DNF at 20%

Right from the start, I struggled to get into it. I might give it another go in the future, but for now, it's a hard pass. It's not doing anything at all for me, and I know I'm going to have to force my way through this if I want to get anywhere, which is not fair to me or the book itself.

Great premise but the execution didn't match it.

This is a frustrating book, because I feel like I could have loved it. The central idea, of a series of valleys which contain the same town at different points in time, was very intriguing. And it became apparent from fairly early on that the key plot point was going to involve a tragic event, and then the potential for "time-travel" to undo it - again, I was all in on this.

But the book is then very slow in getting to the story beats the reader knows are coming. At the end of the first main section of the book, I started to really enjoy it and was excited about what was to come. But the author then douses that enthusiasm with endless navel-gazing and bleakness instead of propelling the plot forward.

Also, no speech marks, which always annoys me.

The Other Valley is a smart, thought-provoking story. Set in a world where you can travel to the future or the past just by visiting an identical neighbouring town, 20 years ahead or behind your own, it's a beautifully written story that's just impossible to put down once you get stuck in.

Given the unimaginable damage meddling in the events of the past or future could have, visits between towns are tightly controlled and restricted but who hasn't imagined at some time going back to fix the past? Or going forward to see how it all turns out?

Told through the eyes of 16 year old Odile, a young girl with an ambitious future ahead of her, the book follows her as she faces an inevitable dilemma after seeing something she shouldn't - maintain the status quo, or risk everything she's been raised to believe in by changing the timeline?

A wonderfully unique and fascinating book and I just loved it!

This is not one for people who need an explanation, in that way I likened it to one of my favourite books Never Let Me Go, because why would somebody explain how their world works if they've never known any other way. I really enjoyed the audiobook and I think maybe if I was reading between the lines quite literally, maybe I wouldn't have as much. The Other Valley is set in a town that is sandwiched between two other towns, one 20 years ago and one 20 years in the future. This made for some interesting timey whimeyness, but I do wish the ending had been more sinister.

Time Travel. Rural France. Character focused.

I think the comp to make is Emily St James. The thing that captivates me about St. James' books are the characters and the depth of emotion she makes me feel, while I am enjoying a quiet science fiction romp. The mechanics of the science fiction elements are not the focus, the characters who live and the centre of this world are.

The Other Valley is focused in the same way on Odelle, who lives in a village which is isolated by the village's position in time. She is coming of age in this small, rural French village and trying to plan out the rest of her life when she makes friends, loses friends and applys for apprenticeships.

Read this for slow pace, quiet science fiction, coming of age.

Not an easy or light read but an intriguing and thought provoking speculative fiction novel that kept me reading and wondering what was the right decision.
Claustrophobic, a dystopic world building, great characters and storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

"The Other Valley" by Scott Alexander Howard presents a captivating exploration of time, morality, and the human condition within the confines of an isolated town. Howard masterfully constructs a world where neighboring valleys exist in different temporal planes, allowing for a poignant examination of the consequences of meddling with time.

The narrative follows Odile, a young girl vying for a pivotal role in her town's governance. As she navigates the complexities of her position, she grapples with the ethical dilemmas presented by the ability to traverse time. Howard's prose is both elegant and evocative, seamlessly transporting readers into the mystical yet eerily familiar setting of the valley.

What sets "The Other Valley" apart is its seamless transition between two distinct halves. The first half enchants with its wistful nostalgia and magical allure, while the latter exposes the gritty realities lurking beneath the surface. Howard's ability to weave these contrasting elements together creates a compelling narrative that resonates long after the final page.

I thoroughly enjoyed the moral and practical explorations embedded within the storyline, particularly regarding the visitation rights between the neighboring valleys. Howard deftly balances the fantastical with the grounded, ensuring the story appeals to a wide audience. With its heartfelt narrative and skillful world-building, "The Other Valley" earns a solid four-star rating, cementing its place as a beautifully written and thought-provoking literary work.

