Owen turned to Cat but she was staring into the woods, her face a mast of fear. Far off, but moving closer, were two figures, both white, both f...
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reviews
Feb 06, 2012
Ryne
rated it: 
[Warning: Spoilers ahead!]
This novel operates on an interesting--though not wholly original--premise. Young Owen's sad and humdrum life is changed when he learns that a secret society called the Resisters, long asleep, has awakened to protect the world, and that he has a special destiny to help them--Hm! Kind of like Will Stanton and the Old Ones in Susan Cooper's series The Dark is Rising. Owen and his new friends from the Resisters must protect The Workhouse, their base of operatio More...
This novel operates on an interesting--though not wholly original--premise. Young Owen's sad and humdrum life is changed when he learns that a secret society called the Resisters, long asleep, has awakened to protect the world, and that he has a special destiny to help them--Hm! Kind of like Will Stanton and the Old Ones in Susan Cooper's series The Dark is Rising. Owen and his new friends from the Resisters must protect The Workhouse, their base of operatio More...
Nov 06, 2011
Kathy
rated it: 
This time the cover provides a glimpse of the story one wouldn't expect once you realize who/what is pictured (*reference to my last posting re: Rover where I thought the cover was a detriment to the book's appeal).
The Navigator is reminiscent of The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman (His Dark Materials) where the hero learns along the way what the enemy is, and what his role is in the war. Owen also shoulders an unusual care taking role of a parent. Time is stretched, manipulated and tu More...
The Navigator is reminiscent of The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman (His Dark Materials) where the hero learns along the way what the enemy is, and what his role is in the war. Owen also shoulders an unusual care taking role of a parent. Time is stretched, manipulated and tu More...
Mar 17, 2008
Karlan
rated it: 
If you know any 9-12 year olds who need a new, exciting fantasy, this is a good one. The Irish author has published adult books previously. Young Owen is called on to save the world from those who want to make time go backwards to a period before humans. The twists and turns and scary villains make this a page turner.
Nov 22, 2008
Sharon
rated it: 
This might be a decent story, but there are too many good books out there to spend time with one that is poorly written.
Lazy writing: protagonist's description via looking in the mirror, not just once, but twice!
Passive voice throughout the narrative. I think the word "was" is used in nearly every sentence.
Non-specific description: a dire lack of sensory details beyond sight and touch left me ungrounded and rudderless in the setting.
Clic More...
Lazy writing: protagonist's description via looking in the mirror, not just once, but twice!
Passive voice throughout the narrative. I think the word "was" is used in nearly every sentence.
Non-specific description: a dire lack of sensory details beyond sight and touch left me ungrounded and rudderless in the setting.
Clic More...
Nov 21, 2008
Kirsten
rated it:
Eoin McNamee brings us a good first venture into the realm of middle-reader speculative fiction. There are elements of Philip Pullman and Garth Nix here, and it also reminded me a bit of Jeanette Winterson's recent children's novel, Tanglewreck. It's less ambitious than Tanglewreck, though, and I'm inclined to see that as a good thing, since that one really got mired down toward the end.
In contrast, The Navigator moves along at a fast clip and refuses to get too involved in the mec More...
In contrast, The Navigator moves along at a fast clip and refuses to get too involved in the mec More...
Jul 05, 2008
Jennifer
rated it: 
Reviewed by Candace Cunard for TeensReadToo.com
Owen is ostracized by the other children around him for his father's death long ago, a presumed suicide that resulted in his mother being thrown into a haze of depression from which she cannot escape. By his young teens, he's quietly self-reliant, managing the house on his own and taking care of his mother who is forgetful and not always lucid. He spends his time wandering around the terrain outside of his house, by a river and an abando More...
Owen is ostracized by the other children around him for his father's death long ago, a presumed suicide that resulted in his mother being thrown into a haze of depression from which she cannot escape. By his young teens, he's quietly self-reliant, managing the house on his own and taking care of his mother who is forgetful and not always lucid. He spends his time wandering around the terrain outside of his house, by a river and an abando More...
Jun 18, 2008
Alicia
rated it:
Good adventure/fantasy for fans of Gregor the Overlander, maybe Artemis Fowl, and others.
Owen is an outsider in his village for reasons he doesn't quite understand, unless it's because his father killed himself when Owen was a baby; at least, that's the story. If only his mother hadn't become so distant and distracted lately, he'd be fine with his outsider status.
One day he sees a strange figure in white, a flash of darkness, and everything changes. His home and town lo More...
Owen is an outsider in his village for reasons he doesn't quite understand, unless it's because his father killed himself when Owen was a baby; at least, that's the story. If only his mother hadn't become so distant and distracted lately, he'd be fine with his outsider status.
One day he sees a strange figure in white, a flash of darkness, and everything changes. His home and town lo More...
Feb 14, 2009
Chris
rated it:
What I wrote when the Times Review came out:
Steam-punk young-adult weird-fiction? I'm there! The review was positive (though it did say there was a heavy debt well-worn Harry Potter and Star Wars cliches), but it still sounded good, AND the illustrations look awesome. Not enough illustrations these days.
