Margo is on a train to a new boarding school when she slips into another dimension, passing from the height of Irish summer into the chill of an alien winter, from a 24-hour day to one that begins and ends in just six hours. From a stranger on the train – a travelling salesman by the name of Moon – she learns that New Davia is part of a world scarred by uprisings, travel bans and world sealings. Power is determined by time – who has it, who doesn’t, and who has the freedom to travel between time zones.
Can Margo find a way to get back home – or will she choose to stay in a world where her teenagehood is slipping away faster than ever before, but where she may have found the only person with whom she would choose to spend eternity?
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue is an exciting and emotional sequel that takes readers back into a world of magic, friendship, and online drama. The story follows Maeve as she deals with the choices she made in All Our Hidden Gifts and the way they’ve changed her life and the people around her. O’Donoghue mixes real-life teen issues—like growing up, falling out with friends, and feeling unsure of who you are—with spells and magic in a way that feels fresh and real. The characters talk and act like real teenagers, and their feelings come across clearly and honestly. Sometimes the plot moves fast and feels a bit messy, but the heart of the story—about taking responsibility, saying sorry, and learning from your mistakes—shines through. Skipshock is a powerful and magical read about being brave, making things right, and finding your place in the world. Nicole, VIC, 5 stars
Adventure, magic, time travel, characters that jump off the page, and an epic storyline that will draw you in from the first chapter. Caroline O’Donoghue has created the Skipshock world that rivals Phillip Pullman’s Northern Lights series. Amanda, 16+, VIC, 5 stars
This is a dystopian fantasy novel with a unique concept. Firstly, Margo is from our world and whilst on a train ride to Dublin, has been transported to another and meets Moon. The narrative switches between Moon and Margo with each chapter, in first and third person respectively (I’m not sure why). The world-building is brilliantly weaved, unravelling for the reader as it does for Margo – such as learning about political and social systems. There is a war between the prosperous South, who hold the power, and the rebellious North. Value and power belongs to those with more time. Different places have different hours in a day, marked by the rising and setting of the sun. Though days may be shorter, people age at the same pace. It’s a hard concept to get your head around but somehow it works. Moon has a condition called Skipshock that is felt by those who travel too frequently between ‘time zones’. He hopes to retire before it becomes fatal but must help Margo return home. There’s plenty of action, thrills, romance and twists. Betrayal and separation await at the climactic ending – and I simply must read the next book. Cindy, WA, 5 stars
Wow. I can’t even explain how the world of Skipshock blew me away. Firstly, this whole story is so unique. Everything from the travel system to the different worlds to the salesman, they all sound like something familiar and yet they’re never what you’d expect. This book also had me bawling at certain points.. “There you are, Moon. I’ll be dead of course” BAWLING 😭 And yet the romance was so sweet and it really did slowly build up. And that ending… how am I supposed to wait for the sequel?! How?! This is one of my favourite reads this year! Jacqueline, VIC, 5 stars
I absolutely loved Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue! As someone new to sci-fi, I was surprised by how quickly I got hooked. The mix of romance and sci-fi works so well, and the alternating chapters between Margo and Moon really brought their characters to life. Caroline O’Donoghue’s writing is sharp and emotional. I loved this book so much I finished the book and started it again straight away. Perfect for romantasy fans looking for something different. Can’t wait for book two! Crystal, TAS, 5 stars
Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue is a Sci-Fi romance which follows the story of two main characters, Margo, a rebellious, troubled 16-year-old schoolgirl and Moon, a weary, travelling salesmen aged 19. As Margo is travelling to her school in Dublin, she suddenly finds herself in a completely different world and meets a stranger on the train called Moon. As Margo spends her journey escaping from enemies she builds a strong connection with Moon. This book was interesting for me as I have never read Sci-Fi and had never endeavoured to, but I was intrigued by the combination of romance and Sci-Fi and was willing to give it a go. I really enjoyed Caroline O’Donoghue’s writing style and especially enjoyed the switch between Moon and Margo’s perspectives in each chapter. This worked especially well for gaining a strong grip on the characters and their personalities whilst delivering an effective understanding of their feelings. Overall Skipshock by Caroline O’donoghue was an enjoyable read for me and I loved it. I recommend this book especially for people who have read a lot of romantasy and are looking to try something different. I am so excited for the second book when it is released next year. Claire, 14, TAS, 5 stars
