My judging team in the fourth annual Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC4) has sifted through our 32-book allocation and chosen four quarterfinalists for further evaluation as we seek to identify just two semifinalists to advance to the next stage. For my second quarterfinalist read, I picked up the time travel romance A Swift and Sudden Exit by Nico Vincenty.
A Swift and Sudden Exit opens in a small underground community of survivors after climate change made the Earth’s surface unlivable. But a secretive time travel program offers a glimmer of hope—with enough data on the storm that did so much damage, scientists may begin to figure out how to reverse the ill effects and rebuild. When the lead finds a pattern of storms occurring every 12 years, it offers the chance at more data than they could have dreamed of. It also offers her that many more chances to connect with the stunning woman from the past who seems to be present at each event.
While the time travel elements are absolutely vital to the story being told, this feels like a romance first and a time thriller second—not necessarily because of the plot significance of the two aspects, but because of the care shown to them. The romantic pairing is built up slowly and steadily, with fleeting interactions getting longer and deeper as the pair slowly falls for each other. On the other hand, the post-apocalyptic segments don’t tend to last any longer than is absolutely necessary to contrive an excuse for another trip in time.
And for a while, that works out pretty well. The main couple is endearing, with strong chemistry and plenty of secrets to keep them on their toes. Each of their scenes together is engaging individually, builds the relationship, and provides little details that shape the reader’s understanding of their characters. Once or twice there’s an escape from danger that strains credulity, but these sequences are generally a pleasure to read and make it easy to see why my teammates advanced this to the quarterfinals.
The broader time travel plot, however, doesn’t provide enough of a backbone to let the romance shine. The post-apocalyptic scenes feel like the bare minimum to get the lead back in time, with thin justifications for the individual trips and a lack of organizational oversight that’s hard to believe. When the story is focusing on the romance, it’s easy enough to look past those elements and focus on the segments spent in the past. But the story was never going to make sense without a return to the original setting, and the return puts its weakness on full display. There aren’t many secondary characters with any depth to speak of, leading to a setting that feels contrived and a telegraphed villain whose motivations are remarkably shallow. And while I admit that the ending is the most difficult part of a time travel tale, there’s just not enough attention paid to crafting something that feels truly solid.
Overall, A Swift and Sudden Exit is an easy read with an endearing central relationship and plenty of engaging scenes set in the past. However, the overall structure of the time travel plot doesn’t provide adequate support to those time-hopping snapshots of a relationship, leading to a flat ending and a bit too much difficulty suspending disbelief. There are pieces here that shine enough to make this a book worth reading for those who don’t mind a weaker overarching plot, but it doesn’t really offer a full package.
Recommended if you like: queer time travel romance (and don’t mind a weaker non-romantic plot).
Can I use it for Bingo? It’s hard mode for Romantasy and is also Self-Published with an Alliterative Title.
Overall rating: 12 of Tar Vol’s 20. Three stars on Goodreads.
SPSFC score: 6/10 for my personal score. Team score and competition status will be determined in concert with my teammates.