Book Review: The Order of Time by Scott P Southall

The Order of Time

by

Scott P Southall

"If you're into secret societies, time-travel, dangerous artifacts, deadly assassins, evil priests, and vengeful gods then I've got a story for you..." 

Publisher: Seaview Press Holdings
Publication date: 21st January 2020
Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy
Pages: 274
Format read: eBook
Source: Courtesy of Smith Publicity 

Anastasia and Edward Upton are eleven years old twins who are different in almost every way. Despite this they are inseparable and the best of friends. They tackle the highs and lows of sixth grade together whether they are fending off bullies at the elite Blake Academy or examining rare antiquities as the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Then: life gets complicated.

They discover that their friend and mentor, Dr. Gregorian, is part of a secret society called the Order of Time. It turns out that time is not fixed, it's a fluid continuum where changes to the past can create ripples all the way through to the present. It unwittingly falls to the twins to travel back through time to ancient Egypt where they must overcome deadly assassins, evil high priests and vengeful gods in order to prevent disaster. Together Anastasia and Edward must navigate all obstacles to preserve the past and find their way back home.

 

The Order of Time is an action packed time travel adventure featuring 12 yo twins Anastasia and Edward and how their fascination and visits to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History lands them in the centre of a deadly plot to alter the past.

Southall has created two strikingly different protagonists. Anastasia is Maths and Science smart and athletic. A master of Martial Arts. She likes to stick to the rules. Edward is a bit of a rebel his interests lean towards History and Art. Where Edward backs down Anastasia takes the bullies full on quite often protecting her brother. Rather than feel jealous, Edward admires his sister’s athletic abilities. It was well portrayed how the two compliment each other, each using their different strengths to solve problems.

Although not entirely unique Southall uses the tried and true formula of power inducing crystals and magic portals in this time travel fantasy.

There was action aplenty as the children travel back in time to Ancient Egypt and plunge themselves into the local culture, conversing with Nefertiti and Akhenaten.

I was engrossed by the Ancient History and Mythology aspects of the story. Southall introduces ideas on problem solving and small facts relating to Science and History. A couple of political digs may go over the Middle Grade reader’s head but, if they are open to it, it’s a good starter for a political conversation.

The concept of time travel through the combination of portals and crystals and how changes to the past have a rolling effect on their present was well portrayed and easy to understand.

The Order of Time is a fabulous debut. Totally captivating!

10+ some content on mythology includes the demon of the afterlife.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

My rating   5/5

Photo credit: Goodreads

Scott Southall is an American author and banking executive. He grew up in the suburbs of Washington D.C. playing sports,exploring the woods behind his house, and stretching his imagination by reading any book he could get his hands on.
He attended Georgetown University where he earned a degree in business.
Scott spent the first fifteen years of his career as a management consultant working with Fortune 500 companies around the world. In 2006 he changed careers and became a banker. While he loves to bank, telling stories is his true passion. The Order of Time is his debut novel.
Scott and his Australian wife Kylie live with their family in the paradise which is also known as Sydney, Australia. 

This review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie Author Challenge 

  #AussieAuthor20    #AusBookBloggers