Fans of fantasy/sci-fi will be enthralled with Caroline O’Donoghue ‘s latest time travelling epic. Skipshock begins with Margo, a modern day 16 year old Irish schoolgirl on a train bound for her new boarding school. Partway through the journey she experiences a sudden intense physical reaction that we later learn is Skipshock, and discovers the train has transformed into something that looks to be from another century, seemingly empty except for a stranger of ambiguous age, the salesman Moon. Against his better judgement, Moon rescues, or is it kidnaps, Margo to save her from certain arrest and introduces her to strange new world, reminiscent of Carnival Row, where time is not the same for all. Travel between the different worlds are tightly controlled, with those in the north experiencing days as short as two hours, while the time-wealthy live in the south here the days grow longer with a greater lifespan. Moving between the world’s are Salesmen who gather commodities and travel to sell them, subjecting their bodies to extreme stresses caused from Skipshock. Margo has somehow slipped through a fissure in time and space, and is now being pursued by the authorities, and so she and Moon embark on a race to save themselves and the very world they are in. The world-building is rich and detailed, characters well-defined and the storyline engrossing. Very much looking forward to the sequel. Juanita, NSW, 5 stars
Wow. I thoroughly loved reading this story Skipshock, try saying that quickly! This is a story of Margo and Moon. Margo finds herself on a train back to school but something happens and she ends up in another world. On the train she finds herself in front of Moon and the story takes you through a journey to get Margo back home. Bit fantasy, bit love story with lots of drama too. While I guessed what the ending was and how Margo ended up in these strange worlds it still kept me reading. It was such an easy read and with that ending, I just cannot wait until book number two comes out. Loved it! Jodie, VIC, 5 stars
Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue is an engrossing book of fantasy, revolution and romance, where Skipshock describes the debilitating effect on the body of travelling between worlds that have differing hours in the day. Margo is catching a train to Dublin, in our world of 24 hour days, to her new school, when she finds herself on a train in a country she’s never heard of, with only 6 hours to a day, without a visa, and only a stranger with a crescent tattoo to help her. As she travels with salesman Moon between these impoverished worlds, she is chased by local guards and aided by revolutionaries “because we’re at the beginning of a war… and whoever gets you, wins”. I was captivated by the originality and worldbuilding in this book, the first of two in the series, and can’t wait to read the sequel. Kim, VIC, 5 stars
A schoolgirl Margo recently lost her father a respected Sales man and Moon a salesman from a totally different world. 2 trains two different journeys that somehow collide together. Join Margo and Moon along with a whole host of other characters on this fantasy world in Alder City. A journey that has you on edge waiting to see what happens next. From licences to passports these are not what Margo was to experience on her way to school in Dublin. An exciting page turner book that will have you thinking what will be in Book 2! Tianne, NSW, 5 stars
Grace, 12, says: I enjoyed this although it took me longer to read than most books. I really liked both Moon and Margo – they are really great characters and I found them very believable. I liked the idea of all the multiple worlds and the different lengths of day. That was interesting and scary and original all at once. The story was exciting and I really want to know what happens next! Mum says: I loved this young adult novel, although it’s on the dense side and thus definitely a read better suited to slightly older or confident readers. Grace is a confident reader but found this a bit hard to get into. I enjoyed this a great deal as an adult reader, and so did Miss 12. I think, however, I’d probably recommend it for slightly older readers, largely because it’s on the dense side for a young adult novel. That mild challenge will prove very rewarding for most readers, though. Lorraine (for Grace), 12, ACT, 5 stars
SKIPSHOCK is a beautifully crafted, touching story of family, community, class, time and time travel, and social entitlement, all wrapped up around the lives of two runaway teens. This is a story you will not put down. A read-all-night-until finished book. I can’ t wait for the sequel. I hope it becomes a movie. A must read. Helen, NSW, 5 stars
WOW, what an original, refreshing, and unforgettable read! I dove into Skipshock not really knowing what to expect, and I was completely swept away by its unique story and brilliant worldbuilding. Skipshock is a breathtaking tale of community, rebellion, time, and privilege, grounded in poignant echoes of real-world isolation, particularly the COVID-era lockdowns. The story’s level of detail and originality is unmatched — from the trains and markets to the intricate worlds within worlds. The dialogue sparkles with wit, making the world feel both new and hauntingly familiar. The characters are equally exceptional — vivid, messy, and achingly human. Their emotions and flaws are so deeply realised that I felt like I was living alongside them. I completely fell for Margo and Moon: unique, beautifully flawed individuals whose tangible histories made their journeys raw and powerful. The slow-burn romance is tender and deeply satisfying, with every emotional beat feeling earned. O’Donoghue’s writing is steady, assured, and quietly beautiful, never overly flowery but striking exactly when needed. I was utterly hooked. If you want a book that’s fresh, thrilling, wildly original, and masterfully written, Skipshock is an absolute must-read. Melissa, VIC, 5 stars
Margo and Moon move between their different fantasy worlds. Margo’s father dies and she’s on her way to a new school. Margo and Moon meet between their worlds on a train and their world collides into chaos. It’s a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Are Moon or Margo real!!! Will they survive!!! What a brilliant storyline . Highly recommended. I give this 5 stars! Noeleen, 14, WA, 5 stars
I was not expecting at all to become so quickly engrossed in this book and yet this is what happened within moments of starting to read the prologue. Instantly questions were raised about Moon’s work as a salesman that I wanted answers to, and slowly … these answers were provided within this fascinating and complex new book by Caroline O’Donoghue. Caroline has cleverly woven together a rich and complex world complete with unusual concepts of time which account for the skipshock. There is so much rich world-building within this book, and the characters are so well developed and relatable (both liked and disliked) as we learn about their backstories, past traumas and hopes for a different future. Told from dual perspectives this is a story that is rich with detail and holds so many fascinating elements and questions which constantly leave the reader guessing and on an emotional edge. It revolves around concepts of loss, privilege, politics, family and friends and also the strong desire to survive and the hope of a better life. This desire and hope also comes with a high cost as many of the characters come to learn. There are so many mysteries behind how it is Margo came to be in Moon’s world, how events tie into her past, and what role she will play. There is also a level of suspense as Margo and Moon are kept on the move and hunted across different locations. I particularly enjoyed the way the main characters developed across the series as a result of the experiences they encountered, and in many ways, both are nearly unrecognisable by the end in terms of the new strengths they possess and the things they learn both about themselves, each other and their families and friends. The book ends with a sharp cliff hanger that has me eagerly awaiting the sequel to find out what happens next. After being so invested and caught up in this world it feels like i’m going through my own level of shock at suddenly finding myself without the next part of Margo and Moon’s story. I’m looking forward to learning more! Carrie, VIC, 4 stars
Skipshock was a pleasant surprise. It blended elements of young adult and adult fantasy romance, with a pinch of sci-fi. It’s a story about valuing the time we have, the people around us, love, and of course, the consequences of privilege. These ideas are told in an easy-to-read writing style, however, the first 100 pages do read as if we are expect to know what things are. We aren’t really learning with Margo about this new world. We are left to try and understand what worlds and times and other such things are. The world building in the first part of this book wasn’t the best, but it got better as the book progressed. Moon’s internal struggles were some of the best parts to read, and seeing Margo grow and change was also enjoyable, since her naivety was a little annoying to begin with. I would rate this a 4 star read, and I’ll be continuing the series. Jeanette, NSW, 4 stars
Margo is on a train which inexplicably transports her to another world. She meets a fellow traveller, Moon. Together, the pair navigate the worlds, ponder how she got here and how to get her home, before realising her purpose might be greater than either can fully appreciate. I like unique circumstances, alternate worlds and thought the story/lore was inventive. The world building was one of my favourite aspects of this book and the different concepts of time really appealed to me. At times, I felt a bit of a disconnect between Moon and Margo. Was it the ‘age difference’, switching between first and third person, the relationship feeling a little young/emotionless? Moon feels well rounded, but Margo feels a little flat/boring. This might be a ‘me thing’, given I don’t typically read YA. In this book, you will find: rebellion/revolution, found family themes, angsty/sweet romance, side characters with purpose, time/world travel, lore, dystopian themes, the feeling of impending dread building to something impactful, are all things you will find in this book. The cliffhanger felt like a natural stopping point, and I will read the sequel. Aotea, QLD, 4 stars
The sparkly silver and indigo ethereal ‘advanced copy’ cover of Skipshock immediately draws you into this story where time travel allows Salesmen to move around alternate dimensions. But time-travel comes with a price to health – symptoms called “Skipshock”. Margo, teen run-away, accidentally falls into Moon’s universe and a fantasy romance story follows. Danielle, NSW, 4 stars
A fantastic YA novel that draws you into these other worlds and pathways between them like a possibility. Great characters and an original premise that leaves you hanging for the 2nd book. Great read, would make a lovely gift. Lisa, WA, 4 stars
This story really grew on me, because it took me a little while to warm up to the world and the characters, however, by the end I was completely engrossed with Moon and Margo. The novel has a unique concept and lots of twists and turns along the way. I wouldn’t say it was prefect, it felt like some of the ‘romantic’ interludes will a little cringey, but I thoroughly enjoyed the overall story. Looking forward to where it heads from here. I feel like lovers of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials might enjoy this one. Angie, VIC, 4 stars
Skipshock is a beautiful book with lovely world building and imagery. It immerses you in so many different worlds and creates them all different. The plot is a bit slow at first but once you get into it, it grabs you. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and looking forward to the rest of the series. Hannah, 16, NSW, 4 stars
