Customer Reviews

The Day Time Was Hacked

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The title is titilating, the premise ideal for someone like me who loves vatican intrigue stories and science. However, this story left a lot to be desired. The characters were disappointingly one dimensional and the story did not transition well between the timelines. At 50% I wanted to delete the story but I drudged through it to find that it did not improve.

This is not my genre, but I must say the timely mind-expanding confluence of ideas and wide-eyed story/tale of the future had me turning the pages quickly.

I read the acknowledgments section first and was particularly impressed by the depth of research into the organizations represented in the book: The Secret Archives of the Vatican, the United States Naval Observatory, The US Naval Network Naval Command, for example, are some of those on the list. In reading the authors comments of interviews with specialists in these organizations, it felt like we were getting the latest scoop on cutting edge technology and future projects.

The complexity of the subjects: neuroscience research, medical and time travel, think waves; the Catholic Church-Gallieo connection, and science fiction in that the book happens both in the present and the future, is compellingly interesting and tantalizing.

I love a good mindboggling time travel story. I also love conspiracies, especially involving religion, and I'm a big fan of Mary Magdelene. So I was all set to love this book. Until I started reading it.

First, it's clear that colloquial US English is not Mr. Mackenbach's native language, as he is from the Netherlands. In many places this shows. Repeatedly he misuses what should be "a couple of XYZ" as "a couple XYZ", even when a highly educated character is speaking. I doubt that the characters would have used the "couple of..." construction at all in these passages, but without the "of" it just screams "Editor!"

Second, the characterizations are horrible. Totally flat. They don't have individual unique voices. A male and female character suddenly kiss because, I don't know why, apparently just because they are a man and woman in the same room.

Third, some details and mysteries are kept secret far too long and far too awkwardly. I spent the first half of the book also yelling "Editor!" because a major character's name kept getting misspelled. Turns out it was for a reason. He never actually explains the reason in the entire book, but half way in finally acknowledges that one particular character pronounces this other character's name in a manner that would be spelled differently. I could go on with other examples of unnecessary late reveals.

Meanwhile the big reveals either never happen, or make absolutely no sense even within the story's own internal logic. Again, I'm a huge time travel story fan and longtime reader of the genre.

Finally, this suffers from the classic First-time-Author syndrome especially bad among new SF writers: One (or more) too many big concepts in this one story. We've got a future totalitarian society. We've got computer hacking. We've got present day Fringe science. We've got post-9/11 Homeland Security paranoia and suppression of civil rights. We've got the Catholic Church in a centuries-old conspiracy. We've got astrology. We've got ancient Hindu Brahmin special abilities. And we've got Mary the Magdalene. At least one of these should go. Poor Mary got short shrift.
I will look for the sequel, because I think Mackenbach has some great ideas in this conceptually-overloaded, characterization-underwhelming first novel. I hope with experience he''ll explore his unique ideas in a more readable manner.

THE DAY TIME WAS HACKED, A NOVEL BY CAREL MACKENBACH

- Jesuit Brother Frank Bootsma, 37 years. Living in the modern-day Vatican, he works and researches on cosmic theories, like the nature of time and the essence of the Big Bang.
- Max Burkowski, 17 years, from Washington DC, a computer for companion. His creation of an avatar and certain unexplainable events see him and Bootsma protagonists of unthinkable futuristic adventures.
- Jacob Burkowski, radiologist and father of Max, inventor of a time machine not yet tested, based on thinkwaves.
- Major Roto Ashlev, from the future year 2115, turning the lives of the above upside down until nothing is and will ever be like it was before.
- Brainwaves consist of tiny particles, the thinkwaves,that can be sent back in time at the speed of light; if we could capture them and know where to point them, they could be sent back into the brains of people centuries back. And if we could know how to survive in the same body...

