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The Clay Lion #3
A Straw Man
What if you could go back in time to save the person you love the most?
Nate’s funny. He’s a football player. He’s ridiculously handsome. In fact, it seems as if Melody’s dating the perfect guy, until an unexpected tragedy changes everything about him.
Based on her own family’s experiences, Melody knows traveling in time to help him could have disastrous results – the tiniest alteration of the past can have huge repercussions on the future. But with careful planning, she’s confident her trip will be a success.
What she doesn’t anticipate is that sometimes there are consequences which can never be foreseen and changes that can never be undone.
Nate’s funny. He’s a football player. He’s ridiculously handsome. In fact, it seems as if Melody’s dating the perfect guy, until an unexpected tragedy changes everything about him.
Based on her own family’s experiences, Melody knows traveling in time to help him could have disastrous results – the tiniest alteration of the past can have huge repercussions on the future. But with careful planning, she’s confident her trip will be a success.
What she doesn’t anticipate is that sometimes there are consequences which can never be foreseen and changes that can never be undone.
260 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2015
7 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Amalie Jahn
22 books351 followersUSA Today bestselling author Amalie Jahn is the recipient of the Literary Classics Seal of Approval and the Readers' Favorite Gold Medal for her debut YA novel, The Clay Lion. Her first YA contemporary, The Next to Last Mistake, won the prestigious IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award in 2020 and A Walk Between Raindrops was selected by Kirkus as one of the Best Indie Books of 2023. A TED speaker, human rights advocate, and active promoter of kindness, she lives in North Carolina with her husband, two children, and three extremely overfed cats.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 6, 2015
This is the third book in the YA Clay Lion series and it is every bit as enjoyable as the first two. This time we follow Charlie's sister Melody as she takes her once in a lifetime trip back into the past and the awful repercussions of this experience. I love the way the author explores the possible ramifications of time travel and the tiny changes the traveller can make which alter things in enormous ways. The possibility of coming back and having to live a whole different time line would certainly prevent me from ever trying it out! This is a very well written book which raises some big issues at the same time as telling an excellent story.
January 9, 2025
✰ 2.25 stars ✰
“Life, as it turned out, wasn’t about controlling that fate, but surrendering to it. About holding on to the things that were most important and letting the rest go.”
Yeah, no, not a fan of the final book in the series. Even before it was revealed what the meaning behind what A Straw Man really is, Melody's actions and misguided, albeit rather selfish reasons, were already grating on my nerves. 😒 Not to mention how because of her own life's choices, she felt the need to take her issues on a national level, one which did not really resonate with me. Plus, the writing was a lot more technical, if not distanced this time around. 😑
“Were all creatures predisposed to take the path of least resistance?”
Because when you think about it, rather than trying to focus on the addiction and guilt Nate was struggling with, she attempted to alter the past, so that events could happen differently, so that in essence he would be free of these burdens. 'How could I tell him I’d changed my world and nothing would ever be the same again?' 😥 It's a nice idea in theory, but to decide that of her own volition, and then see the adverse outcome to that decision - one that particularly was only to her ruin - made her to be a rather unlikeable character - one motivated by her own personal gain. It also seems like a dismissive response to mental health and coping mechanisms, for in reality, there is no off switch like this. People are struggling every day with these problems, and just to think a snap of the finger can change it seems obtuse. 🙎🏻♀️
And as much as the author dedicated time to showing how Nate and Melody were so in love to convince her reasoning for time travel, I just could not get behind her choice. 'Love makes you do crazy things. I should know.' ❤️🩹 I felt for Nate, surely, but it was not fair on her part. Nor did I appreciate how readily Nate forgave her either; although, I appreciate the realistic reaction that he had upon discovering the truth. Besides, it's bad enough playing with time, but then to take other matters in your hands - ones that concern the life force of beings not yet in existence. That political stance was an unsavory one for me, the jargon boring me even more so. The involvement of addressing it on a political scale - one that felt more propagandist was hard to get around. 😕
“Although ‘straw manning’ your opponent can be an effective debate or campaign strategy, it is undoubtedly a philosophically and intellectually dishonest approach which should be eliminated from our practice as elected officials.”
She kept insisting that it would be worse to reveal the other side of what was lost, but it's really not fair, considering it did not affect her personally. 🙅🏻♀️ So all she really lost was the memory, whereas those who were directly affected by it - the ones who lost what could have been theirs... They'll still be in the dark. The concept of pushing an agenda of banning time travel, simply because of her own results was a weak reason; despite how her efforts convinced others to speak up, it was lost on me. Very boring, if I'm being totally honest. 😪
“When you look at it, remember time only goes forward. The present and the future are all you have. No good can come from venturing to the past.”