Sci-Fi, tick. Romance, tick. Fantasy, tick. A bit of everything to appeal to a wide audience without feeling you are reading a single genre book. Chapters jump between the viewpoint of the two main protagonists, Margo and Moon, which I find gives a greater emotional attachment to the characters. The storyline jumps from world to world as Margo and Moon travel along the train lines, encountering enemies that may possibly destroy their future and their lives. This is fine, though I did find it confusing that the length of a day is different in each world. This may be more appealing to those who enjoy a good sci-fi novel. Caroline is a very descriptive writer which helps carry you along the journey, wanting you not to put the book down until you have read the final page. If you are looking for a full-on romance, then this may not be the book for you. However, the growing relationship between Margo and Moon is still very prominent within the story. I rate the book 4 out of 5 and look forward to the sequel. Audrey, 12, QLD, 4 stars
Skipshock follows the character Margo, who unexpectedly finds herself in a new world, where she meets Moon alongside other loveable characters and finds herself embarking on an adventure through worlds to stop uprising evil. Skipshock’s plot is captivating and unique leaving the reader with many questions. Although the storyline was interesting, I didn’t however like the choice of language in parts of the book. Quite often, the love interest referred to Margo as ‘kid.’ While I understand the reason, I found it quite off putting. As a younger reader, I found this book uncomfortable to read as it included many sexual references, that mostly seemed unnecessary and off topic. While it never got to explicit intimacy, there were scenes that wouldn’t be suitable for younger readers. That being said, I liked the use of split POV to give the reader an insight to both of the main character’s minds, and I also enjoyed O’Donoghue’s writing style as it kept me interested throughout the book. While Skipshock wasn’t for me, I feel that there will be many readers who will enjoy Caroline O’Donoghue’s creative and boundary-pushing book, and the magical worlds she created. Chloe, Year 9, VIC, 3 stars
You are whisked away to another world, and not everyone on the train is meant to be there. There are hints of a George Orwell type of future with people disfigured for roles and society compartmentalised. The 2 characters never should have met and she has to quickly learn to adapt and make the most of time to survive. Tina, QLD, 3 stars
My grandson told me he quite enjoyed reading some fantasy for a change. Gail, 17, WA, 3 stars
Skipshock is a fast-paced fantasy novel set in a multiverse connected by mysterious trains that transport passengers between worlds. However, travelling through time zones comes at a cost: a sickness called Skipshock. The story follows Margo, an ordinary girl from our world who accidentally boards one of these trains and finds herself trapped in an unfamiliar world that she has no idea existed. Lost and confused, she meets Moon, a resident of another world, and together they uncover a dark political conflict between the Southern and Northern Worlds. The plot is constantly moving – there’s never a dull moment – as Margo and Moon are drawn into a rebellion trying to shut down inter-world travel. The novel has a slightly dark tone and includes a romantic subplot, which may appeal to readers aged 13 and up who enjoy fantasy with a touch of romance. While the premise was creative and the action kept me turning pages, I personally didn’t enjoy the romantic elements. Overall, it’s a unique concept with lots of imagination, even if it wasn’t quite my style. Clementine, 12, VIC, 3 stars
I tried really hard to follow this story but I couldn’t really keep up with the unusual story. It’s not my preferred genre but I tried to understand but had to keep rereading passages. My opinion is that if this isn’t your genre it’s quite a long story and difficult to understand and persist. However I can understand why people would like it if they like fantasy. Gloria, SA, 2 stars
I originally picked this book for my daughter who is 10 and an excellent reader and SciFi fan but it became quickly apparent the theme wasn’t appropriate and is more suited for 14+ year olds. Unfortunately not my genre and I couldn’t get into it either (Mum) so I have passed it onto my husband to see if it tickles his fancy. It appears to be about a human female who drops into an alternate world. I gave it 200 pages and I still couldn’t enjoy it unfortunately 🙁 Madeleine, 14+, TAS, 1 star
Skipshock sounds like a beautifully layered mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance—with rich worldbuilding, emotional depth, and a totally original concept of time. Definitely adding this to my TBR! speed stars
Skipshock sounds like a beautifully layered mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance—with rich worldbuilding, emotional depth, and a totally original concept of time. Definitely adding this to my TBR!
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Loved this preview of Skipshock — Margo’s slipping through time felt vivid and sad, and Moon the salesman is intriguing. After reading I needed something light, so I played SOFTMONEY game for a calming clicker break between chapters.
Loved this preview of Skipshock — Margo’s slipping through time felt vivid and sad, and Moon the salesman is intriguing. After reading I needed something light, so I played SOFTMONEY game for a calming clicker break between chapters.
Great preview of Skipshock – Margo’s trip to New Davia felt haunting and urgent, like time slipping away. The world-building hooked me, and I even peeked at Best Crypto by ai to follow fast-changing signals.
Loved this preview of Skipshock — Margo slipping between time zones felt eerie and sad. After reading, I needed a quick brain break and tried Orbit Dash in my browser; a fun, fast little game that oddly matched the book’s vibe.
Skipshock sounds like a beautifully layered mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance—with rich worldbuilding, emotional depth, and a totally original concept of time. Definitely adding this to my TBR! geometry dash lite
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