These are some of the ingredients of a time-travel story, different from everything we ever read. It balances the seemingly unconnected stories of the main characters until they fall together in a breathtaking action-based plot that takes us on a journey, not only through time and space, but also through the wonders of the human mind.
Carel Mackenbach contaminates us with his genuine enthusiasm; his fresh writing style keeps us reading in one breath from the first word to the unexpected end, leaving us with the desire for more of it...
This novel is his first masterpiece, and his name is written in the stars.

Gripping, brilliant and electrifying, The Day Time Was Hacked is a true brain-teasing page-turner! Carel Mackenbach, the author, takes history, science and fiction and weaves it all into an unforgettable adventure incredible in its detail and vision. Traveling from the Magdalene's arrival in France to the Vatican and Washington DC to a brave new world in 2315, I took only one break while reading--to sleep to the next day. The spectrum of characters is a marvel in humanity, and at times, a lack thereof! Revelations about Galileo and the Vatican in the past as well as technological and geopolitical shifts of the future, with their unexpected consequences for our race and planet, contributed hugely to the shock factor of this novel. I truly savored the high suspense and complexity of the plot, especially the elements involving the connection between neuroscience and the time-travel paradoxes. With just enough scientific reasoning, both provided foundations so credible in description that I was compelled to contact the author, and was hugely impressed by the depth of his research. He also provided virtual links for viewing and touring scenes and locations detailed in the book, allowing me the opportunity to visit those places I'd just "traveled" to in the story. Seeing Mackenbach's fiction "go color" gave this story yet another dimension--a strong dose of facts despite the elements of fantasy! Those sites are now on my list of places to visit on my next trip abroad.
I truly enjoyed this epic adventure and vision and am hoping to soon read more from Mackenbach. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends as well as any other aficionados of a great tale.
Catherine Manicke

I gave it 3 stars beause the plot was intriguing. Time travel through mind shifting is original. Never seen it before and i'm always looking for a nice time travel story. However it was very difficult to follow the timeline. Some of the stuff didn't make sense even for a sf story (repeting another reviewer). The characters were almost ridiculous. I enjoyed another reviewer who said: just because a man and a woman are in the same room they need to kiss... Hehe Even if his son is missing? Looked absurd.

It was an interesting book for sure. I enjoy reading time-related books and this story was especially interesting. The plot kept you turning pages not wanting to put it down, in fact I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in just 2 days. The one criticism I have was the author's over-use of abbreviations. Although he does include a glossary at the beginning of the books mentioning what they stand for, sometimes I would have to flip back to it if I forgot. It was a little inconvenient, and I think if the author had just written full names for everything it would have made for an easier read.

"The Day Time was Hacked is a real page-turner. Since the beginning of Time, Man has dreamed of Time Travel. With today's technology and the progress CERN is making in the world of Physics one really wonders what we are capable of doing. The Day Time was Hacked is about the suspension of disbelief. The Truth may be more difficult to believe for many than the facade of information we live in today. The author of The Day Time was Hacked is a leading Dutch explorer of new technologies, he knows Geo-politics in depth and he has a profound knowledge of History. His debut novel cast a light on a future that may be. Can't wait to read the sequel."

Fascinating book. A page turner that grips you from start to finish. Right from the first pages you are dragged into mysteries and puzzles which need to be solved. After having read the last words, you go back through the pages, to read again how the intricate plot unfolds itself. Only then you discover extra layers in the story, that had not revealed themselves at first.
The main characters lead you through the plot. They are described with much human insight, wit and humor. Especially the young lead character Max is pictured lovingly.
The sequel will be something to look forward to.
The Day Time Was Hacked (Volume 0)

This novel has best seller potential. The story lines are put together with great intelligence. It is amazing how the author is able to blend historic facts, characters and the theory of time travelling into a story that is unrivaled in terms of pace and excitement. I read this novel while enjoying my holiday with my wife and 4 young children. For two days I was out of the loop, not available for any small talks, completely absorbed by The Day Time was Hacked. This is a monumental roman.