In the spirit of fairness, though, I can agree that it does depict the dire consequences of time travel. It may not be in other's memory, but the lingering of a life that could have been is one that weighs upon one heavily. Melody, having seen both sides of the coin, will have to carry that burden forever, despite how she may feel that Fate has given her another opportunity in the face of another. 🥺 Perhaps it's a good thing that mankind has not yet discovered a way to bend time travel to their gain, for the results may be too much for our naive, if not inexperienced minds are capable of understanding just how such powers truly do not belong in the hands of mere mortals. 😔
“Life, as it turned out, wasn’t about controlling that fate, but surrendering to it. About holding on to the things that were most important and letting the rest go.”
Yeah, no, not a fan of the final book in the series. Even before it was revealed what the meaning behind what A Straw Man really is, Melody's actions and misguided, albeit rather selfish reasons, were already grating on my nerves. 😒 Not to mention how because of her own life's choices, she felt the need to take her issues on a national level, one which did not really resonate with me. Plus, the writing was a lot more technical, if not distanced this time around. 😑
“Were all creatures predisposed to take the path of least resistance?”
Because when you think about it, rather than trying to focus on the addiction and guilt Nate was struggling with, she attempted to alter the past, so that events could happen differently, so that in essence he would be free of these burdens. 'How could I tell him I’d changed my world and nothing would ever be the same again?' 😥 It's a nice idea in theory, but to decide that of her own volition, and then see the adverse outcome to that decision - one that particularly was only to her ruin - made her to be a rather unlikeable character - one motivated by her own personal gain. It also seems like a dismissive response to mental health and coping mechanisms, for in reality, there is no off switch like this. People are struggling every day with these problems, and just to think a snap of the finger can change it seems obtuse. 🙎🏻♀️
And as much as the author dedicated time to showing how Nate and Melody were so in love to convince her reasoning for time travel, I just could not get behind her choice. 'Love makes you do crazy things. I should know.' ❤️🩹 I felt for Nate, surely, but it was not fair on her part. Nor did I appreciate how readily Nate forgave her either; although, I appreciate the realistic reaction that he had upon discovering the truth. Besides, it's bad enough playing with time, but then to take other matters in your hands - ones that concern the life force of beings not yet in existence. That political stance was an unsavory one for me, the jargon boring me even more so. The involvement of addressing it on a political scale - one that felt more propagandist was hard to get around. 😕
“Although ‘straw manning’ your opponent can be an effective debate or campaign strategy, it is undoubtedly a philosophically and intellectually dishonest approach which should be eliminated from our practice as elected officials.”
She kept insisting that it would be worse to reveal the other side of what was lost, but it's really not fair, considering it did not affect her personally. 🙅🏻♀️ So all she really lost was the memory, whereas those who were directly affected by it - the ones who lost what could have been theirs... They'll still be in the dark. The concept of pushing an agenda of banning time travel, simply because of her own results was a weak reason; despite how her efforts convinced others to speak up, it was lost on me. Very boring, if I'm being totally honest. 😪
“When you look at it, remember time only goes forward. The present and the future are all you have. No good can come from venturing to the past.”
In the spirit of fairness, though, I can agree that it does depict the dire consequences of time travel. It may not be in other's memory, but the lingering of a life that could have been is one that weighs upon one heavily. Melody, having seen both sides of the coin, will have to carry that burden forever, despite how she may feel that Fate has given her another opportunity in the face of another. 🥺 Perhaps it's a good thing that mankind has not yet discovered a way to bend time travel to their gain, for the results may be too much for our naive, if not inexperienced minds are capable of understanding just how such powers truly do not belong in the hands of mere mortals. 😔
June 5, 2015
“A Straw Man” by Amalie Jahn is another moving young adult story about time travel, love and responsibility. After a whirlwind romance in college Nate Johansen and Melody Johnson hit a rough patch. A fatal tragedy changes their entire circle of friend. The handsome and funny football player Nate becomes an addict and Melody tries to help by travelling back in time.
As with the previous instalments in this series the time trip has unexpected consequences.
Jahn has a wonderfully warm writing style and creates characters that are easy to care for. She handles the serious matters with great sensitivity and makes you feel part of the story and her characters part of your life.
As her characters grow older the story moves into areas such as ethics, politics and philosophy. The Straw Man from the title refers to a nasty political campaign practice but has meaning also for other personal interactions in the book.
Beautiful messages about love and how to live your life are woven into this novel and the ending is a real treat.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
As with the previous instalments in this series the time trip has unexpected consequences.
