Today I’m excited to bring you my review of The Lights of Time and a fantastic giveaway to win a signed copy of the novel and a kindle (UK only. See bottom of post for more details). First a little about the book:
Title: The Lights of Time by Paul Ian Cross
Date Published: 27th November 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Science Fiction
Description:
Engella Rhys is alone, adrift and on the run. Pursued by a secret agency, known only as the Hunters, she must stay ahead to stay alive.
As she travels through space-time using dangerously experimental technology, she only has one wish: to be reunited with her lost parents. After a close shave with a Hunter on the streets of New Shanghai, Engella escapes to find herself on a deserted beach. When she meets a kind stranger, who offers her food and shelter, Engella feels safe and protected for the first time in years.
But who is this woman? And why did their paths cross at the most convenient of times?
Engella soon discovers their lives are intertwined in more ways than she could ever imagine.
Purchase Link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lights-Time-Chronicles-Engella-Rhys-ebook/dp/B07KCZ3GGG
https://www.amazon.com/Lights-Time-Chronicles-Engella-Rhys-ebook/dp/B07KCZ3GGG
Review:
Engella has been on the run from Hunters since she was eight years old, travelling through space and time. The only thing she wants is to find her parents, the only clue is a cryptic message left by her father.
After a particularly close call Engella ends up on the Isle of Skye in Scotland back in 1998. See meets a woman by the name of Annys who offers her a safe place for the night.
After another close call she and Annys find themselves on the run. Who is this woman and how does she know so much?
Now there was a little confusion on what category this book was, is it Middle Grade or Young Adult? For me it was definitely within the Middle Grade age range which I have to be honest I don’t usually read this type of book but I’m glad I took a chance on it!
What a rip roaring Sci-fi adventure this was! Not only do you travel through time but across the world from Scotland to the US even to Asia!
I really could see this being turned into a children’s animated adventure series or film.
Engella and Annys are a really good, strong female characters, something I always felt was missing in fiction I read as a child. Engella has been through so much but she’s still got a kind heart and tries her best to help people. I liked the little mystery surrounding Annys but boy when you find out who she really is…well you’ll just have to read it to find out yourself!
I also liked Eric, a teenager obsessed with the paranormal who sees lights in the sky, which he thinks are aliens but instead accidentally stumbles across Engella and the Hunters.
The Sci-fi aspect was well done, new technology was explained well without being over complicated or confusing even for someone like me who never really got the hang of science at school.
I did feel there were a few plot holes but with a character travelling through time, it’s probably quite hard to keep track of everything.
Overall The Lights of Time is a fast paced, fun, sci-fi adventure perfect for science fiction lovers of all ages.
About The Author –
Paul Ian Cross is a multi-award-winning children’s author and scientist from London, UK.
Paul works in clinical research (developing new medicines) and he’s also involved in science
communication; presenting science to non-scientists. He enjoys his science career but he also has a real passion for writing stories! He likes introducing children to the wonders of science, especially reluctant readers. By introducing science creatively, he aims to spark their interest; allowing them to gain confidence with their reading. As a previous reluctant reader himself, he understands how hard it can be. But it’s all about making reading fun and interesting!
Paul’s nephew Hayden influenced his decision to become a writer. He loved seeing Hayden’s reaction when his sister Michelle first read one of Paul’s stories to him!
In his spare time, Paul likes to visit new and exciting places. One of his favourite places is Scotland, especially the Isle of Skye.
Paul’s debut picture book, Praxx and the Ringing Robot, won second prize in the ‘Picture Books 5 and Younger’ category at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2017. The book trailer also won first place in the ‘book trailer’ category at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards later that year.
Paul’s second book, Planet Scrabbage and the Vegerons, won an honourable mention in both the ‘Picture Books 6 and Over’ and ‘Health’ categories at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018.
And that brings us to now… Paul is currently working on several new books. Paul’s debut upper middle grade novel will be published in 2018. The Lights of Time is the first novel in a brand-new series: The Chronicles of Engella Rhys.
Paul hopes you enjoy reading his stories as much as he enjoyed writing them!
Social Media Links –
http://www.pauliancross.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pauliancrossauthor
https://www.instagram.com/pauliancross.author/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pauliancross/
https://www.youtube.com/pauliancrossauthor
https://twitter.com/tyrannopaulus
Giveaway – Win a Kindle HD Fire 7” and a signed copy of The Lights of Time (UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Click the link to enter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494168/?
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minutes later. So I had to spend the next 12 years at school, learning lots of different things, none of which lived up to the excitement of reading. Wanting to be a writer was a natural progression, because there is nothing as exciting as inventing the story yourself. But it’s taken over 50 years before I dared to present my stories for other people to read. So, here they are! I’ll just creep behind the sofa.
On The Shelf Reviews 