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The Last Timekeepers #1
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis
When Amanda Sault and her four classmates are caught in a major food fight at school, they are given the choice of suspension or yard duty. It was a no-brainer. A two-week crash course in landscaping leads the kids to discover a weathered stone arch buried in an overgrown backyard. Instead of a forgotten lawn ornament, it turns out to be an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis. Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers—legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from an evil force—the five children, along with two offbeat adults, are sent on the adventure of their lives to save the Earth from an uncertain future. The Timekeepers’ first mission lands them in England in 1214, where they must find an adolescent Robin Hood and his band of merry teens before history is turned upside-down.
180 pages, ebook
First published May 18, 2012
About the author
Sharon Ledwith
8 books287 followersSharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel adventure series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and the award-winning teen psychic mystery series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, reading, researching, or revising, she enjoys anything arcane, ancient mysteries, and single malt scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her spoiled hubby, and a moody calico cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 11, 2013
This is a cool book that leads readers through a medieval adventure with an unlikely group of teens.
In a nutshell, The Arch of Atlantis is a story of a group of opposing teens thrown together into a thrilling time-travel adventure. The group are involved in a food fight at school which ends in them all receiving detention together (you could say the situation is reminiscent of The Breakfast Club). Quite simply, this cast of characters don't get on, and I think that is why the author has chosen to put them together. In between a volley of one liners (I hope my kids grow up with more respect for others than these teens show), we see their attitudes to each other evolve as the story progresses.
Whilst on detention, they discover the Arch of Atlantis hidden in the overgrown garden of a volunteer from their school. It's a mysterious gateway to time-travel and adventure. Amanda unlocks the key to the arch and they find themselves transported to Atlantis, where they are told of the legend of the arch, and bestowed the roles of The Last Timekeepers. I'm guessing, that it looks like there will be more time-travel missions ahead for these guys.
Their first mission sends them way back to 1214 in Sherwood Forest, where they meet up with a band of merry teens, a young guy called Robyn, and feisty lass known as Miriam (do they sound familiar?). My favourite parts of the book were the adventures in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham. I could almost smell the stench from the mud and hear the sounds of the locals. The dialogue used was also reminiscent of the time - thou didth enjoyeth it - (clearly I'm no expert here). There are many trials and obstacles that they must overcome along the way, until it all culminates with ..... (I'm not telling you). As with all my reviews, I try not to inject them with too many spoilers. If you want to know more about the medieval adventures. then you'll need to read it for yourself.
The target audience for the book is 9 to 16.
My Bottom Line: This is a cool book that leads readers through a medieval adventure with an unlikely group of teens.
Note: I don't claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader. My reviews are based on my personal thoughts around the story that the book is trying to tell. I try to focus on the story (which is the reason I read) rather than dissect the book and pass comment on typos, writing style or structure.
In a nutshell, The Arch of Atlantis is a story of a group of opposing teens thrown together into a thrilling time-travel adventure. The group are involved in a food fight at school which ends in them all receiving detention together (you could say the situation is reminiscent of The Breakfast Club). Quite simply, this cast of characters don't get on, and I think that is why the author has chosen to put them together. In between a volley of one liners (I hope my kids grow up with more respect for others than these teens show), we see their attitudes to each other evolve as the story progresses.
Whilst on detention, they discover the Arch of Atlantis hidden in the overgrown garden of a volunteer from their school. It's a mysterious gateway to time-travel and adventure. Amanda unlocks the key to the arch and they find themselves transported to Atlantis, where they are told of the legend of the arch, and bestowed the roles of The Last Timekeepers. I'm guessing, that it looks like there will be more time-travel missions ahead for these guys.
Their first mission sends them way back to 1214 in Sherwood Forest, where they meet up with a band of merry teens, a young guy called Robyn, and feisty lass known as Miriam (do they sound familiar?). My favourite parts of the book were the adventures in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham. I could almost smell the stench from the mud and hear the sounds of the locals. The dialogue used was also reminiscent of the time - thou didth enjoyeth it - (clearly I'm no expert here). There are many trials and obstacles that they must overcome along the way, until it all culminates with ..... (I'm not telling you). As with all my reviews, I try not to inject them with too many spoilers. If you want to know more about the medieval adventures. then you'll need to read it for yourself.
The target audience for the book is 9 to 16.
My Bottom Line: This is a cool book that leads readers through a medieval adventure with an unlikely group of teens.
Note: I don't claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader. My reviews are based on my personal thoughts around the story that the book is trying to tell. I try to focus on the story (which is the reason I read) rather than dissect the book and pass comment on typos, writing style or structure.
November 19, 2012
The Last Timekeepers and Arch of Atlantis was very well-written with fun, likeable characters that made me laugh every step of the way. One of my favorite things about the book was the hilarious, middle-school banter between all of the kids, including some of the most creative insults I've ever heard (one of my favorites - "nut bar"). Aside from making me laugh, this book also had an interesting, well-crafted plot that delivered excitement as well as educational history. Since it takes place in Robin Hood's time, it was fun to get to see those types of characters through the kids' eyes who came from our era. If you like that time period, you're sure to enjoy this book.
I will say that The Last Timekeepers is geared toward maybe 9th grade and younger. Obviously, I still enjoyed it, but I could tell it was written for a younger audience. Either way you slice it, though, Sharon Ledwith is an amazing writer with a grand, time-travel novel that will make adults smile as they relax in the carefree innocence of a sweet but fun young adult book and enthrall young readers as they eagerly flip through its pages.