There are three towns in three valleys. All identical except for time. The center is current day, the town to the East is 20 years in the future whilst the western town is 20 years in the past. People are occasionally granted permission to travel between the towns to observe those they have lost. Visitors are meant to be unrecognisable and can make no contact with the people or changes in the time they visit. Such an interesting premise, I had to read The Other Valley.

I am glad I did. The world building was meticulous with the story gradually building as we follow sixteen year old Odile, in the center town, who recognises visitors from the future as the parents of her friend, Edme. Being a smart girl, she cottons on as to what this must mean and it changes the course of her life. Where the book heads from there is anyone's guess. Though the pace is rather placid, I felt it suited the story's plot. This isn't a town filled with smartphones and time wasted online but rather a simpler time, at a simpler pace. The tension builds nearing the end of the book as the reader is anxious for what might happen at the climax. The progression, and the life Odile goes on to have, are richly constructed and of as much interest as her younger period. I found it all completely absorbing and could see it playing out in my mind like a film. A great effort and a worthwhile read that will stay with the reader long after as you ponder other possible endings.

An original tale and idea - a valley where people live, with counterpart valleys 20 years in the past and future either side. Borders to prevent free movement, and the Conseil as a body which manages the requests for visits to glance at lost relatives on 'bereavement tours'. The book centres on 16 year-old Odile seeking to apprentice to the Conseil, and the fate of a friend.

Generally well-written with good execution and a portrayal of this world, primarily centred on those of an age with Odile which partly is a way to introduce more details on aspects of the world and story. I did find it a little ponderous at times, other reviewers have noted distance and coldness which comes from the nature of the main character and which is part of the reason for the 'flow' to feel a little that way as well at times. Even so a good book, worth time and perseverance.

Once I read the premise for The Other Valley, I was hooked and I had to read it. This writing crafted such strong imagery in my mind, and I’d love to see this story in a visual medium. I can so clearly picture many of the elements such as the school and everything about the Conseil.

This book kept me guessing, and I loved that. It made me want to read as quickly as possible so I could find out what would happen. I knew how it would end, but I didn’t know how it was going to happen, or any of the intricacies of the world that would be revealed.

Odile was a very compelling character to focus on. She’s not my favourite book character, but I sympathised with and rooted for her. The other characters weren’t as detailed but it didn’t matter to me as Odile and the fascinating world were the primary interest.

The first part of the book felt like it moved a lot quicker than the second part. I was more invested and wanted to learn more about the valley. The second part was still interesting, but it felt too long and I think a lot of the scenes could’ve been shortened. The last 10% or so of the book becomes so much more interesting again, though, and it ends in a gripping few chapters. One thing I wish that had been expanded upon in this part, however, was information about what happened to other characters, but I realise that Odile wouldn't know this and therefore it wouldn’t make sense to include, but I’m still wondering.

I really want to know more about this world, and I was thinking about it long after finishing the book. Is there anywhere else in this world, and if so, do those towns also have time-warping neighbours? I would love to read more stories set in this world, and it feels like there could be endless possibilities for stories.

I also love the cover of this book. The image fits with my imagination of the town and helps to establish a tone. The effect of the repetition is technically simple, but works so well and I think is clever in doing so much with the simplicity. It helps you to gain perspective and picture how this mysterious valley is laid out geographically.

Thank you Atlantic Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard presents readers with an interesting concept but i did find the overall tone a bit distant, remote sort of

Imagine a valley where if you go east you go into the future, and if you go west you go into the past. Entry to the valley is strictly controlled by the Conseil, as leaving the valley can disrupt the timeline.
The central character Odile is very much an outsider looking in. She's clearly clever, but she makes a bad decision, which changes her life. Given the vaguely dystopian society of the valley she lives in, her choices are limited.
I found this book to be profoundly unsettling, possibly because there is no back story, no reason is given for why the setting of the novel is like it is, or even where it is. I visualised it as being somewhere in the French Alps, as the language and the names seemed to be French-influenced. Whether this is what the author intended I don't know, but when I am reading a novel I 'see' it in my head like a film, and this was what I saw.
Other readers may see it differently, but I felt it was about the consequences of choice. The ending surprised me, as it suggested the possibility of happiness. If you like Kazuo Ishiguro, I think you will like this.
3 stars - it would be 3.5 if there had been quotation marks!

