While this book contains some truly extraordinary ideas and scenes, I found it to be a somewhat disappointing conclusion to an otherwise strong trilogy. Peter and Kate are still stuck in the 18th century, and while the Tar Man is still a major threat to their health and eventual return to the 21st century, it is Lord Luxon who serves as the super-villain this time around.

Buckley-Archer has developed a more sophisticated take on time travel in this installment, exploring both its physical and ethical ramifications.
Luxon's plan to sabotage the Revolutionary War by preventing George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River introduces the idea that changing a single event could significantly alter the course of history. Meanwhile, Kate's particular sensitivity to time travel causes her to suffer grave physical consequences, and there is a somewhat heartbreaking scene late in the book that's not quite a death scene but nearly as sad. I thought this book was a marked tonal shift from the last two; more mature, more epic in scope.

My main issue with the book is the ending, which is rushed and anti-climactic. I'm glad I read this, because I like the characters and wanted to see how it ended, but overall, I left feeling a bit unsatisfied.