Once Upon a Time Slip, written by Lisa Nicell Treanor, is about a nineteen-year-old woman by the name of China Winter. China must escape the rise of the supernatural and the demands of a potential war by travelling with her grandfather to Liverpool to start a new life. But there are new dangers that lurk within the streets of Liverpool with threats of time slips and repercussions from the government on the forefront of every mind. Time wars develop, throwing China’s plans to find her missing brother out the window as she battles a world where being erased from existence is just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

China is an orphan and was raised by her inventor and toy maker grandfather, Clarence Winter. The story is set in 2258 so prepare for a whirlwind of futuristic scenarios- from mechanical hearts to humanoids to rewiring of the human soul. The future is here, and so is the potential for time travel. However, some problems can cause irreversible results. With real-life inventors like Nikola Tesla being incorporated into the plot line, be prepared for a magnitude of exciting inventions, creations and scientific discoveries.

Even though the story is set in the future, there are still elements of present/past issues. For example, with a war looming there are whispers of conscription with continuous pressure being pushed by the government. Some of the characters have mechanical body parts which still leaves them wondering who they are, how do they fit in, and what is the meaning of their life. I enjoyed the aspects of the past intertwined into the future as it gave the novel a sense of realism and was a reminder that our past mistakes tend to be repeated in society.

Lisa Nicell Treanor paints beautiful word pictures that gives readers an easy glimpse into the fantastical world of China Winter. I really enjoyed the level of detail in this story. There were so many suspenseful and even fun moments that were really brought to life by the vivid imagery. All of this lends to an intriguing and magical plot line that is punctuated with wild and creative inventions.

Abductions, soldiers and poltergeists come together to create an action-packed plot, all creating a sense of urgency and suspense throughout the story. Once upon a Time Slip is a unique time travel story that will open your mind to strange possibilities. If you’re looking for an exciting novel with a strong sense of adventure, then look no further.

Pages: 369 | ASIN: B077BRTDF3