I will say that The Last Timekeepers is geared toward maybe 9th grade and younger. Obviously, I still enjoyed it, but I could tell it was written for a younger audience. Either way you slice it, though, Sharon Ledwith is an amazing writer with a grand, time-travel novel that will make adults smile as they relax in the carefree innocence of a sweet but fun young adult book and enthrall young readers as they eagerly flip through its pages.
December 8, 2012
I read this book on the heels of some powerful mysteries and thrillers. I loved this book and the fun break it gave me from the more thought provoking books. This is exactly why I read YA books in the midst of all the other books I read. This book is exciting and fun. It also involves the feature of time travel. It felt like a journey to the center of the earth book but with the twist of time travel. And this book had just enough history and factual events to keep me interested and entertained. Loved it. 5 Stars.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
November 2, 2016
Disclosure: I purchased a signed copy of the book “The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis” by Sharon Ledwith at a book signing hosted by its publisher. I have met the author and have had encounters with her on various occasions. We reside in the same area, and are both active in many book related events and activities. I had no communication with Ms. Ledwith at any time about providing a review. The comments that follow are my own personal opinion. I received NO compensation of any kind, or from any one, to provide this review.
I purchased this book, as a gift for a grandson, and read the book to determine its suitability. I do not normally read YA books, and usually avoid them.
The Last Timekeepers is the first in a series of books involving the time travel of several young teenagers. In this book, the teens discover the Arch of Atlantis buried in a garden and one of the teens, Amanda Sault, brings the Arch to life. The teens meet their Atlantis travel agent, Lilith for the first time. Following Lilith’s instructions, Amanda and her six friends begin their journey into history, and find themselves in Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood in the year 1214.
The characters mirrored normal strong-willed teens, each with very different personalities and priorities. The story was fast paced and very engaging, but a bit far-fetched for my taste. However, my 12 year old grandson loved it and his opinion is the important one.
The book had a few spelling errors missed by the proofreader, but overall was interesting and held my attention.
4 of 5 stars
I purchased this book, as a gift for a grandson, and read the book to determine its suitability. I do not normally read YA books, and usually avoid them.
The Last Timekeepers is the first in a series of books involving the time travel of several young teenagers. In this book, the teens discover the Arch of Atlantis buried in a garden and one of the teens, Amanda Sault, brings the Arch to life. The teens meet their Atlantis travel agent, Lilith for the first time. Following Lilith’s instructions, Amanda and her six friends begin their journey into history, and find themselves in Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood in the year 1214.
The characters mirrored normal strong-willed teens, each with very different personalities and priorities. The story was fast paced and very engaging, but a bit far-fetched for my taste. However, my 12 year old grandson loved it and his opinion is the important one.
The book had a few spelling errors missed by the proofreader, but overall was interesting and held my attention.
4 of 5 stars
May 20, 2013
I don’t often read middle-grade books, but The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis appealed for two reasons. First, the sumptuous teal cover with an ancient arch and hieroglyphics drew me in—piqued my interest. Secondly, I’ve always adored stories about Robin Hood, and I simply loved the idea of meeting him and his merry men in their younger years via a time travel device (The Arch of Atlantis)—a new spin on an age old story.
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis didn’t disappoint. It’s humorous and exciting, and the characters are such fun. Other reviewers mention the glorious banter, and they’re not wrong. Ms. Ledwith has an obvious talent for dialogue, wordplay, and creative insults! The writing, voice, and subject matter are pitched perfectly for the age group.
All the characters endeared themselves to me. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them, especially watching them develop over the course of the story. The characters in Robin Hood’s era didn’t disappoint either. Even their old-English dialogue (beautifully done) was accessible.
Who’d have thought a food fight in a school cafeteria could lead to such a stonking adventure? I’m inclined to throw dinner at my husband to see what happens. I’ll recommend this book to my daughter in the next year or so, when she’s old enough to truly appreciate it.
An easy 5 stars!
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis didn’t disappoint. It’s humorous and exciting, and the characters are such fun. Other reviewers mention the glorious banter, and they’re not wrong. Ms. Ledwith has an obvious talent for dialogue, wordplay, and creative insults! The writing, voice, and subject matter are pitched perfectly for the age group.
All the characters endeared themselves to me. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them, especially watching them develop over the course of the story. The characters in Robin Hood’s era didn’t disappoint either. Even their old-English dialogue (beautifully done) was accessible.
Who’d have thought a food fight in a school cafeteria could lead to such a stonking adventure? I’m inclined to throw dinner at my husband to see what happens. I’ll recommend this book to my daughter in the next year or so, when she’s old enough to truly appreciate it.
An easy 5 stars!
August 4, 2012
I've been reading this book whilst home recuperating, and it's been just the perfect thing -- entertaining and fun. In The Last Timekeepers and The Arch of Atlantis, an unlikely group of kids is thrown together by choosing a working punishment rather than school suspension after an epic food fight. The kids get to know one another while cleaning up an overgrown garden as their punishment, in the process uncovering an ancient arch which sets the wheels in motion for their adventurous quest.