DNF. I have GOT to stop reading literary fiction written by men with female main characters because I just get let down every single time. There was a really interesting underlying concept here and the conseille aspect of it was really interesting - but as soon as the writer decided a great scene to write was the obscure main character watching two people she knows have sex in an outdoor fort, I got such a big ick, I needed a shower. It's not fun, it's not arty - it's creepy as hell.

Unfortunately I think this one was a little bit too speculative for me. The idea is wonderful - a village that sits between two time lines, the past and the future, and the difficult philosophical questions this can pose, however I think this spends too long pondering these questions without providing action.

There's also a little too much meandering around the story, a lack of world building, that left me feeling confused as to what time period, if any, we were in. There's hints of old English villages, but with modernised technology that meant I never felt grounded in the setting. The logic of time within the novel also left more questions than answers, and as someone who likes every aspect of the laws of time and magic laid out in great detail, this aspect of the novel left a lot to be desired.

Interesting concept, but for me it's a little too slow paced and without enough background work done to really enjoy the story to its full potential.

The Other Valley is a beautiful heart breaking coming of age story that feels like its slowly sliding sideways. Odiel lives in The Valley, a small town that feels both like any other…and yet like none you’ve ever known. A quaint, strict village situated in the middle of a valley that residents can never leave. To travel west over the mountain range is to find the same valley 20 years in the past. To go east, is to find yourself 20 years in the future. Travel between the valleys is only allowed under tightly controlled conditions.

In truth, I wasn’t sure how to rate or review this book. It is one of those books that feels a little wandering and listless. Where are we going? What’s really happening?

And yet…I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The writing, as clipped and taciturn as it was, was incredibly powerful. I could picture the town, the people, I felt in my bones Odiel’s experiences as my own. The weight of her mother’s expectations, that tentative anxiety when hanging out with a new group of friends for the first time, the stinging rejection of a first crush gone awry. A young person desperate to find a meaningful place in a world she can’t control. Scott Alexander Howard was playing a delicate tune and I was caught up in the notes despite myself.

The story reads like ripples in time, the narration often skipping sporadically forward and backward with deft flashbacks and premonitions (not to mention the literal time travel between the valleys). The way Howard uses time travel and writing technique to talk about the ultimate questions: if you could go back and change one thing…what would it be? If you knew what the future held…what would you do differently today? is nothing short of genius. While the Sci-Fi reader in me was fascinated by the way he balanced the tricky time lines and plot consistency, the philosopher in me was consumed by the questions he posed. I was struck by how much of who we are, right now, in this moment, the only moment we ever truly have, is the time line that matters the most.

The Other Valley is an incredible accomplishment from a debut author. Delicate, consuming, challenging…beautiful. I know this one is classified as a Sci-Fi, but it has a strong literary/philosophical bend and I don’t read a lot of fiction like this. The closest I’ve personally read might be something akin to the writing styles of Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Before the Coffee Gets Cold) or Sven Holm (Termush) but with sprinkles of something heavier like David Mitchel (Cloud Atlas) and John Lancaster (The Wall).

I am very grateful to have received a free e-arc from NetGalley and Atlantic Books in exchange for an honest review. I actually look forward to purchasing a Shelf Trophy copy of this one. Seeing it on my shelf will serve as a reminder to live in the present and embrace whatever good I am blessed with, for what ever length of time, with open arms.

As popular as playing with Time is within modern fiction, The Other Valley felt boldly original.

A town between two duplicate towns, the future and the past, is home to a curious group of teenagers finding their path into adulthood. Prepare to be taken through a college experience, of classroom antics, rivalries, and young romance.

I think this novel will be hugely popular with a younger crowd, the generation of readers obsessed with romance and romantasy. The characters are strong enough where the plot lacks, but altogether a huge adventure with twists and lovable moments.

