Step into the thrilling world of CrossTime Traffic, where teenage time travelers zip between parallel universes, unraveling history’s wildest 'what-if' scenarios! Harry Turtledove’s young adult series blends alternate history, science fiction, and coming-of-age adventure, following young heroes who work for a futuristic corporation exploiting divergent timelines for profit. With each book plunging readers into a new world where history took a dramatic turn, CrossTime Traffic is a rollercoaster of imagination and intrigue.
Picture a late 21st-century Earth, resource-starved but armed with tech to hop between timelines. That’s the playground for Turtledove’s protagonists—teens like Jeremy Solter and Liz Mendoza—who face danger, ethical dilemmas, and the thrill of discovering worlds where Rome never fell or the Cold War went Soviet. Ready to explore? Let’s dive into this multiverse masterpiece!
How CrossTime Traffic Began
Known as the 'Master of Alternate History,' Harry Turtledove, a PhD in Byzantine history, launched CrossTime Traffic in 2003 with Gunpowder Empire. Inspired by his love for historical divergence and the multiverse concepts of H. Beam Piper’s Paratime series, Turtledove crafted a YA series that makes history accessible and thrilling for teens. His goal? To spark curiosity about how fragile our timeline is while wrapping it in fast-paced, relatable stories of young traders navigating high-stakes missions.
The Heart of CrossTime Traffic
The six-book series kicks off with Gunpowder Empire (2003), where siblings Jeremy and Amanda Solter are stranded in a Roman Empire that never fell, dodging cannonballs as their timeline gateway fails. Curious Notions (2004) follows Paul Gomes in a San Francisco under Kaiser’s rule after Germany won World War I, entangled with Chinese triads and German police. In High Places (2005) explores a medieval world reshaped by a prolonged Black Death, while The Valley-Westside War (2008) drops Liz Mendoza into a post-nuclear Los Angeles fractured by war.
Each standalone novel weaves adventure with themes of identity, morality, and the ripple effects of historical choices. Turtledove’s worlds—like a balkanized America in The Disunited States of America or a Soviet-dominated Earth in The Gladiator—feel vivid and plausible, grounded in his historical expertise. The teenage protagonists, often paired as a boy and girl, grapple with cultural clashes and personal growth, making the series resonate with young readers. The light tone, toned-down violence, and focus on ethical dilemmas set it apart from Turtledove’s grittier adult works.
Why CrossTime Traffic Resonates
CrossTime Traffic captivates with its blend of brainy history and heart-pounding stakes, encouraging readers to question how history shapes our world. Fans praise its imaginative settings and relatable heroes, though some note its lighter plots compared to Turtledove’s adult epics. Its niche appeal has sparked calls for a film adaptation, as its vivid timelines beg for the big screen. For young adults, it’s a gateway to loving history and sci-fi, proving Turtledove’s knack for making the past feel alive.
- Publication Years: 2003–2008
- Number of Books: 6
- Genres: Alternate History, Science Fiction, Young Adult
- Awards: The Gladiator co-won the 2008 Prometheus Award
Grab Gunpowder Empire and dive into CrossTime Traffic’s mind-bending multiverse! Whether you’re a history buff or a sci-fi fan, Turtledove’s wild ride through alternate worlds will keep you hooked.