An unputdownable, fabulous read – you won’t want to miss Hard Time by Jodi Taylor.

The plot:

The Time Police do not have problems. They have challenges.

Idiots who want to change history have always proved ‘challenging’. But now temporal tourism is on the rise – highly illegal but highly lucrative. If you’re prepared to take the risk.

To face down this threat, the Time Police will despatch their toughest undercover agents. Which is fine until the unthinkable happens. Replacements are needed fast and who better than three young officers who don’t even look the part?

Step forward Jane, Luke and Matthew. They may be about to graduate, but there’s still plenty of time for everything to go wrong. Throw in the Versailles time slip, a covert jump to Ancient Egypt and a race against Time itself, and you’ve got yourself an assignment worthy of Team Weird.

I can’t pick my favourite part

I’ve previously read the first book in this new spin-off by Jodi Taylor, author of the Chronicles of St Mary’s series (I haven’t read all of them, but I’m sooo eager to chronologically). The first book, Doing Time was a good 3-star for me, and something that I hadn’t heard of before. Hard Time is a strong 4-star, and so fantastic.

It’s definitely not my usual type of read but I found this much more enjoyable – it is slightly young adult, which isn’t my jam, but it’s mixed with such an exciting plot that I can’t refuse.

Despite it being a lower rating (3-stars are still great in my eyes!), I’d highly recommend reading Doing Time first – it opens you up to much more character development, and it made me settle into Hard Time easier. I love this little group and their adventures – they’re fun and quirky, and it was like we hadn’t been apart.

You’re completely transported alongside the characters in time and locations, and although this book was more focused on the political side of the Time Police, you’re still time-travelling and Taylor writes as if she’s already time-travelled and has all the goss for you; painting brilliant imagery, as if the book comes to life, with key history dates – what’s not to love?

It’s both funny and emotive – seriously, who puts ‘Team Weird’ in a blurb? LOVE IT. You also have young adults trying to identify where they are with life and their personalities are brilliant in themselves – mix them up with each other and people in charge, and you’ve got one wacky rollercoaster read which I’m here for.

Think Doctor Who meets the Famous Five, but for young adults.

A well thought-through plot with a great beginning, middle and end – I can’t pick my favourite part.

It is no surprise this author has produced a bestselling series with St Mary’s, and I’ve no doubt she’ll do so again with The Time Police.

Hard Time, Jodi Taylor, RRP £18.99 (hardback); Book Depository 

Pages: 528

Publisher: Headline

Genre: Fantasy