The Skin Map

This is not a typical book I would choose to read, but since Thomas Nelson gave me the opportunity to review it, I thought I might as well broaden my horizons to allow for more science fiction-ish type of novels.  The Skin Map is a first in the Bright Empires Series by Stephen R. Lawlead.  The novel opens in modern-day London; Kit Livingstone is plodding along in the rain when he decides to take a short-cut through an alley.  In that alley, a man introduces himself as Cosimo, Kit's great-grandfather, and then proceeds to take Kit on a journey through not only time, but through other dimensions.

The book is a cross between science fiction, history, general fiction, and just pure what-the-heck craziness.  I usually don't read any type of science fiction, but I had to admit the concept of travelling across both time and space dimensions simultaneously threw me for a loop.  For example, at one point in the novel, Kit and Cosimo arrive in London on September 2, 1666; Kit remarks the Restoration would have just happened a few years prior, but his great-grandfather corrects him, explaining that they aren't actually time-travelling.  They've just gone to a different place, and this particular England has its own history separate from the England with which Kit is familiar; in fact Charles was never deposed in this England and there was no English Civil War.  Cosimo explained that though there was a common starting point, all the different variables have caused the different worlds to have different histories; sometimes they are similar, but generally never the same.  And as it just so happens, Cosimo ensures that this particular England never actually experiences the Great Fire, whereas 'home' or 'origin world' England still maintained the same English history we all know and understand today.  Truly, the concept is a little fun to consider!

The first novel in the series introduces you to the concept of leys (the intersections which make such travelling possible) and the main characters.  The Skin Map focuses on the attempts of ley travellers- both the good and the bad- to get their hands on the map compiled by Arthur Flinders-Petrie, a man who travelled extensively via ley lines and who compiled a detailed map of his travels by tattooing individual maps of his travels on his body to ensure he could not lost the map.  And of course, you get to meet the villain Lord Burleigh, who seems to always be thwarting the plans of Kit and crew.

Lawhead does an excellent job of weaving together the stories of several different characters from different times and locales.  Throughout the book, you see modern-day England, 17th-century London, 17th-century Prague, ancient and modern Egypt, as well as various times in China.  The historical aspect of the book is rather fascinating.  Although this isn't a book I would typically read, I thought it was well-done overall and an enjoyable read; the only problem is that the second novel, The Bone House, won't be available until September 2011.  And oh, one of the best parts of the book?  Pure British spellings throughout.  Yes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”