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The Foster Children of Time
Tony Marco is a normal south Texas teenager, bright but rather reserved. One day while on a family outing at the beach, Tony happens upon a group of time tourists from the year 2088. Unsure of what to do, Tony reconnects with his more adventurous, estranged childhood friend Caroline Montano. Caroline impulsively crashes the tour, dragging Tony along with her. Tony and Caroline soon find themselves on the Khronos-Solarin Station, a black hole-powered portal to various exotic eras in Earth’s past. There, Tony and Caroline encounter Stephen Gaudet, an independent time scout who promises to take them home, free from the oversight of the time travel governing authority, Temporal Affairs. Instead, Gaudet kidnaps Tony and Caroline and transports them to a twisted fantasy kingdom in the 11th Century A.D. created by a young and cruel time traveler known as the Wolf King. Tony and Caroline encounter a quirky cast of characters including a genetically engineered Elf girl, a surly Croatian veteran of the First World War, a mysterious “Witch” from a distant future, a survivor of a 15th Century pogrom in Spain, and a tribe of very tall Dwarves. Relying only upon their own wits and with help from their newfound friends, Tony and Caroline discover that one does not have to be a legendary monster slayer or great warrior to face off against Giants and Dragons.
- GenresYoung Adult
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 8, 2014
About the author
Robert Schell
5 books10 followersSalutations! I feel that a brief introduction is necessary to let you, the prospective reader, know where I came from and where I'm coming from as a writer. So to start, I grew up in poverty-stricken, unincorporated communities of south Texas known as colonias. I say this not to invite sympathy or to make any pretense that my life was more difficult and interesting than it actually was; I and my siblings enjoyed a fairly comfortable life as things go. Nevertheless, I distinctly remember reaching such milestones as getting phone service (a party line), paved roads, indoor plumbing, and finally moving into a house that wasn't directly adjacent to agricultural fields regularly strafed by crop dusters, so I won't pretend that I'm nostalgic for those days like it was a "Little House on the Prairie" idyllic existence. My first avenue of escape from the limiting realities of my existence, aside my own imagination, was science fiction. Besides television programs such as "Land of the Lost," "Star Trek," and "Battlestar Galactica" (for which my ardor was so great that I actually drew my own "Battlestar Galactica" comic book and created my own Viper models out of popsicle sticks), I engrossed myself in the works of authors such as Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Kurt Vonnegut, H.G. Wells, and Jules Verne, as well as books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and J.R.R. Tolkien and Marvel comics. Later, music (especially rock music of the psychedelic variety) became rather an obsession, and music and fantastic fiction continue to be my great loves in life. Although sci-fi always had an escapist element, I also felt that the best science fiction held a mirror (or magnifying glass, really) up to reality, as all great art should. In my writing I strive to hold up that magnifying glass. And though I wandered far from my Rio Grande Valley roots in various pursuits (education, entertainment, search for new experiences, enlightenment, stardom) I suppose it was inevitable that my paths and writing would return me, full-circle fashion, to my "launching pad." I currently reside, write, maintain an increasingly unwieldy collection of LPs and CDs, and practice law in south Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 20, 2014
"The Foster Children of Time" by Robert Schell is an exciting story of time travel and how adventure can strengthen a friendship.
Tony and Caroline, two Texas teenagers, used to be close but circumstances have caused them to grow apart. They're thrust back together when a mysterious bus ride turns into a time travelling adventure! They need to rely on their wits, their individual strengths and the help of well meaning strangers to help them get back to the world they left behind.
This book was so much fun to read! The time travel is believable, the historical aspects well researched, and the characters are well rounded. It's as much fun for adults as it would be for younger readers.
I'm definitely looking forward to the continuing adventures of Tony and Caroline.
Tony and Caroline, two Texas teenagers, used to be close but circumstances have caused them to grow apart. They're thrust back together when a mysterious bus ride turns into a time travelling adventure! They need to rely on their wits, their individual strengths and the help of well meaning strangers to help them get back to the world they left behind.
