What do you think?
Rate this book
Time Fetch Series #1
The Time Fetch
Edward picks up what he thinks is a rock. He doesn’t know it is a sleeping Time Fetch—and touching it will release its foragers too soon and alter the entire fabric of time and space. Soon the bell rings to end class just as it has begun. Buses race down streets, too far behind schedule to stop for passengers. Buildings and sidewalks begin to disappear as the whole fabric of the universe starts to unravel. To try to stop the foragers, Edward must depend on the help of his classmates Feenix, Danton, and Brigit—whether he likes it or not. They all have touched the Fetch, and it has drawn them together in a strange and thrilling adventure. The boundaries between worlds and dimensions are blurred, and places and creatures on the other side are much like the ones they’ve always known—but slightly twisted, a little darker, and much more dangerous.
A fast-paced tale filled with mythology, danger, friendship, and a shocking centuries-old secret, The Time Fetch is sure to delight fans of fantasy adventure with its tale of ordinary kids who tumble into a magical situation.
For ages 10 and up, grades 5 and up.
A fast-paced tale filled with mythology, danger, friendship, and a shocking centuries-old secret, The Time Fetch is sure to delight fans of fantasy adventure with its tale of ordinary kids who tumble into a magical situation.
For ages 10 and up, grades 5 and up.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2013
40 people are currently reading
1710 people want to read
About the author
Amy Herrick
8 books24 followersAmy grew up in Queens, New York, in a garden apartment community loaded with other kids and plenty of trees to climb and places to run around in. When she wasn’t climbing and running and hanging upside down from the monkey bars, she had her head in a book. She started writing stories of her own early in her teen years and hasn’t stopped since. She went to school at SUNY Binghamton and, later, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. During these years she studied creative writing, as well as many other things. She found herself becoming more and more interested in science, nature studies, and philosophy. Elements of these show up in her writing all the time.
At Iowa she was given the opportunity to teach and she found it exhilarating. Upon her return to New York, she finished a degree in teaching and set forth to make her fortune.
Eventually, she settled down in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, where she has lived for over thirty years, raising two sons, teaching pre-K, grade school, and college, slowly writing books, and keeping company with her tenant lawyer husband. She lives right down the block from Prospect Park where she has had many great adventures, some of which show up in her stories.
She is doing all she can to reduce her carbon footprint and hopes you are, too.
At Iowa she was given the opportunity to teach and she found it exhilarating. Upon her return to New York, she finished a degree in teaching and set forth to make her fortune.
Eventually, she settled down in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, where she has lived for over thirty years, raising two sons, teaching pre-K, grade school, and college, slowly writing books, and keeping company with her tenant lawyer husband. She lives right down the block from Prospect Park where she has had many great adventures, some of which show up in her stories.
She is doing all she can to reduce her carbon footprint and hopes you are, too.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
June 10, 2013
I went to sleep last night hugging this book, literally and metaphorically. As I was drifting off it occurred to me, that this book made me feel exactly like when Calvin took Meg's hand: warm, comforted and satisfied. The teens in this book felt so unbelievably real to me, I'm pretty sure I am or, more correctly, I was Edward in high school. And to have that realism come together with great fantasy/fairy tale fiction was amazing. Best I can describe The Time Fetch is a cross between A Wrinkle in Time, Over Sea, Under Stone and some realistic teen novel I can't think of right now!
I agree with other reviewers that this book take some time to get into but I think you will be well rewarded at the end.
P.S. And oh when Bridgit begins to sing! It just made my heart happy.
I agree with other reviewers that this book take some time to get into but I think you will be well rewarded at the end.
P.S. And oh when Bridgit begins to sing! It just made my heart happy.
October 16, 2013
Warning: this review is very ramble-y.
I'm REALLY sorry, this was a DNF for me.
When I received this book I was super excited, despite the fact Middle Grade books and I have a love/hate relationship. The premise sounded so interesting! And, I am very fond of the cover. (Alert: Cover Snob coming your way...)
Anyway, the reason I stopped reading in that I felt the characters were flat... and two things just got on my nerves.
1. The main character knocks over a girl's purse because everyone knows that all girls hate it when their purse's contents are spilled onto the floor. And of course, "girly junk" comes flying out. And then the girl continues to growl in fury at him.
UGH! There are so many things wrong with that scene. First, hmm, a bit stereotypical? Hmm?
I know that this won't bother most people, but... I don't know, it just got on my nerves. (As I have stated above already.)
2. The author uses these annoying phrases left and right. Probably because this is MG... but I am a middle-schooler and I know that back in 3rd-5th these childish phrases would still get on my nerves.
(Note: These are from an ARC. So, they may be different in the hardbound copy.)
"A bee up her butt"
"As if a bird had just pooped on his desk"
"Wowie Zowie"
"Sunshiny Smile"
So, in other words, this book was just not for me. To try to end this review on a good note, I am going to list a quick few things that made it less of a "truly terrible" read and more of a "dislike-a-bit" read.
1. There was some sarcasm I appreciated.
2. I believe whole-heartedly the book would have gotten better if I got through the beginning. I just couldn't make it through though. Ergh. I did kind of scan the middle and end...
3. The plot was decent and creative.
So, bye! And if you TRULY think you would like this book, check out the positive reviews along with the negatives to make your decision. Also, ask friends (That is how I do it. Not that I am a genius or anything.) Thank you for reading!
P.S this is 100% honest despite winning the book on First Reads.
I'm REALLY sorry, this was a DNF for me.
When I received this book I was super excited, despite the fact Middle Grade books and I have a love/hate relationship. The premise sounded so interesting! And, I am very fond of the cover. (Alert: Cover Snob coming your way...)
Anyway, the reason I stopped reading in that I felt the characters were flat... and two things just got on my nerves.
1. The main character knocks over a girl's purse because everyone knows that all girls hate it when their purse's contents are spilled onto the floor. And of course, "girly junk" comes flying out. And then the girl continues to growl in fury at him.
UGH! There are so many things wrong with that scene. First, hmm, a bit stereotypical? Hmm?
I know that this won't bother most people, but... I don't know, it just got on my nerves. (As I have stated above already.)
2. The author uses these annoying phrases left and right. Probably because this is MG... but I am a middle-schooler and I know that back in 3rd-5th these childish phrases would still get on my nerves.
(Note: These are from an ARC. So, they may be different in the hardbound copy.)
"A bee up her butt"
"As if a bird had just pooped on his desk"
"Wowie Zowie"
"Sunshiny Smile"
So, in other words, this book was just not for me. To try to end this review on a good note, I am going to list a quick few things that made it less of a "truly terrible" read and more of a "dislike-a-bit" read.
1. There was some sarcasm I appreciated.
2. I believe whole-heartedly the book would have gotten better if I got through the beginning. I just couldn't make it through though. Ergh. I did kind of scan the middle and end...
3. The plot was decent and creative.
So, bye! And if you TRULY think you would like this book, check out the positive reviews along with the negatives to make your decision. Also, ask friends (That is how I do it. Not that I am a genius or anything.) Thank you for reading!
P.S this is 100% honest despite winning the book on First Reads.
June 13, 2013
Summary: Edward finds a rock that he picks up and takes to school one day. Then the windows shatter. Suddenly, time seems to racing by, and no one knows where it’s going. The world literally starts to disintegrate around them. It’s up to Edward and his rag-tag team to deliver this magical rock (sorry, “fetch”) to a safe zone before time is gone forever.
Review: It took me more than two months to finish this book. That’s really all the review it needs, but I’ll expand. I devour books, and I devour them quickly. If a book takes me longer than a week, it’s either really dense or I’ve given up on it. Since this was a Netgalley book, I sluggishly plugged away, but only when I had finished everything else on my reading list. There were just so many aspects of the book that just didn’t work for me.
Take a look at the characters. There’s loner/slacker Edward, whose aunt is a big believer in folk magic, and Danton, the nice-guy go-getter who befriends him. Then there’s Feenix, Edward’s arch-enemy and stereotypical mean girl. And, finally, there’s the girl with a tragic past who is a selective mute, Brigit. None of the characters really had any depth beyond those initial descriptions. They’re flat and incredibly unlikable.
The book also seems to be at least 100 pages too long. At one point, Feenix steals the rock, gets sucked into the fairy realm, and captured by three evil witches. She remains their captive for an extremely long 75 pages. That’s 75 pages in which Feenix just stays a prisoner, doing odd chores for the witches until they get bored. That’s almost 25 percent of the book spent doing nothing. Judging by Feenix’s reaction when she finally escapes, the author probably meant this section to be a wakeup call for Feenix, a turning point in which she realizes how evil she is. And, yes, she changes and becomes less mean. But it doesn’t seem genuine. It’s 75 pages of no plot, no introspection, and no growth, when suddenly WHAM! total characterization reversal. I got whiplash.
