|
.
TimeRiders by Alex
Scarrow
 Three teenagers have been plucked from
three different time periods and three different disasters to
suddenly find themselves in a strange place in 2001, with an even
stranger man named Foster. Foster is from the future and is a time-traveller
and the three strangers have just been recruited as agents for a
group whose job is to police time and make sure that no traveller
alters the time fabric. The agents are called TimeRiders.
Of note in this book is the gloomy image that is painted of the US
and particularly New York 56 years into the future or even 20 years
into the future supposedly due to the current financial crisis. The
writer has created a story that combines aspects of Dr Who,
Terminator and even Stargate.
Each of the teenagers was chosen for their specific skills, but only
Maddy’s are immediately obvious. It seems more apparent that the
writer has chosen them to give three different viewpoints and social
observations. The short chapters make it easy to put down if you
really have to, even though this is a hard thriller to put down. It
is a book that will be enjoyed by sci-fi fans especially those who
like stories of time travel and the problems it can cause both
intentionally and unintentionally. It is a book that will be enjoyed
by anyone who loves stories of time travel, the future and good
versus evil.
RRP $19.95
Published and distributed by Penguin Group under the Puffin title
Time Riders: Gates of Rome by Alex Scarrow
 Gates of Rome is the
fifth book in the Time Riders series. As you will recall no doubt
from my previous reviews of the series, or will know if you have
already, the series started with three teens from different time
periods being given a choice moments before their deaths. Their
choice was to choose life and work for an agency so secret that no
one even knows its name or to face certain death.
The life they have chosen is no ordinary life. Housed in a time
bubble in New York between September 10th and 11th, 2001 they look
for timewaves and evidence that something has happened to alter the
past. When something happens, Liam, Maddy and Sal must travel back
in time to fix it, with the help of Bob, their seven-foot AI killing
machine.
The Gates of Rome sees Maddy, Liam, Sal and Bob travel to Ancient
Rome (as the title suggests). The year is 54AD and Caligula is still
alive. Even worse, seventeen years earlier visitors arrived with a
hovercraft, fierce giant soldiers and a Bruce Springsteen record.
Who altered the past, why, and how can the team of Time Riders put
it right? If this isn't enough, the team must also fight for their
lives to repel another set of visitors in their own time bubble of
2001.
This book is definitely for young adults (and adults) as ancient
Rome is depicted in all its gory detail. It is also clear that Alex
had some help with this book, borrowing the characters of Macro and
Cato from his brother, Simon's Roman series, (and possibly asking
his brother about other aspects of ancient roman life while he was
at it). As with the other books in the series, it is a well thought
out, exciting adventure leaving readers with as many questions as
answers and looking forward to the next novel. Gates of Rome might
possibly be the best Time Rider book yet.
RRP $21.00
Published and distributed by Penguin Group under the Puffin title
TimeRiders The Eternal War by Alex Scarrow
 This is the fourth book in the TimeRider series. If you are not
familiar with the series, basically three teenagers have been
plucked from three different time periods and three different
disasters to suddenly find themselves in a strange place in 2001,
with an even stranger man named Foster. Foster is from the future
and is a time-traveller and the three strangers have been recruited
as agents for a group whose job is to police time and make sure that
no traveller alters the time fabric. The agents are called
TimeRiders.
The Eternal War sees a time wave striking and altering the entire
history of the American Civil War. Abaham Lincoln has followed Liam
into the present from 1831 and now the world is in a dangerous state
of limbo unless he can be returned. There is a problem though. There
needs to be a ceasefire long enough to allow this to happen. Can
Maddie persuade two colonels on either side of no-mans land to stop
fighting long enough for Lincoln to return?
Like the other books in the series there is plenty of fast paced
action and a story, which blends aspects of Doctor Who and Stargate
with a uniquely different storyline. Those who have enjoyed the
first three books will love this one, but it is definitely a series
where it is best to start with the first book.
RRP $21.00
Published and distributed by Penguin Group under the Puffin title
>>
Back to Book Search <<
|
