The Legend of Viking Thunder

With Uncle Emmett missing and on the run from the Council of Keys, Sim and Jeopardy are determined to find him. Their quest leads them to Viking Norway and a mission to prevent the mythical Gjallarhorn, believed to signal the coming of Ragnarök, from falling into the wrong hands.

I absolutely adored ‘Hunt for the Golden Scarab’, the first Time Keys adventure, and so ‘The Legend of Viking Thunder’ didn’t even make it to the TBR pile, but was read immediately! A pacy, thoroughly enjoyable adventure, it is also rich in history and a love of music.

The idea of time ‘doors’ will make readers look at any ancient door they meet with new eyes and the story leads to some very specific locations which are described in tempting detail, showing that history is everywhere and that, although we might not all be able to pass through time, these links to the past can be easily found and investigated! The level of historical detail woven into each story is incredible- Viking in this adventure, Egyptian in the last- effortlessly enriching knowledge of the period and piquing interest. I can’t wait to see where they explore next- Italy from the sneak peak of the next book added at the end of this one!

Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson continue to work as an excellent team with the adults, Sim’s mum, Calli, and Jeopardy’s dad, Emmett, playing a main part in the action, unlike many children’s books where grown-ups are killed off early! More is discovered about Jeopardy in this story- her relationship with her father and her skills as a time key- but we also learn more about Sim’s father and how he (Sim) differs from the others.

Full of action and adventure, this would make an excellent class story to engage and excite children. Although part of a series, this could be read in isolation as through a diary entry and a letter information is given which sets the scene, filling the reader in on the previous events. Skilful writing, compelling story line, great illustrations- it’s a brilliant read!

Time Keys: The Legend of Viking Thunder

M G Leonard, illustrated by Manuel Sumberac

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1035005987

You can read my review of ‘Hunt for the Golden Scarab’ here.

Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime

A family trip to Crete, organised by her history-obsessed younger brother, is not Netta’s idea of the perfect summer holiday, especially as it means she is missing a swimming gala. However, soon after her arrival, she finds herself caught in very realistic dreams which drag her back into the past - to the time of King Minos and the creation of the labyrinth. As she finds herself more and more absorbed by the past, Netta and her brother, Remy, must work out what keeps drawing her into the past before she finds she can’t return to the present.

Perfect summer reading, ‘Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime’ is a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing read. Although it draws on Greek mythology, readers do not need to be familiar with these stories to appreciate this book- but are sure to want to explore them once they have!

Pulled into the past, Netta finds she can be seen by ‘Ari’, a princess who believes Netta to be a ‘tricksy muse’. As the two develop a friendship, Netta realises, with the help of Remy, that Ari is Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. Although the paths of other characters that she meets- Dae (Daedalus), Russ (Icarus), Minos- are clear through the stories which have been passed down, it is less clear what happened to Ariadne, raising the question of how often the stories of women and children are glossed over. ‘Being unseen by history doesn’t mean life wasn’t worth living’ is very much at the heart of this story, one of the many reasons this would make an excellent class story, offering plenty to discuss and encourage questioning.

The story is rich in historical details, weaving the Knossos of myth with the ruins of today, offering a the perfect background to this time travel with a difference. There is so much to enjoy in this book!

Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime

Jennifer Claessen

Uclan Publishing ISBN: 978-1916747593

Hunt for the Golden Scarab

Sim’s mum works as a cleaner at Sir John Soane’s Museum where the two live in the attic flat. They never stay anywhere for long but, for the first time, Sim is attending the local school instead of being homeschooled. When some sinister strangers appear at the museum one night, Sim is left with even more unanswered questions about who his mum is- and what she is hiding from. Learning that she has the power to open doors in time, he finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime to locate the golden heart scarab of Nefertiti before the mysterious Council of Keys lay their hands on it- and him.

Combining all the classic elements of exciting adventure story with time travel, ‘Hunt for the Golden Scarab’ is a fast-moving, action-packed romp of a read, rich in historical and locational details which will leave readers desperate for more. It is also one of those books which is so hard to review without spoiling for others!