The Time Fetch is filled with obvious character growth that comes out of nowhere. Edward remains a slacker but realizes that having friends is pretty cool. Feenix is the mean-girl-turned-good, and Brigit? Well, Brigit saves the entire darn world with her voice.
I like books with character development; I really do. But character development requires characters actually develop over time. Herrick’s characters didn’t develop; they just evolved.
Final Verdict: The Time Fetch starts with an interesting premise but, unfortunately, just gets too bogged down in plot and characterization issues to be effective.
Review: It took me more than two months to finish this book. That’s really all the review it needs, but I’ll expand. I devour books, and I devour them quickly. If a book takes me longer than a week, it’s either really dense or I’ve given up on it. Since this was a Netgalley book, I sluggishly plugged away, but only when I had finished everything else on my reading list. There were just so many aspects of the book that just didn’t work for me.
Take a look at the characters. There’s loner/slacker Edward, whose aunt is a big believer in folk magic, and Danton, the nice-guy go-getter who befriends him. Then there’s Feenix, Edward’s arch-enemy and stereotypical mean girl. And, finally, there’s the girl with a tragic past who is a selective mute, Brigit. None of the characters really had any depth beyond those initial descriptions. They’re flat and incredibly unlikable.
The book also seems to be at least 100 pages too long. At one point, Feenix steals the rock, gets sucked into the fairy realm, and captured by three evil witches. She remains their captive for an extremely long 75 pages. That’s 75 pages in which Feenix just stays a prisoner, doing odd chores for the witches until they get bored. That’s almost 25 percent of the book spent doing nothing. Judging by Feenix’s reaction when she finally escapes, the author probably meant this section to be a wakeup call for Feenix, a turning point in which she realizes how evil she is. And, yes, she changes and becomes less mean. But it doesn’t seem genuine. It’s 75 pages of no plot, no introspection, and no growth, when suddenly WHAM! total characterization reversal. I got whiplash.
The Time Fetch is filled with obvious character growth that comes out of nowhere. Edward remains a slacker but realizes that having friends is pretty cool. Feenix is the mean-girl-turned-good, and Brigit? Well, Brigit saves the entire darn world with her voice.
I like books with character development; I really do. But character development requires characters actually develop over time. Herrick’s characters didn’t develop; they just evolved.
Final Verdict: The Time Fetch starts with an interesting premise but, unfortunately, just gets too bogged down in plot and characterization issues to be effective.
February 15, 2016
Originally reviewed at http://shelversanon.blogspot.com/2013...
I almost put this book back. Looking back, I can hardly believe my own potential stupidity, but it's true. My Aussie roommate Hannah picked up The Time Fetch at BEA and offered it to me. I accepted, as it had been on my galleys-to-find list, but I had so many galleys already. If I was going to cull my stack, best to put back an MG right? I am primarily a YA blogger, after all. And I wasn't so sure I liked it.
But then I started reading. And reading. And reading. I couldn't stop. Some people say "Talk dirty to me" yeah? Not my thing. Amy Herrick did better. She talked nerdy to me.
I knew I was in trouble by page 2. That's the page where Ms. Herrick described the Fetch as having insides that
It was such a perfect description, as it was universal (and therefore immediately relatable), utterly beautiful, and very pertinent. The Fetch is alive and holds many living things, so why shouldn't it shine like the insides of a living thing - namely, you?
Really, though, I wasn't a total goner until I met Edward. Edward is amazing. Despite being a very typical eighth-grade boy in some regards, Edward is brilliantly unique in his worldview. As what can only be described as a metaphysical nihilist with a strong interest in quantum physics, Edward views the whole of reality as a complete crock. Time isn't tangible, but rather a manmade construct. The smell of his aunt's baking? Merely odor molecules pinging around in his nose. Even people are merely a mass of positive and negative electrical charges. He gives an entire mini-treatise on page 17 about how the chair you're sitting in is not actually solid but rather 99% empty space and how you're, in fact, hovering above the chair rather than sitting on it.
Total. Goner.
As a metaphysical nihilist, Edward is very laidback. His personal goal in life is to disappear. He moves slowly and says as little as possible to avoid being noticed or disturbed. In direct contrast is Feenix, a neighbor girl and fellow schoolmate who wants everyone to WAKE UP! Feenix is a bully, though she would never call herself that. She pulls pranks on everyone and makes Edward's life in particular a nightmare. Of course, she mainly pulls her pranks because she can get away with them, though I have no doubt she would continue to pull them no matter what the consequences, because at least then something new would happen.
Edward is the one who starts the trouble with time when he disturbs a dormant Fetch, making it irresistible to all around him. But Feenix is the one who really gets the ball rolling when she steals the Fetch (what she and everyone else thinks of as merely a rock) at school and then herself is stolen by a trio of dubious old women.
Pulled into the trouble with them are Danton and Brigit, both of whom I adore just as much as I do Edward and Feenix. From the synopsis on the back of my ARC, I had expected very stereotypical characters, but, as with Edward and Feenix, I was surprised and delighted. Danton is a chill, people-loving jock. He's naturally gifted at making everyone around him feel at ease and quickly befriends Edward despite the latter's misgivings. Brigit, on the other hand, is known for precisely two things: 1) She's the new girl who hasn't spoken a word since she moved to town, and 2) when embarrassed, she turns even brighter red than her hair, turning her, effectively, into a human beacon. Though sometimes at odds, these four kids form a cohesive fighting unit and mesh in ways that I didn't initially suspect.
I don't want to get into the whole plot, but just know that it's a strange and wonderful mix of nihilism, old world pagan beliefs, quantum physics, and a delightfully odd yet at the same time familiar look at the rush of the winter season. I mean, really, in what book - what MIDDLE GRADE book - can you expect to find the Russian witch Baba Yaga, Celtic folklore, a discussion of the fabric of the space-time continuum, and the breeding habits of fruit flies all in one place?
The only thing I couldn't really pin down is where to shelve this book. It straddles that nebulous gap where MG and YA overlap and muddy like colliding currents. The Time Fetch is marketed as MG. It has an MG cover. For the most part, it deals with MG problems. Its protagonists are in eighth grade, which is technically MG territory. On the other hand, the kids felt like YA teenagers to me. Feenix is 5' 11" and Danton is taller, which technically doesn't mean anything, but they don't feel MG in my head. Edward could easily read as a sloth-like tenth-grader instead of a sloth-like eighth-grader. And I spent the entire book matchmaking! I kid you not! I had these kids matched and married by the end of the book.
That said, the ambiguity regarding appropriate age category didn't diminish my reading at all. If anything, it fit the category-bucking attitude of the entire novel. I love books that don't meet my expectations because they're too busy blowing the sides right out of those silly, limiting expectation-boxes, and The Time Fetch did this again and again. I've completely exhausted myself in my euphoria, so I have nothing else to say except READ. THIS. BOOK.
Points Added For: Non-stereotypical characters, folklore, quantum physics, SCIENCE, hints at future romance, supportive families/adults
Points Subtracted For: Nothing
Good For Fans Off: Fun upper middle-grade fiction, SCIENCE, folklore/mythology
Notes For Parents: Some parents may not appreciate the various pagan winter solstice practices depicted in this book. Otherwise, it's squeaky clean.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I almost put this book back. Looking back, I can hardly believe my own potential stupidity, but it's true. My Aussie roommate Hannah picked up The Time Fetch at BEA and offered it to me. I accepted, as it had been on my galleys-to-find list, but I had so many galleys already. If I was going to cull my stack, best to put back an MG right? I am primarily a YA blogger, after all. And I wasn't so sure I liked it.
But then I started reading. And reading. And reading. I couldn't stop. Some people say "Talk dirty to me" yeah? Not my thing. Amy Herrick did better. She talked nerdy to me.
I knew I was in trouble by page 2. That's the page where Ms. Herrick described the Fetch as having insides that
...shone out a bloody gold, the color of your hand when you shone your flashlight against it in a dark room.
It was such a perfect description, as it was universal (and therefore immediately relatable), utterly beautiful, and very pertinent. The Fetch is alive and holds many living things, so why shouldn't it shine like the insides of a living thing - namely, you?
Really, though, I wasn't a total goner until I met Edward. Edward is amazing. Despite being a very typical eighth-grade boy in some regards, Edward is brilliantly unique in his worldview. As what can only be described as a metaphysical nihilist with a strong interest in quantum physics, Edward views the whole of reality as a complete crock. Time isn't tangible, but rather a manmade construct. The smell of his aunt's baking? Merely odor molecules pinging around in his nose. Even people are merely a mass of positive and negative electrical charges. He gives an entire mini-treatise on page 17 about how the chair you're sitting in is not actually solid but rather 99% empty space and how you're, in fact, hovering above the chair rather than sitting on it.
