LOST VOYAGEUR IN TIME

In this YA novel, a teenager uncovers a secret and must confront the evil lurking in the shadows to secure her family’s legacy.

Emmaline O’Byrne is only 14 years old and officially an orphan. Her grandmother Erin is taking her in, but that means moving away from the home she shared with her mother. In her new town, Destiny Bay, Emmaline meets David and Ciara Rickman. The two siblings mention Alastair O’Byrne, an older, mysterious resident. Desperate to locate more relatives after the death of her mother, Emmaline seeks him out. She discovers that he’s her great-uncle, who has information about her family history that will change her life. After finding Alastair’s huge, secret, underground library, she learns that her great-uncle is a Peer of Paladin, charged with filling the place with volumes that have influenced humans and time. “Endless tales occupy these books,” Alastair asserts. “That is why it’s called the Library of Hereafter. Past, present, and future all come together here.” The library also has the power to send Paladins into the books they protect. Unfortunately, Alastair is the last Paladin. At least, he was—now, he can train Emmaline to care for the library after he’s gone. But a dark threat looms: There has been a series of murders in town. Each body was found with strange symbols next to it. Apparently, someone wishes to take over the library and the power and knowledge it contains. Can Emmaline figure out a way to stop this villain? In this engaging series opener, Lyons skillfully introduces readers to the library and its origins, providing plenty of rich, evocative details. The author also creates an intriguing teen hero who loves books. But while Emmaline’s drive to discover as much about her family as possible after losing her mother is understandable, it can feel as if she jumps right into a mission without giving herself enough time to grieve. Instead, the teen seems intent on just trying to replace her mother. Still, the mystery and excitement surrounding the wondrous library and its enigmatic enemies will keep the audience energized. Readers will be eager to find out who can be trusted and who wants to steal the library’s power for themselves.

A rousing adventure with a touch of fantasy and mystery and a lot of heart.