I spent the first half wondering if anything would happen that I hadn't already guessed and/or read in other books of similar genre, and whether any of the characters would get beyond 2 dimensions.

The book gets marked up because the answer to the first question is 'Yes.' However, the answer to the second is, 'No!' Jack is at least fairly consistant in himself, if somewhat unlikely. Mairie's actions are so varied that there isn't even any inconsistancy to them - she never gets focused enough for us to know what to expect from her.

What is the genre? Time travel and government conspiracy could make you think Science Fiction. But the elements borrowed from there are watered down to the point where they don't feel like Science Fiction any more. The historical parts are similarly thin. Woman meets gorgeous hulk and falls in love with him in spite of... except that Jack is the stronger character, and the one who wins the reader's (at least this reader's) sympathy. There is also not enough sex to match that template. Women's lib, Gay rights, and technological progress get their say as well. But I alway felt the author was saying, 'This is a good thing and you should know that anyway, and I'm obviously a good person because I have worked it into the story.' ( )