Total. Goner.
As a metaphysical nihilist, Edward is very laidback. His personal goal in life is to disappear. He moves slowly and says as little as possible to avoid being noticed or disturbed. In direct contrast is Feenix, a neighbor girl and fellow schoolmate who wants everyone to WAKE UP! Feenix is a bully, though she would never call herself that. She pulls pranks on everyone and makes Edward's life in particular a nightmare. Of course, she mainly pulls her pranks because she can get away with them, though I have no doubt she would continue to pull them no matter what the consequences, because at least then something new would happen.
Edward is the one who starts the trouble with time when he disturbs a dormant Fetch, making it irresistible to all around him. But Feenix is the one who really gets the ball rolling when she steals the Fetch (what she and everyone else thinks of as merely a rock) at school and then herself is stolen by a trio of dubious old women.
Pulled into the trouble with them are Danton and Brigit, both of whom I adore just as much as I do Edward and Feenix. From the synopsis on the back of my ARC, I had expected very stereotypical characters, but, as with Edward and Feenix, I was surprised and delighted. Danton is a chill, people-loving jock. He's naturally gifted at making everyone around him feel at ease and quickly befriends Edward despite the latter's misgivings. Brigit, on the other hand, is known for precisely two things: 1) She's the new girl who hasn't spoken a word since she moved to town, and 2) when embarrassed, she turns even brighter red than her hair, turning her, effectively, into a human beacon. Though sometimes at odds, these four kids form a cohesive fighting unit and mesh in ways that I didn't initially suspect.
I don't want to get into the whole plot, but just know that it's a strange and wonderful mix of nihilism, old world pagan beliefs, quantum physics, and a delightfully odd yet at the same time familiar look at the rush of the winter season. I mean, really, in what book - what MIDDLE GRADE book - can you expect to find the Russian witch Baba Yaga, Celtic folklore, a discussion of the fabric of the space-time continuum, and the breeding habits of fruit flies all in one place?
The only thing I couldn't really pin down is where to shelve this book. It straddles that nebulous gap where MG and YA overlap and muddy like colliding currents. The Time Fetch is marketed as MG. It has an MG cover. For the most part, it deals with MG problems. Its protagonists are in eighth grade, which is technically MG territory. On the other hand, the kids felt like YA teenagers to me. Feenix is 5' 11" and Danton is taller, which technically doesn't mean anything, but they don't feel MG in my head. Edward could easily read as a sloth-like tenth-grader instead of a sloth-like eighth-grader. And I spent the entire book matchmaking! I kid you not! I had these kids matched and married by the end of the book.
That said, the ambiguity regarding appropriate age category didn't diminish my reading at all. If anything, it fit the category-bucking attitude of the entire novel. I love books that don't meet my expectations because they're too busy blowing the sides right out of those silly, limiting expectation-boxes, and The Time Fetch did this again and again. I've completely exhausted myself in my euphoria, so I have nothing else to say except READ. THIS. BOOK.
Points Added For: Non-stereotypical characters, folklore, quantum physics, SCIENCE, hints at future romance, supportive families/adults
Points Subtracted For: Nothing
Good For Fans Off: Fun upper middle-grade fiction, SCIENCE, folklore/mythology
Notes For Parents: Some parents may not appreciate the various pagan winter solstice practices depicted in this book. Otherwise, it's squeaky clean.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2022
Wow!! The words I choose to describe this book are: enchanting, exciting, magical, mystical, endearing, adventurous,thought provoking,fun and very memorable!!
To those who have read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, you will definitely love this book! To those who haven't yet read, I encourage you to do so at some time in your life! However, I want to point out that you don't have to read A Wrinkle in Time to appreciate this amazing book!
In this book you will meet four students who go to the same school, know of each other but don't really fit together....yet! Edward,a serious,shy student raised by his aunt whom he describes as" totally fruit loops". Danton an all around school athlete, good guy who likes everyone and everyone likes him, especially the girls! Feenix, a quirky girl who doesn't know where she fits in with the other kids in school. She is sort of a bully. Brigit, an Irish lass who is new to the school. She and her family suffered a tragedy in their lives that leaves Brigit unable to speak. She is a wonderful sweet heart who will do anything to help someone else 💚.
It all starts with a science project where these students have to find a rock, write a speech and present it to the entire class. Easy enough, right?? Well..." Edward thought he had picked up a rock. He didn't know it was a sleeping time fetch - and touching it would alter the entire fabric of time and space." What follows is an interesting, amazing and fantastic adventure where Edward,Danton, Feenix and Brigit must rely on each other to save themselves and the world 🌍. A very daunting task to be sure!! Can they actually fix the entire fabric of time and space by themselves?
Brigit's Grandfather sums up this book when he says " THIS IS A DANGEROUS TIME.SOMETHING HAD GOTTEN LOOSE THAT OUGHT NOT TO BE."
I saw this book a while ago at the library sale and I wanted to buy it, but was in a rush and left with out it. It bothered me all night. So I asked my friend to go the next day to see if they still had it. Thankfully they did!! It's a hardback cover that I paid only.50¢ for... what an amazing find!! This book is full of fun, adventure, fairies, legends of old, tales that I learned from my Dad!! I really loved this amazing book and had a hard time putting it down! I highly recommend this book to everyone!! 💚🍀🍀
To those who have read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, you will definitely love this book! To those who haven't yet read, I encourage you to do so at some time in your life! However, I want to point out that you don't have to read A Wrinkle in Time to appreciate this amazing book!
In this book you will meet four students who go to the same school, know of each other but don't really fit together....yet! Edward,a serious,shy student raised by his aunt whom he describes as" totally fruit loops". Danton an all around school athlete, good guy who likes everyone and everyone likes him, especially the girls! Feenix, a quirky girl who doesn't know where she fits in with the other kids in school. She is sort of a bully. Brigit, an Irish lass who is new to the school. She and her family suffered a tragedy in their lives that leaves Brigit unable to speak. She is a wonderful sweet heart who will do anything to help someone else 💚.
It all starts with a science project where these students have to find a rock, write a speech and present it to the entire class. Easy enough, right?? Well..." Edward thought he had picked up a rock. He didn't know it was a sleeping time fetch - and touching it would alter the entire fabric of time and space." What follows is an interesting, amazing and fantastic adventure where Edward,Danton, Feenix and Brigit must rely on each other to save themselves and the world 🌍. A very daunting task to be sure!! Can they actually fix the entire fabric of time and space by themselves?
Brigit's Grandfather sums up this book when he says " THIS IS A DANGEROUS TIME.SOMETHING HAD GOTTEN LOOSE THAT OUGHT NOT TO BE."
I saw this book a while ago at the library sale and I wanted to buy it, but was in a rush and left with out it. It bothered me all night. So I asked my friend to go the next day to see if they still had it. Thankfully they did!! It's a hardback cover that I paid only.50¢ for... what an amazing find!! This book is full of fun, adventure, fairies, legends of old, tales that I learned from my Dad!! I really loved this amazing book and had a hard time putting it down! I highly recommend this book to everyone!! 💚🍀🍀
September 9, 2013
First Reads Review - The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick
It's been a while since I read a young adult novel, I think. I could be wrong about that, but I found this book very enjoyable, easy to read and yet with a flourish that I appreciated, that I never really felt was talking down to me or being simplified because it wasn't written for adults. The language of the book was bold and refreshing, and the characters were fun. The story itself was a bit different, too, combining science and folklore to create a fun adventure that played out perhaps like it was supposed to be still with skill and craft.
The characters were all made different and rather interestingly, though it is perhaps Feenix that gets the best treatment, her fire and her tendency to be cruel without thinking. Though some of the characters change through the story, it is her story that seems the most interesting, because it deals with so much, with the complexity of being a rounded person and not solely good. Edward too gets a more complicated story, though his is less passionate, more resigned. It is still an interesting insight, and it is still fun, but it doesn't have the action and charm of Feenix.
I will say that I was slightly less impressed with Brigit and Danton, in part because they do show up a bit late in the story and because they don't change all that much. Danton especially remains pretty much exactly the same throughout the story, which isn't really a bad thing, but there it is. Brigit has a slightly larger role to play, but even there she has the feeling of being too good. That their stories take them together isn't surprising, and isn't as interesting as it could be. Again, it's not bad, but a bit underdeveloped and not as complex as what happens with Feenix and Edward.
The story was interesting, blending science and folklore and basically treating them all as the same. It was an interesting approach, and the ending does rather hint at the way the two areas are linked and inseparable. The Fetch itself was all right, and the threat of the creatures eating time and the creatures trying to capture the Fetch was all right, but I did feel that the "villains" were a little standard and really didn't get a chance to shine at all. Still, it was enough for what the book seemed to be trying to do, and the writing throughout was good.
