The Time Thief ..(Bk 2)

Book 2 for  Quest the First!

The Time Thief by Linda Buckley-Archer

Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing(November 25, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1416915281

 

 From Booklist

At the cliff-hanger conclusion to Gideon the Cutpurse (2006), the first book in the Gideon Trilogy, Peter Schock, a twenty-first-century 12-year-old, wound up stranded in 1763. Now, his fellow time traveler, Kate, joins Peter’s father in salvaging a flubbed rescue attempt, one that delivered them to the wrong year (1792) and left their time machine broken. This is a rare middle book in a trilogy that actually outshines its predecessor, and here’s why: Kate and Mr. Schock meet up with Peter, now a middle-aged gentleman, and his agonized decision making (should he reveal his identity or help the visitors continue their mission, possibly erasing his own lifetime from history?) lends the adventure thought-provoking substance. Shifting among numerous perspectives, the tale also benefits from an ingenious crime-caper subplot involving the Tar Man, an eighteenth-century thief who learns to toggle between eras. This isn’t without flaws; the heavy-handed historical scene setting and old-fashioned dialogue may overwhelm some readers. Still, Buckley-Archer has delivered an effective, satisfying sequel that will ensure an audience for the trilogy’s conclusion, in which Gideon will apparently return from offstage

Well now, book 2 has gotten much more interesting then book 1 ! I was prepared for a "middle book", you know the sort.. the one that does nothing much more then fill in between book 1 and book 3..wrong!

This was a very good read!! Not only the the journey continue but it got a whole lot more interesting!  There was more "history" involved and more adventure!  The books are a very good example of mixing a little science fiction with fantasy and history.  (One jump into time travel bringing the kids back to the year 1763)

If I were to find one thing wrong with this book (and book 1) its that it has this tiny blurb on the cover saying, "may very well give J K Rowling a run for her money."  I have come to dislike when things like that are done purely to try to grab a reader who enjoyed HP.  It is nothing even closely like HP ! But they think by putting that on a cover it will get unsuspecting YA to get the book !  Well.. I bought it without noticing that blurb and I"m glad I did because it would have set me into a HP mood and then I would have been very disappointed that it wasn't at all like it.

That being said, now that I've read 2 of the 3 books I can say it is very enjoyable and I can see where any YA reader would get wrapped right up in the story. 

I love that it has small history lessons put in it.  I was never a history buff but I find when small things are put into and adventure or mystery that I do enjoy it very much.  It's not everyday that the name Thomas Paine is mentioned or that men in England still wore the powdered wigs!

I would heartily recommend these books for any YA and even for those of us NOT YA that enjoy ya books!   Try it, you may like it!