Without giving away too much of the plot, the children and two adults are chosen to become the Last Timekeepers tasked with saving history and the world from the dark forces of evil. Their journey through time lands them in 13th century England where they meet young Robin Hood and his band of characters. The author did a wonderful job of filling out this world and balancing the modern characters with the 13th century ones. The dialogue was very well done using older English but always accessible. I enjoyed the kids and thought their interactions seemed realistic. At first, this thrown-together group quarreled, and by the end they were working together as a team. This book stands alone but also acts as a great introduction to this series which, because of its premise, could go on for many books to come.
This was a fun read, and I would recommend it for readers of all ages.
Without giving away too much of the plot, the children and two adults are chosen to become the Last Timekeepers tasked with saving history and the world from the dark forces of evil. Their journey through time lands them in 13th century England where they meet young Robin Hood and his band of characters. The author did a wonderful job of filling out this world and balancing the modern characters with the 13th century ones. The dialogue was very well done using older English but always accessible. I enjoyed the kids and thought their interactions seemed realistic. At first, this thrown-together group quarreled, and by the end they were working together as a team. This book stands alone but also acts as a great introduction to this series which, because of its premise, could go on for many books to come.
This was a fun read, and I would recommend it for readers of all ages.
August 22, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I love stories re-told & was excited to see how the author would get this group of spirited kids back to Robin Hood & help keep history on the right track. I find myself dipping into more young adult reads these days. It's books like this that make it enjoyable. There are things in there for adults as well. You'll be happy you read it. I look forward to future releases.
July 29, 2012
Young adult urban fantasy (or in this case time travel) is one of my favorite genres to read and I wasn’t disappointed with the first book in Sharon’s (supposedly) super long series. The Last Timekeepers was published by the YA imprint of my publisher so we’ve chatted a bit and she has a rather ambitious plan for the series (5 books for each of the 5 main characters). Twenty books is a lot of work but I’d stick around for it. She’s made history accessible and I would definitely recommend this for young readers in upper middle school and high school.
The Last Timekeepers introduces us to Amanda, Ravi, Jordan, Drake and Treena, Jordan’s Uncle John and their mysterious teacher Melody who become the Last Timekeepers. A food fight at school draws the gang of unlikely teammates together and as punishment they must help Melody clean up the backyard of the newly inherited house in town. Early on, they discover the 7th Arch of Atlantis, a time portal which snaps them up and whisks them away on the first of many journeys. They’re sent back to stop evil from changing history and their first mission takes them to the early 13th century to save none other than Robin Hood. The narrative for the first book is from Amanda’s point of view which is interesting since she is deemed the Scribe and is in charge of interpreting where they’ve gone and what they need to do to keep the timeline intact. Amanda is a pretty quick thinker which helps get her and her newfound friends out of some pretty tight spots. I enjoyed the fact that Sharon wasn’t afraid to get a little dark with the story line. The new Sheriff of Nottingham (their time traveling nemesis) isn’t afraid to bring teenage kids to make his point. Luckily, Amanda swoops in to save the day.
Overall, it was a really fun read and kept a good pace. I would have liked to see the gang find the arch and learn about their destinies as the Last Timekeepers a wee bit sooner but I know with any first novel, especially one in a series with fantasy elements, there has to be some build up for world building. I was a little uncomfortable with the kids calling their teacher by her first name but that was probably just me.. All of the characters had distinct personalities and character quirks that I’m excited to see explored in more depth.
I liked how Sharon used pieces of the Robin Hood legend to build the characters in the past and how throughout by the team spreading the heroics and good deeds of the myth they knew actually evolved into the names of legend known today and reported throughout history. She did her research well. I’m also a big fan of Robin Hood (I loved the BBC series) and was very happy to see characters I’d become acquainted with in the series show up in the book. The only real complaint I had was at times I felt the “ye olde” dialogue took me out of the story. For me, it stilted the flow of the reading experience. I understand why she did it (to keep the time period accurate) but I think she could have eased up on it just a tad.
Despite the few tiny quibbles, I thought it was an extremely strong first foray into her world. I eagerly await the prequel and book 2 to see where Amanda and company end up next.
The Last Timekeepers introduces us to Amanda, Ravi, Jordan, Drake and Treena, Jordan’s Uncle John and their mysterious teacher Melody who become the Last Timekeepers. A food fight at school draws the gang of unlikely teammates together and as punishment they must help Melody clean up the backyard of the newly inherited house in town. Early on, they discover the 7th Arch of Atlantis, a time portal which snaps them up and whisks them away on the first of many journeys. They’re sent back to stop evil from changing history and their first mission takes them to the early 13th century to save none other than Robin Hood. The narrative for the first book is from Amanda’s point of view which is interesting since she is deemed the Scribe and is in charge of interpreting where they’ve gone and what they need to do to keep the timeline intact. Amanda is a pretty quick thinker which helps get her and her newfound friends out of some pretty tight spots. I enjoyed the fact that Sharon wasn’t afraid to get a little dark with the story line. The new Sheriff of Nottingham (their time traveling nemesis) isn’t afraid to bring teenage kids to make his point. Luckily, Amanda swoops in to save the day.
Overall, it was a really fun read and kept a good pace. I would have liked to see the gang find the arch and learn about their destinies as the Last Timekeepers a wee bit sooner but I know with any first novel, especially one in a series with fantasy elements, there has to be some build up for world building. I was a little uncomfortable with the kids calling their teacher by her first name but that was probably just me.. All of the characters had distinct personalities and character quirks that I’m excited to see explored in more depth.
