Review: Blowback ’94 by Brian Meehl

Author Brian Meehl brings his Blowback Trilogy to a compelling close with Blowback ’94, where Iris Jongler-Jinks finally gets her wish to hop through time, landing her squarely in the heart of the Belle Epoque in Paris, determined to find her mother and reunite the Jongler family.

Iris is joined by Arky, her time-traveling brother who just recently evaded death in the American Civil War, and the pair boast a brilliant dynamic as they try to unravel the last great mystery of their family’s cor anglais. Although neither of them planned to be tossed backward this time around, the perennially unpredictable cor anglais has decided that their temporal adventures aren’t over.

Dropping them in Paris in 1894, the twins quickly discover that their mother is working in that very spot, employed at the Moulin Rouge under the name Madame Jongler, and that there is another family member in town who can shed light on their nebulous bloodline.

As they prepare to confront their mother, they learn the truth behind their family tree, and the magical instrument that has been their kin’s blessing and a curse for more than three hundred years. What begins as a journey to save their mother soon evolves into the final coming-of-age chapter for these young characters. Existing in Paris exposes them to some of the greatest artists and minds in history, gives them a chance at love, and makes them the same offer so many Jonglers have faced before: stay or leave? When the potential of the past is more exciting than the reality of the present, Iris and Arky are forced to define the path of their future.

The main players have been well developed over the first two books in the series, so this third installment feels like it has more room to breathe, and the author feels more playful and creative in the overall narrative. Peripheral characters like Howard, Octavia, and Matt also shine when needed to support and balance the main storyline in the past. The authentic way in which family bonds and struggles are explored is refreshing, and makes the interplay of each character believable. The City of Lights sparkles and seduces throughout, a character in itself, and the historical allusions – as in the earlier books – helps to both ground and immerse readers.

By this point in the series, disbelief is fully suspended when it comes to time travel, yet there are still some clever narrative bandages that close up inevitable paradoxes. Time travel has never been the focal point of these books – it is instead founded on the challenges of falling in love, discovering hidden strengths, and finding one’s place (or time) in the world. These underlying themes come to the forefront in this last installment, presenting readers with their own existential questions to chew on.

Some of the plot developments come off as overly convenient, particularly the seemingly sentient nature of the cor anglais, but this can largely be chalked up to ancient and unpredictable magic. Overall, the intricate weaving of stories from both previous books, and a surprising lack of loose ends, makes this culmination a very satisfying close to an original and captivating series. Blowback ’94 is the most complete and engaging offering in the trilogy, aided by a classic setting, fully explored characters, and a confident voice from start to finish.