This book was so much fun to read! The time travel is believable, the historical aspects well researched, and the characters are well rounded. It's as much fun for adults as it would be for younger readers.
I'm definitely looking forward to the continuing adventures of Tony and Caroline.
December 3, 2014
If you are planning to spend the day at the beach, The Foster Children of Time is just the book to bring along to transport you from the mundane to the unexpectedly adventuresome -- and it might help you decide just what to do if you are looking at an interesting amulet or are asked to board a strange tour bus...
A nicely researched blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction set within a contemporary teen relationship exploration framework -- a time travel story for readers who prefer fantasy to science fiction -- The Foster Children of Time brings us along with teenagers Tony Marco and Caroline Montano as they rekindle their childhood friendship while coping with the challenges of finding themselves unexpectedly far from home, battling for freedom against the oppressive Wolf King with the aid of new friends from across time and place, and risking their lives to foil the Wolf King's evil plot.
While I would like to give it four stars because of the very inventive story and characters, FCoT will certainly be improved by eliminating a few minor errors that slipped in; easily fixed by an attentive editor before the next printing, and without them, a solid four stars. The copy I received through Goodreads First Reads was paperback.
These little blips notwithstanding, it remains a solidly entertaining read with the potential for becoming a strong series. I would love to know more about the many worlds to be accessed from the Khronos-Solarin Time Station, as well as the next role Tony and Caroline will play in preventing villains from tampering with Temporal Affairs. I can't wait to see what happens next!
A nicely researched blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction set within a contemporary teen relationship exploration framework -- a time travel story for readers who prefer fantasy to science fiction -- The Foster Children of Time brings us along with teenagers Tony Marco and Caroline Montano as they rekindle their childhood friendship while coping with the challenges of finding themselves unexpectedly far from home, battling for freedom against the oppressive Wolf King with the aid of new friends from across time and place, and risking their lives to foil the Wolf King's evil plot.
While I would like to give it four stars because of the very inventive story and characters, FCoT will certainly be improved by eliminating a few minor errors that slipped in; easily fixed by an attentive editor before the next printing, and without them, a solid four stars. The copy I received through Goodreads First Reads was paperback.
These little blips notwithstanding, it remains a solidly entertaining read with the potential for becoming a strong series. I would love to know more about the many worlds to be accessed from the Khronos-Solarin Time Station, as well as the next role Tony and Caroline will play in preventing villains from tampering with Temporal Affairs. I can't wait to see what happens next!
April 28, 2018
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Well written and well researched. The time travel aspect is fresh and interesting. Fantasy and science blend nicely.
Cons: Could have gone deeper with main characters and given a better sense of their friendship. Also, some things seem to happen a bit too hurriedly.
Will appeal to: Those who like time travel aimed at the past. Those who are in for a mix of historical and fantasy.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. As a matter of fact, I connected with him via the Young Adult Fiction for Adults group on Goodreads, and asked for the chance to read his book. This didn't influence my rating in any way.
The first thing you need to know about TFCOT is that it's a self-published book. The second is that it's a well written self-published book.
This needs to be emphasized, for no other reason that the cruel stigma attached to indie/self-pub books: bad editing, worse delivery. Which may be true sometimes, maybe even most of the times, but not necessarily true.
I did notice a handful of typos in this book...but they were genuine typos, like missing quotation marks or a name with a different letter. I also noticed that "anyways" was used freely, but only in informal speech. All the rest was, I think, flawless writing, the type that shuns lazy words without going for pretentious ones. It was refreshing to be reminded of the many alternatives to the unimaginative "she said, he said" :).
Tony and Caroline find themselves in the middle of a bizarre, peculiar adventure. Instead of merely ending up in the past (though they indeed do that), the two friends are cast into a twisted version of it, which still retains/relies on elements of our present, like computers and genetics. Those are revealed a little at a time, or mostly uncovered by the duo (especially by Tony, who apparently has a curious, inquiring mind). History is woven into the tapestry of their adventure, but there are other forces at play, like what appears to be a touch of real magic. The historical events are thoroughly researched (the notes at the end of the book testify just that), but at the same time, profitably used as a background to a fun fantasy ride. [...]