I liked how Sharon used pieces of the Robin Hood legend to build the characters in the past and how throughout by the team spreading the heroics and good deeds of the myth they knew actually evolved into the names of legend known today and reported throughout history. She did her research well. I’m also a big fan of Robin Hood (I loved the BBC series) and was very happy to see characters I’d become acquainted with in the series show up in the book. The only real complaint I had was at times I felt the “ye olde” dialogue took me out of the story. For me, it stilted the flow of the reading experience. I understand why she did it (to keep the time period accurate) but I think she could have eased up on it just a tad.
Despite the few tiny quibbles, I thought it was an extremely strong first foray into her world. I eagerly await the prequel and book 2 to see where Amanda and company end up next.
November 13, 2012
What a delightful, fun read! Who could imagine that a punishment could turn into high adventure for five adolescents and two adults - one an unemployed professor and the other said to be a witch - or in the words of the locals: "a bona fide, true-blue hex-machine from England"? From a garden in America they are drawn through the Arch of Atlantis, into an Atlantean temple to be told what they are and what their purpose is. Then they are propelled into medieval England on the eve of the May Day celebrations at Nottingham. The seven discover that the sheriff of Nottingham had vanished and been replaced by somebody from their own time and that history is on the brink of going horribly astray. So, how about creating some chaos to restore the natural order and ensure that history runs its course?
“The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis” is a wonderfully humorous and highly exciting read. Between laughing out loud at the extremely lively, witty dialogue and smiling at the bickering of the characters, I found it difficult to be serious even when disaster seemed imminent.
The marvelously realistic and unique characters endeared themselves to me in the very first couple of chapters. It was fascinating to see how each of them developed and discovered their unique talents during the course of the story. An artificial hand that becomes a magical artifact, and a slingshot made from a forked branch and a jockstrap, are just some of the highly unusual things that can happen when your mission requires you to use what you have on your person, and only that. Although the story in itself is really outstanding, the dialogue and interaction of the children, liberally spiced with hilarious wordplay, makes it a truly unforgettable read.
This is the kind of book you would want to keep and reread whenever you need to laugh and relax. Suitable for readers of all ages, I wish I could give this book more than the five stars it most definitely deserves. (Ellen Fritz)
“The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis” is a wonderfully humorous and highly exciting read. Between laughing out loud at the extremely lively, witty dialogue and smiling at the bickering of the characters, I found it difficult to be serious even when disaster seemed imminent.
The marvelously realistic and unique characters endeared themselves to me in the very first couple of chapters. It was fascinating to see how each of them developed and discovered their unique talents during the course of the story. An artificial hand that becomes a magical artifact, and a slingshot made from a forked branch and a jockstrap, are just some of the highly unusual things that can happen when your mission requires you to use what you have on your person, and only that. Although the story in itself is really outstanding, the dialogue and interaction of the children, liberally spiced with hilarious wordplay, makes it a truly unforgettable read.
This is the kind of book you would want to keep and reread whenever you need to laugh and relax. Suitable for readers of all ages, I wish I could give this book more than the five stars it most definitely deserves. (Ellen Fritz)
September 20, 2012
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis
By Sharon Ledwith
When five eighth grade students get into a food fight at school none of them thought it would lead on an adventure through time, the five students are sentenced to yard duty as punishment for their crimes shortly after they arrive at Melody’s home the stumble upon an arch that was buried in her back yard. Once they excavate the mysterious arch they are whisked away to Atlantis where they meet up Lilith who is in charge of keeping watch over the gate, she informs them they are the last timekeepers and must travel through time to stop an evil magus from changing time.
Not only is this an original novel in itself but also a retelling of a classic story, Robin Hood, as the teens travel back to Nottingham on their search to stop Belial. The author does a wonderful job in crafting this novel, blending the two stories seamlessly such as when you think the timekeepers are going to inadvertently change history themselves the author weaves the story back to the original. The only problem I had with this novel is in the beginning when we are getting to know the characters. The author would call them by their first name and a paragraph or so later start using their last names to refer to the characters, as she is building the foundation of the story I would get lost thinking, “Okay, who is Treena and Mui?” when they are actually the same person. So be sure to pay attention to the characters last names as you go along, other than that this was a great young adult novel, it was highly unique and entertaining to read.
As always if you have any requests or recommendations email me at:
[email protected]
For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:
http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpre...
http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/
You can even follow me on Twitter
@BookWormRflect
By Sharon Ledwith
When five eighth grade students get into a food fight at school none of them thought it would lead on an adventure through time, the five students are sentenced to yard duty as punishment for their crimes shortly after they arrive at Melody’s home the stumble upon an arch that was buried in her back yard. Once they excavate the mysterious arch they are whisked away to Atlantis where they meet up Lilith who is in charge of keeping watch over the gate, she informs them they are the last timekeepers and must travel through time to stop an evil magus from changing time.
Not only is this an original novel in itself but also a retelling of a classic story, Robin Hood, as the teens travel back to Nottingham on their search to stop Belial. The author does a wonderful job in crafting this novel, blending the two stories seamlessly such as when you think the timekeepers are going to inadvertently change history themselves the author weaves the story back to the original. The only problem I had with this novel is in the beginning when we are getting to know the characters. The author would call them by their first name and a paragraph or so later start using their last names to refer to the characters, as she is building the foundation of the story I would get lost thinking, “Okay, who is Treena and Mui?” when they are actually the same person. So be sure to pay attention to the characters last names as you go along, other than that this was a great young adult novel, it was highly unique and entertaining to read.
