Jigsaw: Powder Keg is a historical sci-fi thriller that blasts across centuries with the force of a grenade and the precision of a surgeon. The story flips between timelines, ancient Persia, WWI and WWII Europe, post-Holocaust Italy, 1950s Alabama, and even Victorian England, while weaving together a massive, complex tale of shadowy global conspiracies, time travel, and supernatural battles. At its heart, it’s about a clandestine group trying to ignite chaos to build a new world order and the people, both mortal and not, who are working to stop it.

Gordon doesn’t waste time easing you in. The first chapter sets the pace: ancient betrayals, magic orbs, and a fire-slinging villain trapped by angelic brothers. It felt like Indiana Jones meets The Sandman, only with more Persian and Balkan war references. That blend of fantasy and real-world history gives the book its kick. One of my favorite examples is the underground lab beneath Santa Croce Church being repurposed by WWII resistance fighters and refugee educators into a high-tech, post-war Renaissance Academy. It’s absurd on paper but it works and somehow it all clicks.

The emotional heart, though, belongs to Noah and Francesca Pitto. Their post-war efforts to rescue orphans and battle corrupt bureaucrats are surprisingly moving. A scene that stuck with me was when they blackmail an insurance exec into releasing funds for Holocaust survivors’ children using documents from their own future selves. It’s a bizarre premise, but the fury and desperation feel real, especially Francesca’s barely contained rage. And just when you think it’s all war and espionage, there’s an adorable baby named Roberto and a running joke about changing diapers. The blend of sweet and bitter is sharp and honest.

Regarding the time travel aspect, the mechanics are not extensively detailed; however, this did not detract from my overall engagement with the narrative. This book isn’t about hard sci-fi; it’s about emotional and moral stakes. There’s a werewolf named Mueller, a vampire named Tori, and a golem named Frank, who wears wigs. At one point, Jack the Ripper shows up, and you find out who he is through footage recorded by a time-traveling dog with a camera on her collar. I had to stop and just laugh, but it is memorable. I didn’t always buy the motivations of the supernatural characters, but their presence made for some great action and surprisingly deep existential questions.

Jigsaw: Powder Keg is a chaotic, ambitious ride. It’s packed with history, mysticism, alternate futures, and moral gray zones. I wouldn’t hand this to someone looking for a light beach read. But if you like your fiction dense, imaginative, and bursting with heart, it’s worth your time. Fans of historical fantasy, time travel sagas, and books with a conscience will find a lot to dig into here.

Pages: 192 | ASIN : B0CLL1FPWN