Whole review here.
Pros: Well written and well researched. The time travel aspect is fresh and interesting. Fantasy and science blend nicely.
Cons: Could have gone deeper with main characters and given a better sense of their friendship. Also, some things seem to happen a bit too hurriedly.
Will appeal to: Those who like time travel aimed at the past. Those who are in for a mix of historical and fantasy.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. As a matter of fact, I connected with him via the Young Adult Fiction for Adults group on Goodreads, and asked for the chance to read his book. This didn't influence my rating in any way.
The first thing you need to know about TFCOT is that it's a self-published book. The second is that it's a well written self-published book.
This needs to be emphasized, for no other reason that the cruel stigma attached to indie/self-pub books: bad editing, worse delivery. Which may be true sometimes, maybe even most of the times, but not necessarily true.
I did notice a handful of typos in this book...but they were genuine typos, like missing quotation marks or a name with a different letter. I also noticed that "anyways" was used freely, but only in informal speech. All the rest was, I think, flawless writing, the type that shuns lazy words without going for pretentious ones. It was refreshing to be reminded of the many alternatives to the unimaginative "she said, he said" :).
Tony and Caroline find themselves in the middle of a bizarre, peculiar adventure. Instead of merely ending up in the past (though they indeed do that), the two friends are cast into a twisted version of it, which still retains/relies on elements of our present, like computers and genetics. Those are revealed a little at a time, or mostly uncovered by the duo (especially by Tony, who apparently has a curious, inquiring mind). History is woven into the tapestry of their adventure, but there are other forces at play, like what appears to be a touch of real magic. The historical events are thoroughly researched (the notes at the end of the book testify just that), but at the same time, profitably used as a background to a fun fantasy ride. [...]
Whole review here.
May 27, 2014
Science fiction crosses fantasy for two accidental time travelers.
Time travel is a tricky subject. Jumping from place to place, forward and backward through history can be endless fun, so long as the rules are clearly established and don’t bog down the narrative flow. The Foster Children of Time balances this time rope wonderfully. What if I run into my future self? If I step on a butterfly in the past will people have lizard tongues in the future? All these questions are addressed with creativity and humor. Parts never become overly complex or techno-babbly, which can happen in sci-fi.
Tony and Caroline are two high school students whose curiosity thrusts them, quite literally, into time and space. One minute, they’re stepping onto an odd looking bus, the next, they’re in outer space, onboard a futuristic time terminal used by tourists to visit different periods in earth’s history. While Tony and Caroline become trapped in the 11th Century by a man known as the Wolf King, they encounter elves, dwarves, and ogres. Fantasy merges with science fiction, but there are constant reminders that in a universe of time travelers, people and places aren’t always what they seem.
A great dynamic throughout the book is the relationship between Tony and Caroline. They were friends when they were younger, but have drifted apart with age. This fantastical adventure forces them to work together and rediscover what they used to share. Although they talk about their home and family on their journey, the fear of never seeing either again fell short. I didn’t expect constant terror, but when they are brought to the Wolf King and forced to work for him the rest of their lives, they adjust to the weeks of manual labor surprisingly well.
Another element I wanted more of was the Wolf King himself. He is the villain of the book, who becomes increasingly interesting as we learn more about the kingdom he’s constructed, but he’s only present a couple times. We learn about him through others, but more moments involving him—talking, planning, ruling—would have been fun.
With fantastic time travel building and fun genre mixing, The Foster Children of Time creates a world of past, present and future, and injects it with history, science fiction and fantasy. I look forward to future installments in the continuing adventures of Tony and Caroline.
