Johnny O'Brien

I had picked up this slim children's series in galley form at the American Library Association show and enjoyed the first book in the series greatly. Book #2, "Day of Deliverence", wasn't quite as enjoyable. I think part of it is that the first book dealt with WWI and a time traveler's plot to stop the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and I knew very little about that era or the details behind the plot or anything about WWI. So I found the well researched history very entertaining, and I have that book to thank for most of my knowledge on the start of WWI.

But this title is Elizabethan England with a highlight on Shakespeare. I can't say that I am particularly well versed in this era, but I certainly have read a lot of books about it, so the novelty of the era wasn't there for me this time. It was still well researched, but so much is known about the era, I was less impressed. Some details about the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots and some plots to overthow Elizabeth added a touch of interest, but overall, it seemed a little formulaic - which simply highlights that the book is written for a 10 year old boy. And on that front, I think it is still a great series.… (mais)

In the second instalment Jack and Angus are transported back to 1587 as the revisionists are going to kill Queen Elizabeth I, in order for the Spanish Armada to defeat England and rule the world thus averting England's dominance over the rest of the world, which eventually leads up to the unrest and revolutions throughout Europe. Facing sea battles, sword fights and working as undercover agents to survive. With the Queen on edge and suspecting everyone being a spy, Jack and Angus not only have to fight the revisionists but also for their life. Can they save the Queen and themselves?

Exciting, enthralling adventures., X-box meets HG Wells. Re-enacting what they have learnt in the computer game as they are transported into earlier times. The author provides a great journey through history which will hopefully provoke a genuine interest in major events that have shaped the world as it is… (mais)

The year is 1940, Jack and Angus have to escape their school through the time machine as the revisionists have broken into the school and the Vigil security agency in order to try and take control the time machine. They arrive in Paris and are captured by the secret army to protect them from the Nazis. Soon after realising that the secret army and the revisionists plan to assassinate Hitler. Do they let Hitler be assassinated or not? During this instalment Jack finds out what his dad has been fighting for and why he left him as a young child. Do Jack and Angus survive? Are they Rescued? Or is history changed forever?

Exciting, enthralling adventures., X-box meets HG Wells. Re-enacting what they have learnt in the computer game as they are transported into earlier times. The author provides a great journey through history which will hopefully provoke a genuine interest in major events that have shaped the world as it is… (mais)