The History Keepers: The Storm Begins [Paperback]

I throughly enjoyed this book. It is full of mystery, suspence and adventure. The book is about an average teenagaer called Jake Djones who takes on an extremely dangerous mission: to rescue his missing parents, not just in place but in time. I found the book was very descriptive, describing every little detail. There was an explanation for everything, even how you time travel! The characters were funny and amusing with all their different personalities. I recommend this book for ten year olds and up.

I thought this book would and could have been better descibed as "Dr Who and Harry Potter, meet Percy Jackson"
I couldn't put this book down, and I am 38 years old!!!
Thoroughly loved it, as to me it has all the facets needed to keep the book interesting, not overly done but above all, factual!
Can't wait for more books from this series to be released.

In all honesty, I was hooked on this book from just the synopsis but I feel I should make a note here about why. I did not like studying history in school, not because I found it boring but because I found it difficult. Remembering all the different dates, names, and events just wasn't something that came naturally to me but I was still fascinated by the subject. (Film history in my first year of uni is still one of my favourite subjects). I love the idea of what went on before us. I love historical films and plays but I have never really found a history book that really grabbed at me. Then I read this synopsis and I knew that it sounded like the perfect book to me. Time travelling is definitely an intriguing concept in itself but the way that Damian portrays it within this book was astounding, creative and truly captured my attention. With the synopsis bringing me in to the story, the story itself spoke volumes within me. It was fast-paced, action-packed and so compelling that I found it extremely hard to actually put it down.

Jake Djones is your ordinary fourteen year old boy, until he learns that his parents are missing but not just in modern day, but somewhere, anywhere, in history. They work for an organisation called The History Keepers who travel through time to keep history the same as it has always been known. Jake is quickly thrust into a world that he struggles to comprehend but a very curious nature, a strong, protective and passion filled heart compel him to surge forward and go above and beyond what is expected of him to save his parents. I loved Jake. I liked how he didn't listen to orders and did what he felt was right, I loved that he followed his heart, that he was smarter than he gave himself credit for and I just enjoyed the journey that he took himself on. Nothing that happened was because someone ordered him to do it, but more because he was ordered specifically not to. He took control of the situation and I loved that about him.

I also adored all of the secondary characters. Topaz was mysterious and alluring and I wanted to know more about her. I loved Charlie and his parrot and his intellectual nature but my favourite young agent was definitely Nathan. A boy so obsessed with fashion, he worries about it even when they're in the middle of danger. He was the comedic relief throughout the novel and I very much enjoyed laughing at the jokes he provided throughout the story. I also really loved how he automatically switched to being in charge, of taking everything on his shoulders when it was needed. He may have been light-hearted most of the time, but when it mattered, he had the ability to behave in the best way. It really made his character better. I also adored Jake's aunt, Rose. She had an energetic, lively nature and had a warm-filled heart too. Jupitus Cole was mysterious and a character you felt you needed to be weary off and I loved that about him. It made me want to know more about him. Jake's parents were both great too and I just wished we could have spent more time with them - but I have a feeling we might in the upcoming novels! I honestly cannot wait to read more about this characters and the next journey's that they set off on. I also felt that the age range between the different characters really helped to make this book more universal, I could imagine adults and children alike truly enjoying this story.

The story itself was so brilliant. There was never a truly dull moment, the pace always seeming just right and keeping the reader intrigued while still filling in all the basic background information that was needed. I loved where the agents ended up, I loved the journey that they took, the twists and turns that they had to deal with and just the character and relationship development that occurred throughout the novel. I also thoroughly enjoyed the counter-balance between action and comedy and how well it was dealt with within the story. But really, the best thing about this novel is the concept of time travel and how it happens. The way that anything that happens in the past will still affect the future as they know it, how they age at the same pace no matter what era they're in and that everything happens as they've heard about it in the history books. While Topaz, Jake, Charlie and Nathan were all born centuries apart, they're still all roughly the same age - a unique and creative concept that I just truly enjoyed. I am incredibly excited to see where they will all head to next - or rather, what will happen to them on their next adventure.

All in all this book is a great adventure book that is full of action and comedy, suspense and mystery and really manages to grab the reader. It is never dull or boring, always spurring the action onwards at a fast and captivating pace. It is a book that I would easily be able to read over and over again and would recommend (if I haven't already) to many people, if not everyone. It is universal in its themes and its address, and I truly believe that children and adults can fall in love with this story. While reading it, I was often reminded of J.K. Rowling and the way she writes and the journey's that her characters take (especially the first few books) and I find that the magic and mystery in The History Keepers is just as imaginative and creative too. This is a book that you definitely don't want to miss out on reading.