MG Monday: Guest Review: Tomorrows Guardian by Richard Denning

Title: Tomorrows Guardian
Series: Hourglass Institute
Author: Richard Denning
Publisher: Mercia Books
Publication Date: 1 Jan 2011

Source: Author - Thank you




Synopsis: From GoodReads
Experiencing episodes of déjà-vu, eleven year old Tom believes he is going mad. Then, he meets the adventurer Septimus Mason, who shows him that he is a "Walker" - someone who can transport himself to other times. Septimus explains that these abilities can be removed leaving him, once more, an ordinary schoolboy. Given the hurt these talents have caused, the choice would seem easy enough, but it is not so simple. In dreams, Tom has experienced life as other "Walkers" in times of mortal danger: Edward Dyson killed at the Battle of Isandlwana, 1879; Mary Brown who perished in the Great Fire of London, 1666; and finally Charlie Hawker, a sailor who was drowned on a U-boat in 1943.Agreeing to rescue them, Tom has three dangerous adventures before returning to the present day. Tom's finds he has drawn the attention of individuals who seek to bend history to their will. Soon Tom's family are obliterated from existence and Tom must make a choice between saving them and saving his entire world.

Review:
As I have not yet finished the book due to work commitments, this review is a basic guideline of half the story. I’m going ahead anyway. In my opinion, Tomorrow’s Guardian parallels the 2008 film, Jumper as the film involves someone “jumping” from place to place. However in this book the main character “Walks” through time. I also noticed that the main character was named Thomas Oakley, which I recognised from the 1998 film adaptation, Goodnight Mr Tom. I am unsure whether this was a deliberate name choice or whether I’m just reading too much into it.

Anyway onto the book, I thoroughly enjoyed the parts that I have read and I feel that not only can this book provide a good story; it also provides historical facts which I found interesting to read. The book follows the young life of Thomas Oakley, who discovers that he is a “Walker”, which means that he can “walk” through time. His new found powers confuse him as he feels he is going mad. An elder Walker, Septimus Mason, appears and explains to Tom why he has these powers. Of course, Tom wants to get rid of these powers and have a normal childhood. When he meets the Professor of an organisation to aid Walkers, he realises that his powers could be put to some use. Tom has been having dreams of people dying in different times, he discovers that these people are just like him and he must rescue them from death and bring them back to his time. But of course, there’s a villain of the book in the name of Redfield (I think :-L) and he tries to convince Tom to use his powers to change time completely, which can have disastrous results.

I would recommend this book to people who are around Tom’s age (11-12) as I feel that they would enjoy the book much better, but I believe that this book is suitable for all ages due to the historical element and the excitement that grips you to the book.

Thank you to Danni Year 12 for such a honest and insightful review.