Skipshock

By: Caroline O'Donoghue

Narrated by: Natasha Hodgson

"Readers will burn through the pages as they traverse gorgeous, fully realized worlds replete with their own varied dramas. . . . Incredibly immersive and utterly unique." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Set in a universe where time is key to power and privilege, this dazzlingly inventive, genre-defying fantasy romance is the first in a duology by best-selling author Caroline O’Donoghue.

Margo is a troubled schoolgirl. After the death of her father, she’s on her way to a new boarding school in a new city.

Moon is a salesman. He makes his living traveling through a series of interconnected worlds on a network of barely used train lines.

They never should have met. But when Margo suddenly appears one day on Moon’s train, their fates become inextricably linked. If Margo wants to survive, she has to pass as a traveling salesman, too—except it’s not that easy.

Move north on the train line and time speeds up, a day passing in mere hours. Move south and time slows down—a day can last several weeks. Slow worlds are the richest ones: you live longer, your youth lasting decades. Fast worlds are sharp, cruel, and don’t have time for pleasantries. Death is frequent. Salesmen die young of skipshock. That is, if they’re not shot down by the Southern Guard first.

As Margo moves between worlds and her attachment to Moon intensifies, she feels her youth start to slip between her fingers. But is Moon everything he seems? Is Margo?

Told through the eyes of both naive Margo and desperate Moon, the unforgettable realm of Skipshock will shake the way you think about love, time, and the fabric of the universe. The first in a planned duology from the best-selling author of the Gifts series, this utterly original epic is a must-read.

Wonderful and unlike anything else!

I nearly listened to this book in only one day, the characters hooked me! The magic / systems were new and interesting! the passion and care the characters have for each other was lovely. I very much hope there’s a sequel!!

Wonderful Story

Loved the characters and world building. The next book is coming out in 2026, and I can’t wait! It’s also beautifully read.

Superb

A wonderful book made all the more so by the exceptional Natasha Hodgson. Worth blocking out time to savor.

Excellent

Don’t be put off thinking you won’t enjoy this because it’s YA or fantasy - it is well-written, well-narrated, gripping plot and worldbuilding. I typically listen to memoirs and I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and cannot wait for the next one.