Now that I've read it:
Wow, what a disappointment. The book was headed for a three star review for the first two-thirds, but it crashed and burned in the final stretch. More...
Steam-punk young-adult weird-fiction? I'm there! The review was positive (though it did say there was a heavy debt well-worn Harry Potter and Star Wars cliches), but it still sounded good, AND the illustrations look awesome. Not enough illustrations these days.
Now that I've read it:
Wow, what a disappointment. The book was headed for a three star review for the first two-thirds, but it crashed and burned in the final stretch. More...
Jun 26, 2009
Maly
rated it:
OMG!!!! This is a really awesome sci/fi book about.... well... let me just tell you what it says on the back of the book.
"Time is running out..... One day the world around Owen shifts ominously. Time flows backward, and his family and familiar places disappear. Time can be set right only when tge Resisters vanquish their ancient enemies, the Harsh. Unless the Harsh are stopped everything Owen knows will vanish as if it has never been. And owen has a terrifying role to play in th More...
"Time is running out..... One day the world around Owen shifts ominously. Time flows backward, and his family and familiar places disappear. Time can be set right only when tge Resisters vanquish their ancient enemies, the Harsh. Unless the Harsh are stopped everything Owen knows will vanish as if it has never been. And owen has a terrifying role to play in th More...
Oct 17, 2011
Quinn
rated it:
I found the Navigator easy to read and something I would want to share with my children. It is a fun quick story about a boy who doesn't alwasy feel like he fits in with the rest of the world, and finds out he has a greater purpose on an Island In Time. Highly recommend for younger readers and those who just want to escape for a short while.
Mar 09, 2010
Ethan
rated it:
This, overall, was a good time traveling book. If it were by itself, it probably wouldn't be all that good. However, since it's the first book in a series, it's a great way to start it off. I'm glad that I finally got around to finishing it since I had twice before tried to do so. I liked it. It had great enemies and betrayals as well as time going backwards. I recommend this book to whoever likes time being bent, twisted, or gone backwards.
May 27, 2009
Julie
rated it:
For some reason I kept coming across this book and not wanting to read it. It was recommended to me by a colleague whose son LOVED it, so I gave it a chance and was pleasantly surprised. A good action/adventure with elements of both science fiction and fantasy. Eoin McNamee has written some very well received books for adults as well.
Sep 23, 2011
E.M.
rated it:
Another book with a beautiful, creative setting and not much in the way of plot. There are a lot of lovely story threads here and some heartwarming resolutions, but the main protagonist is more of a passenger in the story, and his final act of heroism is rather anti-climactic. Still, a good, fast read. I enjoyed it.
Feb 10, 2009
Amy
rated it:
My 3rd grade son read this in his school book club. I read it when he was finished. While not my favorite of the books he has read this year, it was well written and moved along at a good clip. I am now reading it with my 1st grader who is enjoying it very much.
Sep 03, 2009
A
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 27, 2009
Cathy
rated it:
Good book - bought it cheap but now am interested in reading the rest of the trilogy. It is a kids book but a good story. Very little language and nothing offensive.
Jan 24, 2011
This was a really well done and very good book! I enjoyed it a bunch and couldn't stop reading!! I can't wait to read the next two!
Jul 23, 2010
Lorianne
rated it:
I didn't realize I should have been 8 before I started reading. Good juvenile book but for adults, the story isn't complex enough.
Oct 04, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Interesting kid's book. Good enough I want to see what else Eoin McNamee has written. I'd recommend it for a quick read.
Aug 19, 2010
Kim
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. Written for a younger audience, I still found it entertaining and intriguing. I loved all the fun uses for time.
Apr 03, 2010
Mabry
rated it:
I really did not like this book. but, as I can be very picky, some peoples oponion might be different.
still, read this before you buy it.
still, read this before you buy it.
Dec 29, 2011
Shelly
rated it:
Quite a few spelling mistakes. Plus grammatical and punctuation errors, but is a good book.
Dec 18, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Well, we read them out of order since we picked up the third at a library book sale. We thoroughly enjoyed this book, but a big part was due to the fact we already knew the characters and where they ended up. More like seeing Star Wars prequels after a return of the Jedi, but the actors were the good ones all the way through.
Jul 06, 2011
Kristen
rated it:
The action of the first book in this time bending series is complete, which makes me even more curious to read book 2.
Jan 21, 2008
Carter
rated it:
I'm not sure if I can trust Wendy Lamb Books again after reading this. It's rare that I would get rid of one of my books, but "The Navigator" was just that bad. The characters emotions and reactions do not seem legitimate. The plot does not flow naturally and feels contrived. The only thing I liked about the book was the cover.
I just saw the sequel for this in the store today. Hmm...
I just saw the sequel for this in the store today. Hmm...
Nov 09, 2008
Wendy
rated it:
I listen to more books on audiobook than read them in print these days. This book was a difficult listen. I had to give it more of my attention than the average book. It was slow to get through because I had to keep backtracking to make sure I knew what was happening. It has a couple more books in the series. I'll probably read/listen to them eventually, but I'm in no rush to do so.
Jun 17, 2011
Sahar
rated it:
This was a really great book. I read it once a few years ago, but I forgot what happened in it. So I decided to read it now, and I love it!