As always if you have any requests or recommendations email me at:
[email protected]
For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:
http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpre...
http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/
You can even follow me on Twitter
@BookWormRflect
June 14, 2016
The Last Timekeepers is a fun romp through time!
13 year old Amanda Sault and a handful of her classmates find themselves doing yard work as punishment for a food fight at their school. Weeding and pruning soon reveals a buried arch way that leads them to Atlantis. There, they meet a woman named Lilith who tasks them with the job of being TimeKeepers.
And so the Last TimeKeepers begins.
The first thing I noticed about this book is that author Sharon Ledwith has a great knack for giving her characters unique voices. The kids in the story don't feel like shallow, one dimensional stand-ins, but rather like real 13 year old boys and girls. Likewise, later in the novel, when the time keepers travel to the year 1214, the people encountered there sound authentic.
The story flows quit nicely, there's never a dull moment. My only complaint is that I wanted more. Once the Timekeepers learn of their destiny, they embark on their first mission to help the legendary Robin Hood. This was a fun story, but I was hoping that we would see a couple other time periods before the end of the book.
The Last Timekeepers was a great ride, and I'm hoping that we see more adventures of Amanda Sault and her fellow guardians of time in the future.
13 year old Amanda Sault and a handful of her classmates find themselves doing yard work as punishment for a food fight at their school. Weeding and pruning soon reveals a buried arch way that leads them to Atlantis. There, they meet a woman named Lilith who tasks them with the job of being TimeKeepers.
And so the Last TimeKeepers begins.
The first thing I noticed about this book is that author Sharon Ledwith has a great knack for giving her characters unique voices. The kids in the story don't feel like shallow, one dimensional stand-ins, but rather like real 13 year old boys and girls. Likewise, later in the novel, when the time keepers travel to the year 1214, the people encountered there sound authentic.
The story flows quit nicely, there's never a dull moment. My only complaint is that I wanted more. Once the Timekeepers learn of their destiny, they embark on their first mission to help the legendary Robin Hood. This was a fun story, but I was hoping that we would see a couple other time periods before the end of the book.
The Last Timekeepers was a great ride, and I'm hoping that we see more adventures of Amanda Sault and her fellow guardians of time in the future.
December 8, 2013
Everyone is fascinated with the mystery of Atlantis and the people who lived there. The Last Timekeepers is an interesting take on what happened to the Atlantians.
I enjoy reading YA books. They are not so complicated plotwise, and the stories are very entertaining. The author of this book writes in a style where the reader can visualize the action. The characters who are transported to the past are ordinary kids who wind up doing the job assigned to them even though they had no idea what to do at the beginning of their quest. I truly enjoyed the book and think anyone who loves YA fantasy will enjoy it as well.
June 12, 2012
This is a very well written book...loved it! Took me back to the days when I couldn't get enough of the Half Magic books by Edward Eager! Loved the kids and the grownups in the story! Nice to see a good, strong heroine, who also learned several lessons along the way. I cannot wait for next adventure...just wish I had some grandkids to share this book with...hmmm, let's see whose kids I could borrow!! PS...I think this would also be a great read-aloud book!!
December 9, 2013
Awesome imagination skills with good research on history. I really liked the book. But what i did not like in the book is the use of the language of medieval times of England even if they had the babel with them by which they can understand every languages.
I really liked the way Sharon Ledwith narrates the story and the effort she took in making the book true has really paid off. Very nice book. I recommend the book to all my friends.
I really liked the way Sharon Ledwith narrates the story and the effort she took in making the book true has really paid off. Very nice book. I recommend the book to all my friends.
November 26, 2012
This was a fun read. The names were a little confusing at first but it didn't take long before they felt like 'my kids' :) I could see each of them clearly in my mind and their antics. Clever history tidbits in the story and the author stayed true to teen talk and the language used during that time frame. Enjoyable read!
August 30, 2012
I really enjoyed the history twist on this book. The overall story line sets up fast and the plot does not drag. I am looking forward to future Timekeepers adventures!
October 26, 2012
This one didn't really reach beyond the YA age group, but was still fun to read.
See my full review here.
See my full review here.
February 7, 2019
My name is Amanda, and a few "friends" and I have discovered an arch allowing us to travel through time. We've been told that we're the new Timekeepers for this arch, but the fifth arch is being controlled by a corrupt man. Robin Hood's legend is in jeopardy, so our quest is to return to his time and set things right. The big problem is that we have no idea what we're supposed to do, and the cryptic riddle I've uncovered isn't much help. Robyn isn't entirely what I expected, and his weapon is a crossbow, not the longbow I've heard about. Our task must be completed very soon, so I suspect our efforts will lead us to the archery contest at tomorrow's local festival. I think we might have a chance for success, if we don't clobber each other along the way.