Jahn has a wonderfully warm writing style and creates characters that are easy to care for. She handles the serious matters with great sensitivity and makes you feel part of the story and her characters part of your life.
As her characters grow older the story moves into areas such as ethics, politics and philosophy. The Straw Man from the title refers to a nasty political campaign practice but has meaning also for other personal interactions in the book.
Beautiful messages about love and how to live your life are woven into this novel and the ending is a real treat.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
June 14, 2015
Love the book. Love the series. Love the author.
June 5, 2019
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
*I received this book for free from the Author (via YA Books Central) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.In the third and final installment in the 'The Clay Lion' trilogy, Charlie's little sister Melody takes her own trip to the past. Melody learns that small actions can have large and unexpected consequences in the present.
I adored the previous installments in the 'Clay Lion' series. I pretty much jumped from 'Tin Men' into this one. I could not wait to find out where Melody's time-traveling journey would take her. The story begins as Melody is starting college. Her first day she meets handsome, sweet, and strong Nate. Nate and Melody fall head over heels for each other.
Nate and Melodie's lives take a dramatic twist after a tragedy. Melodie decides to go against everyone's advise and use her one-time-only time-travel trip.
I really loved Nate. Amalie Jahn is so good at making swoon-worthy characters. I can totally understand why Melody fell so hard for Nate and was willing to do so much to save him.
I really thought the details of how a small action in the past can lead to large changes in the future (what I would call the butterfly effect). What really made 'A Straw Man' stand out from the first two books in the series is the political stance that Melody takes. It really highlighted how almost anything can become politicized and how even something that is so obviously bad for society is allowed to continue. This story definitely gave me a lot to think about.
Once again a great one from Amalie Jahn. I am really sad the trilogy is over. :(
This review was originally posted on The Book return...
*I received this book for free from the Author (via YA Books Central) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.In the third and final installment in the 'The Clay Lion' trilogy, Charlie's little sister Melody takes her own trip to the past. Melody learns that small actions can have large and unexpected consequences in the present.
I adored the previous installments in the 'Clay Lion' series. I pretty much jumped from 'Tin Men' into this one. I could not wait to find out where Melody's time-traveling journey would take her. The story begins as Melody is starting college. Her first day she meets handsome, sweet, and strong Nate. Nate and Melody fall head over heels for each other.
Nate and Melodie's lives take a dramatic twist after a tragedy. Melodie decides to go against everyone's advise and use her one-time-only time-travel trip.
I really loved Nate. Amalie Jahn is so good at making swoon-worthy characters. I can totally understand why Melody fell so hard for Nate and was willing to do so much to save him.
I really thought the details of how a small action in the past can lead to large changes in the future (what I would call the butterfly effect). What really made 'A Straw Man' stand out from the first two books in the series is the political stance that Melody takes. It really highlighted how almost anything can become politicized and how even something that is so obviously bad for society is allowed to continue. This story definitely gave me a lot to think about.
Once again a great one from Amalie Jahn. I am really sad the trilogy is over. :(
This review was originally posted on The Book return...
January 22, 2016
Amalie Jahn is such a great storyteller that rather than try to come up with my own words in describing it, I will quote directly from her "About the Author" section:
Masterful character development and story lines woven with the common threads of human experience make Amalie's novels relatable to both young and old alike. Her ideas are born from the passions of her own heart which she uses to share her vision of the world with her readers.
True, that.
In the last two months, I've read her entire Clay Lion series. Each story - apart from the fact that it involves time-travel and the dire consequences of using it - has been quite different in its tone. The trilogy-capper, A Straw Man, starts out as one story and ends up as quite another.
Melody Johnson has grown from a teenage girl to a young college woman, and her life takes an unexpectedly pleasant turn when she becomes smitten with handsome football player Nate. But when a personal tragedy causes both of their lives to spin out of control, Melody decides to use her "trip" (through time) to fix it. Insert your own interpretation of the "butterfly effect" right here.
I won't spoil any more of the story, but suffice it to say that even though we may never live in a world where time travel is possible, we DO live in a world where Amalie Jahn's books exist, and reading them will help even the most cynical of readers appreciate what it means to exist, to love, and to be human.
Thank you, Amalie.
Masterful character development and story lines woven with the common threads of human experience make Amalie's novels relatable to both young and old alike. Her ideas are born from the passions of her own heart which she uses to share her vision of the world with her readers.
True, that.
In the last two months, I've read her entire Clay Lion series. Each story - apart from the fact that it involves time-travel and the dire consequences of using it - has been quite different in its tone. The trilogy-capper, A Straw Man, starts out as one story and ends up as quite another.
Melody Johnson has grown from a teenage girl to a young college woman, and her life takes an unexpectedly pleasant turn when she becomes smitten with handsome football player Nate. But when a personal tragedy causes both of their lives to spin out of control, Melody decides to use her "trip" (through time) to fix it. Insert your own interpretation of the "butterfly effect" right here.
I won't spoil any more of the story, but suffice it to say that even though we may never live in a world where time travel is possible, we DO live in a world where Amalie Jahn's books exist, and reading them will help even the most cynical of readers appreciate what it means to exist, to love, and to be human.
Thank you, Amalie.
February 10, 2016
Okay, so I loved the first two books in this series, but this one was my favorite BY FAR! I loved it so freakin' much. It felt so real. Just like the first two, people are struggling with real things and time travels seems to just be a means to an end - not the point of the story. It did take more of a front seat position in this third book, but not for the reasons you would think. It seems one of our main characters is finally ready to do something to prevent people from changing the timeline as they know it.
It starts with Nate. Our lovable jock. He's the boyfriend of our favorite little sister, Melody. Only, she isn't so little anymore. Now she's our main character. When a tragedy takes away the person that Nate was and leaves behind a shadow of that, Melody is determined to get him back. She knows the risks of time travel - her brother and sister in-law have lived those risks. Yet, she can't let Nate just sink further away from her.
But, every trip has consequences and hers are unimaginable - spurring her on to a fight against time travel.
This book really has two halves that are completely different and I found myself liking the change halfway through. It kept me interested and invested. This was a stay-up-all-nighter, just-one-more-page kind of book. Yes, read the first two as well. But, don't let yourself miss this one. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you read it.
It starts with Nate. Our lovable jock. He's the boyfriend of our favorite little sister, Melody. Only, she isn't so little anymore. Now she's our main character. When a tragedy takes away the person that Nate was and leaves behind a shadow of that, Melody is determined to get him back. She knows the risks of time travel - her brother and sister in-law have lived those risks. Yet, she can't let Nate just sink further away from her.
But, every trip has consequences and hers are unimaginable - spurring her on to a fight against time travel.
This book really has two halves that are completely different and I found myself liking the change halfway through. It kept me interested and invested. This was a stay-up-all-nighter, just-one-more-page kind of book. Yes, read the first two as well. But, don't let yourself miss this one. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you read it.
June 29, 2015
Once again, an amazing read by Amalie Jahn. This author has an uncanny gift of story telling and this young adult novel about time travel does so in a lovely, descriptive way. A Straw Man is the story of two young people, beset by struggle with tragedy and change and the life lessons they learn. A moving read! Excellent! Highly recommend.
June 29, 2015
This series just keeps getting better and better! A Straw Man is well-written, gripping and entertaining. I highly recommend it for YA and adult readers alike.
July 3, 2019
'A Straw Man' by Amalie Jahn is the third and final installment in her 'Clay Lion' series. Melody, the sister of the main character in 'Tin Men' (the second in the series), is now in college. She and longtime boyfriend Nate are having their fair share of struggles, due mostly in part to the role Nate feels he played in a friend's untimely death. Despite it not really being his fault, he feels responsible, and Melody is having a hard time dealing with the strain that this has put on their relationship. She can't find a way to get through to Nate, to make him realize that the outcome was beyond his control. This, coupled with the fact that Nate is spiraling out of control and finding illegal ways to cope with the issue, threatens to tear them apart.
Melody considers traveling back in time to help him. She knows that if she does this, there can be terrible repercussions. She has witnessed this firsthand when her brother went back in time in 'Tin Men' and she doesn't want to deal with what might happen. Yet she knows that she needs to do something, and she doesn't see a way around taking the trip. She thinks she can certainly help him, but when she does so, something changes in the life she returns to that she can't wrap her head around. Life as she knows it can never be the same despite everyone else continuing on as if nothing has happened – because to them nothing did happen.
As Melody struggles with the ramifications of her time traveling, her life doesn't come together quite as she hoped it would. Her world becomes harder despite her attempts to make it easier. 'A Straw Man' provides in Melody a main character who, despite her most sincere attempts, finds herself at a crossroads that she can't ignore, and struggles with changes that can never be undone. A testimony to the heartache and pain that any decision can cause one to endure, 'A Straw Man' is a satisfying and engaging conclusion to Jahn's series.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Melody considers traveling back in time to help him. She knows that if she does this, there can be terrible repercussions. She has witnessed this firsthand when her brother went back in time in 'Tin Men' and she doesn't want to deal with what might happen. Yet she knows that she needs to do something, and she doesn't see a way around taking the trip. She thinks she can certainly help him, but when she does so, something changes in the life she returns to that she can't wrap her head around. Life as she knows it can never be the same despite everyone else continuing on as if nothing has happened – because to them nothing did happen.
As Melody struggles with the ramifications of her time traveling, her life doesn't come together quite as she hoped it would. Her world becomes harder despite her attempts to make it easier. 'A Straw Man' provides in Melody a main character who, despite her most sincere attempts, finds herself at a crossroads that she can't ignore, and struggles with changes that can never be undone. A testimony to the heartache and pain that any decision can cause one to endure, 'A Straw Man' is a satisfying and engaging conclusion to Jahn's series.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
July 18, 2018
I just didn't connect with this story as much as with the first two in the series. I'm not sure if that was because the writing was actually less evocative, or if for some reason the characters and issues in this story just personally resonated less for me.
December 4, 2017
This was a nice ending to the series. I didn't think I'd be as interested in Melody's story because Nate was such a minor character of the last book, but he was very likeable.
June 28, 2021
It has been long since I've read something like this (maybe never) and I really had fun reading this one!
July 20, 2021
This is top quality writing.
December 22, 2015
The novel begins with Melody Johnson present with her family as they await the birth of her brother's child, Victoria. The novel's perspective then shifts back to view the story of Nate, Melody's stunning boyfriend, and the tragedy that befell a friend of his, and the guilt he feels over that accident and which is destroying his own life. Melody plans to travel back in time to remedy matters, but such journeys, as she already knows, can have unforeseen consequences... There are wonderfully interwoven strands here, from time travel; to loyalty in relationships to the subject of addiction. A cleverly-executed story, with twists and turns that catch you out, and with criss-crossing and changing temporal perspectives. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
December 28, 2015
Once again, Amalie Jahn has created an exciting, fantastical yet relatable world, touched with the possibility of time travel. Jahn's writing is vivid and strong in this final novel of The Clay Lion series, and presents new characters that tug at the heartstrings--Melody and Nate's story is masterfully woven and imparts important lessons about the value of human relationships and the responsibility that comes with the power to change your fate. I thoroughly enjoyed A Straw Man and highly recommend it to fans of fiction with a tantalizing element of fantasy. This unique series of books leaves you pondering the complicated, interwoven journey of life and leaves you more appreciative of the people with whom we share the experience.
July 24, 2015
I'm pretty sure this was my favorite book of the three books in the series. I really like Melody and I always have. the author does an excellent job at writing from her perspective. I love that all the men in each of these stories are good guys, with flaws. Even the women she writes have flaws but their flaws we can learn to love and don't want to change . Melody grows throughout this book understanding more about herself and others. I did really enjoy this and highly recommend this book, and the whole series. I can't wait to see what this author has to offer us in the future.
July 1, 2015
Another beautiful story from Amalie Jahn. This time the story focuses on Melody, the sister of Charlie, the protagonist in the second book. After a freak accident, Melody decides to do her own time traveling, with devastating consequences. A great read that follows the timeline of the first two novels!
February 1, 2016
Another wonderful story of human experience and the ways we handle grief. I love how the use of time travel in this series (The Clay Lion) shows us how our interactions with others ripple out to effect so many. We Have no way of knowing just how wide our sphere of influence is. I have loved following along with characters in this series.
June 29, 2015
Beautiful series and call me 'young at heart' but I can never pass up a truly great young adult story. Thoroughly enjoyable.
June 30, 2015
I'm a fan of Amalie Jahn, so I was extremely happy to see this new book being available. It's quality read, as always, and I loved it!
June 29, 2016
Brilliant! Skilfully navigates through the onset of depression and drug addiction to a satisfying conclusion both for this book and the trilogy. I recommend this series wholeheartedly!
April 6, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, interesting concept of course, but just not pulled off right; too many side trips, events, people, making the stories confusing. Even more confusing to read all 3 one after the other, actually made it worse, because of the extra unneeded length times 3 books. Some minor proofing issues but no big deal on that.
The Clay Lion (The Clay Lion Series Book 1)
Tin Men (The Clay Lion Series Book 2)
A Straw Man (The Clay Lion Series Book 3)
The Clay Lion Series (3 Book Series)
amazon it was okay 3 is goodreads was okay 2
The Clay Lion (The Clay Lion Series Book 1)
Tin Men (The Clay Lion Series Book 2)
A Straw Man (The Clay Lion Series Book 3)
The Clay Lion Series (3 Book Series)
amazon it was okay 3 is goodreads was okay 2
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews