Review: The History Keepers: Circus Maximus - Damian Dibben

The History Keepers: Circus Maximus by Damian Dibben, published by Doubleday on 2nd August 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
The History Keepers are in terrible danger once more. Stocks of Atomium - the crucial ingredient which allows them to travel through time - are perilously low, and the agents must embark on a risky mission to find more. And now a new and even more evil member of the Zeldt family is planning a hideous take-over of the Ancient world, and they are forced to travel further back into history than ever before in order to save the day.

Review:
*There may be spoilers from the previous book in the series

Jake and the History Keepers are back in this thrilling new instalment by British author Damian Dibben. This time they are travelling back to AD27 and Ancient Rome to try and rescue Topaz.

What is so great about this series is the actual premise of being able to travel back to any period in time. The characters get to visit some amazing locations, enriched by fantastic details of all the historical events which actually took place.  The scenes in the book really come alive with such wonderfully descriptive writing and all of these things mean that the scope for the series is pretty much infinite.  There are so many exciting places and adventures which could lie in store for the History Keepers.

I really enjoyed the first in the series when I read it last year but I loved ‘Circus Maximus’ even more. The basic idea behind the secret organisation has already been explained and put in place, so Dibben can now simply concentrate on weaving a fabulous story with plenty of action for Jake and co as they attempt to save the world.

The characters grew on me even more too this time around. Jake is a brilliant hero (move over Percy Jackson!) but I also adore Nathan who is by Jake’s side throughout and my personal favourite. He’s funny and charming, obsessed with fashion but also loyal and brave and the right person to have by your side in times of need.

The History Keepers have to face Agata Zeldt and she makes a great baddie – the character that you love to hate. Every hero needs an enemy and Zeldt is it!  Every time she appeared I wanted to run and hide because she's just so scary.

The ending nicely plants the seeds for the next book in the series which promises to lead the group on yet another dangerous mission.  A sublime combination of fantasy and adventure, hold onto your seats as Dibben takes you on a rollercoaster ride through history, fraught with danger and excitement.

News: The History Keepers - Damian Dibben

Doubleday Children's Books has recently published 'Circus Maximus' by Damian Dibben. This is the much anticipated sequel to 'The History Keepers: The Storm Begins'.  You can read my review of the first book in the series here.

The History Keepers are in terrible danger once more. Stocks of Atomium - the crucial ingredient which allows them to travel through time - are perilously low, and the agents must embark on a risky mission to find more. And now a new and even more evil member of the Zeldt family is planning a hideous take-over of the Ancient world, and they are forced to travel further back into history than ever before in order to save the day. Well, all of the days actually. In this exciting sequel, "The History Keepers" embark upon another rollercoaster adventure that takes us into the heart of the ancient world, from the doors to Hades, to the streets of Rome at the height of its glorious empire. You think the chariot race in Ben Hur is exciting? Wait till you see the History Keepers racing round Rome...

Review: The History Keepers: The Storm Begins - Damian Dibben

The History Keepers: The Storm Begins by Damian Dibben, published by Doubleday Children's Books on 1st September 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
Imagine if you lost your parents - not just in place, but in time. Jake Djones' mum and dad have gone missing and they could be anywhere in the world - at any time in history. Because the Djones family have an astonishing secret, which for years they've managed to keep - even from each other. They belong to the History Keepers: a secret society which travels through the centuries to prevent evil enemies from meddling with History itself. In the quest to find his parents, Jake is whisked from 21st Century London to 19th century France, the headquarters of the mysterious History Keepers, where he discovers the truth about his family's disappearance - and the dastardly Prince Zeldt's plan to destroy the world as we know it...

Review:
'The History Keepers: The Storm Begins' is the first book in a brand new series by British author Damian Dibben.  It's a series that's set to appeal to a male and female teen audience and those who are fans of the Percy Jackson books. 

The concept of 'The History Keepers' is awesome.  It's about a group of people who can travel back to any point in time and to any significant event or period in history.  Instead of trying to change things, their job is to protect history itself from those who wish to exploit it for their own self-serving motives.  I would love to be able to time travel and explore the events of the past.  Imagine being able to visit your favourite decade or go back and meet famous historical figures.  This is definitely something which will really appeal to readers of all ages. 

Jake Djones finds out about the History Keepers after his parents go missing.  He's determined to find out what really happened to his Mum and Dad and in what part of history they're now trapped.  Although just a teenager, Jake becomes a valuable part of the team and helps to unravel a sinister plot by the evil Prince Zeldt to change history and destroy current day civilization.  The other members of the organisation range from young to old and some interesting sub-plots involving these characters are established. 

The pace of the story picked up as the plot rapidly progressed in the second-half of the book.  A surprising secret is also revealed about a member of the team at the very end which should prove to be an interesting angle in future installments. 

I really enjoyed 'The History Keepers' and book two holds the promise of even more action and adventure.  In Jake Djones a whole new hero is born!