Customer Reviews

Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass

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3 star:		(4)
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Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass is simply amazing. This is a story of great imagination, magic, and the power to believe in oneself. For lovers of Harry Potter, this new series by Erica Kirov is sure to be a huge hit. Geared toward middle school age children, I sincerely feel that Magickeepers will find an avid audience that far surpasses that age range.

With summer on our heels and many young voices complaining that they are bored, or have nothing to do, Magickeepers will provide that engaging entertainment that both parents and children will love. This is a story that will engulf it's reader and send them on a wondrous adventure of good vs. evil and magic galore. I dare not forget to mention the powerful yet protecting white tigers, polar bears and a rare breed of horse called Akhal-Teke.

Within this amazing story, the author brings to surface such known names as Houdini and Rasputin, powerful people of their time, and sure to pique the reader's interest to read about these people outside of the walls of Magickeepers. The delightful way that Ms. Kirov intertwines historical facets throughout Magickeepers, brings an even greater dimension to the story.

As young Nick Rostov turns thirteen, his life is suddenly twisting out of control and he wakes up to discover himself in a strange room, complete with a ceiling of clouds that actually appear to be moving before his very eyes. He is told that he is a gazer - a rare and powerful talent from a long family line of magickeepers. His mother tried to escape while she was pregnant with him, only to have her life taken away by a powerful Shadowkeeper, leaving her infant son behind to be raised by his loving yet "normal" father.

It is shortly after he awakes in this strange room that he is told of his family linage and the struggle the Magickeepers face to keep themselves and their powerful magic hidden from the Shadowkeepers. Once Nick comes to join the family, however, it is not long before Rasputin finds him and tries to strike a bargain. Nick has something powerful that Rasputin wants and he will stop at nothing to get it. However, will Nick be able to discover what that desired object is before it is too late? Can he save himself, as well as the Magickeeper family that he has come to care about?

The ability of an hourglass to turn back time is a powerful tool, though a highly dangerous one, if it is placed in the wrong hands. Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass is a story that transcends time and age. It is sure to become an instant hit and I, for one, anxiously await the next installment in this magical series.

I sincerely hope that you get a chance to read this wonderful and imaginative tale by Erica Kirov. What an excellent book for parents and children to share and talk about together! A great way to add a bit more fun to summer!

I am so glad that I have a daughter who loves to read because it forces me to read books that I probably wouldn't have picked up otherwise. Thanks to her, I have recently discovered how many great middle-grade books are out there. MAGICKEEPERS: THE ETERNAL HOURGLASS BOOK ONE by Erica Kirov is another example of a terrific book for young readers that I really enjoyed.

I thought the basic premise of this novel is terrific. On his 13th birthday, Nick realizes that he can see into the past while looking through a crystal ball in a magic shop. He also learns that his mother, who died when he was a baby, was a member of a family of Russian magicians. His grandfather takes him to live with his "family;" and they begin to train Nick so he can learn how to use his powers. The book really takes off when Nick gets involved in a battle with the Shadowkeepers over an Eternal Hourglass that can stop time. There is a ton of action in this novel, and it's actually a very fast-paced read.

So many of the characters in this novel are extremely interesting, but I absolutely loved Nick. Nick was just a terrific character who, despite his abilities, seemed very real to me. He is a young boy who is forced to grow up very quickly and accept that his life will never be the same. Although he was constantly facing challenges that appeared to be impossible, he handled everything that came his way with a sense of maturity and intelligence. I think children will not only relate to Nick and his "normal" young teen feelings, but they will also look up to him as a hero and someone who did the right things for his family.

As is often the case in books like this, the characters must face off against evil; and in this story, it was the Shadowkeepers who were the enemy. I especially liked that Nick used not only his physical skills but also his intellectual prowess against the bad guys. There were riddles and spells that he had to figure out, and he also had to use his magical powers; however, I liked that he eventually was successful because he outsmarted them!

Not only did I find the story and characters interesting, but I really liked that there was a little historical information thrown in. The book doesn't get bogged down and read like a history lesson, but I thought it was a great idea for the author to mix in real-life historical characters like Harry Houdini and Rasputin. I can imagine that there will be some readers who are interested in learning more about Houdini and Rasputin, and this book might just make them do a little more research.

My daughter hasn't had a chance to read MAGICKEEPERS yet, but I'm pretty sure that she's going to love it. This book has all the criteria to make it a great read for middle-graders including action, suspense, and adventure. Plus there's the element of magic that certainly doesn't hurt! I think this book will appeal to both boys and girls (and their parents as well.) I am not alone in my praise for THE ETERNAL HOURGLASS because this novel is already generating some terrific buzz.

While the actual story about the Eternal Hourglass was resolved, the author definitely leaves the reader with some questions about Nick and his family's past. It's clear to me that there are a lot more stories to tell in the MAGICKEEPERS series; and I, for one, can't wait until the next book comes out.

I thought the Eternal Hourglass was a great set up for a series. Right away, main character Nick is plucked out of the life he knows with his father and grandfather and placed in this large Russian family that lives and works within the Winter Palace in Las Vegas. They are the relatives of his mother and they are all magicians! I felt sort of bad for Nick's dad who also worked as a magician at another nearby hotel but he's not very good at what he does. I did really like seeing how this family operates though. I especially liked Nick's cousin Isabella and her white tiger Sascha. I like the idea of animals that we would normally fear being part of this family!

What I thought was really clever is that the author takes pieces of history and melds them into this book thus getting readers interested in finding out more about these pieces of history. It was interesting to see how these flashbacks related to the present storyline. I also liked Nick's lessons from learning how to use a crystal ball to switching out Isabella for Sascha those were some great parts of the story for me!

I think the story will work best for younger teens and older children but I still had a great time reading it. It will be interesting to see what other kinds of adventures Nick gets into with his new family. I sure hope he still gets to see his dad and grandpa!

*My rating is 3.5 stars*

The Eternal Hourglass introduces us to Nick Rostov, who, just after his thirteenth birthday discovers that his mother's family is an interesting lot with a very interesting history - they are very powerful magicians. Russian by heritage, his extended family now lives in Las Vegas atop a glittering casino where one of their number, Damian, performs nightly and is acknowledged as one of the greatest magicians in the world. The Vegas act is merely a front for their real work - collecting magical objects from around the world and guarding them from the Shadowkeepers, shadowy beings who seek (as any shadowy beings worth their salt would) to use the objects for their own nefarious purposes.

Nick is an engaging guy and the insertions of Russian history and culture helped to set The Eternal Hourglass somewhat apart from the crowded genre it occupies. The characters, while not particularly well rounded as yet, are likeable enough and some - Theo in particular - manage to be intriguing as well.

A few quibbles:

The way Nick's dad just disappeared from the story was a bit disturbing. It would have sat better with me if Nick would at least have attempted to phone him.

I was confused as to how the Grand Duchess and Rasputin managed to still be among the living. Perhaps I got distracted while reading an explanatory passage and didn't absorb it.

The story takes place over a very tight time frame. I found it hard to believe that Nick had learned enough in the available time to be very effective in any type of showdown with the Shadowkeepers and/or Rasputin. Because he was so new to the whole magical world, I was surprised that Isabelle agreed to help him carry out his climactic confrontation plan without the aid of their relatives. And, aside from building suspense, there didn't seem to be a lot of reasons for Nick to insist that they must act alone; in fact, it seemed rather reckless and foolish of him.

The Eternal Hourglass is derivative of other books in the genre; however the book has some quirks of its own and I think there is potential here for a solid series.

Among books with vaguely similar themes - boy with destiny, dark forces, special abilities, fantasy elements, etc. - aimed at the same age group, I would rank The Eternal Hourglass below Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and Gregor the Overlander, but above Septimus Heap and Leven Thumps.

To be honest I order this book because I won the third book in a contest and I was pretty intrigued on what was the book about. At first I thought it would be a book for young children but when I started reading I realised that this book is great. The story is maybe not really original but the plot is amazing as well the writing.

I love how the book introduces you to the history in a funny easy way but then things get darker and every single character starts telling and discovering secrets.

The fact that the book that the books talks about Russian history make it more interesting and educational. The esence of the mistery and the cold winters in Moscu are trapped in this book.

It's a book that I highly recomende for those who enjoy Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and similar series. It's not the book of your live, but it's well written, it's interesting and It will make you think and search in Wikipedia for some things I promise.

Son of a theatrical magician, Nick is familiar with parlor and magical illusion that can appear as magic. On his 13th birthday, though, he awakens on the top floor of the Winter Palace Hotel and Casino only to meet, for the first time, his extended family.

Exiled from Russia, these real magicians hide in plain sight among the neon lights of the casino. He learns that he has the gift of sight - the ability to see into the past. He also finds out that he is one of the ancient Magickeepers, charged with finding and guarding arcane artifacts from the evil Shadowkeepers.

Apprenticed to Las Vegas star magician and chief Magickeeper Damian, Nick moves into the clan's palatial casino headquarters to begin his training, feeling cramped by their Tsarist lifestyle. When the family finds out that Rasputin, their most powerful enemy - who after half a century of hunting for the secret to the Eternal Hourglass is in Las Vegas - big trouble starts brewing.

Believing that Nick holds the secret key to the Hourglass, Rasputin will stop at nothing to get what he wants so that he can stop time and fulfill his evil plans. Using his magic to see into the past, Nick must find a way to unravel the mystery of the Eternal Hourglass and stop Rasputin. Can he get a handle on his own powers in time to save his family and the world?

THE ETERNAL HOURGLASS is a well-paced, fun fantasy adventure. The characters are well-developed, and the intermixed magic is well-crafted. The plot is intense and holds the reader's interest from start to finish. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, and mystery will all enjoy this one!

Reviewed by: Kira M

Nick knows all about magic... or at least he thinks he does. So when he discovers that his family tree is filled with real magicians, not just the smoke and mirrors kind, to say he is shocked is probably putting it mildly.

The Eternal Hourglass, the first novel in the Magickeepers series, was a fun read perfectly suited for younger teens. Kirov blends Russian history and mythology together with our world to make a something completely different. I have seen many compare this series with the Harry Potter series, and I can see why. A young boy who learns that he is part of a magical family... Goes on adventures... Learns magic... you know the story. In all honesty, I had to look at this novel in two ways. First, from the view point of a teen. And second, as the adult reader that I am.

From the vantage point of a teen, this book and its series has the potential to be amazing. It features magic and a teen boy learning how to grow into his own skin. But as an adult reader, the novel did not hold my attention the way that I hoped it would. It was a lot of fun to read and pretty exciting at times. I loved getting to know Nick, Sasha, and her pet tiger. They were great characters. But as an adult, I had a little bit of a harder time connecting with the characters since everything was geared towards younger teens.

So where does that leave me as a reader? I am torn. On one hand, I really liked the novel. On the other, I wish I had been able to connect with it a little more. I am still really excited about this series, and hope that the second novel will pull me in a little more.

Kirov shows some real talent in this series debut.

Nick Rostov is magic. He just doesn't know it until his thirteenth birthday when he is taken away from his illusionist father and transplanted in much fancier digs with his real magician cousin Damien. And Damien isn't the only one. Nick comes from a whole line of real life magicians who hide in plain sight by performing in Las Vegas.

With a backdrop like Vegas and a prologue that begins The Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass with one of Houdini's most famous tricks, Kirov introduces readers to a world of new delights and old history. Nick's family tree includes the infamous Rasputin who is very much alive and out for power. Not only does Russian history come into play, but a little bit of illusion and magic history as well.

I would give this book a five, but there's not a whole lot in way of plot at times instead opting for background and introductory/necessary historical information. But this is sure to score with the Harry Potter crowd. Nick is not exactly an orphan, but he does have to learn a lot about magic as well as good and evil as he goes along. The similarities don't end there. For the discerning reader, the author makes sure to place references to the other boy wizard throughout without ripping the stories instead, in a way, paying homage to what's come before. Kirov sets up the next adventure nicely at the end while finishing off this first tale of Nick's foray into magic. A must read for fantasy/magic story lovers.

Much of the YA books I have been reading lately are much darker heavy reads especially for the middle school and high school groups. Magickeepers: The Eternal Hour Glass Book One by Erica Kirov is perfect for those children who are close in that age group but still have a few years to go.

Nick Rostov's father is a Las Vegas magician and a very bad one at that. Nick is a typical thirteen year old who is excited for the summer because that means no school, sleeping in, playing video games for hours and fun on his skateboard. Unfortunately for Nick his summer vacation will be very different from his past ones. Nick's mother came from a long line of Russian magicians who have actual powers and not just the skills to do card tricks. His family takes him into the fold and teach him to use his powers he has always had but has never known about. He must be ready to defend himself against the powerful and evil Shadowkeepers, the same ones that killed his mother.

The family he never knew are the Magickeepers. The infamous Rasputin wants to find Nick and when he does he strikes a bargain with him. Rasputin wants a most beloved possession, the hourglass which is a powerful tool that can stop time. And it is up to Nick to keep the hourglass safe and out of the Shadowkeepers and Rasputin's hands.

Looking for a book that both parents and their children can read and enjoy at the same time? I would say that Magickeepers is the perfect book. Erica Kirkov uses Russian history and even that of Harry Houdini in such a way that is enticing. There are some laughs and eye-popping sequences that will have most children in stitches. Missing the good old days of Harry Potter? Magickeepers is the book to fix that.

Katiebabs

This is a great book for kids. It fun and adventurous, but it also seamlessly weaves history, famous historical characters and Russian culture into the story. It'll broaden a child's horizons as well as keep them on the edge of their seat!