It's a paradox how Peter Clines keeps writing mind-bending books that stretch your imagination while you laugh. It's a paradox how he takes typical sci-fi tropes and turns them on their heads to astonish and amaze. And it's Paradox Bound that is his latest novel of insanity, humanity, and the ultimate secret to healing America's fractured spirit.

Eli Teague is just a kid when he first sees the tricked-out Model A and the mysterious driver in the weird costume. The driver accepts his offer of some water, puts it in the car, and takes off with another car hot on its tail. Eli sees a man with a strange face and a gun in the second car, and he has nightmares for weeks afterwards.

The second time Eli sees the car, he's a teenager and knows enough about cars to understand a little about how the engine works. So when he sees the driver (still wearing the Revolutionary War attire) put more water into the car, he has questions. But the driver, Harry (short for Harriet), doesn't have the time to explain much about the upgrades to her Model A, so Eli has to bite back his questions.

But when the scary man Eli saw as a kid shows up at the bank where he works and threatens his life to get information on Harry, Eli decides to take a chance. He knew she was heading to Boston and when and where she was going to be there, so he heads to Boston to warn Harry. And from there, weirdness and hilarity ensue (aka Clinesisms; see also 14 and The Fold).

Paradox Bound is the search for what makes America great. It moves through the country and through history to try to find The American Dream in all its glory. There are good guys and bad guys, shifts and surprises, anachronisms and cleverness. It's a fun ride, so jump into the Model A and hang on tight while Peter Clines takes you on the read of your life.

Galleys for Paradox Bound were provided by Crown Publishing through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.