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Magickeepers #1
The Eternal Hourglass
What would you do for an hourglass that stopped time?
Nick Rostov's father is the worst stage magician in Las Vegas. He can barely pull a rabbit out of a hat. So it is a strange morning indeed when Nick wakes up to find himself on the top floor of the Winter Palace Casino with a promise from the greatest magician in the world to teach him magic.
And not just stage magic. Real magic. Nick sets out to learn about his mother's family, the strange Russian clan of magicians that secretly run the Winter Palace. But there is a catch: Nick has the sight, the ability to see into the past. And so it must fall to him, with only his cousin Isabella to help, to pick up the long-buried clues and unravel the mystery of The Eternal Hourglass, the only magic artifact ever created that can actually stop time.
(20090401)238 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
June 6, 2009
Much of the YA books I have been reading lately are much darker heavy reads especially for the middle school and high school groups. Magickeepers: The Eternal Hour Glass Book One by Erica Kirov is perfect for those children who are close in that age group but still have a few years to go.
Nick Rostov’s father is a Las Vegas magician and a very bad one at that. Nick is a typical thirteen year old who is excited for the summer because that means no school, sleeping in, playing video games for hours and fun on his skateboard. Unfortunately for Nick his summer vacation will be very different from his past ones. Nick’s mother came from a long line of Russian magicians who have actual powers and not just the skills to do card tricks. His family takes him into the fold and teach him to use his powers he has always had but has never known about. He must be ready to defend himself against the powerful and evil Shadowkeepers, the same ones that killed his mother.
The family he never knew are the Magickeepers. The infamous Rasputin wants to find Nick and when he does he strikes a bargain with him. Rasputin wants a most beloved possession, the hourglass which is a powerful tool that can stop time. And it is up to Nick to keep the hourglass safe and out of the Shadowkeepers and Rasputin’s hands.
Looking for a book that both parents and their children can read and enjoy at the same time? I would say that Magickeepers is the perfect book. Erica Kirkov uses Russian history and even that of Harry Houdini in such a way that is enticing. There are some laughs and eye-popping sequences that will have most children in stitches. Missing the good old days of Harry Potter? Magickeepers is the book to fix that.
Nick Rostov’s father is a Las Vegas magician and a very bad one at that. Nick is a typical thirteen year old who is excited for the summer because that means no school, sleeping in, playing video games for hours and fun on his skateboard. Unfortunately for Nick his summer vacation will be very different from his past ones. Nick’s mother came from a long line of Russian magicians who have actual powers and not just the skills to do card tricks. His family takes him into the fold and teach him to use his powers he has always had but has never known about. He must be ready to defend himself against the powerful and evil Shadowkeepers, the same ones that killed his mother.
The family he never knew are the Magickeepers. The infamous Rasputin wants to find Nick and when he does he strikes a bargain with him. Rasputin wants a most beloved possession, the hourglass which is a powerful tool that can stop time. And it is up to Nick to keep the hourglass safe and out of the Shadowkeepers and Rasputin’s hands.
Looking for a book that both parents and their children can read and enjoy at the same time? I would say that Magickeepers is the perfect book. Erica Kirkov uses Russian history and even that of Harry Houdini in such a way that is enticing. There are some laughs and eye-popping sequences that will have most children in stitches. Missing the good old days of Harry Potter? Magickeepers is the book to fix that.
December 22, 2014
Un buen libro; entretenido, sin más. Es una historia simple, que recuerda a Harry Potter por algunas similitudes que comparten. Al principio me resultó un poco pesado, pero a medida que la trama avanzaba la acción se volvía más asidua. En mi opinión el libro es demasiado corto, creo que a la autora le falta imaginación. Me dejó con ganas de conocer los secretos que quedaron sin develar, así que me leeré el segundo (cuando lo traigan a Argentina...). En fin, un libro entretenido, corto, para pasar el rato.
December 30, 2018
Nick siempre ha vivido en el hotel Pendragon donde su padre tiene un espectáculo, no demasiado bueno, de magia. Pero en su decimotercer cumpleaños el mago más famoso de todas Las Vegas, y de quizás del mundo entero, Damián aparece en su habitación revelando una noticia inesperada, Nick forma parte de uno de los clanes mágicos más poderosos del mundo y a partir de entonces debe vivir y entrenar con todos sus parientes. A Nick la idea no le apasiona y menos cuando descubre la comida y las mascotas de sus familiares rusos. Pero eso no es lo peor pues averigua que un misterioso grupo, Los guardianes de las sombras van detrás de él.
.
La verdad es que este libro lo descubrí en la biblioteca y cuando supe que iba sobre Rusia tuve que cogerlo. El libro en sí está genial, es una buena muestra de la cultura rusa, me ha encantado la ambientación y todas las referencias sobre la cultura, y sobre la superstición rusa. Otra cosa que me ha encantado es cómo la autora ha introducido personajes históricos en la historia y todos y cada uno de los personajes, todos tienen una personalidad propia, Nick (o Kolya como lo llaman sus parientes), Isabella, Damián, Irina, la Gran Duquesa, Boris, aunque mis favoritos son, sin duda Teo y Serguei. También me ha gustado la explicación del funcionamiento de la magia, las reliquias mágicas y las diferencias con los guardianes de las sombras. En definitiva, me ha encantado y aunque es cierto que está destinado a un público más joven, esto no me ha molestado pues como maestra que soy me gusta leer libros de este estilo para luego poder mandárselo a los niños.
.
La verdad es que este libro lo descubrí en la biblioteca y cuando supe que iba sobre Rusia tuve que cogerlo. El libro en sí está genial, es una buena muestra de la cultura rusa, me ha encantado la ambientación y todas las referencias sobre la cultura, y sobre la superstición rusa. Otra cosa que me ha encantado es cómo la autora ha introducido personajes históricos en la historia y todos y cada uno de los personajes, todos tienen una personalidad propia, Nick (o Kolya como lo llaman sus parientes), Isabella, Damián, Irina, la Gran Duquesa, Boris, aunque mis favoritos son, sin duda Teo y Serguei. También me ha gustado la explicación del funcionamiento de la magia, las reliquias mágicas y las diferencias con los guardianes de las sombras. En definitiva, me ha encantado y aunque es cierto que está destinado a un público más joven, esto no me ha molestado pues como maestra que soy me gusta leer libros de este estilo para luego poder mandárselo a los niños.
May 29, 2009
In short order, young Nick Rostov discovers that he possesses heretofore unsuspected magical powers and that he, as the most powerful sprig of an impressive magical family tree, is in great danger from his family’s enemies.
This is familiar magical territory, but some refreshing new territory is introduced. To teach him to use his magic – and to protect him from the dreaded Shadowkeepers – Nick is brought to the luxurious compound of his large and eccentric magical family, who are all of Russian descent and quite proud of it. And where is this compound located? In the heart of Las Vegas (although I’m not entirely sure Las Vegas has a heart), in a fabulous hotel, where the family stages a magic show that is so spectacular precisely because real magic is employed, not just tricks and sleight of hand.
Being spirited away from his dad to live with a bunch of weird relatives, being forced to eat strange food (caviar blinis and borscht), learning Russian, and dodging creepy oily Shadows isn’t Nick’s idea of a great way to celebrate turning 13. However, he does figure out a way to turn the tables on Rasputin, the ultimate Bad Guy, by preventing him from stealing a magical hourglass that would have given Rasputin untold power to do evil.
