See You Later

When Mark, 18, meets Becky, he's sure it's love. But Becky is involved with Ray, 20, and isn't interested in a new relationship. Then Mark befriends Kara and Vincent, a young couple new to the area. Kara soon embarks on a mission to turn Becky against Ray, thus paving the way for Mark, who's puzzled by Kara's determination. He eventually learns that Kara is Becky, some 40 years into the future. She's been given the chance to travel back in time and rectify her past in order to prevent World War III. The plot is amazingly convoluted: the story is even more confusing than it sounds. Too many disparate elements are thrown in: romance, computer programming, time travel, murder, space stations, maniacal military leadership and intergalactic aliens. Pike's writing shows a definite comedic flair, but nothing can compensate for this muddled maze of a novel. Ages 13-up. (Aug.)