Time travel is a tricky subject. Jumping from place to place, forward and backward through history can be endless fun, so long as the rules are clearly established and don’t bog down the narrative flow. The Foster Children of Time balances this time rope wonderfully. What if I run into my future self? If I step on a butterfly in the past will people have lizard tongues in the future? All these questions are addressed with creativity and humor. Parts never become overly complex or techno-babbly, which can happen in sci-fi.
Tony and Caroline are two high school students whose curiosity thrusts them, quite literally, into time and space. One minute, they’re stepping onto an odd looking bus, the next, they’re in outer space, onboard a futuristic time terminal used by tourists to visit different periods in earth’s history. While Tony and Caroline become trapped in the 11th Century by a man known as the Wolf King, they encounter elves, dwarves, and ogres. Fantasy merges with science fiction, but there are constant reminders that in a universe of time travelers, people and places aren’t always what they seem.
A great dynamic throughout the book is the relationship between Tony and Caroline. They were friends when they were younger, but have drifted apart with age. This fantastical adventure forces them to work together and rediscover what they used to share. Although they talk about their home and family on their journey, the fear of never seeing either again fell short. I didn’t expect constant terror, but when they are brought to the Wolf King and forced to work for him the rest of their lives, they adjust to the weeks of manual labor surprisingly well.
Another element I wanted more of was the Wolf King himself. He is the villain of the book, who becomes increasingly interesting as we learn more about the kingdom he’s constructed, but he’s only present a couple times. We learn about him through others, but more moments involving him—talking, planning, ruling—would have been fun.
With fantastic time travel building and fun genre mixing, The Foster Children of Time creates a world of past, present and future, and injects it with history, science fiction and fantasy. I look forward to future installments in the continuing adventures of Tony and Caroline.
March 11, 2014
This is a definite five stars from me.
Tony, stuck on a family day out there's no escape from, meets a strange tourist. From there one thing leads to another, and when Tony gets his friend Caroline involved the two find themselves travelling through time.
Although I knew the book was going to involve time travel, the shape it took was something I was really not expecting - but completely loved. The characters are well drawn, the historical detail well researched, and the story clear to follow.
Being Welsh, the mere mention of Wales endeared this book even more to me. When Wales got to play something of a starring role it quickly became clear that I'd be recommending it to everyone. (We get like that, must be tiny country syndrome or something...) :)
There are some loose ends left at the end, doubtlessly to be addressed in the sequel. I can't wait!
*Note - I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
Tony, stuck on a family day out there's no escape from, meets a strange tourist. From there one thing leads to another, and when Tony gets his friend Caroline involved the two find themselves travelling through time.
Although I knew the book was going to involve time travel, the shape it took was something I was really not expecting - but completely loved. The characters are well drawn, the historical detail well researched, and the story clear to follow.
Being Welsh, the mere mention of Wales endeared this book even more to me. When Wales got to play something of a starring role it quickly became clear that I'd be recommending it to everyone. (We get like that, must be tiny country syndrome or something...) :)
There are some loose ends left at the end, doubtlessly to be addressed in the sequel. I can't wait!
*Note - I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
March 5, 2014
I won this from the Goodreads first reads giveaway.
The intro couple of pages did not grab my attention, and there was some background information at the beginning of some of the chapters dealing with some of the ancillary characters that really was not needed. It is for these reasons that I knocked a star off of it being 5 stars.
Other than these couple of things, this was a great book that I had trouble putting down. I read most of the book in one day and that is unusual for me because I can't make that kind of time with three kids in the house. However, it was an amazing story and I can't wait to read the second book in the Temporal Affairs series.
The intro couple of pages did not grab my attention, and there was some background information at the beginning of some of the chapters dealing with some of the ancillary characters that really was not needed. It is for these reasons that I knocked a star off of it being 5 stars.
Other than these couple of things, this was a great book that I had trouble putting down. I read most of the book in one day and that is unusual for me because I can't make that kind of time with three kids in the house. However, it was an amazing story and I can't wait to read the second book in the Temporal Affairs series.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews