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Time Fetch

Time Fetch  by Amy Herrick is an entertaining read for those who enjoy tales of world's colliding, mayhem ensuing, and children having to band together to save the day. I love stories of this ilk and was delighted to receive an e-galley. It has some strong points, but unfortunately the weak points of the book began to overwhelm them for me.

Synopsis:
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.

Time Fetch is a story of the fine wall between our world and the "other" world, and what happen when that line is blurred. It is an interesting look at pagan mythos with a dash of modern science. The latter is a bit didactic and that was one of the things I found to be annoying. The plot is an adventurous one full of action and mystery. There are some holes in the story that were never completely filled up. So many questions about the world building and mechanisms of the forces at work are left unanswered. This is probably an issue the intended audience won't have. 

There are four main characters and they all contribute different strengths to the plot. They are fairly typical for this type of MG book and not terribly dimensional, though they play their needed parts well. They are middle school students through and through, experimenting with growing up but also clinging to the last vestiges of their childhoods. I think that most middle school readers will be able to find one of them to relate too. 

While not the strongest MG novel of this type, Time Fetch is certainly an entertaining read. It is not one I could love myself, but would be great to have on hand for those kids who voraciously devour this type of fantasy. 

I received an e-galley from the publisher, Algonquin Press, via NetGalley. Time Fetch will be available for purchase now.

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