Although the setting is colorful and there is lots of potential in the idea of a magical Russian family preventing powerful treasures from getting into the wrong hands, neither the writing nor the plot live up to the promise. My questions began almost at once, when I wondered why Nick had to change schools all the time. Sure, his dad (a mediocre magician) kept losing jobs and so had to work at one seedy Las Vegas hotel to another, but why did they have to live in each of these hotels, rather than in a cheap apartment or with Nick’s grandfather, another Las Vegas denizen? And even so, why would Nick need to change schools if all the hotels were located in or around the Strip?
These kinds of niggling questions kept popping up over and over as I got deeper into the story. Was it really likely that Nick would know nothing of his heritage or this huge family living just blocks away? And wouldn’t have Rasputin and his minions cottoned onto Nick’s existence long ago? And how could Nick have all this innate magical power and never have accidentally discovered it?
I was ready to thoroughly enjoy Nick’s Russian relatives, but unfortunately they never came fully alive for me. Even Nick doesn’t demonstrate much spark or curiosity – his magical skills leave him rather cold (he does very little experimenting) and he seems to have no interest in the only other person his age in the compound, a girl named Isabella. What was her childhood like? Why aren’t there more children? When did she start learning magic? And why on earth is this powerful family leading this rather pointless and shallow existence performing for a Las Vegas hotel when they could be out using their magic for the good of humanity?
The author weaves historical figures and events into the story in a compelling way, but there is simply not enough depth or richness to the characters or the plot to make this fantasy rise above the many other fantasies for young readers.
This is familiar magical territory, but some refreshing new territory is introduced. To teach him to use his magic – and to protect him from the dreaded Shadowkeepers – Nick is brought to the luxurious compound of his large and eccentric magical family, who are all of Russian descent and quite proud of it. And where is this compound located? In the heart of Las Vegas (although I’m not entirely sure Las Vegas has a heart), in a fabulous hotel, where the family stages a magic show that is so spectacular precisely because real magic is employed, not just tricks and sleight of hand.
Being spirited away from his dad to live with a bunch of weird relatives, being forced to eat strange food (caviar blinis and borscht), learning Russian, and dodging creepy oily Shadows isn’t Nick’s idea of a great way to celebrate turning 13. However, he does figure out a way to turn the tables on Rasputin, the ultimate Bad Guy, by preventing him from stealing a magical hourglass that would have given Rasputin untold power to do evil.
Although the setting is colorful and there is lots of potential in the idea of a magical Russian family preventing powerful treasures from getting into the wrong hands, neither the writing nor the plot live up to the promise. My questions began almost at once, when I wondered why Nick had to change schools all the time. Sure, his dad (a mediocre magician) kept losing jobs and so had to work at one seedy Las Vegas hotel to another, but why did they have to live in each of these hotels, rather than in a cheap apartment or with Nick’s grandfather, another Las Vegas denizen? And even so, why would Nick need to change schools if all the hotels were located in or around the Strip?
These kinds of niggling questions kept popping up over and over as I got deeper into the story. Was it really likely that Nick would know nothing of his heritage or this huge family living just blocks away? And wouldn’t have Rasputin and his minions cottoned onto Nick’s existence long ago? And how could Nick have all this innate magical power and never have accidentally discovered it?
I was ready to thoroughly enjoy Nick’s Russian relatives, but unfortunately they never came fully alive for me. Even Nick doesn’t demonstrate much spark or curiosity – his magical skills leave him rather cold (he does very little experimenting) and he seems to have no interest in the only other person his age in the compound, a girl named Isabella. What was her childhood like? Why aren’t there more children? When did she start learning magic? And why on earth is this powerful family leading this rather pointless and shallow existence performing for a Las Vegas hotel when they could be out using their magic for the good of humanity?
The author weaves historical figures and events into the story in a compelling way, but there is simply not enough depth or richness to the characters or the plot to make this fantasy rise above the many other fantasies for young readers.
February 2, 2010
Disappointing beyond belief.I figured out who "the Grand Duchess" is the moment she started burbling about living in a palace and eating off gold plates--and incidentally, if Kirov had bothered doing any research she'd have found that the Grand Duchesses lived like middle class British girls at Tsarsko Seloe. For pity's sake, the Romanovs are dead and their story was warped in one bad kids's movie already.Isn't that enough?
Speaking of research, if Kirov really is Russian, shouldn't she know that "malenkaya" means "little one" NOT "little imp", though the Grand Duchess Whose Name You've Probably Guessed WAS also known as "shvibzik", which DOES mean "little imp". But both were FAMILY nicknames NOT bestowed upon her by the Mad Monk
And for pity's sake, it may be "the Winter Palace" hotel with a Russian theme, but there's nowhere in it that sells hamburgers and pizzas for the whining children of guests so that Nick can stop HIS whining and have his junk food?
All that and I haven't even gotten to the limp, been-there-done-that-better-elsewhere plot and the incredibly unexciting denouement.
As I said at the start--disappointing. Very disappointing.
Speaking of research, if Kirov really is Russian, shouldn't she know that "malenkaya" means "little one" NOT "little imp", though the Grand Duchess Whose Name You've Probably Guessed WAS also known as "shvibzik", which DOES mean "little imp". But both were FAMILY nicknames NOT bestowed upon her by the Mad Monk
And for pity's sake, it may be "the Winter Palace" hotel with a Russian theme, but there's nowhere in it that sells hamburgers and pizzas for the whining children of guests so that Nick can stop HIS whining and have his junk food?
All that and I haven't even gotten to the limp, been-there-done-that-better-elsewhere plot and the incredibly unexciting denouement.
As I said at the start--disappointing. Very disappointing.
June 23, 2019
1,5 ⭐
Utilizare una frase del propio libro para definir la trama de la historia: "Nada que valga la pena es fácil". Con esto me refiero tanto a lo sencillo de la lectura por su trama tan irrelevante y cliché; como por el hecho de que crearon un mundo donde la magia es demasiado sencilla y a la vez inútil. Y es que durante todo el libro Nick solo tiene que intentar hacer magia una o dos veces y ya le salen perfectamente los hechizos, dejando a un lado el hecho de que jamas en su vida había realizado trucos de magia de verdad. Entiendo que lo quieran ver como algo nato dentro de la familia de Nick (y en el mismo) pero de ser así veo innecesario que reciba "clases" de magia durante toda la historia, así como que se diga en el libro que solo mediante la practica de la magia es que lograra ser un gran mago. A esto se le suma el hecho que no soporto la actitud de Nick durante toda la historia (aunque si yo tuviera que vivir en un libro tan soso puede que entendiera mas su comportamiento). Y es que no entiendo que si al principio de la historia (cuando no sabia que poseía poderes mágicos) Nick nos daba a entender que estaba cansado de su vida monótona y común; como es que cuando descubre que forma parte de una familia con poderes mágicos, no hace mas que quejarse de no querer ser parte de todo ello y simplemente volver a la vida que en un principio poco le gustaba (o sea wth).
Sin embargo, le coloque media estrella de mas porque me gusto la intensión de querer crear un mundo mágico basado en las creencias rusas, así como de querer incluir a Anastasia en la historia. Sin embargo fue un fail total.