And in the end it was a good book with some good things to say. Not that it was good for a young adult book, but that it was good and could be easily read by young adults. It was fun, and the characters were believable and mainly interesting. I found myself reading right along and enjoying myself as I went. So for all of that I must leave this book with four stars out of five.
It's been a while since I read a young adult novel, I think. I could be wrong about that, but I found this book very enjoyable, easy to read and yet with a flourish that I appreciated, that I never really felt was talking down to me or being simplified because it wasn't written for adults. The language of the book was bold and refreshing, and the characters were fun. The story itself was a bit different, too, combining science and folklore to create a fun adventure that played out perhaps like it was supposed to be still with skill and craft.
The characters were all made different and rather interestingly, though it is perhaps Feenix that gets the best treatment, her fire and her tendency to be cruel without thinking. Though some of the characters change through the story, it is her story that seems the most interesting, because it deals with so much, with the complexity of being a rounded person and not solely good. Edward too gets a more complicated story, though his is less passionate, more resigned. It is still an interesting insight, and it is still fun, but it doesn't have the action and charm of Feenix.
I will say that I was slightly less impressed with Brigit and Danton, in part because they do show up a bit late in the story and because they don't change all that much. Danton especially remains pretty much exactly the same throughout the story, which isn't really a bad thing, but there it is. Brigit has a slightly larger role to play, but even there she has the feeling of being too good. That their stories take them together isn't surprising, and isn't as interesting as it could be. Again, it's not bad, but a bit underdeveloped and not as complex as what happens with Feenix and Edward.
The story was interesting, blending science and folklore and basically treating them all as the same. It was an interesting approach, and the ending does rather hint at the way the two areas are linked and inseparable. The Fetch itself was all right, and the threat of the creatures eating time and the creatures trying to capture the Fetch was all right, but I did feel that the "villains" were a little standard and really didn't get a chance to shine at all. Still, it was enough for what the book seemed to be trying to do, and the writing throughout was good.
And in the end it was a good book with some good things to say. Not that it was good for a young adult book, but that it was good and could be easily read by young adults. It was fun, and the characters were believable and mainly interesting. I found myself reading right along and enjoying myself as I went. So for all of that I must leave this book with four stars out of five.
August 15, 2013
When reviewing books I often get stuck on deciding whether to judge it as objectively as possible, or if I should take some inherent facts (intended audience, story type, etc) and let that skew my rating. In this case I've decided on the latter and have given it 3 stars.
The Time Fetch isn't particularly unique-- It borrows heavily from a lot of very common fairy tales and implements a lot of very common character types. You have the slightly cynical lazy boy, the weird girl, the shy girl, and the Boy That Everyone Likes. You have mystical elders and mysterious strangers and wise-but-they-don't-know-it teachers to round out the cast. It probably sounds a lot like something you've read before. This isn't necessarily a bad thing.
The story is structured well and progresses in a predictable manner-- there aren't really any surprises to be had but you also won't be let down either. It starts with some light establishing of the main cast and goes on from there, gradually adding more fantastical elements. For the most part it's a light sprinkling, giving the reader a sense that not all is what it seems, but sometimes it's really thrown out there quite aggressively. I wasn't a huge fan of that, preferring a more consistent or a more subdued buildup in my fantasy. One thing that I can say for sure however, is that I can easily imagine a movie adaptation based on the first two thirds. The last third... I'm not so sure.
The characters as mentioned, are fairly typical. The author did not really commit any heinous literary crimes in developing them, but she took no chances either. One thing that caught my attention was the sort-of-forced school-crush. One page none of the characters really knew each other, then the very next chapter it seemed like couples were starting to form and they couldn't live without each other. It seemed like an attempt to provide more scope and personality, but it just came off as hamfisted.
The writing was well done. It didn't really awe me, but it easy to pick up, easy to digest, and easy to finish. These may sound like bad things to some, but not every book needs to a difficult manifesto or testament.
All things considered, I'll probably pass this on to my little sister and see what she thinks. I do not think I would have read this when I was 13 or 14, but it can definitely capture an audience among people who enjoy books that herald the power of friendship and about children having fantastical adventures.
Note: I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads
The Time Fetch isn't particularly unique-- It borrows heavily from a lot of very common fairy tales and implements a lot of very common character types. You have the slightly cynical lazy boy, the weird girl, the shy girl, and the Boy That Everyone Likes. You have mystical elders and mysterious strangers and wise-but-they-don't-know-it teachers to round out the cast. It probably sounds a lot like something you've read before. This isn't necessarily a bad thing.
The story is structured well and progresses in a predictable manner-- there aren't really any surprises to be had but you also won't be let down either. It starts with some light establishing of the main cast and goes on from there, gradually adding more fantastical elements. For the most part it's a light sprinkling, giving the reader a sense that not all is what it seems, but sometimes it's really thrown out there quite aggressively. I wasn't a huge fan of that, preferring a more consistent or a more subdued buildup in my fantasy. One thing that I can say for sure however, is that I can easily imagine a movie adaptation based on the first two thirds. The last third... I'm not so sure.
The characters as mentioned, are fairly typical. The author did not really commit any heinous literary crimes in developing them, but she took no chances either. One thing that caught my attention was the sort-of-forced school-crush. One page none of the characters really knew each other, then the very next chapter it seemed like couples were starting to form and they couldn't live without each other. It seemed like an attempt to provide more scope and personality, but it just came off as hamfisted.
The writing was well done. It didn't really awe me, but it easy to pick up, easy to digest, and easy to finish. These may sound like bad things to some, but not every book needs to a difficult manifesto or testament.
All things considered, I'll probably pass this on to my little sister and see what she thinks. I do not think I would have read this when I was 13 or 14, but it can definitely capture an audience among people who enjoy books that herald the power of friendship and about children having fantastical adventures.
Note: I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads
May 22, 2018
I thought the idea of this book was better than the execution. I didn't really like most of the characters, and Edward was the worst one to start off with his point of view. The point of views switching was a little distracting at times. But the idea of the story was fun! I almost didn't read this book, but my 10-year old said she loved it and wanted to discuss, so I averaged our star ratings to get a 3. I do like that she wants to discuss after reading, so that is pretty great! Probably this is just a case of me not being the target audience, because the 10-year old thought it was very interesting!
April 18, 2013
Rather unlikeable characters all around with a story similar (in parts) to the much better Boggart by Susan Cooper.
December 28, 2018
Anybody remember the TV series The Langoliers? The plot details escape me but I remember that the featured monsters were PacMan things that devoured time, space, and everything, and the climax depicted them on the horizon, munching away at reality as our heroes....did something....
This reminded me of that. Only swap out the legless, cavernous maws for bright, buzzy bee things. But keep the hunger for everything in existence.
The story follows four young teens: Edward, grumpy old man in the body of a teen; Fenix, the prankster and sometimes mean-girl; Danton, jovial, adventurous jock; and Brigit, the mute shy girl. The plot is McGuffin driven, with the device being The Fetch, an alien (I think?) entity disguised as a rock, that contains legions of time-devouring insect things.
Edward, a nihilist who believes everything is essentially nothing, and strives to do as little as possible, gets the story rolling when he inadvertently digs the Fetch up and brings it to science class. Fenix, Edward's nemesis (at least in Edward's mind), steals the Fetch, and ends up getting caught by three child-eating witches, who inadvertently unleash the time-eating foragers that were locked safely in the Fetch. Danton and Brigit somehow get pulled into the story because...reasons.
Confused? Yeah, me too.
The Time Fetch is at times charming, including when Edward is waxing un-poetic on the meaningless of life, or when Fenix is being delightfully mischievous. Or when Danton, who should have been the main protagonist, is blundering happily into the adventure. Honestly? Without Danton or Fenix, the story would have been a total snooze fest, because Edward a bitter pill. His nihilist shtick is funny at first, but ultimately, it leaves him as little more than a passive shell of a character.
Concepts like the relationship between science and myth/faith are explored, but in too shallow a depth to be impactful. The writing is lovely, but there's a sense that the story is something more mature shoved, square peg in a round hole, awkwardly into a middle grade/young-young adult context.
The Time Fetch's intended age group--middle grade--is not one that plays well with my mind, but looking at it objectively, it doesn't seem like a winner for that age group either. Why? Though the pacing picks up toward the end, overall the plot plods and well, sometimes it's just boring. (Younger me was reading Stephen King and similar books at middle-grade age, so she would have probably been bored with this as well.)
2.6 stars.
This reminded me of that. Only swap out the legless, cavernous maws for bright, buzzy bee things. But keep the hunger for everything in existence.