Sim’s adventure starts in London before taking him to Egypt – ancient and modern. With his school friend, Nelson, supporting him at home and his newly found cousin, Jeopardy, accompanying him on his travels, well developed characters are a real strength of this story, including the adults. Sim’s mother, Callidora, has brought her son up on her own and is portrayed as strong (physically and mentally), capable and resourceful, facilitating her son’s development and taking an active part in the story rather than being killed off, kidnapped or somehow lost along the way. Similarly, her brother, Emmett, who she warns Sim is untrustworthy, is far more nuanced than many adults in children’s stories, enriching the plot and promising more in future books.

Locations are also well developed and engaging, sure to spark curiosity and interest. Sir John Soane’s Museum is a fascinating place, crammed with treasures, well worth visiting and yet, perhaps, one of London’s less well-known attractions. Details about Sir John and other historic places and events mentioned in the story are offered in Nelson’s ‘Time Traveller’s Diary’, included at the end of the book. Tutankhamun’s tomb and places in Egypt are also carefully described and there is a ‘Key’s Guide to Ancient Egypt’ which helps to explain some of the key figures and events relating to that part of the action.

A love of music and a fascination with history permeate the story, enhancing the reader’s enjoyment of this epic adventure!

Time Keys: Hunt for the Golden Scarab

M G Leonard, illustrated by Manuel Šumberac

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1035005963

Publication date: 30th January 2025

You can read my review of The Arctic Railway Assassin here and Sabotage on the Solar Express here.

The Past Master

When they are notified that there is trouble in 1999 on New Year’s Eve, Elle and the Leaplings find themselves facing the evil Millennia. They must thwart her plans to manipulate time and save the world.

In the fourth and final book of The Leap Cycle series, Patience Agbabi draws everything together to an exciting and satisfying conclusion for Elle and her friends. A diverse, interesting group, the Leapings face new dangers and old enemies as they work together in the past, present and future to defeat Millennia’s new plan.

Elle has grown wonderfully over the course of the four books. She is still curious and determined, but her confidence has grown with her ability to use The Gift and the support of the other Leaplings. As an autistic character, she is completely convincing, something has been sensitively handled throughout the series by the author.

The complexities of time travel, its consequences, its possibilities, its temptations…everything is skilfully explored, creating a pacy, exciting story which brings the series to its conclusion. Perfect for children who enjoyed science fiction, these stories also offer much to enjoy for those who enjoy an exciting adventure with strong, appealing characters.

The Past Master

Patience Agbabi

Canongate ISBN: ‎ 978-1838855819

You can read my review of ‘The Infinite’ here and ‘The Circle Breakers’ here.

Time Travelling with a Tortoise

Al Chaudhury has successfully travelled back in time and saved his father’s life. So, everything is back to the way Al thinks it should be…only somehow it isn’t. And then an accident leaves Grandpa Byron struggling to remember things, forcing Al to travel in time once more and leaving someone trapped in the past and a pre-historic tortoise in the present. Al must somehow rescue his friend from the past and save the future for them all.

Clever and compelling, ‘Time Travelling with a Tortoise’ is a worthy sequel to ‘Time Travelling with a Hamster’! Told in a chatty, engaging style, the reader feels as if they had never left Al’s company and yet, those who have not read TTWaH will be able to enjoy this just as much as those that have.

Grandpa Byron is as charming and unique as ever and his relationship with Al wonderfully highlights the role which grandparents can play in the lives of their grandchildren. In his new ‘old’ life, Grandpa Byron seems to be the one constant for Al, making the accident all the more shocking. Unable to piece together events which have led to his friendship with Paulie MacFaddyen, nephew of his arch nemesis Macca, also causes complications- and encourages the reader to look beyond preconceptions and first appearances.

There is so much to enjoy in this wonderful story that it is hard to put down. Teachers will enjoy reading this aloud to their classes as much as the children will enjoy listening to it. It is sure to encourage much conversation- about time travel and much more! Highly recommended!

Time Travelling with a Tortoise

Ross Welford

Harper Collins ISBN: ‎ 978-0008544775

Originally reviewed for Reading Zone.

You can read my review of ‘Time Travelling with a Hamster’ here, ‘The Monkey Who Fell from the Future’ here and Into the Sideways World here.