Reviews

A meticulously planned novel, the detail on time and the concept of the storyline is incredible. There was enough jeopardy to move the plot along but not so much that you missed the intricacy. A brilliant novel for kids and adults alike.

bluewithstars's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This needs more than 5 stars 🌟 a fast paced page turner. This is a must for anyone who loves a mystery adventure or clocks... or anyone who doesn't! It is impossible to put down. Absolutely bloomin loved it!

bookish_j_'s review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

colinjclements19's review against another edition

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adventurous informative inspiring mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

hweezbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Just as the British did away with shillings, half-crowns and old pounds, equating 100 pennies to one New Pound — this middle grade tale speculates upon a new parliament vote that is pushing for New Time: 100 seconds in a minute, 100 minutes in an hour and ten hours a day.

“New Time will streamline our diaries, our watches and our minds.”

What is even more fascinating, is that we are given an insider’s view of the Big Ben, where Isaac Turner’s father works as horologist.

We enter this tale on a night Isaac is helping Dad to stop the clock (for clocks couldn’t be wound back) in order to lose an hour for daylight savings. When his father steps away to check on something, he vanishes, leaving only a smashed pocket watch.

The investigation brings Isaac and his new friend Hattie (who lives in the building with her father, the Speaker) to solve clues in a “locked room mystery”, also involving sitting in on a parliamentary debate, and historical hideouts within Westminster.

Young readers fascinated with clocks will also get to meet London landmarks like the Little Ben, the Chelsea Steam Clock and the 24-hour Shepherd Gate Clock, where all clocks in the UK used to be set from. And the Atomic Clock (and how it works!)

This turned out to be a middle grade tale with a fairly complex, involved plot. I think young mathematicians, aspiring horologists and anyone keen on an unusual premise created around the concept of time will enjoy this!

📚: @definitelybookskids

maireadingparty's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

BRILLIANT!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

bookwormbev17's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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