The story follows four young teens: Edward, grumpy old man in the body of a teen; Fenix, the prankster and sometimes mean-girl; Danton, jovial, adventurous jock; and Brigit, the mute shy girl. The plot is McGuffin driven, with the device being The Fetch, an alien (I think?) entity disguised as a rock, that contains legions of time-devouring insect things.
Edward, a nihilist who believes everything is essentially nothing, and strives to do as little as possible, gets the story rolling when he inadvertently digs the Fetch up and brings it to science class. Fenix, Edward's nemesis (at least in Edward's mind), steals the Fetch, and ends up getting caught by three child-eating witches, who inadvertently unleash the time-eating foragers that were locked safely in the Fetch. Danton and Brigit somehow get pulled into the story because...reasons.
Confused? Yeah, me too.
The Time Fetch is at times charming, including when Edward is waxing un-poetic on the meaningless of life, or when Fenix is being delightfully mischievous. Or when Danton, who should have been the main protagonist, is blundering happily into the adventure. Honestly? Without Danton or Fenix, the story would have been a total snooze fest, because Edward a bitter pill. His nihilist shtick is funny at first, but ultimately, it leaves him as little more than a passive shell of a character.
Concepts like the relationship between science and myth/faith are explored, but in too shallow a depth to be impactful. The writing is lovely, but there's a sense that the story is something more mature shoved, square peg in a round hole, awkwardly into a middle grade/young-young adult context.
The Time Fetch's intended age group--middle grade--is not one that plays well with my mind, but looking at it objectively, it doesn't seem like a winner for that age group either. Why? Though the pacing picks up toward the end, overall the plot plods and well, sometimes it's just boring. (Younger me was reading Stephen King and similar books at middle-grade age, so she would have probably been bored with this as well.)
2.6 stars.
April 28, 2015
The Time Fetch follows young teens Edward (Dweebo to some), Danton, Feenix (Edith to her mother), and Brigit as they discover a stone that holds time foragers, fight to restore order to their world as the time foragers rapidly eat away at their town, and struggle to grow into themselves and discover the good in those around them.
I would only give The Time Fetch 2 or 3 stars out of 5, but I want to give a caveat right up front: I read this book right after a fantastic one, and I read it over a very busy few days in my personal life. There wasn't any time for me to sit down and really get immersed in the world; I read it in short bites. I feel like that might have colored my "meh" opinion.
The Time Fetch did have a pretty unique and interesting premise. Edward, kind of a loner kid who's just coasting through life has to find a rock to bring into science class last-minute, so he looks out in his aunt's backyard and chooses one at random. Turns out this is a very special rock, one that should never have moved. Now the forces within, little bee-like creatures who feed on time, have been disturbed and released. Suddenly time is starting to literally fly by! The kids are in class only a few minutes before the next bell rings. They get home from school only to find it's already dinner time. They grow taller and stronger overnight. I was definitely intrigued by the concept of fantastical creatures foraging on time, like locusts of the fourth dimension! Unfortunately, I felt like this could have been explained much more if the book was longer or the start to a series. (It's a standalone; I checked.)
The plot premise isn't the only thing left unexplained. There's an entire scene with Feenix that never really ends up going anywhere. After it was all over, I kept expecting it to pop back up later in the story... but it never did. So it was really unnecessary in the scheme of things. And Feenix's name! Her name is actually Edith. Maybe I missed something somewhere, but I don't think the author ever explains the nickname.
Two of the secondary characters really saved this book for me and kept me pushing through: Danton and Brigit. I absolutely loved Danton's energy and enthusiasm and friendliness! If I was a kid again, I'd totally want to be friends with Danton. He also exhibits a thoughtfulness beyond his years that is super sweet. And Brigit is such a sweet thing. She cares so much for her family and friends. Although quiet, she shows a great inner strength.
Another redeeming factor: the Action! Adventure! near the end of the book. The story culminates in some pretty daring do's, where the characters experience a great deal of danger to save their town from the time foragers.
My library classifies The Time Fetch as "Young Adult," but I'd only hand it to the youngest of young adults. Like some middle schoolers. I'd be afraid, though, that even a younger kid would question the plot holes, and wind up slightly dissatisfied.
I would only give The Time Fetch 2 or 3 stars out of 5, but I want to give a caveat right up front: I read this book right after a fantastic one, and I read it over a very busy few days in my personal life. There wasn't any time for me to sit down and really get immersed in the world; I read it in short bites. I feel like that might have colored my "meh" opinion.
The Time Fetch did have a pretty unique and interesting premise. Edward, kind of a loner kid who's just coasting through life has to find a rock to bring into science class last-minute, so he looks out in his aunt's backyard and chooses one at random. Turns out this is a very special rock, one that should never have moved. Now the forces within, little bee-like creatures who feed on time, have been disturbed and released. Suddenly time is starting to literally fly by! The kids are in class only a few minutes before the next bell rings. They get home from school only to find it's already dinner time. They grow taller and stronger overnight. I was definitely intrigued by the concept of fantastical creatures foraging on time, like locusts of the fourth dimension! Unfortunately, I felt like this could have been explained much more if the book was longer or the start to a series. (It's a standalone; I checked.)
The plot premise isn't the only thing left unexplained. There's an entire scene with Feenix that never really ends up going anywhere. After it was all over, I kept expecting it to pop back up later in the story... but it never did. So it was really unnecessary in the scheme of things. And Feenix's name! Her name is actually Edith. Maybe I missed something somewhere, but I don't think the author ever explains the nickname.
Two of the secondary characters really saved this book for me and kept me pushing through: Danton and Brigit. I absolutely loved Danton's energy and enthusiasm and friendliness! If I was a kid again, I'd totally want to be friends with Danton. He also exhibits a thoughtfulness beyond his years that is super sweet. And Brigit is such a sweet thing. She cares so much for her family and friends. Although quiet, she shows a great inner strength.
Another redeeming factor: the Action! Adventure! near the end of the book. The story culminates in some pretty daring do's, where the characters experience a great deal of danger to save their town from the time foragers.
My library classifies The Time Fetch as "Young Adult," but I'd only hand it to the youngest of young adults. Like some middle schoolers. I'd be afraid, though, that even a younger kid would question the plot holes, and wind up slightly dissatisfied.
August 30, 2013
I received an advance copy of this book through a goodreads giveaway. However, besides some typographical errors and a few spacing issues, I thought this book was great.
The Time Fetch sounds like kind of a silly name, but the writing was wonderful and appropriate for a YA novel. In this book, we meet a cast of four students - Edward, Feenix, Danton, and Brigit. There are also a few important adults, namely Ed's 'crazy aunt' Kit, who believes in appeasing the old gods and celebrating the solstice. The other important adult is Kit's counterpoint, Mr. Ross, the science teacher. I'd have to say Mr. Ross is my favorite, probably because I am also a teacher who often goes on side tangents to point out 'the big picture'.
The story begins when Edward procrastinates on a science project to find a certain type of rock for Mr. Ross's science class. In a last minute scramble, he finds a shiny rock in his backyard. What he doesn't know is that the rock is actually the Time Fetch, which holds tiny gatherers of time. Through the course of the book, these small gatherers escape from the Fetch and the kids must overcome their awkwardness and (in Ed and Feenix's case) dislike/distrust of each other to get the gatherers back into the Fetch before they gather all the time and undo existence.
There are two things I really enjoyed about this story:
1) The author employs a writing technique that uses third person perspective, but changes its 'mood' depending on who we are currently following. So while Feenix's perspective refers to Edward as 'Dweebo', Danton does not. It allows us to understand more about how the characters relate to each other without hitting us over the head with it.
2) Herrick also includes a number of side references to mythological creatures and gods. As a fan of Neil Gaiman's work (particularly Sandman and American Gods) as well as just being a general mythology nerd, I love the slight nods to things like fairies, minotaurs, etc. as well as a pretty clear reference to the Fates.
The only thing I didn't particularly care for is the choices of insults that the author uses; however, it's a stylistic thing. Feenix in particular is kind of a jerk, but the insults used by her seem awfully childish for a kid who is 12-14 and goes to school in NYC. But I can understand why the author wrote her that way, since this is not necessarily meant to be a realistic portrayal of kids, and makes the language appropriate for younger readers who will probably also enjoy this book. I also felt like the set up took a little too long (over 1/3 of the book) and I didn't get much background on any character except for Edward. I liked them, but I didn't FEEL them, if that makes any sense.
Overall, I thought it was a pretty good read and will be suggesting it as an addition to our school's library. I will also be keeping my eyes open for a possible sequel!
