seeing Andrea and Per as star-crossed lovers against the world. An older teen (15-18) will better appreciate the nuances of corporate exploitation, cultural relativism, and the devastating, long-term consequences of Andrea's choices. The story's moral ambiguity and tragic elements will resonate more deeply with an older reader.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA time-travel romances that soften historical realities, this book is unflinching in its depiction of 16th-century brutality. Its uniqueness lies in the equal weight it gives to the gritty historical details, the cold corporate machinations, and the intense romance. The bittersweet, morally complex ending sets it apart from more idealized love stories.
Read plot summary
Andrea, a 21st-century girl, uses a time-travel device called the 'Time Tube' to visit the 16th century, where she has fallen for Per, a member of the warlike Sterkarm clan. The FUP corporation that runs the project wants to exploit the 16th-century landscape for resources, but the proud and violent Sterkarms stand in their way. Andrea is torn between her love for Per, her loyalty to her own time, and her relationship with her colleague Windsor, who is becoming increasingly entangled in FUP's ruthless plans. The plot centers on Andrea’s attempts to navigate the brutal clan culture and protect Per, culminating in a violent, emotionally charged conflict with devastating consequences.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Andrea often feels she has to choose between her 21st-century world and Per's 16th-century one. Do you think it was ever possible for her to truly belong to both? Why or why not?
2
The FUP corporation views the 16th century and its people as a resource. How is this similar to or different from historical colonialism? Did you feel any sympathy for characters like Windsor who worked for FUP?
3
Per's definition of love and loyalty is shaped by the violent culture of the Sterkarms. How does his understanding of love conflict with Andrea's? Did you find his actions justifiable within his own context?
4
At the end of the book, Andrea makes a devastating choice. Do you think she made the right decision, given the circumstances? What might have happened if she had chosen differently?
