The Gate of Days (The Book of Time 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Guillaume Prevost (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Ancient Greek prophecies. Exploding volcanoes. Chicago gangsters. Just another day in the life for Sam Faulkner in this propulsive sequel to THE BOOK OF TIME!

Sam Faulkner now knows his father is trapped in Vlad Tepes's castle, but he can't save him without the seven coins that will allow him to direct his travel to the right year in Time. So he sets off on a desperate journey through the ages to collect the coins -- to the oracle at Delphi, Pompeii before Mt. Vesuvius -- even Chicago in 1932, where he meets his seven-year-old grandfather. But things get wilder still when he finally finds his father, who is sick, dying, raving . . . and who insists they must rescue Sam's dead mother from Time!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Sam, who discovered in The Book of Time (2007) that his father traveled back in time and was imprisoned by Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), tries to transport himself back to fifteenth-century Wallachia. Unfortunately, time-travel snafus land him in ancient Greece and Depression-era America and Canada along the way. Though Sam has a full measure of courage, his quick wits and measured reflections prove just as essential to his mission. A crucial code depends upon knowledge of Roman numerals. From the exciting jacket art to the cliff-hanger ending, the second book in the Book of Time trilogy is a winner. Grades 5-8. --Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"From the exciting jacket art to the cliff-hanger ending, the second book in the Book of Time trilogy is a winner." - Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; Tra Rep edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439883806
• ISBN-13: 978-0439883801
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,160,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More enjoyable than the original, December 17, 2008

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gate Of Days (The Book Of Time II) (Hardcover)

Sam Faulkner's life is unusual and complicated. His mother died in a car crash, and his father Allan has disappeared from their antique bookstore. While searching the store, Sam discovers a secret room with clues and messages that Allan is trapped in time --- in the year 1462 in Bran, the castle of Vlad Tepes, popularly known as Dracula.

Through trial and error, Sam has figured out how to travel through time, but he cannot predict when, or where, he lands. These trips are taking their toll on him, and returning to the present is almost impossible to control. Even worse, explaining his long absences and devising excuses for the condition of his appearance after he comes back are proving to be more difficult and less believable.

Sam lives with his grandparents, Aunt Evelyn and Cousin Lily. Because of Sam's behavior and his lengthy unexplained disappearances, Evelyn is convinced that Sam is on drugs and corrupting Lily. Evelyn warns Lily to stay away from Sam and, with the support of her boyfriend Rudolf, threatens to send him to a military school if he doesn't change his ways. But Lily stands by her cousin and even joins Sam on his quest to rescue his father.

In THE GATE OF DAYS, Sam and Lily travel to a cave in prehistoric times, to the days of Roman slavery and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and to Depression-era Chicago, where they meet a special relative and get help from some kind-hearted neighbors. They also encounter a travel guide along the way. But can he be trusted? And who is trying to prevent Sam from returning after his trips through time?

In this sequel to THE BOOK OF TIME, the suspense and danger at home in the present and at the unpredictable destinations in the past build as Sam and Lily seek out their ultimate destination to rescue Sam's father. Because of the building tension and the character development of both young protagonists, I enjoyed Book II more than the original. Also appealing are the gentle history lessons Sam and Lily experience as they travel through time and meet famous and not-so-famous individuals. The ending has a twist that I didn't anticipate, and I look forward to following them on their adventures through time in Book III: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.

--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt ([e-mail])

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars adult who also likes children's books, January 30, 2009

By 

Lori "book fanatic" (peoria, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gate Of Days (The Book Of Time II) (Hardcover)

I Really enjoyed this book, and the one that came before it. I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy! There is a lot to be learned from this series about other times and places even though it is fantasy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better the the first Book of Time!, May 5, 2009

By 

C. Hoover "LibraryLady" (Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gate Of Days (The Book Of Time II) (Hardcover)

I became hooked on this trilogy series instantly and now will await the third book in September....This writer takes the reader back in time again and again and leaves you wanting more. Working in a K8 library I am constantly reading Juv. Fiction as to be able to give the kids some great reading ideas! This is for lovers of adventure and mystery. Adults and kids alike!