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TIM by Sam Enthoven

TIM

Defender of the Earth!

by Sam Enthoven

Pub Date: March 1st, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59514-184-2
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

London is in big trouble, and only something really, really big can save the city. Professor Mallahide has invented a swarm of nanobots to be at his total command. When he gives himself up to the swarm, he becomes a monster that will absorb anyone or anything that stands in his way. Apparently indestructible, the world is readying an attack that will destroy all of Great Britain unless another solution can be found. The answer is a humongous re-engineered dinosaur known as TIM—Tyrannosaurus: Improved Model. A teenager just discovering his strength, Tim’s not all that bright, but he knows his job is to defend the earth from Mallahide’s swarm. However, even he can’t stand alone. Teens Chris and Anna are his back-up team, especially Chris. He’s been selected by a mystical bracelet to be the channel between the human race and TIM, the Defender. Are they enough to stand up to the evil swarm? Or is the earth finally doomed? Despite a wonderful concept, this book doesn’t live up to its premise, and lacks appropriate character development. It can also be confusing, jumping around from one scene to the next. This may be entertaining for some, but the book could have used some judicious editing and another draft before publication. (Science fiction. 12-15)