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Copyright David Johnson 2007-2011
Website created by Chris Churchouse
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Copyright David Johnson 2007-2011
Website created by Chris Churchouse
I found this book a refreshing alternative for children’s sci fi rather than yet another filled with wizards. This a fast paced science fiction/ time travel adventure, based around a young boy who is thrown into a quest against his will. I found this easy to read, yet packed with colourful characters and a twisting plot full of surprises. The time travel sequences I found believable and well described; a good mix of fun, adventure and historical fact. Excellent for the 8 years and above age group. I can't wait for the next quest! This is a fast paced exciting story with plenty of action. The children in my class thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted more. They could relate to the character of James and can't wait for part three.
This book sucks the reader in from the first page. I thought that time travel stories had been done to death; however this one pleasantly surprised me. It's got a good mix of humour and action, which blends into a gripping story, filled with sub plots and hidden agendas. The first few chapters spend a lot of time setting the scene, before the real story gets going, so persevere-it's worth it! On one side you have mythical Atlantis, the zodiac, energy crystals, aliens, genetically engineered super villains and a secret society. On the other a school boy, a weird computer from the future, a sarcastic cricket ball-device and a High Priest from Stonehenge! Sounds outlandish, but the story pulls it all together very well and left me wanting to read part 2. Some schools in Southern Ireland are now using this book as part of their literacy work, and it was featured as part of the Irish international writer’s event in Listowel earlier this year.
I have recently read this book and decided to use it as a sci-fi focus in my year 4 class. It was enjoyed by all and especially the boys, who all wanted to be James by the end. The children and I can't wait for the quest to continue! Well done David Johnson for a great read and use of imagination!
The book starts off with a bang-quite literally and then continues to deliver eruption after eruption! Its pace and plot doesn't drop off, or fall into the trap of being stuck in a set formula; rather it ups the pace and raises the tension. New characters are introduced and existing ones are explored / exposed in greater depth. Which is vital as the book brings a number of key plot lines to a dramatic conclusion. The aliens and the "Dark Zodiac" are revealed, as too is their secret base and the true implications of the entire quest! I like the way the author successfully blends real facts and historic events, with the urgency of the time travel missions and desperate race to get the crystals first. The author seems to have hit on an interesting story mix which gets children and adults alike to enjoy the sci-fi content. I can't wait to see what happens next.
When I first read part one and two of this quest; I enjoyed the fast paced-easy to read style; but assumed that it would be a straight forward "get one crystal at time" story and not have too much else going on regarding sub-plots. How wrong I was! Part three brings to a dramatic conclusion a whole series of issues and reveals plenty about the true motives of the villains and aliens. It also brings the heroes family fully into the dramas and crisis of the twisting plot. Not to mention one of the other key characters being in three different places at the same time! The ending left me wanting more and the plot going in a direction I did not see coming. It's still got the easy style and fast pace; but now it’s got the depth as well!