I have just read , and loved, ‘The Ministry of Time’ and this held me in a similar way. Again set in a world where time and history play an important role in the novel the author tells the story of Odile Ozanne who has to finds a way to live which embraces both caring, respect and grief in a restricted society. It kept me awake and I finished it in one sitting; a testament to its success.

Some stand-out moments in this unique but flawed story of time travel that deals with themes of loss, obedience, conformity, consequences and missed opportunities.

3.5 stars rounded down. I don’t usually award half stars, but I’m so conflicted about how to rate this book that I don’t feel like I have any other option.

A brief summary from the blurb:

> **West is twenty years in the past.**
>
> **East is twenty years in the future.**
>
> **Would you travel through time to save the one you love?**
>
> Sixteen-year-old Odile Ozanne finds herself drawn into a devastating lifelong dilemma – to preserve the town’s carefully protected timeline, or to risk everything and try to rescue her one chance at happiness.

The time travel set-up interesting, and unique in my experience: the story is set in a valley bounded by mountains to the east and west. Beyond the mountains lie the same valley, but 20 years in the past to the west, and 20 years in the future to the east. This is an imaginative set-up for time travel. For me, though, it left significant questions unanswered that I found an ongoing distraction (more on that later).

**A feeling of disconnection**

First, let’s deal with the elephant in the room: there are no quotation marks. Direct speech is indicated by a paragraph break (although not always) along with the reader’s intuition that someone is now speaking due to the change in flow and tone. The story is told in the first person and there were quite a few times when I was genuinely confused about whether a sentence like “I didn’t know” was part of the first person narrative, or was being spoken by the narrator, or was being spoken by one of the other characters. I think I mostly got it right from context, but why is the author making me work so hard?

I have no problem with an author playing with convention and form for stylistic reasons or provide a particular feel - but I simply didn’t see the point of the lack of quotation marks. Worse than that, not only did it get in the way of the reading experience, but it also got in the way of my engagement with the story and the characters. For me, the lack of quotation marks added distance - as if all of the speech was either badly remembered, or was being reported third-hand. It had the disconnected feel of a badly dubbed foreign film.

This brings me to characterisation. I’m not sure whether the main character, Odile, was supposed to be somewhat neurodivergent - with sentences like “startled, I forgot to smile back” seeming to indicate the processing of emotions being a deliberate activity - or perhaps she was just supposed to be shy. Either way, she is written with an emotional detachment, and seems to be on the sidelines for many of her experiences and relationships with other people. Unfortunately for me, this also meant that I had no sense of the depth of her emotion for her best friend, Edme, whose fate is pivotal for much of the plot. I did wonder whether this was just my own disconnection with the author - that perhaps the author wasn’t going to be able to make me feel anything for any of the characters - but this wasn’t the case: I found one of the scenes where Odile escorts an old man into an adjacent valley very moving.

**The Time Travel Mechanism**

I had so many problems with the time travel mechanism, where valleys to the east and west are 20 years removed…

Firstly, the entire world in which the story unfolds is only a few kilometres wide, but the society is advanced enough to have buses and cars. This means that there needs to be a certain amount of heavy industry: mining, steel works, petrochemicals, manufacturing, etc. This is briefly alluded to at one point (“The pavement ended and the streetlights tapered off at the gloomy remains of the brickyard and some factories. There was no more need for them to operate, the Conseil said“), but a few factories isn’t enough. Worse than this, the valley is also bounded to the north and south - the valley is the entire world. It’s not like there is an “industrial zone” elsewhere that would explain this. Of course, none of this is important to the plot, but I found it very distracting.

Secondly, the “single timeline” rules of time travel in this book would result in an incredibly delicate hold on a stable reality. Changes in the past (the west) will impact the future (the east). In fact, this is poetically described at one point: “A person goes west, he interferes, and then new time rolls over him like a wave, leaving nothing behind. It’s as simple and ruthless as that.” This set of timeline rules is fine in principle, and is well established in speculative fiction in general. However, when this is combined with the “walk west and you end up 20 years in the past” mechanism in this book, then the entire world becomes very fragile. The purpose of the “Conseil” in the book is to police movement between valleys, due to the consequences to the timeline of uncontrolled attempts to interfere with the past. However, we’re supposed to believe that the valleys go east and west without end - that they are effectively infinite. This means that the Conseil has to have a perfect record in every one of the infinite valleys to the west in order to prevent waves of updated time continuously crashing eastwards through the valleys. This seems unlikely. And what about a bird (because there are birds) flying west and, for example, causing a car accident? This delicacy of the timeline is essential to the plot, and yet is inherently infeasible.

**The Good Stuff: Plot and Character**

One final negative word before the good stuff: the pace is incredibly slow, and the balance of story establishment vs payoff is too skewed towards story establishment for my liking. For me, the payoff of all of the world building and character development kicked in at 80-90% of the way through, which represents quite a lot of slogging through world building up to that point.

However, the payoff was very satisfying. For all that I’ve criticised the distracting elements of style and world building, I found the progression of the plot (who ends up where, and for what reasons) to be surprising and enjoyable - there were points where the plot took a sharp turn in a way that I wasn’t expecting, and I really appreciated that.

The blurb would have us believe that the book is about lost love and redemption - the chance to bring back something that’s been lost. And while it is about that, the “something that’s been lost” runs so much deeper than a relationship with a childhood friend. Compliance to authority for the greater good in the face of personal loss is a theme that runs throughout the story. Coming to terms with regret and lost opportunity is also a persistent thread - and a thread that is made poignant by the tantalising prospect of being able to travel back in time and interfere, in an attempt to change outcomes. And it’s in the main character’s self-absorbed, introspective contemplation on the direction that her life has taken in the face of all of this that the author’s characterisation really shines. Odile’s combination of regret, resignation, and conflict later in the story ultimately gave her the sense of depth and reality that I was hoping for - and that’s what will stay with me from this book.

I am a big fan of time travel tales so the set up for this story really appealed to me in its different approach.
A valley and its population are duplicated to the east and west in ripples with each valley forty years ahead or behind depending on which direction you travel.
There is a tightly controlled boundary between each to prevent interference with timelines and changing the course of people’s lives but you can submit a formal plea to cross over and observe loved ones who have died in a strictly controlled visit.
Odile wants to become a judge on these submissions and the case studies at college are interesting dilemmas in time travel and dealing with grief. When she recognises the parents of one of her best friends visiting from the valley ahead, there is also the dilemma of knowing something that is going to happen and whether to do anything about it.
The choices Odile makes eventually drives her to make drastic decisions that puts her in danger.
I really enjoyed the narrative and found it fresh and unpredictable. The descriptive language and scene setting was rich and vivid. If you enjoy Christopher Priest, then this will be in your zone.

Description:
Odile lives in a valley surrounded by other, identical valleys: one side is twenty years in the past, the other twenty years in the future. There are strict rules on travel between the valleys to prevent changing the past and/or future, but in special, mostly tragic, circumstances, some visits are permitted. When Odile sees a school friend's parents visiting from the future, she knows something bad is going to happen.

Liked:
The plotting is superb - well-paced and intriguing throughout, with a flow that drags you along. The protagonist is a slightly strange one; I was sympathetic without necessarily liking her very much. The surrounding characters, by contrast, often shone: Alain and Edme are adorable at times, and Jo and Justine feel like very realistic teenage girls. The prose of this one isn't eye-catching, it mostly gets out of the way, which suits the story well, although there were a few phrases I thought were particularly eloquent.

Disliked:
It's hard to find things I didn't like about this one. I think the only thing I can say is that I was so worried about the ending managing to be satisfying, that even though it WAS, it lost some of the emotion it might have had.

Would absolutely recommend. One of my favourites of the year so far.

Anything Else:
It’s weird: I’ve read two books about girls growing up in secluded valleys with strange rules in past 3 weeks or so - this and Elsewhere. Both very good and both quite different!