Invictus (novel)

Invictus is a science fiction novel by Ryan Graudin, published in 2018 by Little, Brown and Company. It is a young adult time travel romance that blends elements of historical fiction and adventure.

The novel follows Faraway "Fare" Jones, a time traveler born without the gene required to travel through time. Her unique ability to sense rips in the timeline makes her valuable to the Cetus Fleet, a military organization that polices the time stream. Fare commands a team of skilled time travelers who are tasked with preventing paradoxes and maintaining the integrity of history.

The story begins with a dangerous mission gone wrong, leading to the discovery of a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of time. Fare and her crew, including her intriguing and potentially untrustworthy pilot, Eliot, must navigate treacherous historical periods and confront powerful enemies to save the timeline from collapsing.

A key plot point involves the characters traveling to various historical periods, interacting with figures from the past, and grappling with the ethical implications of altering history. The romance between Fare and Eliot forms a significant subplot, complicating their mission and adding emotional depth to the narrative.

Invictus received generally positive reviews, praised for its fast-paced plot, diverse characters, and imaginative world-building. However, some critics noted inconsistencies in the time travel mechanics and the pacing of the romantic subplot.

The novel explores themes of destiny, free will, the consequences of manipulating history, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of a technologically advanced future.