Written by Jennifer Claesssen
An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.
Hello, and welcome to my latest Book Review featuring this week an Adventure in Middle Grade Fiction.
Without further ado, and as my trusty housekeeper, Mrs H, always says, "Time stands nor sits for no man, so the wise plan and fill their days with work, rest and play."
This week's review maybe turns that adage a little on its head, as our lead character goes travelling in time. So without further ado, lets drift on over to baking hot Crete, then and now . . .
AUTHOR: Jennifer Claessen (Clickable link)
Illustrations by: Heidi Cannon (Clickable link; also on X as @HeidiOliviaArt)
Published by: UCLan Publishing (Clickable link)
Publication date Paperback: 25 June 2025
Paperback 13 digit ISBN: 978 191 6747 593
UK Cover price for Paperback: £7.99
Amazon KINDLE price: £3.99
Pages: 240
Age range: 9 - 12
SPOILER ALERT
Some as to plot direction and characters.
Thank you to...
We are exceedingly grateful to Graeme Williams Publicity and UCLan Publishers for offering us a chance to Read & Review this story.
As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, received as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.
First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their family, friends and students will enjoy.
The plot
Netta Becker is eleven, a brilliant swimmer and, much to her annoyance, on holiday with her younger, book-mad brother, Remy. It was his turn to pick where the family went for their holidays, and as he loves Cretan history, he chose Crete and a cheap villa holiday near King Minos's palace. Not the cool sort of place Netta wants to go to, not cool in any sense of the word. She is missing a big swimming gala back home and can't even go for a swim at the villa as the pool has green algae and cracked tiles.
But soon after arriving at their somewhat rickety resort, she starts seeing people. Not just the other families staying there, but people from a past age, adults and children.
Very soon her visions take more serious form by way of her zoning out and having dreams far realer than they ought to be. In fact, she is being dragged back four thousand years to the palace of King Minos. Here she, on each visit, sees and hears different people and events. One time she is seen by Princess Ariadne, Ari for short. Ari thinks she is a spirit, a 'tricksy muse,' come at her behest.
As events move on, Netta, much to her brothers upset, gets to see more than just the ancient ruins of modern Crete. She is seeing the buildings and people in their prime. It is soon clear that she has arrived just before the unveiling of King Minos's fabled labyrinth. There are festivities, offerings, and a white bull is to be sacrificed to the labyrinth to appease what lies within. Ari and Netta, who are about the same age, bond and talk about how history records what happens to Ari. Netta gets to see around the palace and learns of the children to also be sacrificed to the labyrinth.
This galvanises her into action, and with Ari she plans to free the children and help them escape Crete. Minos has decreed none may leave the island, so things will be difficult, possibly fatal if Netta and the children are caught in the attempt. Maybe this is why Netta is being drawn back in time? Certainly, whatever is pulling her back is getting stronger, and each time she is drawn back she ends up spending long and longer in Crete and less in the villa. Back in the here and now, Remy acts to not only try to advise Netta of historical facts and outcomes, but to fend off enquiries as to why Netta is absent. But even he is getting worried by what the increasingly prolonged absences are doing to Netta’s body.
When Netta starts to gain a corporeal form in ancient Crete, the race is on to save the children and to hopefully put a stop to what is drawing her there. There is also the pressing matter of getting her back into her own body and time before she is stuck in the past.
So, what did we think?
Growing up I was enthralled by the movies that featured characters from Greek mythology. But I was less enthralled when it came to reading dry textbooks on the matter.
This story deftly brings together old Cretan and Greek mythology with the modern world by allowing our protagonist to pass back and forwards in time. More accurately we find that she is being drawn back and forth in time by compelling forces: something in ancient Crete and her brother and family life in the present. So unlike the TV series Quantum Leap, we find ourselves with two stories that are set to converge rather dramatically.
The action is compelling and doesn't rely on high tech gadgetry. The peril is tangible and grows as the pace escalates and had us turning the pages as quickly as Netta jumps to and fro.
The ending, which I shall not spoil, was awesome. I did not see it coming.
So, Crunch time.
Very impressive creative story telling with a delightful twist that breathes new life and enjoyment into the core and gaps in mythology, by combining past and present. I found this engaging, thrilling and very hard to put down, and much like Netta, we were sucked in and happily, avidly insisted on stayed till the very last page.
And now for my Sunday Selfie . . . .
Here is little me just giving last minute instructions for my tea to Mrs H. With the air con on over this particular bed in the guest room, it has been the perfect place to be during our heatwave.
We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, from the Cat on My Head blog in America. CLICK THIS LINK to visit their site and to get the code to add to your own blog . . .
I hope you enjoyed that adventure.
Till laters!
ERin
That's an excellent selfie, Erin! Thanks for the book review too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and our pleasure 🙂
DeleteERin
ERin, that's a really lovely selfie! The book sounds great too. Mummy was just looking for something to read set on a Greek island. What a happy coincidence!
ReplyDeleteThis will be the perfect adventure story for you then. With your knowledge and interest in history, I bet you could step into Netta's shoes ;)
DeleteHave a lovely and also very safe week.
ERin
That's even truer than you know. Mummy used to love Greek mythology as a child and She even has an MA degree in Classics (Latin and Ancient Greek)!
DeleteHave a wonderful, quiet and safe week.
DeleteERin
Princess ERin, we too have the hots. And the air is on. After a cold wet spring, over night the heat is here. And to stay. Lynn spotted a middle school fun book on the free rack at the library last week. Brought it home, enjoyed the art and the story and gave it back. Fun read about a mouse named Poppy.
ReplyDeleteWe really like your review. Stay cool.
Most of the Middle Grade books we pick up are brilliant. I hope Poppy the mouse had a fun adventure of her own. Do share any other fun MG stories you and your staff come across.
DeleteWe are now blowing cooler and a little bit damp. Which is a huge relief after the highs.
Have a wonderful week! Stay safe and well.
ERin
ERin I love the book cover and review but I love your selfie da best
ReplyDeleteHugs cecilia
Aww, thank you. That cover is rather special and works well with the plot.
DeleteStay well
ERin
ERin....stay chillax and stay gorgoeuz and stay bye mizzuz H's side..... her noez why ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteLots of stays, and very happy to follow each and every one. Have a wonderful and cool week, too.
DeleteERin
ERin, that is a lovely selfie. With the terrible heat wave you're experiencing. that cool air blowing on you must be delightful. That book sounds like a good one. Such a creative premise, and what a great way to read about Greek mythology in an engaging way! Hugs to you and Mrs. H. XO
ReplyDeleteIt has been a lot cooler today, thank goodness. And the prospect of 40c temps has now receded also. This is a great way to add flavour to characters, even in a light way. Kids will enjoy this and I hope, possibly with more books in the series, maybe get to learn more about mythology. Teachers would I'm sure find such books a great tool to introduce characters.
DeleteERin
Lovely selfie, Erin. Stay cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Not as pretty as Greek goddess, but we try ;)
DeleteERin
Dearest Erin! What an incredible story and it is right up our alley. The Minoan stories are always exciting, yes, even the dry historical tomes...if time travel really did happen, our Peep would be ever so happy to go there. Mom has the book in her Amazon Cart to be sent when it is released on the 25th. And Erin, you look marvelous darling! Keep up with the terrific reviews and your selfie is divine! I am printing it and hanging it over my bed so I can dream about YOU! Your #1 Fan Boy, Marvelous Marv
ReplyDeleteAh, I am so pleased you like this middle grade book. I think if you have any kids to share the reading with, relatives say, they would love to read around the subject using your staff's knowledge. Tell me how you get on, and we do hope you enjoy the tale and blend of fact and myth. Of course myths have been rewritten over the ages, so who knows. Maybe share a review also. We reviewed one of the author's other books, about witches, and have to say she spins a great tale.
DeleteStay well, happy and safe.
ERin
I was always interested in Greek and Egyptian history at school This sounds like a great book. I used to think I was a bit old for middle grade reading, but if you enjoy it, who cares! Your selfie is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly a great book to encourage readers to get a feel for the myths and legends of old. But primarily it is so much fun. Very well written, which of course is a must to sell well in the modern market. And yes, a good story is such no matter the age of the reader.
DeleteERin
Your selfie is delightful and the story sounds just up my alley, I always enjoyed Greek mythology.
ReplyDeleteYou asked on my blog about the flowers, they are the flowers of the crepe myrtle tree.
Thank you for that information. I do like to look plants up. I think most will enjoy this adventure. It is well paced and deftly inserted into the myths.
DeleteERin
The book sounds good! Love the selfie.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mrs H loved this shot and the one that follows, though we will save that for another time.
DeleteERin
Excellent review. It does sound very interesting. And I love your selfie. You are a beauty. XO
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen. We tries our best all round.
DeleteERin
That sounds like a really good one and that is a cool cover too. Lovely selfie sweet Princess!
ReplyDeleteYes, so cool, which is just what we needed weather wise also. Thank goodness for AC!
DeleteERin
Please send your heatwave this way Mrs H!
ReplyDeleteWe shall try. In fact we have dropped over ten centigrade today since last week. So maybe it has moved on to your neck of the woods.
DeleteERin
It sounds great
ReplyDeleteThank you, kids adventures are the best, and also the easiest for us to get to grips with and read quickly. Stay safe and well.
DeleteERin
Time travelling? Did you say, TIME travelling? You know I love a good time travellin' tale, my dear pal. PURRS
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. No whisks involved either 🙂
DeleteERin
Looking very dignified and sweet, ERin!
ReplyDeleteIt has been so very hot here too, but we do have the a/c here too. We like to lie in the sun on our deck but not for too long. Mom says she needs some prettens around these days to enjoy all the good books she sees here.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Misty and Timber
We hope your order for tea was to your satisfaction, Erin! What a great selfie!
ReplyDeleteIt had been so hot here that they couldn't find any date where it had been so hot ! And we are not used to air condition, so only offices, hospitals and shops have one private people very seldom. It starts now as summers are becoming more and more warm. Your selfie is cute, my Rosie is a Tuxi too !
ReplyDelete