The time travel and conflict weren't super original, but the dynamics of the group were most interesting to me. The kids were brought together as punishment for a school food fight, and they didn't especially like each other. The group included a jock, a young genius, and an actress, and their bickering continued throughout the book. Most of the activities were completed during medieval times, but the characters blended their modern-day knowledge, sometimes not so discretely. They carried amulets to ensure their return after the quest's completion and to translate any language differences. This struck me as odd, since Robyn and his friends spoke English, albeit Old English. I enjoyed the blend of the two cultures, and the "realistic" problems the characters encountered. The antagonists mostly worked in the background, with a time-traveling character taking the place of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Amanda's big problem was figuring out how to turn Robyn into the Robin Hood of legend, who gave the citizens hope. Overall, the book was entertaining, and I can recommend it for your reading pleasure. I plan to check out the sequel, The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret.
The time travel and conflict weren't super original, but the dynamics of the group were most interesting to me. The kids were brought together as punishment for a school food fight, and they didn't especially like each other. The group included a jock, a young genius, and an actress, and their bickering continued throughout the book. Most of the activities were completed during medieval times, but the characters blended their modern-day knowledge, sometimes not so discretely. They carried amulets to ensure their return after the quest's completion and to translate any language differences. This struck me as odd, since Robyn and his friends spoke English, albeit Old English. I enjoyed the blend of the two cultures, and the "realistic" problems the characters encountered. The antagonists mostly worked in the background, with a time-traveling character taking the place of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Amanda's big problem was figuring out how to turn Robyn into the Robin Hood of legend, who gave the citizens hope. Overall, the book was entertaining, and I can recommend it for your reading pleasure. I plan to check out the sequel, The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret.
March 21, 2018
I was more than pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up loving this book. I don’t often read Middle Grade fantasy (or much Middle Grade at all, to be honest) so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But I can confidently say that The Last Timekeepers is a series that will probably appeal to you no matter how old you are. It’s that perfect mix of real world humor and pure escapism into an alternate reality, plus there’s a good bit of historical fiction thrown in (which I always love).
The Last Timekeepers are made up of a fun cast of five kids and two adults who are thrown together due to circumstance and destiny. They are given the extremely important role of making sure that history unfolds as it should and that everything stays cool with the timeline. I love, love, LOVE time travel stories, so I was already well on board with this theme, but I found myself truly pulled into the story because of the wonderful way the characters are drawn. The story itself has a lot of funny parts to it and a lot of the dialogue is downright hilarious. I could totally see real kids talking to each other like this. I was also completely charmed by the two adults who accompany them. John, a brilliant archaeologist, and Melody, a good-witch type of character.
Overall this is just an awesome book and I’m really looking forward to diving into the rest of the series. I would recommend it to anyone who likes Middle Grade fiction, Middle Grade fantasy, or anything to do with time travel.
The Last Timekeepers are made up of a fun cast of five kids and two adults who are thrown together due to circumstance and destiny. They are given the extremely important role of making sure that history unfolds as it should and that everything stays cool with the timeline. I love, love, LOVE time travel stories, so I was already well on board with this theme, but I found myself truly pulled into the story because of the wonderful way the characters are drawn. The story itself has a lot of funny parts to it and a lot of the dialogue is downright hilarious. I could totally see real kids talking to each other like this. I was also completely charmed by the two adults who accompany them. John, a brilliant archaeologist, and Melody, a good-witch type of character.
Overall this is just an awesome book and I’m really looking forward to diving into the rest of the series. I would recommend it to anyone who likes Middle Grade fiction, Middle Grade fantasy, or anything to do with time travel.
April 4, 2013
I give three stars to books I enjoyed while reading but think I got everything from them in the first read. A 3-1/2 star rating would be more accurate for me on this book.
The Arch of Atlantis is targeted at 12–14 year old readers and follows eighth-grader Amanda Sault and her schoolmates from a disastrous school food fight (and fighting with each other) to an abrupt time-travel mission where they have to learn to work together and stop an evil being from changing history.
On the warning side, I was a little bored with how wordy some parts of the book were — some over-the-top similes and hard-to-follow paragraphs. The main characters were very stereotypical and felt dated to the 1990s, but that’s neither good nor bad. It does, however, make for a LOT of crass insults and threats flying across every page, so be aware of that. There’re also two or three slightly gory scenes (reasons why I put this book in the young YA category rather than middle grade).
Another thing to think about: Sometimes authors use their books to open new perspectives for readers, teaching us new things about other cultures or lifestyles. Other authors use their books simply to preach their beliefs at you. I felt like The Arch did a little of both, mainly in the beginning of the book. If the latter doesn’t bother you, or if you can make yourself get past that short hurdle, then you’ll be in for a fun remainder of the story.
On to the things I really enjoyed! First of all, the concept is brilliant. Obviously, I love a great modern-day tale crossing over into legend and lore! Sharon Ledwith gave the time-travel aspect an outstanding touch by using “old English” speech to liven up the reader’s connection with the past. It worked really well. I also had some good chuckles at the confusion the medieval characters often experienced at the modern-day characters’ idioms and lingo (take “Tweet”, for instance). The descriptions, language, and characters of “the past” were extremely well carried out and made for my favorite part of the book.
All in all, The Arch of Atlantis was a fun adventure. A little slow and stereotypical at the beginning, but definitely worth reading through. If you’ve wondered what Robin Hood might’ve been like as a kid; if you like younger YA reading; if you like time travel, crystal powers, mysterious missions, or anything to do with Atlantis … you’ll want to check out The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis.
The Arch of Atlantis is targeted at 12–14 year old readers and follows eighth-grader Amanda Sault and her schoolmates from a disastrous school food fight (and fighting with each other) to an abrupt time-travel mission where they have to learn to work together and stop an evil being from changing history.
On the warning side, I was a little bored with how wordy some parts of the book were — some over-the-top similes and hard-to-follow paragraphs. The main characters were very stereotypical and felt dated to the 1990s, but that’s neither good nor bad. It does, however, make for a LOT of crass insults and threats flying across every page, so be aware of that. There’re also two or three slightly gory scenes (reasons why I put this book in the young YA category rather than middle grade).
Another thing to think about: Sometimes authors use their books to open new perspectives for readers, teaching us new things about other cultures or lifestyles. Other authors use their books simply to preach their beliefs at you. I felt like The Arch did a little of both, mainly in the beginning of the book. If the latter doesn’t bother you, or if you can make yourself get past that short hurdle, then you’ll be in for a fun remainder of the story.
On to the things I really enjoyed! First of all, the concept is brilliant. Obviously, I love a great modern-day tale crossing over into legend and lore! Sharon Ledwith gave the time-travel aspect an outstanding touch by using “old English” speech to liven up the reader’s connection with the past. It worked really well. I also had some good chuckles at the confusion the medieval characters often experienced at the modern-day characters’ idioms and lingo (take “Tweet”, for instance). The descriptions, language, and characters of “the past” were extremely well carried out and made for my favorite part of the book.
All in all, The Arch of Atlantis was a fun adventure. A little slow and stereotypical at the beginning, but definitely worth reading through. If you’ve wondered what Robin Hood might’ve been like as a kid; if you like younger YA reading; if you like time travel, crystal powers, mysterious missions, or anything to do with Atlantis … you’ll want to check out The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis.
December 1, 2014
My daughter (11) and I (the Mom) read and reviewed this book for Mother Daughter Book Reviews. Here are excerpts from our reviews. For the full reviews please visit Mother Daughter Book Reviews.
Daughter Says:
This book is about kids who go back in time to make sure that Robin Hood becomes a famous archer because somebody is trying to change that. For the cover, I think that the arch is cool but the author should have put some of the characters on the cover so I can see what they look like. I really liked how Ravi’s hand kept detaching itself from his wrist and doing crazy things. I did not like how the author refers to the characters by their first name but the kids refer to each other by their last name. That was confusing at the start. Overall, I thought this book was really cool and fun to read. I would read the second book if they made a second one. I think boys and girls 9 years old and older would like this book.
Mom Says:
...
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis is an exciting beginning to a new middle grade series merging science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction genres to create an entertaining and educational story. Sharon Ledwith has assembled a stellar cast of main characters in the Last Timekeepers. The story centers around Amanda Sault, a Native American girl in the eighth grade; her friend Treena Mui, the rich Asian drama club queen; Drake Bailey, the younger, short of stature school genius; Jordan Jensen, the school jock; and, Ravi Sharma, the amputee who is a master of disguise. Kudos to the author for bringing together a brilliant cast of characters representing diversity in culture, ethnicity, social status, ability, gender, and age. Brilliant!!
...
My Bottom Line: The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis is a very entertaining story merging science fiction and magical realism and featuring a diverse cast of main characters as well as stellar writing from Sharon Ledwith. I highly recommend this book to tweens and teens looking for a great adventure and I eagerly await the next installment in the series. Ages 8+.
* This book was provided to us by the author free-of-charge in exchange for our honest reviews. All opinions expressed are our own. *
Daughter Says:
This book is about kids who go back in time to make sure that Robin Hood becomes a famous archer because somebody is trying to change that. For the cover, I think that the arch is cool but the author should have put some of the characters on the cover so I can see what they look like. I really liked how Ravi’s hand kept detaching itself from his wrist and doing crazy things. I did not like how the author refers to the characters by their first name but the kids refer to each other by their last name. That was confusing at the start. Overall, I thought this book was really cool and fun to read. I would read the second book if they made a second one. I think boys and girls 9 years old and older would like this book.
Mom Says:
...
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis is an exciting beginning to a new middle grade series merging science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction genres to create an entertaining and educational story. Sharon Ledwith has assembled a stellar cast of main characters in the Last Timekeepers. The story centers around Amanda Sault, a Native American girl in the eighth grade; her friend Treena Mui, the rich Asian drama club queen; Drake Bailey, the younger, short of stature school genius; Jordan Jensen, the school jock; and, Ravi Sharma, the amputee who is a master of disguise. Kudos to the author for bringing together a brilliant cast of characters representing diversity in culture, ethnicity, social status, ability, gender, and age. Brilliant!!
...
My Bottom Line: The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis is a very entertaining story merging science fiction and magical realism and featuring a diverse cast of main characters as well as stellar writing from Sharon Ledwith. I highly recommend this book to tweens and teens looking for a great adventure and I eagerly await the next installment in the series. Ages 8+.
* This book was provided to us by the author free-of-charge in exchange for our honest reviews. All opinions expressed are our own. *
November 23, 2014
Today I finished The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis.
This book has a good story build up. It starts with the introduction of all the major characters in their normal routine. Although this is not really a large book, the events are adequately described and the length is just right.
If I compare the plot with the second book in the series: Legend of the Timekeepers (the prequel to this book) it tends to be more straightforward and does not incorporate any unsuspected plot twists. This does show that the author advances herself in her writing style and that is a good thing.
After the major 'fight' the book ends in just a few pages. In my opinion this is a good thing, because I read books for the main storyline. When the quest is finished, I do not want to read multiple long chapters about the happy ending.
The book is easy to read and does not contain many difficult words. I prefer to read my books in English, but some authors almost require you to hold a dictionary next to your book, when you are not a native reader. Thumbs up to the author Sharon Ledwith, she did a great job on writing this.
However, what did really annoy me was the inconsistent use of first and last names. In one sentence people are addressed by their first name, in the next by their last name. It may seem minor, but the even after finishing the book it bothers me.
Other than that it really is a nice book, I rate it 3.5 stars.
This book has a good story build up. It starts with the introduction of all the major characters in their normal routine. Although this is not really a large book, the events are adequately described and the length is just right.
If I compare the plot with the second book in the series: Legend of the Timekeepers (the prequel to this book) it tends to be more straightforward and does not incorporate any unsuspected plot twists. This does show that the author advances herself in her writing style and that is a good thing.
After the major 'fight' the book ends in just a few pages. In my opinion this is a good thing, because I read books for the main storyline. When the quest is finished, I do not want to read multiple long chapters about the happy ending.
The book is easy to read and does not contain many difficult words. I prefer to read my books in English, but some authors almost require you to hold a dictionary next to your book, when you are not a native reader. Thumbs up to the author Sharon Ledwith, she did a great job on writing this.
However, what did really annoy me was the inconsistent use of first and last names. In one sentence people are addressed by their first name, in the next by their last name. It may seem minor, but the even after finishing the book it bothers me.
Other than that it really is a nice book, I rate it 3.5 stars.
August 7, 2012
I read this book because it sounded quite interesting, and the author had agreed to an interview for my blog. She is extremely supportive of her fellow authors, and I like her attitude about paying it forward.
I was intrigued with the premise for the book. Combining the story of Robin Hood with the mysterious Atlantis was an idea I just couldn't clear out of my mind. The author has done a magnificent job of combining the two, and preparing a path for future adventures along the way.
I liked the clear, precise method to her writing. Since this story is intended for and from the viewpoint of kids, I checked very closely to see that it was kid friendly in subject matter and voice. I think the author was spot on with the writing, and did an excellent job of using humor where appropriate. Her serious scenes were great, too, but the bantering humor and insults between the group of kids was very appealing to my senses.
Overall, a very pleasant read. I will definitely be looking forward to her next installment.
I was intrigued with the premise for the book. Combining the story of Robin Hood with the mysterious Atlantis was an idea I just couldn't clear out of my mind. The author has done a magnificent job of combining the two, and preparing a path for future adventures along the way.
I liked the clear, precise method to her writing. Since this story is intended for and from the viewpoint of kids, I checked very closely to see that it was kid friendly in subject matter and voice. I think the author was spot on with the writing, and did an excellent job of using humor where appropriate. Her serious scenes were great, too, but the bantering humor and insults between the group of kids was very appealing to my senses.
Overall, a very pleasant read. I will definitely be looking forward to her next installment.
March 7, 2015
It started like The Breakfast Club and went to a fantastic fantasy novel.I never got bored of reading it and loved each character in the book which is usually rare.Its a novel which consists of an entertaining language and less long descriptive passages.I think it would be a perfect Disney movie! I've had a blast with the past!
August 29, 2014
I enjoyed this book and the concept very much. I had a little trouble with the language used by the kids during their time with Robin Hood, but it could be just a generational thing. I am enjoying reading "The Legend of the Timekeepers" by Sharon Ledwith much more.
October 3, 2016
4.5 stars!
Great MG book!
Great MG book!
April 12, 2019
Wow, this was one of those reads that you pick up and can't stop reading til you it the last page! Ledwiths characters are a group of teens on detention who have to clean up someones yard as punishment. While on duty, they make a startling discovery and are swept into the adventure of their young lives. This book brought history to life as they travel back to the time of Robin Hood to preserve his place in history. Well written and the dialogue is snappy. The last time keepers and the Arch of Atlantis is aimed at middle grade students but can also be enjoyed by adults! This adult gives it 5 silver arrows!
April 8, 2021
I loved how the characters go back in time to the Arthurian time period. The author does a superb job of using the setting and time period to create challenges for the characters (sometimes with the yuck factor) and hold the reader's interest. I struggled a bit with characters' banter though. I sometimes found the children to be unnecessarily nasty and this occasionally threw me out of the story. What a good adventure for young readers to come along on. I look forward to reading about the next place they venture.
October 21, 2020
Robin Hood is real boy. Rah. Looong setup. Gal teacher says "call me Melody", but guy "Professor Lucas"? Pfft. Squabbling students' two names double confusion.
Keep unique necklace translators on skin. Thou thee whew. Bad Belial far, Crowley, Max near. Blah rainbows.
Typo: 12.23 craved IS carved
Keep unique necklace translators on skin. Thou thee whew. Bad Belial far, Crowley, Max near. Blah rainbows.
Typo: 12.23 craved IS carved
July 31, 2017
I really enjoyed this adventure! I'm attracted to anything dealing with Atlantis and this book didn't disappoint. A cool spin on a fairy tale and I found myself wanting more when it ended. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
My Rating: 5 stars
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