Time Salvager Summary

Time Salvager by Wesley Chu is a science fiction novel set in a future date where human life is in danger because of scarce resources. In the future, human beings have conquered everything, including space exploration, travel, technology, and anything else a person can think of. Therefore, the few remaining humans are on the verge of extinction unless time is reversed to allow the availability of basic commodities that can sustain life. The earth has become a wasteland, and the water bodies have turned brown due to Earth Plague that has invaded the globe. The only hope for the people is ChronCom, a company that can reverse time to ancient days when there were plenty of resources to sustain life. The earth is in desperate need of resources, and they have called ChronCom to perform its magic before all people are dead.

The novel commences by introducing the protagonist, James Griffin-Mars, an older man working for the ChronCom Company. James is considering leaving the company because his health is worsening daily. However, James is concerned about the safety of people dying every day because they do not have the resources to sustain their lives. Therefore, he is considering extending his contract with the company to be involved in a mission of reversing timelines to save lives. The next job is dangerous, but James hopes he will come out alive. James and crew are sent back to 2097 to rescue much-needed equipment in the futuristic society to save lives. However, James breaks the fundamental law during the trip when he returns with a man that he is trying to save. James commits a serious mistake, and his life is in danger because the company's authority will not leave him alive. To save his life, James runs away and becomes a fugitive. A stubborn auditor who monitors the lives of chronmen starts investigating James’ moves. Unlike James, a hardened character, the other characters, like Elsie and Levin, have complex relationships.

Wesley Chu's novel emphasizes the significance of conserving the environment. The futuristic setting shows that resources are depleted, and people are dying. Consequently, Chu reminds readers of the importance of using the available resources sparingly and taking care of the environment to ensure that resources are not depleted.