The Time Fetch sounds like kind of a silly name, but the writing was wonderful and appropriate for a YA novel. In this book, we meet a cast of four students - Edward, Feenix, Danton, and Brigit. There are also a few important adults, namely Ed's 'crazy aunt' Kit, who believes in appeasing the old gods and celebrating the solstice. The other important adult is Kit's counterpoint, Mr. Ross, the science teacher. I'd have to say Mr. Ross is my favorite, probably because I am also a teacher who often goes on side tangents to point out 'the big picture'.
The story begins when Edward procrastinates on a science project to find a certain type of rock for Mr. Ross's science class. In a last minute scramble, he finds a shiny rock in his backyard. What he doesn't know is that the rock is actually the Time Fetch, which holds tiny gatherers of time. Through the course of the book, these small gatherers escape from the Fetch and the kids must overcome their awkwardness and (in Ed and Feenix's case) dislike/distrust of each other to get the gatherers back into the Fetch before they gather all the time and undo existence.
There are two things I really enjoyed about this story:
1) The author employs a writing technique that uses third person perspective, but changes its 'mood' depending on who we are currently following. So while Feenix's perspective refers to Edward as 'Dweebo', Danton does not. It allows us to understand more about how the characters relate to each other without hitting us over the head with it.
2) Herrick also includes a number of side references to mythological creatures and gods. As a fan of Neil Gaiman's work (particularly Sandman and American Gods) as well as just being a general mythology nerd, I love the slight nods to things like fairies, minotaurs, etc. as well as a pretty clear reference to the Fates.
The only thing I didn't particularly care for is the choices of insults that the author uses; however, it's a stylistic thing. Feenix in particular is kind of a jerk, but the insults used by her seem awfully childish for a kid who is 12-14 and goes to school in NYC. But I can understand why the author wrote her that way, since this is not necessarily meant to be a realistic portrayal of kids, and makes the language appropriate for younger readers who will probably also enjoy this book. I also felt like the set up took a little too long (over 1/3 of the book) and I didn't get much background on any character except for Edward. I liked them, but I didn't FEEL them, if that makes any sense.
Overall, I thought it was a pretty good read and will be suggesting it as an addition to our school's library. I will also be keeping my eyes open for a possible sequel!
September 10, 2016
I seem to be on a middle grade reading kick lately. I guess I'm looking for a book that weaves a spell around me the way 'A Wrinkle in Time' or 'The Dark is Rising' did long ago. 'The Time Fetch' looked to be a good candidate as it tells the tale of a disparate group of seventh, or eighth graders, it's never specified, who are joined together to prevent the dissolution of time that their careless actions caused. I was also chuffed at it's set in Park Slope Brooklyn (I'm a sucker for books set in NYC neighborhoods I am familiar with) and incorporates elements of science and folklore that tie it to both L'Engle and Cooper's classics of the genre.
While Herrick manages to keep the story moving, and the climactic sequence in Prospect Park is thrilling, there are missteps here that left me sad that this wasn't the book it could have been. As with all fiction, books for this age of audience rise and fall on character development. Because 'The Time Fetch' rotates point-of-view between four central figures, none of them are fleshed out beyond the tropes that define them: Edward is lazy, filled with existential angst and tries to slide through life, Feenix (nee Edith) is loud, theatrical, mean and lonely, shy, blush prone Brigit has been frozen in silence since her infant brother died unexpectedly, and Danton is easygoing, athletic, kind and generous. Of these, Edward and Feenix have the most distinguishable characters, but both are singularly unpleasant and unlikely to be figures of identification for readers. Poor Danton is given the most ridiculous task of weaving the unlikely foursome together with a bonhomie that defies believability and left me feeling a bit embarrassed for him.
On top of the thin characterizations, Herrick's use of folkloric elements feels insufficiently integrated into atmosphere of the story. It's as if she's taken a checklist of fantasy tropes and gone down it to be sure they are included without engaging in the world building that distinguishes stronger entries in this genre. For example, who is the green man and why does he make contact with the four? Why is the gathering song one that Brigit knows? Where does the Unraveler come from and where does the Fetch go when it is gathered by the seeker? It's not that all of these questions require detailed answers, but these figures appear, play a role in the plot and then vanish? How does Edward's strange aunt know what to give the children when she sends them on a quest?
I think I would have asked these questions even if I read the book at the age of ten or twelve, but perhaps my skepticism will not be shared by younger readers when the book is published in August -- I know it has a lot of fans and industry muscle behind it -- and really, it's not awful, just not great.
While Herrick manages to keep the story moving, and the climactic sequence in Prospect Park is thrilling, there are missteps here that left me sad that this wasn't the book it could have been. As with all fiction, books for this age of audience rise and fall on character development. Because 'The Time Fetch' rotates point-of-view between four central figures, none of them are fleshed out beyond the tropes that define them: Edward is lazy, filled with existential angst and tries to slide through life, Feenix (nee Edith) is loud, theatrical, mean and lonely, shy, blush prone Brigit has been frozen in silence since her infant brother died unexpectedly, and Danton is easygoing, athletic, kind and generous. Of these, Edward and Feenix have the most distinguishable characters, but both are singularly unpleasant and unlikely to be figures of identification for readers. Poor Danton is given the most ridiculous task of weaving the unlikely foursome together with a bonhomie that defies believability and left me feeling a bit embarrassed for him.
On top of the thin characterizations, Herrick's use of folkloric elements feels insufficiently integrated into atmosphere of the story. It's as if she's taken a checklist of fantasy tropes and gone down it to be sure they are included without engaging in the world building that distinguishes stronger entries in this genre. For example, who is the green man and why does he make contact with the four? Why is the gathering song one that Brigit knows? Where does the Unraveler come from and where does the Fetch go when it is gathered by the seeker? It's not that all of these questions require detailed answers, but these figures appear, play a role in the plot and then vanish? How does Edward's strange aunt know what to give the children when she sends them on a quest?
I think I would have asked these questions even if I read the book at the age of ten or twelve, but perhaps my skepticism will not be shared by younger readers when the book is published in August -- I know it has a lot of fans and industry muscle behind it -- and really, it's not awful, just not great.
November 23, 2013
Herrick's solid writing and appealing characters make this an initially enjoyable read, in which magic and time and youthful carelessness combine to create an unusual tale about what happens to those seconds and minutes--even hours--that most of us never notice go missing. The fetch, a small stone-like object found by Edward, is the focus of all the trouble that follows Edward's refusal to return the fetch to someone who understands it is more than a rock, and in the last quarter of the book the fetch releases destructive forces that threaten to destroy the world.
Each of the four main characters possesses distinctive characteristics, and the reader moves from one POV to the other smoothly. Herrick doesn't manage, however, to take us deeply into these characters, and thus they end up feeling a bit thin, especially Edward's eccentric and amusing aunt who, it turns out, knows far more about what is happening than Edward has given her credit. The book would have benefitted with more focus on her, the greengrocer, and the mystical beings who confront the four kids near the end, when the fate of the world is hanging by a tenuous thread. Too much time was given to descriptions of destruction to Brooklyn, of chasms formed, of sparkly bee-like creatures (who consume time), rather than giving depth to the eccentric, appealing characters. It's somewhat like Peter Jackson's unfortunate focus on long, dull battles--in the Lord of the Rings movies--rather than the characters who actually were the focus of Tolkien's stories.
Despite these criticisms, however, it was a pleasure to read a book whose author possesses a strong grip on the English language and uses it to good effect.
Each of the four main characters possesses distinctive characteristics, and the reader moves from one POV to the other smoothly. Herrick doesn't manage, however, to take us deeply into these characters, and thus they end up feeling a bit thin, especially Edward's eccentric and amusing aunt who, it turns out, knows far more about what is happening than Edward has given her credit. The book would have benefitted with more focus on her, the greengrocer, and the mystical beings who confront the four kids near the end, when the fate of the world is hanging by a tenuous thread. Too much time was given to descriptions of destruction to Brooklyn, of chasms formed, of sparkly bee-like creatures (who consume time), rather than giving depth to the eccentric, appealing characters. It's somewhat like Peter Jackson's unfortunate focus on long, dull battles--in the Lord of the Rings movies--rather than the characters who actually were the focus of Tolkien's stories.
Despite these criticisms, however, it was a pleasure to read a book whose author possesses a strong grip on the English language and uses it to good effect.
December 11, 2013
First of all let me preface this review by saying I really enjoyed this book. I have taught both grade seven and eight and I know that the kids at that age level would be very interested and happy to give it a go. It is reminiscent of a "Wrinkle in Time," or "When You Reach Me."
Edward, the main character, who is in grade eight, needs to find a "glacial moraine" somewhere in New York City and bring a sample to Mr. Ross's Science class as an assignment. His last minute antics leads him out the back door of his aunt's house, where he lives, and into her garden. He pokes around in the dirt looking for something that resembles a rock so he can at least give the impression that he tried. To his delight he discovers a rough, green grey rock but he has a hard time dislodging it from the soil. He pulls and tugs and then all of sudden the rock seems to come alive and jump right into his hands. Strange....it feels warm in his hands but Edward, in a hurry, just slips it into his pocket and heads off to school. He soon will find out that this is no ordinary rock, but actually a time Fetch and its movement from the garden awakens its foragers early causing them to multiply rapidly and speed up time in his world. Everything around him accelerates and a perilous universal time rip occurs. Edward, along with his three unlikely classmates, are drawn into a dangerous but necessary adventure to rescue their world from destruction.
Edward, the main character, who is in grade eight, needs to find a "glacial moraine" somewhere in New York City and bring a sample to Mr. Ross's Science class as an assignment. His last minute antics leads him out the back door of his aunt's house, where he lives, and into her garden. He pokes around in the dirt looking for something that resembles a rock so he can at least give the impression that he tried. To his delight he discovers a rough, green grey rock but he has a hard time dislodging it from the soil. He pulls and tugs and then all of sudden the rock seems to come alive and jump right into his hands. Strange....it feels warm in his hands but Edward, in a hurry, just slips it into his pocket and heads off to school. He soon will find out that this is no ordinary rock, but actually a time Fetch and its movement from the garden awakens its foragers early causing them to multiply rapidly and speed up time in his world. Everything around him accelerates and a perilous universal time rip occurs. Edward, along with his three unlikely classmates, are drawn into a dangerous but necessary adventure to rescue their world from destruction.
March 22, 2023
What a thrilling fantasy adventure, full of true friendship. These are such unlikely friendships for a few reasons, & that makes them all the more special. The story & writing grip you from the start, & it's just such a creative & unique concept for a story, & I highly enjoyed it. Brigit is my favorite of the 4 MC for sure. For characters in general, Aunt Kit & Mr. Ross are my favs. It kinda irked me actually how ungrateful Edward seems with his Aunt. Like she's pretty awesome, & she took him in & has raised him since he was a tiny little thing, & she didn't have to. & she's been great too. Feenix though, annoyed me the most. I couldn't stand her. She had some growth by the end, & was a lot better. I just hope that continues into the next book. The story, the writing, the vivid & imaginative details, the twists & turns, & more though are so much of what made this great. It hurts my brain even trying to think of writing a story like this, have it makes sense, & then all come together & connect in so many ways. Bravo to the author for all of that. So thought provoking as well. How much time itself matters, the power it has. Sometimes it feels like it's eating away at itself, & so much time has gone. Makes you realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things as well. Highly recommend. BEAUTIFUL cover by Brandon Dorman too. 💜
October 10, 2013
I read purely for enjoyment and entertainment so I am not as critical as some, however I do like a nicely written book. That being said I thought this book was entertaining and fun.
I really like clean books which is generally why I don't read adult books. This had the Lord's name taken in vain, which I don't approve of for me or my kids. So hopefully this review will others in deciding whether they want to read it or their kids should read it.
I really like clean books which is generally why I don't read adult books. This had the Lord's name taken in vain, which I don't approve of for me or my kids. So hopefully this review will others in deciding whether they want to read it or their kids should read it.
June 21, 2013
One part wrinkle in time, one part mysterious Benedict society, one part Percy Jackson, all fantastic.
July 18, 2016
Interesting combination of winter solstice lore and modern connections. Good for fans of Susan Cooper's the Dark is Rising Series - definitely middle grades rather than intermediate
May 24, 2017
The Time Fetch is the story of four Brooklyn teenagers who come together to confront the time-eating effects of a rogue magical rock. The author, Ms. Herrick, smartly brings together the worlds of physics, metaphysics, and fairyland fantasy to create a story that is both contemporary and believable. Except when it's not.
And that's where my review has to begin: with its unevenness. There are moments of true brilliance, creativity, and emotional resonance in Ms. Herrick's story, sometimes offset by neandering passages that seem to add nothing to the story and don't resonate. For me, the good was just so good that it offset the bad, and I liked the characters and time travel books enough that I recommend that the reader just stick with it. All the same I forgive everyone who has given up on the book. For me I plowed through the weak parts and it was otherwise a fast and enjoyable read.
First the characters. I liked: the believable aloofness of main character Edward, an orphan loner who cringes at his aunt's folk mysticism and beliefs, finding them embarrassing, irrational, and bordering on crazy talk; the humbling turnabout of Feenix, a flamboyant and condescending girl, who finds herself in over her head and needing the help of classmates she formerly dismissed; the impish charm of red-haired Brigit, a girl who has retreated into herself to the point of being mute, yet constantly watching and curious; and the outgoing friendly dynamism of Danton, the likeable jock who brings the four together and seems above the status-seeking or self-consciousness behavior of most teens.
I also liked the reluctance of the teenagers to depart from critical thinking and reason as events get more and more bizarre and magical-seeming. That felt genuine and sophisticated. The fog of several magic events also leaves the characters not remembering important episodes, so they need each other not just to solve the puzzle of what is going on, but also to recall what has already happened, which I thought Ms. Herrick pulled off really well. And then there is the story itself: the portrayal of an adult world gone frenetically mad - one where most adults don't realize anything is wrong. It felt true to the confusion that many smart, urban teenagers must feel today: we don't know how things got this way but, with the help of a few caring adults, we've got to find a way to figure it out and make it right.
Admittedly, I had to get over the Brooklyn-centric world portrayed. I had a moment of thinking: oh good God, here's a NYC author with a story for NYC teenagers that takes place in NYC. Pet peeve of mine, I guess. And I'm not a fan or snark or sarcasm, of which there are a few moments. But overall the challenges of writing fantasy based in a real location - which is hard to do - were well met. So, if your curiosity and interest is won over by the first 100 pages, keep reading. There are some real gems along the way.
And that's where my review has to begin: with its unevenness. There are moments of true brilliance, creativity, and emotional resonance in Ms. Herrick's story, sometimes offset by neandering passages that seem to add nothing to the story and don't resonate. For me, the good was just so good that it offset the bad, and I liked the characters and time travel books enough that I recommend that the reader just stick with it. All the same I forgive everyone who has given up on the book. For me I plowed through the weak parts and it was otherwise a fast and enjoyable read.
First the characters. I liked: the believable aloofness of main character Edward, an orphan loner who cringes at his aunt's folk mysticism and beliefs, finding them embarrassing, irrational, and bordering on crazy talk; the humbling turnabout of Feenix, a flamboyant and condescending girl, who finds herself in over her head and needing the help of classmates she formerly dismissed; the impish charm of red-haired Brigit, a girl who has retreated into herself to the point of being mute, yet constantly watching and curious; and the outgoing friendly dynamism of Danton, the likeable jock who brings the four together and seems above the status-seeking or self-consciousness behavior of most teens.
I also liked the reluctance of the teenagers to depart from critical thinking and reason as events get more and more bizarre and magical-seeming. That felt genuine and sophisticated. The fog of several magic events also leaves the characters not remembering important episodes, so they need each other not just to solve the puzzle of what is going on, but also to recall what has already happened, which I thought Ms. Herrick pulled off really well. And then there is the story itself: the portrayal of an adult world gone frenetically mad - one where most adults don't realize anything is wrong. It felt true to the confusion that many smart, urban teenagers must feel today: we don't know how things got this way but, with the help of a few caring adults, we've got to find a way to figure it out and make it right.
Admittedly, I had to get over the Brooklyn-centric world portrayed. I had a moment of thinking: oh good God, here's a NYC author with a story for NYC teenagers that takes place in NYC. Pet peeve of mine, I guess. And I'm not a fan or snark or sarcasm, of which there are a few moments. But overall the challenges of writing fantasy based in a real location - which is hard to do - were well met. So, if your curiosity and interest is won over by the first 100 pages, keep reading. There are some real gems along the way.
October 18, 2017
Star Rating: 4 stars
Note: As this is a middle-grade book, this will not be an extensive review. I find it hard to write complex reviews on middle-grade.
The Time Fetch is a story about 4 children-Edward, Feenix, Danton, and Bridget- who are thrown together after their science teacher gives them an assignment to find a rock from a glacial formation that is said to be located in their local park. Edward is your traditional slacker so he waits to the last minute to complete the assignment by stealing, what he thinks, is a rock from his aunt’s garden. When he presents it in class, he passes it around to his fellow students Feenix, Bridget, and Danton, but the next day Feenix disappears so the other three go in search of her. After finding her, they realize the reason she disappeared is because of the supposed rock and then, they go on an adventure to discover what the rock actually is and why it is affecting their world the way it is.
As I was reading this book, I started to realize that our main characters are not like other children their age. Danton and Feenix has ADHD, Bridget has gone mute because of PTSD, and Edward is somewhere on the autism spectrum. I got the impression that they were part of a resource class, especially since they are in every class together, their teachers pay extra attention to them, try to keep them focused, and work more closely with them, and their classes are more informal. Even though I was not in resource classes in school, I do know what they are like because I have friends and cousins that are and were so I recognized that their classes followed these patterns.
I also really liked the story-line as it was very engaging and interesting. I don’t want to spoil it, but it wasn’t a story that I read before so I enjoyed it immensely, and it is the main reason why I rated this book 4 stars. It kept me entertained and snuggled in my bed for a nice couple of hours, and if you want something like that, then you should read this book.
Note: As this is a middle-grade book, this will not be an extensive review. I find it hard to write complex reviews on middle-grade.
The Time Fetch is a story about 4 children-Edward, Feenix, Danton, and Bridget- who are thrown together after their science teacher gives them an assignment to find a rock from a glacial formation that is said to be located in their local park. Edward is your traditional slacker so he waits to the last minute to complete the assignment by stealing, what he thinks, is a rock from his aunt’s garden. When he presents it in class, he passes it around to his fellow students Feenix, Bridget, and Danton, but the next day Feenix disappears so the other three go in search of her. After finding her, they realize the reason she disappeared is because of the supposed rock and then, they go on an adventure to discover what the rock actually is and why it is affecting their world the way it is.
As I was reading this book, I started to realize that our main characters are not like other children their age. Danton and Feenix has ADHD, Bridget has gone mute because of PTSD, and Edward is somewhere on the autism spectrum. I got the impression that they were part of a resource class, especially since they are in every class together, their teachers pay extra attention to them, try to keep them focused, and work more closely with them, and their classes are more informal. Even though I was not in resource classes in school, I do know what they are like because I have friends and cousins that are and were so I recognized that their classes followed these patterns.
I also really liked the story-line as it was very engaging and interesting. I don’t want to spoil it, but it wasn’t a story that I read before so I enjoyed it immensely, and it is the main reason why I rated this book 4 stars. It kept me entertained and snuggled in my bed for a nice couple of hours, and if you want something like that, then you should read this book.
March 7, 2022
THE TIME FETCH by Amy Herrick
We have not reviewed a YA book in quite a while. THE TIME FETCH is a reread for us and it was well-worth reading again.
The School Library Journal describes THE TIME FETCH thus:
Grade 5-8 -This transcendent middle-grade debut could almost be subtitled "A Young Person's Guide to Existentialism.”
______________
The following plot summary is from the publisher’s (Algonquin Young Readers) website:
Under normal circumstances, a Time Fetch sends out it foragers to collect only those moments that will never be missed or regretted. It then rests, waiting to be called back by the Keeper, who distributes the gathered time where it is needed in our world and others.
When Edward mistakes a sleeping Fetch for an ordinary rock, he awakes its foragers early, and they begin to multiply and gobble up time. Soon the bell rings to end class just as it’s begun. Buses race down streets, too far behind schedule to stop for passengers. Buildings and sidewalks begin to disappear as the whole fabric of the universe starts to unravel.
To try to stop the foragers, Edward must depend on the help of his classmates Feenix, Danton, and Brigit – whether he like it or not. They will have touched the Fetch, and it has drawn them together ina strange and thrilling adventure in which the boundaries between worlds and dimensions are blurred. The places and creatures on the other side are much like the ones they’ve always known – but slightly twisted, a little darker, and much more dangerous.
_______________
In so many ways this book reminded me of a children’s version of Stephen King’s TALISMAN. It is not as dark nor as scary, but conjures many of the same questions about the nature of reality by distorting the realities between various dimensions in mind-bending ways. THE TIME FETCH would be an excellent gift for any good reader at the 5th to 8th grade reading level who enjoys somewhat frightening fantasy / action adventure stories.
This review first appeared at: https://www.facebook.com/BooksReadand...
We have not reviewed a YA book in quite a while. THE TIME FETCH is a reread for us and it was well-worth reading again.
The School Library Journal describes THE TIME FETCH thus:
Grade 5-8 -This transcendent middle-grade debut could almost be subtitled "A Young Person's Guide to Existentialism.”
______________
The following plot summary is from the publisher’s (Algonquin Young Readers) website:
Under normal circumstances, a Time Fetch sends out it foragers to collect only those moments that will never be missed or regretted. It then rests, waiting to be called back by the Keeper, who distributes the gathered time where it is needed in our world and others.
When Edward mistakes a sleeping Fetch for an ordinary rock, he awakes its foragers early, and they begin to multiply and gobble up time. Soon the bell rings to end class just as it’s begun. Buses race down streets, too far behind schedule to stop for passengers. Buildings and sidewalks begin to disappear as the whole fabric of the universe starts to unravel.
To try to stop the foragers, Edward must depend on the help of his classmates Feenix, Danton, and Brigit – whether he like it or not. They will have touched the Fetch, and it has drawn them together ina strange and thrilling adventure in which the boundaries between worlds and dimensions are blurred. The places and creatures on the other side are much like the ones they’ve always known – but slightly twisted, a little darker, and much more dangerous.
_______________
In so many ways this book reminded me of a children’s version of Stephen King’s TALISMAN. It is not as dark nor as scary, but conjures many of the same questions about the nature of reality by distorting the realities between various dimensions in mind-bending ways. THE TIME FETCH would be an excellent gift for any good reader at the 5th to 8th grade reading level who enjoys somewhat frightening fantasy / action adventure stories.
This review first appeared at: https://www.facebook.com/BooksReadand...
June 3, 2020
This is the kind of book that I absolutely loved but would probably never recommend to anyone else unless they were a heavy reader looking for something weird and quick. The start of the book is a hundred pages or so of almost entirely realistic fiction detailing the life and hard times of the main characters, who are in high school and have static but engaging personalities. Then the fantasy begins very suddenly, but rather than introducing the actual Time Fetch described in the book's blurb and introduced in the prologue, Feenix is trapped by a bunch of witches. The actual premise- that the creatures in the Fetch are stealing time- is a pretty small portion of the book overall. The plot is disjointed, the fantasy elements left unexplained and surreal, and the whole thing has the impression of a strange dream. It's not a 'good' book, but it left a strong impression on me and I loved reading it.
October 4, 2022
Technically I read this book. I read about 100 pages physically and listened to the rest on audio. I think it has pretty good depth for a middle grade book. Really good characters, too. Good writing. This leaned more fantasy than the science fiction I was hoping for. The climax suffered a bit. I don’t know if this is because I listened to it or if it’s because it just wasn’t that strong. I don’t listen to audiobooks very often. It felt like when I watch a movie while also doing stuff on my phone. I know I missed little details, but I got the gist of it. I definitely plan to go back and finish reading the last 2/3rds physically to get the full experience I’m used to. I’ll update my rating if it feels appropriate.
December 3, 2017
3.5 stars
This book is geared towards middle schoolers.
I really enjoyed reading this book! So much action, science, fairytale and folklore when into this.
It was a fast read for me.
It’s an interesting take on time and space. I thought it was going to be a time travel book but I was wrong. It deals with time but mainly what happens if time is taken from us. Everything goes into chaos.
Don’t take time for granted!
This book is geared towards middle schoolers.
I really enjoyed reading this book! So much action, science, fairytale and folklore when into this.
It was a fast read for me.
It’s an interesting take on time and space. I thought it was going to be a time travel book but I was wrong. It deals with time but mainly what happens if time is taken from us. Everything goes into chaos.
Don’t take time for granted!
March 2, 2023
I'v read this book over and over for many years and i'v gotta say, it's an extremely interesting book with a very in depth and intriguing story. The book itself roughly has 320 pages meaning it can last you a decent amount of time if reading at a somewhat slower-medium speed pace while still keeping you interested with the story and what will happen next. In the end, the book is extremely good and i would recommend it to other people.
September 21, 2023
This book was a complicated because the flow of the book was a little bumpy. I thought this book was going to have a cool theme because of the time warp topic. But, it ended up being a complex and weird time theme. Besides all that i liked the characters, how they were alike and different at the same time
February 23, 2019
I would probably give this book 2.5 stars if Goodreads allowed it.
It wasn't terrible, and there were some fun moments, but I would not have finished the book if I hadn't been listening to it with my boys. The plot was not well-constructed, and I found the book sort of tedious in places.
It wasn't terrible, and there were some fun moments, but I would not have finished the book if I hadn't been listening to it with my boys. The plot was not well-constructed, and I found the book sort of tedious in places.
October 27, 2017
Not a good book, I don't recommend it.
April 2, 2018
Many typos but a very good story line with great character development. Definitely should have a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews