Max and the Gatekeeper (Paperback)

~ James Todd Cochrane (Author), Susan K. Szepanski (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A war has been waging for centuries; a magical and technological battle between good and evil. This conflict will affect life everywhere, but not everyone is aware it exists. When twelve-year old Max Rigdon is sent to stay with his grandfather for the summer, he unwillingly enters the fight. The day Max steps off the bus he is marked with an evil curse and immediately becomes the target of evil men and creatures with designs on ruling the universe. Not only does this curse cause Max physical pain but it allows his enemies to track and find him. He soon learns that the reason for this unwanted attention is because his grandfather is the keeper of a gateway; a powerful machine that makes travel to hundreds of strange unknown worlds possible. The enemy will do anything to gain possession of this power in their quest to control all worlds. With the help of his friend Cindy and others, Max must quickly learn the necessary skills to survive if he is to avoid the deadly trap that has been planned for him and his grandfather. A trap that has been decades in the making with Max as the missing piece. If successful it will change life as we know it.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Dark Moon Publishing Inc. (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979720214
• ISBN-13: 978-0979720215
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #218,156 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars All-out adventure for young readers, October 31, 2008

By	Justin Gaines "Corporate Rocker" (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Max and the Gatekeeper is the debut novel from James Todd Cochrane. The first in a planned series for young readers, Max and the Gatekeeper follows the adventures of 12-year old Max Rigdon, who is less than thrilled to be sent to his Grandpa's house for the summer. Immediately upon arrival, weird things start happening, and Max suspects his Grandpa has a secret. Along with his new friend Cindy, Max encounters adventures - and danger - beyond his wildest dreams, and far beyond the world he knows.

The Good: Max and the Gatekeeper is a fast-paced tale with plenty of action and a potent mix of magic, technology, creatures and characters, and just the right amount of violence. The premise Cochrane builds here could lead to numerous storylines in the future, so you definitely get a sense that there are more stories ahead. The spells and gadgets should appeal to young readers, especially those looking for a new adventure now that the Harry Potter series has come to an end.

The Bad: Despite Max and the Gatekeeper's potential appeal to young readers, it's not the kind of novel that adults will enjoy like they would a Harry Potter or His Dark Materials book. There's not much in the way of character development, and the pace of the story, while ideal for kids, makes the story feel rushed and not fully developed. I also had a problem with what seemed like an arbitrary division of characters into either "good" or "evil" categories. Exactly what made certain characters "evil" was never adequately explained.

The Verdict: While not without its flaws, Max and the Gatekeeper is still an entertaining debut novel from a promising writer. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to young readers, but parents and adult fans of this kind of fiction probably won't get as much out of it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book, November 21, 2008

A Kid's Review

Hi, my name is Rachel. This is the best book I have ever read and I've read a lot of books. I could read this book a thousand times... over and over again. I love the way chapters end making me want to read the next. I love when they travel to other worlds and the strange creatures.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Entertaining New Fantasy Story, September 11, 2007

By	Ray Thomas (Salt Lake City, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Max and the Gatekeeper (Hardcover)

Recently read Max and the Gatekeeper. As a grandparent, I am always on the lookout for good books, with entertaining stories that don't offend, for my grandchildren, my children and myself. I found this book to be just that. If you want a captivating story that entertains and holds your attention, you will want to read this book. Plus it leaves open the possibility of additional adventures for Max and his friends. It is an excellent replacement for HP.