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The Very First Damned Thing
by Taylor, Jodi
The Very First Damned Thing pulls us back to the origins of the St. Mary’s Institute of Historical Research, where the stakes are high, the bureaucracy is stifling, and the survival rate is alarmingly low. This installment captures that signature Jodi Taylor balance of frantic, disaster-prone adventure and dry, biting British wit. You are not just observing history here; you are being dragged through it by the seat of your pants, often while something important is catching fire. The narrative voice is sharp, cynical, and deeply human, anchoring the high-concept time travel in the messy, intimate reality of a found family trying to hold itself together. If you enjoy stories where academic rigor meets absolute chaos, and where the characters are as likely to crack a joke as they are to face a life-threatening crisis, this is your next obsession.
10 Books similar to 'The Very First Damned Thing'
Since you enjoyed the chaotic blend of historical research and temporal catastrophe found in the St. Mary's series, we have curated a list that leans into those same sensibilities. Whether you are looking for more of that sharp British wit found in Jasper Fforde and Connie Willis, or the darker, more bureaucratic consequences of meddling with the past seen in Neal Stephenson and Octavia Butler, these picks prioritize strong character voices and the inherent danger of changing timelines. Each selection captures that specific thrill of watching history fight back against those foolish enough to interfere.
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Like Jodi Taylor's work, this novel masterfully blends time travel, historical settings, and laugh-out-loud British humor. It captures that same chaotic, academic approach to history where things inevitably go wrong, making it a perfect match for fans of St. Mary's.
by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland
This book shares the bureaucratic, high-stakes, and scientific approach to time travel seen in the St. Mary's series. It balances complex historical exploration with a grounded, often cynical look at organizations trying to manipulate time.
While darker and more serious in tone, this novel explores the visceral, dangerous reality of time travel to the past. Readers who appreciate the 'history is dangerous' aspect of Jodi Taylor's writing will find this a gripping, essential read.
by Charles Yu
This story offers a unique, meta-fictional take on time travel that prioritizes character voice and emotional resonance over strict physics. Its witty, observational style will appeal to readers who enjoy the distinct narrative voice of Jodi Taylor's protagonists.
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Fans of the quirky, British, and slightly absurd adventures in the St. Mary's series will adore Thursday Next's literary escapades. It shares that same 'anything can happen' energy and a protagonist who is constantly dealing with historical chaos.
by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
This novella focuses on the mechanics and consequences of time travel, but with a deeply intimate and lyrical focus. It provides a more poetic counterpart to the action-heavy St. Mary's books while maintaining the high stakes of temporal manipulation.
Written by a legendary Simpsons writer, this book is pure, unadulterated fun that treats time travel with a comedic, satirical lens. It matches the lighthearted, fast-paced, and disaster-prone nature of Jodi Taylor's earlier chronicles.
For readers who enjoy the historical immersion and the 'fish out of water' experience of traveling to a different era, this is a classic. It shares the same attention to historical detail and the struggle to survive in a time not your own.
Set in Victorian London, this novel weaves historical figures into a complex time-travel narrative. It captures the sense of wonder and danger that comes with meddling in history, appealing to fans of the academic intrigue in St. Mary's.
by Elan Mastai
This story explores the consequences of altering timelines with a mixture of humor and genuine heart. The protagonist's struggle to fix his mistakes while dealing with the fallout of time travel echoes the recurring themes of 'messing up history' found in Jodi Taylor's series.
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As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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