Blowback is about a young orphaned girl, Lily, who discovers she has the ability to manipulate time. She embarks on a perilous journey to uncover her true identity and the source of her extraordinary powers. Along the way, she encounters a host of characters, some friend, some foe, who shape her destiny.
Table of Content
Blowback Book Summary
Lily, an orphan with no memory of her past, discovers her extraordinary ability to control time when she accidentally reverses a clock in Marcel's shop. Marcel, a gentle clockmaker, takes her in and nurtures her abilities.
Curiosity drives Lily to investigate her past, leading her to Imogen, a secretive woman who claims to know who Lily really is. Imogen introduces Lily to her brother, Thomas, a scientist obsessed with time manipulation.
Thomas, the true architect of Lily's powers, attempts to force her into his experiments. She narrowly escapes with the help of Theodore, a flamboyant street magician, who reveals Thomas' dark intentions.
As Lily's control over time grows, she encounters Kingston, a ruthless crime lord who seeks to exploit her powers for his own gain. Lily is forced to confront the darker side of her abilities as she evades Kingston's grasp.
In a desperate bid to understand her past, Lily uses her powers to revisit key moments in her life. She discovers that Thomas and Imogen were involved in a time experiment gone wrong, which orphaned her and led to her current abilities.
Determined to bring an end to the chaos caused by her past, Lily confronts Thomas and Imogen. She learns that her powers were not a curse, but a chance to right the wrongs that have plagued her life.
Knighted by her resolve, Lily faces Kingston and his men in a final showdown. Using her time manipulation to outmaneuver them, she secures her freedom and the safety of those she holds dear.
With Kingston defeated, Lily contemplates the responsibility of her powers. She chooses to use them for the betterment of the world and to prevent such "blowbacks" of time manipulation from ever happening again.
Marcel, proud of the woman Lily has become, offers her a place at his side as an apprentice. Together, they work to understand and master the delicate workings of time.
Imogen and Thomas, no longer a threat, find solace in each other's company, seeking to make amends for their past sins.
Theodore continues to entertain the masses with his magic, but now he includes a special trick that seems to defy the laws of time, a tribute to Lily's extraordinary journey.
Lily's adventure has transformed her, proving that the past cannot define the future, and the choices we make in the present have the power to shape our destiny.
Blowback Quotes
- The past is a place of reference, not a destination.
- Sometimes it's the very people who no one imagines anything of who do the things no one can imagine.
- You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future.
Blowback Ending Explained
At the end of Blowback, Lily confronts the dark forces that have shaped her past, culminating in an epic battle against Kingston and his men.
Using her mastery of time manipulation, Lily outwits her enemies, securing her freedom and the safety of those she holds dear. She ultimately chooses to use her powers for good, preventing further manipulations that could lead to disaster.
Lily's journey ends with a promise of a new beginning, as she continues to explore and understand the delicate intricacies of time alongside Marcel, in a world where she now has the power to shape her own destiny.
Characters in book Blowback
- Lily: The protagonist, a brave and curious young girl who discovers she has the power to manipulate time.
- Marcel: A kind-hearted clockmaker who takes Lily under his wing and becomes a father figure to her.
- Imogen: A mysterious and cunning woman who seems to know more about Lily's past than she lets on.
- Thomas: Imogen's brother, a scientist obsessed with uncovering the secrets of time manipulation.
- Theodore: A street magician with a flair for the dramatic who becomes an unlikely ally to Lily.
- Kingston: A ruthless crime lord with his own agenda, who sees Lily's powers as a means to expand his influence.
- Bartholomew: A loyal guard to Kingston, who is torn between his duty and his conscience.
Key Lessons
- Embrace Your Uniqueness: Your unique qualities, no matter how unusual or unexpected, can be a source of great strength and offer new perspectives.
- Confront Your Past: Facing your past is often difficult, but it is the key to understanding who you are and can lead to personal growth and healing.
- Choice Shapes Destiny: The choices you make in the present have the power to shape your future and can be a force for positive change in your life and the lives of others.
My Personal Opinion
Is Blowback worth reading? Totally, I loved the creative take on time manipulation and the protagonist's compelling journey of self-discovery.
I found the vivid world-building and the complex relationships between the characters to be engaging. However, at times, the plot was a bit predictable, which took away some of the suspense for me. I appreciated the positive message about the power of choice and personal responsibility.
I would recommend this book to young adult readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure. It's a story that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for growth through hardship.