City of Time (The Navigator Trilogy, #2)

From School Library Journal Grade 7 Up—In this sequel to The Navigator (Random, 2007), earthquakes, tidal waves, and general environmental turmoil are on the rise, and Owen is called into action again. The moon's orbit has altered, and the very fabric of time is running out. Owen teams up with his friends from the first book and embarks on a quest to Hadima, the City of Time, to seek out a tempod and try to reestablish stability of time. Faced with deceptions, double-crossings, and the icy power of the Harsh, Owen and his friends are challenged physically and mentally at every step of their adventure. Pacing and story details are excellent with just the right amount of suspense and withheld information to keep readers wanting more. Characters are unique and suitably delineated with an appropriate balance of protagonist and antagonist attention. City of Time reads like a stand-alone novel; all pertinent details are explained. However, it would help more astute readers to be familiar with the first book. Naturally, situations are set up for the final book in the trilogy. City of Time will certainly enjoy as much reader attention as the first book.—_Dylan Thomarie, Johnstown High School, NY_ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From In this second book of a planned trilogy that began with The Navigator: Chosen to Save the World (2007), it has been a peaceful year since the crisis that drew Owen into the battle between the Resistors and the evil Harsh. Owen’s friend Cati serves in the lonely role of invisible Watcher. Cati realizes that something is wrong, but she fails to wake the Resistors and calls once more on Owen. Together, they find themselves in a new battle against the Harsh, this time journeying to Hadima, the City of Time. Aided again by Dr. Diamond and his intriguing gadgets, they encounter unusual allies, including a one-handed Yeati. The story alternates between Hadima and Owen and Cati’s home world, which is about to collide with the moon. As in the previous book, the swift action sweeps the reader along without any niggling questions about world structure. The first chapter nicely catches readers up with the back-story, and by the satisfying conclusion, many secrets are revealed along with enticing hints of more adventures to come. Grades 5-8. --Lynn Rutan

Cati, The Bold Watcher readers met in The Navigator, returns from the shadows of time to summon Owen and Dr. Diamond, for time is literally running out. The moon is coming closer to the earth, causing havoc with weather, tides, and other natural cycles; people fear the world will end. To discover what's gone wrong, Cati, Owen, and the Doctor must take an astonishing journey to the City of Time, where time is bought and sold. There, Owen begins to understand his great responsibility and power as the Navigator.

Children's Literature

Fans of The Navigator have been eagerly awaiting book II of the Navigator Trilogy, and McNamee does not disappoint his readers with the new book, City of Time. This rollicking good read cannot be contained within one era, one storyline, or one adventure, but instead takes readers on a mad dash through time. The best serial fiction allows the characters and storyline to change and develop, and in this story, familiar characters return with new growth and dimensions, as each new twist and turn in the story builds on the existing storyline. Readers new to the series will devour this book and rush back to the library for book one, eager to see where the adventure started. This book is highly recommended for purchase for public libraries and schools, and if The Navigator is not a part of the library's collection yet, be sure to order it as well! This book is an excellent choice for readers interested in time travel, fantasy, or adventure. Reviewer: Meagan Albright

When he receives the cryptic message that "time is running out," Owen, known as "The Navigator," summons Cati and Dr. Diamond and together they journey to the City of Time in order to discover what has gone wrong.