G.A. Mercer, Justin Flowers and the Orb of Time Review

Overall Rating

Justin Flowers and the Orb of Time
G.A. Mercer
PublishAmerica, 2003, $19.95, 145 pp.
ISBN: 1592865305

Teen Justin Flowers is his school's best sprinter and is confident he can win his event in the upcoming race. However, his youthful enthusiasm collapses when his best friend linebacker Erik Greiner suffers a broken leg needing surgery due to a series of misfortunate incidents starting with an errant pass from Justin. However, his teen optimism and angst ends when in his locker Justin finds a strange stick that looks like a totem pole model that one can tote. Later at home he receives a letter claiming he is a Defender of History if he is willing to travel the time stream.

Justin begins a journey like no other as he communicates in Italian with Leonardo Da Vinci. With the great Renaissance Man's help, Justin translates the time pole's Egyptian letters into Italian and learns he needs to continue his trek to the Ancient Nile. There he must claim the Orb of Time before the evil Raveler obtains it. Leonardo warns Justin to watch himself especially since he thinks he saw a lad looking through the window at the pole.

JUSTIN FLOWERS AND THE ORB OF TIME targets the Harry Potter crowd with an exciting time travel tale of goodly innocence vs. selfish malevolence. The story line is fun to follow from the moment Justin begins to learn he has a few additional problems besides puberty. The trips back in time seem genuine though readers must accept that a Defender of History acclimates to any era with no major discomfit or anachronistic thoughts. Pre teen fans of fantasy tales will want to accompany Justin on his trek back in time.

Harriet Klausner