Utilizare una frase del propio libro para definir la trama de la historia: "Nada que valga la pena es fácil". Con esto me refiero tanto a lo sencillo de la lectura por su trama tan irrelevante y cliché; como por el hecho de que crearon un mundo donde la magia es demasiado sencilla y a la vez inútil. Y es que durante todo el libro Nick solo tiene que intentar hacer magia una o dos veces y ya le salen perfectamente los hechizos, dejando a un lado el hecho de que jamas en su vida había realizado trucos de magia de verdad. Entiendo que lo quieran ver como algo nato dentro de la familia de Nick (y en el mismo) pero de ser así veo innecesario que reciba "clases" de magia durante toda la historia, así como que se diga en el libro que solo mediante la practica de la magia es que lograra ser un gran mago. A esto se le suma el hecho que no soporto la actitud de Nick durante toda la historia (aunque si yo tuviera que vivir en un libro tan soso puede que entendiera mas su comportamiento). Y es que no entiendo que si al principio de la historia (cuando no sabia que poseía poderes mágicos) Nick nos daba a entender que estaba cansado de su vida monótona y común; como es que cuando descubre que forma parte de una familia con poderes mágicos, no hace mas que quejarse de no querer ser parte de todo ello y simplemente volver a la vida que en un principio poco le gustaba (o sea wth).
Sin embargo, le coloque media estrella de mas porque me gusto la intensión de querer crear un mundo mágico basado en las creencias rusas, así como de querer incluir a Anastasia en la historia. Sin embargo fue un fail total.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2019
Anastasia😱
May 3, 2013
El reloj de arena eterno, el primer volumen de una nueva saga llamada Los Guardianes de la Magia, de Erica Kirov nos trae de regreso a los magos con un par de innovaciones. No será Nick una nueva especie de Harry Potter pues está más cerca del mago Houdini. Y es que Kirov ha logrado unir el mundo del mago de la literatura fantástica con el mago del espectáculo circense Además, le ha añadido la cultura rusa y viejos personajes de la historia: como son Rasputín, Anastasia, Houdini y Verne. ¿Que les parece?
La historia ubicada en la exótica Las Vegas nos llevará directamente con Nick "Kolia" Rostov, un alumno promedio tirando a malo que vive en un hotel con su padre, un falso mago mediocre. Al cumplir los trece años, su abuelo le da como regalo un extraño objeto que había pertenecido a Tatiana (la madre de Kolia) quien murió hace tiempo. Cuando lo abre, descubre que es una preciosa llave, la cual esconde un gran secreto. Pero el pobre no tendrá un cumpleaños normal, porque esa misma noche el mago más famoso de la ciudad se aparecerá "por arte de magia" en su habitación, el fabuloso Damian, quien lo rapta.
Cuando despierta, ya en el Hotel-Casino Palacio de Invierno, Kolia deberá procesar ciertos datos un poco rápido, es un mago, tiene un increíble don que le permite observar con facilidad el pasado, el presente y el futuro; su familia, muy numerosa, está compuesta por magos increíbles y músicos con excelente habilidad; su descendencia viene directamente de Egipto, aunque los más viejos presentes son rusos; además, tiene ahora primos fantásticos como Damian; y por último aunque no menos importante, hay un par Guardianes de las Sombras que quieren matarlo.
Junto con su joven prima Isabella, quien es capaz de controlar a los animales y que tiene como mascota a una hermosa tigre blanca llamada Sascha, comenzarán a estudiar la magia y el idioma, mientras paralelamente deberá practicar para actuar en el espectáculo familiar, el más famoso de Las Vegas, en donde deberá montar a caballo (uno fantástico) y luchar contra la tigresa intercambiándola por Isabella ante miles de espectadores.
Pero no todo será un cuento de hadas, ya que la presencia de los Guardianes de las Sombras constantemente ensombrecerán el ánimo del protagonista quien tendrá la misión secreta de averiguar lo que pueda sobre el Reloj de Arena Eterno, el objeto por el cual mataron a su madre. Sospechando de una traición interna, Kolia se creerá solo y atrapado en el Palacio, sin saber en quien confiar. Lo peor de todo esto: es que ya no puede montar en skater y debe comer un horrible menú todos los días. ¡Cuanto extraña la pizza y las hamburguesas con queso!
El libro me ha encantado, su lectura es muy facil y sencilla a pesar de que su traducción es muy "española". Las incorporaciones mágicas que le ha dado la autora a este mundo son muy innovadoras, ya que nos quita las varitas para darnos las visiones, la levitación y las reliquias. Sin dudas estaré esperando con ansías el segundo volumen, que va a llamarse La Pirámide de las Almas. Con gran interés les cuento, que la autora ha incluido al final de la novela, un prólogo fantástico perteneciente a la continuación. La idea me ha parecido increíble y el personaje que aparece mucho más, pues es, nada más ni nada menos, que Poe. ¡Deberán leerlo para saber de lo que les hablo!
La recomiendo para todos los amantes de la novela juvenil ya que estamos en presencia de una nueva heroína del buen género: Erica Kirov.
-- Publicado primero en mi blog NannyBooks --
-- http://nannybooks.blogspot.com.ar/201... --
La historia ubicada en la exótica Las Vegas nos llevará directamente con Nick "Kolia" Rostov, un alumno promedio tirando a malo que vive en un hotel con su padre, un falso mago mediocre. Al cumplir los trece años, su abuelo le da como regalo un extraño objeto que había pertenecido a Tatiana (la madre de Kolia) quien murió hace tiempo. Cuando lo abre, descubre que es una preciosa llave, la cual esconde un gran secreto. Pero el pobre no tendrá un cumpleaños normal, porque esa misma noche el mago más famoso de la ciudad se aparecerá "por arte de magia" en su habitación, el fabuloso Damian, quien lo rapta.
Cuando despierta, ya en el Hotel-Casino Palacio de Invierno, Kolia deberá procesar ciertos datos un poco rápido, es un mago, tiene un increíble don que le permite observar con facilidad el pasado, el presente y el futuro; su familia, muy numerosa, está compuesta por magos increíbles y músicos con excelente habilidad; su descendencia viene directamente de Egipto, aunque los más viejos presentes son rusos; además, tiene ahora primos fantásticos como Damian; y por último aunque no menos importante, hay un par Guardianes de las Sombras que quieren matarlo.
Junto con su joven prima Isabella, quien es capaz de controlar a los animales y que tiene como mascota a una hermosa tigre blanca llamada Sascha, comenzarán a estudiar la magia y el idioma, mientras paralelamente deberá practicar para actuar en el espectáculo familiar, el más famoso de Las Vegas, en donde deberá montar a caballo (uno fantástico) y luchar contra la tigresa intercambiándola por Isabella ante miles de espectadores.
Pero no todo será un cuento de hadas, ya que la presencia de los Guardianes de las Sombras constantemente ensombrecerán el ánimo del protagonista quien tendrá la misión secreta de averiguar lo que pueda sobre el Reloj de Arena Eterno, el objeto por el cual mataron a su madre. Sospechando de una traición interna, Kolia se creerá solo y atrapado en el Palacio, sin saber en quien confiar. Lo peor de todo esto: es que ya no puede montar en skater y debe comer un horrible menú todos los días. ¡Cuanto extraña la pizza y las hamburguesas con queso!
El libro me ha encantado, su lectura es muy facil y sencilla a pesar de que su traducción es muy "española". Las incorporaciones mágicas que le ha dado la autora a este mundo son muy innovadoras, ya que nos quita las varitas para darnos las visiones, la levitación y las reliquias. Sin dudas estaré esperando con ansías el segundo volumen, que va a llamarse La Pirámide de las Almas. Con gran interés les cuento, que la autora ha incluido al final de la novela, un prólogo fantástico perteneciente a la continuación. La idea me ha parecido increíble y el personaje que aparece mucho más, pues es, nada más ni nada menos, que Poe. ¡Deberán leerlo para saber de lo que les hablo!
La recomiendo para todos los amantes de la novela juvenil ya que estamos en presencia de una nueva heroína del buen género: Erica Kirov.
-- Publicado primero en mi blog NannyBooks --
-- http://nannybooks.blogspot.com.ar/201... --
June 11, 2010
Nick knows all about magic... or at least he thinks he does. So when he discovers that his family tree is filled with real magicians, not just the smoke and mirrors kind, to say he is shocked is probably putting it mildly.
The Eternal Hourglass, the first novel in the Magickeepers series, was a fun read perfectly suited for younger teens. Kirov blends Russian history and mythology together with our world to make a something completely different. I have seen many compare this series with the Harry Potter series, and I can see why. A young boy who learns that he is part of a magical family... Goes on adventures... Learns magic... you know the story. In all honesty, I had to look at this novel in two ways. First, from the view point of a teen. And second, as the adult reader that I am.
From the vantage point of a teen, this book and its series has the potential to be amazing. It features magic and a teen boy learning how to grow into his own skin. But as an adult reader, the novel did not hold my attention the way that I hoped it would. It was a lot of fun to read and pretty exciting at times. I loved getting to know Nick, Sasha, and her pet tiger. They were great characters. But as an adult, I had a little bit of a harder time connecting with the characters since everything was geared towards younger teens.
So where does that leave me as a reader? I am torn. On one hand, I really liked the novel. On the other, I wish I had been able to connect with it a little more. I am still really excited about this series, and hope that the second novel will pull me in a little more.
August 15, 2011
Nick's idea of summer is "a skateboard, a cheeseburger, to sleep in and goof off.". Boy was he wrong. On his thirteenth birthday, he is kidnapped by well meaning relatives, placed into an accelerated training in performing magic tricks, sword fighting, and becomes an opening act at the Theater in the Winter Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. In this first installment in the The Magickeepers series there are nice links between Russian history, historical figures like Houdini and Rasputin and plenty of magic. At first I thought I would be put off by the stories location, Las Vegas, but surprisingly it didn't seem to bother me in the least. The characters are what really drive the story. Nick is easy to relate to and Isabella is spunky with a magical talent of talking with animals. A story filled with a nice mix of magic, mystery and suspense.
September 1, 2012
I really liked the incorporation of the historical characters. That was very interesting and fun to read. However, the rest of the book, as I remember it, was not quite as intriguing.
May 24, 2014
It's an intricately plotted, sometimes hard-to-follow YA adventure that is less impressive and successful thanks to its alienating lead and his hilariously contrived friendship with his cousin.
November 29, 2017
Average writing, average story, average life.
July 30, 2018
My name is Nick, and my father is the worst magician in the world. I've learned that I come from a strong lineage of real magic, and I have the rare ability to see into the past. I've come to live with many of my mother's cousins, but the leader of the Shadowkeepers, Rasputin, is determined to get me. His minions have already infiltrated our compound! It must have something to do with an hourglass that can stop time, but I don't know how I fit in. My mother left me a key when she died, but I don't know what it opens or why it's burning my chest. Damian and Theo are the strongest magicians I know, but I've been told I'll be more powerful than them both. Maybe, someday, I can get back to my life of skateboards, cheeseburgers, and pizza.
While this book told another story of a boy discovering his new powers, the scenario was a little different. This type of character is often thrown together with strangers or new friends, but this time he was inserted him into a clan of cousins and other relatives. Isabella became his cohort in this book. I'm always amazed when characters like Nick disregard the orders and suggestions of more knowledgeable characters and put themselves and others in danger. In general, almost all of his talents centered around the family's Vegas magic act, although he later used them to help solve the mystery of the hourglass. The author included historical references to Houdini to describe the power of the timepiece and the coercion of Rasputin and his Shadowkeepers. There was another mini-mystery surrounding Theo. He was supposedly the most powerful magician in the family but allowed Damian to be in charge. It had something to do with the death of Nick's mother, but the truth didn't appear until the book's resolution. Overall, I enjoyed the story and recommend you try it too.
While this book told another story of a boy discovering his new powers, the scenario was a little different. This type of character is often thrown together with strangers or new friends, but this time he was inserted him into a clan of cousins and other relatives. Isabella became his cohort in this book. I'm always amazed when characters like Nick disregard the orders and suggestions of more knowledgeable characters and put themselves and others in danger. In general, almost all of his talents centered around the family's Vegas magic act, although he later used them to help solve the mystery of the hourglass. The author included historical references to Houdini to describe the power of the timepiece and the coercion of Rasputin and his Shadowkeepers. There was another mini-mystery surrounding Theo. He was supposedly the most powerful magician in the family but allowed Damian to be in charge. It had something to do with the death of Nick's mother, but the truth didn't appear until the book's resolution. Overall, I enjoyed the story and recommend you try it too.
December 8, 2010
I really, really wanted to be crazy about this book. The concept sounded so cool - a family of Russian mages hides in plain sight in a casino magic act in Vegas. Our protagonist is the kid who'd lived with other relatives and never knew he would have The Gift, and now has to come live and perform with his family. There's also a villainous Rasputin - I feel like the guy gets maybe a worse rap than he earned during his lifetime, but there's no denying that he can work the villain role.
So what went wrong? Well, mostly I just don't think the writing is that good. Among other things, I don't think details are always well thought through. For example, an elevator descends "with a whoosh that made his stomach feel like it dropped to his shoes." Descends. (This also illustrates the writing-quality point: I think the simile here is familiar enough that most people would just use a metaphor, i. e. "with a whoosh that made his stomach drop to his shoes." Although, of course, that still assumes the elevator isn't DESCENDING.)
Obviously the above is a minor point, but the sentences are often roundabout in that way. I felt like a good editor could have cut maybe a seventh of the words in the book without anyone even noticing. And there's frequent use of the phrase "with a ---, --- happened," which could sometimes be unclear. In the sentence, "With a single gesture, Houdini gasped," the gesture is apparently supposed to be Rasputin's. This sort of thing could be really confusing, and the phrase also feels kind of overused.
I find the protagonist, Nick, kind of inconsistent. I like him best when he's being rebellious: Yes, the magic stuff is really cool, but his new family literally kidnapped him and is now forcing him to train in things he feels very unsure about, be in their act, and eat gross Russian food, and all the while they refuse to answer a lot of questions and act very mysterious. I kept hoping he actually would try to run away or something, but it seemed like he'd get mad, then just give up being mad when he saw something else that was cool.
The dialogue and description at the end is very, very well-we're-wrapping-up-the-book-let's-go-out-with-a-big-party-ish. A lot of MG books seem to like doing that. This wasn't as bad as the Charlie Bone book that ended with a literal party (jovially kicking the villains out of the house so a bunch of young teens can roll back the rugs and spontaneously start dancing - I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or cringe). Still, it does seem kind of lame in the way that some books get at the end - they're trying to do the literary equivalent of pulling the camera back, back, back, to show you the big happy harmonious world that's just been rescued by our heroes, and they end up using ridiculous grandiose language.
Also, can I talk for just a second about getting into the vault? Okay, so Nick and his cousin Isabella have to break into the family vault to get a magical item. This is a vault full of the magical relics collected by the family, so it stands to reason that the protective spells - set by one of the family's most powerful mages, and briefly listed to Nick as "Everything from a Floor of Death to ravenous Siberian tigers to a Door of Deception." So when Nick and Isabella go to break into the vault, how tough is it? It is four pages' worth of tough for all the traps together, that's how tough it is.
The "Door of Deception" is immediately recognized by the kids as a door that wants a password, and Isabella guesses the password in one try. The Siberian tigers - gasp! - don't immediately respond to the command of Isabella, who can ordinarily control animals, but before the tigers can even cross the room to reach them (the tigers, by the way, are described as "bounding toward them," yet they have time for a surprising amount of dialogue, the observation of the tigers' puddles of drool, etc.), it occurs to her that the command wouldn't be in modern Russian, but it an older dialect, which she luckily happens to know. It works immediately. The Floor of Death appears at first to be an empty room, but it immediately occurs to Nick to check this by tossing an object into the middle of it, which then falls into an invisible pit. Oh no! Nick will have to use his levitation, in which he was trained in an unspecified magic lesson not covered in the book and which he claims not to be any good at! They never consider Isabella using her own magic, which is presumably much more advanced, probably because Nick is the protagonist and so far has been pretty useless. Needless to say, though, Nick successfully levitates them both across on the first try. The last trap is just a room full of giant spiders, which Nick easily defeats using fire powers (which, unlike levitation, the reader at least knew he had, although he was supposed to be really bad at them). Then they're in the vault.
I admit I was probably a little harsh on the whole vault venture because I just finished rereading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Still, this book's vault is supposed to contain crazy magical treasure that other mages, such as freaking Rasputin, want. Wouldn't you think it would be protected such that two kids, one of whom has been training in magic for less than a month, couldn't just waltz in? Frankly, I can see getting through all of those traps without using any magic at all, if you had the right equipment. And if levitation and fire are things you learn in your first month of magic lessons, what mage possibly COULDN'T get into the vault?
There was some good stuff, I'll give the author that. Some of the little magic objects - wall sconces that slide down the hall to light your way, perpetual snow falling around the casino but never reaching the ground - were neat. There were some cool Russian-culture touches, and the little historical bits were neat. I think I would have really liked this book as a kid, when my reading was less critical and I was more prone just to thinking, "Cool, tigers!"
So what went wrong? Well, mostly I just don't think the writing is that good. Among other things, I don't think details are always well thought through. For example, an elevator descends "with a whoosh that made his stomach feel like it dropped to his shoes." Descends. (This also illustrates the writing-quality point: I think the simile here is familiar enough that most people would just use a metaphor, i. e. "with a whoosh that made his stomach drop to his shoes." Although, of course, that still assumes the elevator isn't DESCENDING.)
Obviously the above is a minor point, but the sentences are often roundabout in that way. I felt like a good editor could have cut maybe a seventh of the words in the book without anyone even noticing. And there's frequent use of the phrase "with a ---, --- happened," which could sometimes be unclear. In the sentence, "With a single gesture, Houdini gasped," the gesture is apparently supposed to be Rasputin's. This sort of thing could be really confusing, and the phrase also feels kind of overused.
I find the protagonist, Nick, kind of inconsistent. I like him best when he's being rebellious: Yes, the magic stuff is really cool, but his new family literally kidnapped him and is now forcing him to train in things he feels very unsure about, be in their act, and eat gross Russian food, and all the while they refuse to answer a lot of questions and act very mysterious. I kept hoping he actually would try to run away or something, but it seemed like he'd get mad, then just give up being mad when he saw something else that was cool.
The dialogue and description at the end is very, very well-we're-wrapping-up-the-book-let's-go-out-with-a-big-party-ish. A lot of MG books seem to like doing that. This wasn't as bad as the Charlie Bone book that ended with a literal party (jovially kicking the villains out of the house so a bunch of young teens can roll back the rugs and spontaneously start dancing - I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or cringe). Still, it does seem kind of lame in the way that some books get at the end - they're trying to do the literary equivalent of pulling the camera back, back, back, to show you the big happy harmonious world that's just been rescued by our heroes, and they end up using ridiculous grandiose language.
Also, can I talk for just a second about getting into the vault? Okay, so Nick and his cousin Isabella have to break into the family vault to get a magical item. This is a vault full of the magical relics collected by the family, so it stands to reason that the protective spells - set by one of the family's most powerful mages, and briefly listed to Nick as "Everything from a Floor of Death to ravenous Siberian tigers to a Door of Deception." So when Nick and Isabella go to break into the vault, how tough is it? It is four pages' worth of tough for all the traps together, that's how tough it is.
The "Door of Deception" is immediately recognized by the kids as a door that wants a password, and Isabella guesses the password in one try. The Siberian tigers - gasp! - don't immediately respond to the command of Isabella, who can ordinarily control animals, but before the tigers can even cross the room to reach them (the tigers, by the way, are described as "bounding toward them," yet they have time for a surprising amount of dialogue, the observation of the tigers' puddles of drool, etc.), it occurs to her that the command wouldn't be in modern Russian, but it an older dialect, which she luckily happens to know. It works immediately. The Floor of Death appears at first to be an empty room, but it immediately occurs to Nick to check this by tossing an object into the middle of it, which then falls into an invisible pit. Oh no! Nick will have to use his levitation, in which he was trained in an unspecified magic lesson not covered in the book and which he claims not to be any good at! They never consider Isabella using her own magic, which is presumably much more advanced, probably because Nick is the protagonist and so far has been pretty useless. Needless to say, though, Nick successfully levitates them both across on the first try. The last trap is just a room full of giant spiders, which Nick easily defeats using fire powers (which, unlike levitation, the reader at least knew he had, although he was supposed to be really bad at them). Then they're in the vault.
I admit I was probably a little harsh on the whole vault venture because I just finished rereading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Still, this book's vault is supposed to contain crazy magical treasure that other mages, such as freaking Rasputin, want. Wouldn't you think it would be protected such that two kids, one of whom has been training in magic for less than a month, couldn't just waltz in? Frankly, I can see getting through all of those traps without using any magic at all, if you had the right equipment. And if levitation and fire are things you learn in your first month of magic lessons, what mage possibly COULDN'T get into the vault?
There was some good stuff, I'll give the author that. Some of the little magic objects - wall sconces that slide down the hall to light your way, perpetual snow falling around the casino but never reaching the ground - were neat. There were some cool Russian-culture touches, and the little historical bits were neat. I think I would have really liked this book as a kid, when my reading was less critical and I was more prone just to thinking, "Cool, tigers!"
May 25, 2010
Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass is simply amazing. This is a story of great imagination, magic, and the power to believe in oneself. For lovers of Harry Potter, this new series by Erica Kirov is sure to be a huge hit. Geared toward middle school age children, I sincerely feel that Magickeepers will find an avid audience that far surpasses that age range.
With summer on our heels and many young voices complaining that they are bored, or have nothing to do, Magickeepers will provide that engaging entertainment that both parents and children will love. This is a story that will engulf it's reader and send them on a wondrous adventure of good vs. evil and magic galore. I dare not forget to mention the powerful yet protecting white tigers, polar bears and a rare breed of horse called Akhal-Teke.
Within this amazing story, the author brings to surface such known names as Houdini and Rasputin, powerful people of their time, and sure to pique the reader's interest to read about these people outside of the walls of Magickeepers. The delightful way that Ms. Kirov intertwines historical facets throughout Magickeepers, brings an even greater dimension to the story.
As young Nick Rostov turns thirteen, his life is suddenly twisting out of control and he wakes up to discover himself in a strange room, complete with a ceiling of clouds that actually appear to be moving before his very eyes. He is told that he is a gazer - a rare and powerful talent from a long family line of magickeepers. His mother tried to escape while she was pregnant with him, only to have her life taken away by a powerful Shadowkeeper, leaving her infant son behind to be raised by his loving yet "normal" father.
It is shortly after he awakes in this strange room that he is told of his family linage and the struggle the Magickeepers face to keep themselves and their powerful magic hidden from the Shadowkeepers. Once Nick comes to join the family, however, it is not long before Rasputin finds him and tries to strike a bargain. Nick has something powerful that Rasputin wants and he will stop at nothing to get it. However, will Nick be able to discover what that desired object is before it is too late? Can he save himself, as well as the Magickeeper family that he has come to care about?
The ability of an hourglass to turn back time is a powerful tool, though a highly dangerous one, if it is placed in the wrong hands. Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass is a story that transcends time and age. It is sure to become an instant hit and I, for one, anxiously await the next installment in this magical series.
Now, to give a sense of the writing talents of the author, Erica Kirov, and a peek into the story itself, I wanted to share a couple of passages from the story.
pg 15-16:
Suddenly, Nick saw a flash. He jumped, quickly moving his head from left to right as if to shake the images from his mind.
"He can see!" Madame B. whispered loudly. "Tell us, my leetle one. Tell us."
Nick blinked hard several times. The crystal ball was foggy now, but he could make out a scene. His temples pounded, and for a minute, he thought he might throw up. The room felt hot. "I see..." He squinted. "I see a desert. It must be Las Vegas."
"Never assume, zaychik," the old woman warned.
"Sand. Lots of sand. It has to be Vegas. And there's...the sphinx. It's Vegas. The Luxor Hotel."
"Do you see neon?" Grandpa asked.
"Hmm, funny." Nick looked hard. "I don't. Wait...there's a pyramid. And camels."
Grandpa leaned forward. "Go ahead, Nick, what else?"
"And...and there's a man, in robes. And around him are men with swords."
Grandpa slapped Madame B. on the arm. "I told you!" he beamed.
"He's...there are birds around him. The men are cutting the birds' heads off with swords." He pressed forward, his nose almost touching the ball. "And he's making them come alive again. The man in the robes. It's a trick - an illusion. He's a magician!"
Nick's head ached, and he fell back against the chair feeling strangely tired. The crystal ball looked like a regular glass ball again. "What happened?"
"A vonderful thing," Madame B. smiled at him. "A most miraculous thing. Our world has been waiting for you, child. You, Nicholai Rostov, have the gift."
pg 55-56:
..."Well, antiquities, my dear Kolya *(as a side note, this is Nick's nickname in the story*), have been robbed and stolen, gained by trickery and forgery, and even murder, throughout time. Magic relics are no different."
"Magic relics?"
He nodded. "Magic takes many forms. The relics can make some spells more powerful, more potent. My great-great-grandfather foolishly believed he was becoming part of modern society by trading the hourglass for the watch. But in reality, the Eternal Hourglass was far more powerful than he even realized. He never should have let Houdin get his hands on it."
"Who was Houdin?"
"An illusionist. The father of modern illusions. Trickery with ether, sleight of hand, and magnets and automatons."
"Was he related to Harry Houdini?"
"Houdini took his stage name from Houdin."
"So was the watchmaker a Magickeeper?"
"He wasn't one of us, but he bribed and traded for magic relics. After the hourglass was traded, it then switched hands many times throughout history - and has been lost to us. Like so many of our relics. We spend a great deal of time hunting for them. The lesson here, Koyla, is that we learn from the past. We must honor and treasure every bit of our magic as sacred."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sincerely hope that you get a chance to read this wonderful and imaginative tale by Erica Kirov. What an excellent book for parents and children to share and talk about together! A great way to add a bit more fun to summer!
July 12, 2018
A rather pleasant book.
It lost a star because the hero was whiny and entitled, things I do not find attractive in a human being ... but I suppose you need to give the kid a break for being young. Still, most of the young people I particularly enjoy the company of -- are flawed, yes, and immature, yes, but they find more interesting flaws that persistent self-pity.
I loved the fact that it was a story about an extended family. I loved the idea of suddenly finding a huge, tight-knit clan. It would have been lovely to have ever met more than five members of that family.
I loved the gleeful Russian-ness of it all -- that's a rare cultural flavor for a magical adventure book, and it really made the story.
It was original in its set-up, and consistently interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one.
It lost a star because the hero was whiny and entitled, things I do not find attractive in a human being ... but I suppose you need to give the kid a break for being young. Still, most of the young people I particularly enjoy the company of -- are flawed, yes, and immature, yes, but they find more interesting flaws that persistent self-pity.
I loved the fact that it was a story about an extended family. I loved the idea of suddenly finding a huge, tight-knit clan. It would have been lovely to have ever met more than five members of that family.
I loved the gleeful Russian-ness of it all -- that's a rare cultural flavor for a magical adventure book, and it really made the story.
It was original in its set-up, and consistently interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one.
August 3, 2018
He may be constantly embarrassed of his father's terrible magic tricks while he performs in Las Vegas, but when Nick is taken under the wing of his magical family and taught how to defend himself and perform on stage, he may just think twice about complaining - especially when dark magic begins searching for him! Kirov begins a delightful tale that is a blast of fun and family sure to have readers devouring every chapter. Carrying the secrets of his mother, Nick will have to face down the darkest reaches of magic...and his heritage.
Read
December 9, 2020Yo siento que el libro estaba muy bien y es muy entendible. Algo que me encantó fue cuando Nick se encontró con isabella y sasha. A este libro le daría un 4 de 5 porque está super bien escrito, entendible y muy interesante. Mi persona favorita en este libro es Sasha porque es muy bonito es tigre de nieve y sería muy bonito montar en ella. Algo que no me gusto o que no entendí del libro fue cuando los osos polares agarraron a Nick porque no sabía si había sido por salvarlo o no. Algo que también fue un poco difícil fue que el libro estaba en un español con acento.
December 5, 2018
This was very entertaining! I could not put it down - there was always action happening in one way or another. I love the characters and Nick's semi-real reactions to things - he's kidnapped one day and expected to ride a wild stallion three days later. Who does that?! And that's exactly what he wants to know. The review on the book itself is right - if you loved Harry Potter, you'll love this series.
October 27, 2018
It was a magnificent book: filled with magic and wonder. Reminds me of my childhood when I immensely believed in magic. It is genuine and classic. I honestly believe that all people, age and gender deserve a true piece like this. It is a fabulous and delving book. Be sure to imagine and dissolve in it to experience it in the purest sense.
November 3, 2010
Oberezhnyj scheet predkov hranit menia
Kau, Nicholai Rostov, memiliki anugrah itu
Usia 13 tahun mungkin tak berarti banyak bagi umumnya anak-anak. Kecuali menandakan saat puber. Tapi tidak bagi Nick! Justru usia 13 tahun berarti banyak bagi Nick. Suka tidak suka, pada saat itu ia dihadapkan pada sebuah fakta bahwa ia berbeda. Nick termasuk tinggi untuk anak usianya namun kurus. Rambutnya ikal berwarna coklat gelap dibiarkan panjang menyentuh kerah baju. Kedua bola matanya berwarna biru pucat. Namun bukan itu yang membuatnya berbeda dengan anak-anak lain.
Sebagai hadiah ulang tahun, sang kakek mengajaknya menghabiskan malam bersama. Salah satunya mengunjungi Toko Sulap dan Benda-benda Unik Madam Bogdonovich. Untuk pertama kali ia mengetahui kemampuannya menerawang ke masa depan dan masa lalu, sesuatu yang membuatnya berbeda dari anak-anak lain. Ia adalah seorang Penerawang!
Selanjutnya ia harus meninggalkan kehidupan yang selama 13 tahun dijalaninya.Alih-alih menjalani takdirnya bermain skateboard, bangun siang serta menghabiskan waktu bersenang-senang selama musim panas, ia harus tinggal di Hotel dan Kasino Winter Palace belajar bahasa dan kebudayaan Rusia. Termasuk meludah tiga kali setiap membicarakan hal buruk. Serta tentunya belajar aneka trik sihir.
Yang lebih mengagetkan, Nick ternyata masih bertalian keluarga dengan Dinasti Romanov. Seorang nenek yang dipanggil Grand Duchess ternyata adalah Anastasia, anak perempuan dari Nicholas II Romanov, Tsar Rusia terakhir.
Satu-satunya hal yang menyenangkan dirinya adalah hadiah berupa peninggalan ibunya. Sebuah kalung dengan bandul kunci. Namun belakangan, kunci itu seakan membakar dirinya. Ia menemukan sebaris kalimat yang muncul dari kunci itu, Techenie reki i vremeni ne ostanovit, waktu tidak akan berhenti untuk siapapun
Dalam buku ini kita akan dimajakan dengan aneka kelezatan masakan dan minuman ala Rusia dipadukan dengan ketegangan aneka macam sihir yang hanya dikuasai oleh klan Serta tak ketinggalan menyingkap rahasia kekuatan sulap Houdini. Ternyata Houdini juga menggunakan rahasia sihir dari klan, Bahkan kematiannya juga karena menggunakan sihir
Harry Houdini lahir di Budapest, Hongaria, 24 Maret 1874 adalah seorang pesulap terkemuka asal Amerika Serikat. Pesulap dengan nama asli Enrich Weiss ini paling dikenal melalui trik-trik meloloskan dirinya, antara lain melepaskan diri dari ikatan tali, borgol, rantai, dan yang paling terkenal: trik Chinese water torture, di mana Houdini yang tubuhnya digantung terbalik berhasil meloloskan diri dari lemari kaca yang diisi penuh dengan air. Ia meninggal di Detroit, 31 Oktober 1926)
Dinasti Romanov
Dinasti Romanov adalah dinasti ke dua dan terakhir di Rusia, yang menguasai Muskovia dan kekaisaran Rusia selama lima generasi dari tahun 1613 - 1762. Penguasa Bolshevik membantai Tsar (Kaisar) Rusia Nicholas II Romanov bersama istrinya, Permaisuri Alexandra dan kelima anaknya, Olga, Tatlana, Maria, Anastasia dan Putra Mahkota Alexis. Kisah tentang eksekusi seluruh keluarga Nicholas II telah difilmkan dengan judul Anastasia.
Film itu juga terinspirasi dengan kemunculan seorang wanita bernama Anna Anderson Manahan yang mengaku sebagtai Anastasia pada tahun 1921. Anna meninggal di Cahrlottesville, Virginia, tahun 1984 di usia 82 tahun. Pengakuannya tidak dapat diterima oleh pemerintah Rusia sebab Anna tidak bisa berbicara dalam bahasa Rusia, walau ia berdalih hal itu karena sejak selamat dari peristiwa berdarah ia tak pernah lagi berbicara dengan bahasa ibu.
Dalam buku ini disebutkan mengenai Telur Faberge.Telur tersebut betul-betul ada dan emrupakan bagian dari sejarah Rusia. Telur tersebut diciptakan oleh seorang tukang emas bernama Carl Faberge, dan diberikan kepada Tsar. Yang ingin tahu lebih jauh bisa mengintip di http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/
Erica Kirov adalah penulis Amerika keturunan Rusia. Dia berasal dari keluarga yang amat bangga akan Rusia dan tumbuh dengan mendengar cerita-cerita tentang Rusia. Saat kecil ia merengek agar diijinkan memelihara hewan. Sang ibu hanya berkata, "Ketika kamu dewasa, kamu bisa memelihara hewan sebanyak yangkau inginkan." Sekarang ia punya kakatua dan tiga anjing, dan anak saya memiliki ular bernama Lydia. Ia sendiri benar-benar BENCI ular. Tokoh landak bernama Vladimir. Dalam buku ini terinspirasi dari landak perliharaan salah satu anak perempuannya.
Untuk yang ingin menyimak lebih jauh, silahkan mengunjungi www.magickeepers.com
Penggemar genre fantasi jangan ragu untuk membaca buku ini
—Librarything.com
Komen yang terbukti benar ! Semoga buku selanjutnya tetap bisa saya temui.
====================>
Kadang kita tidak pernah tahu dari mana datangnya rejeki
Seperti juga buku ini, ternyata ada "joidoh" ^_^
Sebenarnya sempat melirik buku ini saat berkunjung ke salah satu toko buku asing. Tentunya versi asli yang ada disana, & jangan tanya harganya
Kemarin siang, salah satu "Peri Buku" yang baru saya kenal memberikan buku ini.
Jelas ini membuat saya terperangah
Buku incaran diberikan dari orang yang baru dikenal
namun sudah memberikan apresiasi atas apa yang saya kerjakan
sementara … kok jadi curhat
Rejeki....
walau bagaimana harus disyukuri
THX buat bukunya Mas....
Semoga dipermudah semua urusan. Amin
Kau, Nicholai Rostov, memiliki anugrah itu
Usia 13 tahun mungkin tak berarti banyak bagi umumnya anak-anak. Kecuali menandakan saat puber. Tapi tidak bagi Nick! Justru usia 13 tahun berarti banyak bagi Nick. Suka tidak suka, pada saat itu ia dihadapkan pada sebuah fakta bahwa ia berbeda. Nick termasuk tinggi untuk anak usianya namun kurus. Rambutnya ikal berwarna coklat gelap dibiarkan panjang menyentuh kerah baju. Kedua bola matanya berwarna biru pucat. Namun bukan itu yang membuatnya berbeda dengan anak-anak lain.
Sebagai hadiah ulang tahun, sang kakek mengajaknya menghabiskan malam bersama. Salah satunya mengunjungi Toko Sulap dan Benda-benda Unik Madam Bogdonovich. Untuk pertama kali ia mengetahui kemampuannya menerawang ke masa depan dan masa lalu, sesuatu yang membuatnya berbeda dari anak-anak lain. Ia adalah seorang Penerawang!
Selanjutnya ia harus meninggalkan kehidupan yang selama 13 tahun dijalaninya.Alih-alih menjalani takdirnya bermain skateboard, bangun siang serta menghabiskan waktu bersenang-senang selama musim panas, ia harus tinggal di Hotel dan Kasino Winter Palace belajar bahasa dan kebudayaan Rusia. Termasuk meludah tiga kali setiap membicarakan hal buruk. Serta tentunya belajar aneka trik sihir.
Yang lebih mengagetkan, Nick ternyata masih bertalian keluarga dengan Dinasti Romanov. Seorang nenek yang dipanggil Grand Duchess ternyata adalah Anastasia, anak perempuan dari Nicholas II Romanov, Tsar Rusia terakhir.
Satu-satunya hal yang menyenangkan dirinya adalah hadiah berupa peninggalan ibunya. Sebuah kalung dengan bandul kunci. Namun belakangan, kunci itu seakan membakar dirinya. Ia menemukan sebaris kalimat yang muncul dari kunci itu, Techenie reki i vremeni ne ostanovit, waktu tidak akan berhenti untuk siapapun
Dalam buku ini kita akan dimajakan dengan aneka kelezatan masakan dan minuman ala Rusia dipadukan dengan ketegangan aneka macam sihir yang hanya dikuasai oleh klan Serta tak ketinggalan menyingkap rahasia kekuatan sulap Houdini. Ternyata Houdini juga menggunakan rahasia sihir dari klan, Bahkan kematiannya juga karena menggunakan sihir
Harry Houdini lahir di Budapest, Hongaria, 24 Maret 1874 adalah seorang pesulap terkemuka asal Amerika Serikat. Pesulap dengan nama asli Enrich Weiss ini paling dikenal melalui trik-trik meloloskan dirinya, antara lain melepaskan diri dari ikatan tali, borgol, rantai, dan yang paling terkenal: trik Chinese water torture, di mana Houdini yang tubuhnya digantung terbalik berhasil meloloskan diri dari lemari kaca yang diisi penuh dengan air. Ia meninggal di Detroit, 31 Oktober 1926)
Dinasti Romanov
Dinasti Romanov adalah dinasti ke dua dan terakhir di Rusia, yang menguasai Muskovia dan kekaisaran Rusia selama lima generasi dari tahun 1613 - 1762. Penguasa Bolshevik membantai Tsar (Kaisar) Rusia Nicholas II Romanov bersama istrinya, Permaisuri Alexandra dan kelima anaknya, Olga, Tatlana, Maria, Anastasia dan Putra Mahkota Alexis. Kisah tentang eksekusi seluruh keluarga Nicholas II telah difilmkan dengan judul Anastasia.
Film itu juga terinspirasi dengan kemunculan seorang wanita bernama Anna Anderson Manahan yang mengaku sebagtai Anastasia pada tahun 1921. Anna meninggal di Cahrlottesville, Virginia, tahun 1984 di usia 82 tahun. Pengakuannya tidak dapat diterima oleh pemerintah Rusia sebab Anna tidak bisa berbicara dalam bahasa Rusia, walau ia berdalih hal itu karena sejak selamat dari peristiwa berdarah ia tak pernah lagi berbicara dengan bahasa ibu.
Dalam buku ini disebutkan mengenai Telur Faberge.Telur tersebut betul-betul ada dan emrupakan bagian dari sejarah Rusia. Telur tersebut diciptakan oleh seorang tukang emas bernama Carl Faberge, dan diberikan kepada Tsar. Yang ingin tahu lebih jauh bisa mengintip di http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/
Erica Kirov adalah penulis Amerika keturunan Rusia. Dia berasal dari keluarga yang amat bangga akan Rusia dan tumbuh dengan mendengar cerita-cerita tentang Rusia. Saat kecil ia merengek agar diijinkan memelihara hewan. Sang ibu hanya berkata, "Ketika kamu dewasa, kamu bisa memelihara hewan sebanyak yangkau inginkan." Sekarang ia punya kakatua dan tiga anjing, dan anak saya memiliki ular bernama Lydia. Ia sendiri benar-benar BENCI ular. Tokoh landak bernama Vladimir. Dalam buku ini terinspirasi dari landak perliharaan salah satu anak perempuannya.
Untuk yang ingin menyimak lebih jauh, silahkan mengunjungi www.magickeepers.com
Penggemar genre fantasi jangan ragu untuk membaca buku ini
—Librarything.com
Komen yang terbukti benar ! Semoga buku selanjutnya tetap bisa saya temui.
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Kadang kita tidak pernah tahu dari mana datangnya rejeki
Seperti juga buku ini, ternyata ada "joidoh" ^_^
Sebenarnya sempat melirik buku ini saat berkunjung ke salah satu toko buku asing. Tentunya versi asli yang ada disana, & jangan tanya harganya
Kemarin siang, salah satu "Peri Buku" yang baru saya kenal memberikan buku ini.
Jelas ini membuat saya terperangah
Buku incaran diberikan dari orang yang baru dikenal
namun sudah memberikan apresiasi atas apa yang saya kerjakan
sementara … kok jadi curhat
Rejeki....
walau bagaimana harus disyukuri
THX buat bukunya Mas....
Semoga dipermudah semua urusan. Amin
July 5, 2017
This is the best book I have ever read this book 📚 has adventure evil crime heroesz and more action pack things this book leaves u in a cliffhanging thrill.💤💤💤💤🔆🔆🔆I spent all night and all day reading this to get to the end 📖.
December 16, 2019
My favorite part was when Nick managed to trick Rasputin so that he did not get the sand for the hourglass. My least favorite part was when the only place that Nick could be safe also wasn't very safe because of the Shadowkeepers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 5, 2021This book was a really good book because I think that it helps me want to read more. It is a book that brings me to the world of reading, and I like that a lot. I think this book helps me get out of my challenge zone because it's big and I think that its really cool.
February 14, 2023
This was one someone had gifted me ages ago. It seems like it's trying to appeal to the Harry Potter sort of demographic, but I remember never being able to get into it. I gave it a real chance, read a bit into it and tried to return to it a few times, but eventually just gave up and got rid of it.
May 21, 2025
Just really good fun, especially for a beginning book of a series. Enough mystery and intrigue to keep you wondering, and who doesn’t love a magical element? Maybe it’s growing up near the then USSR, but have always enjoyed the art and history of that country. Looking for book 2 now.
June 8, 2017
3 1/2 stars
August 24, 2017
¡¡YO NECESITO LA CONTINUACIÓN DE ESTO!! ¿Qué le dieron a Poe? ¿De quién es hijo Nick? YO NECESITO RESPUESTAS
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2017
This second book in this series was great. I’m glad I decided to read these
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews