Carl Ashmore

At last - another book from Carl Ashmore. It's been worth the wait!

Zak Fisher and the Angel Prophecy

Amazon.com link

My review -

It’s been a while since we saw the end of the Time Hunters but I can tell you that Carl Ashmore hasn’t lost his touch. Once again, he takes familiar concepts – Angels, Templars, even David and Goliath – and gives them a modern context. I loved the characters, both good and bad, and the story is obviously the first in a series though it ends satisfactorily and not on a cliff.

This is a prime example of how a book with an intended teenaged audience can speak to people of any age. I loved it and can’t wait for more.

Carl Ashmore

The Time Hunters and the Lost City is the fifth and (allegedly) final part in this fantastic series. If you've read the rest this will not disappoint you.

The Time Hunters and the Lost City

Amazon.com

My review - 

If you’ve followed the exploits of Becky, Joe and their Uncle Percy you’ll know what a tangled plot Carl Ashmore is capable of weaving. I started this book wondering if he’d be able to pull it all out of the hat and I can safely say he really did. There are numerous world myths and legends which have crept into this five part tale and it’s the work of a patient and persistent author who has crafted it all into a coherent whole. We begin the story with Sir Walter Raleigh on the brink of his execution and he passes on a secret which finally Becky and her brother unravel. This brings them to the last of the Eden Relics – the Sacred Chalice. Their enemy Emerson Drake and his side-kick Otto Kruger are determined on world domination and look as if they will achieve it.

This is an action-packed adventure and is suitable for all ages from teens upwards. I’ve enjoyed it all and one of the things which makes the series stand out is that it emphasises the power of loyalty, friendship and love. People can be cynical about these but they are the attributes that make our lives worth living. Carl Ashmore’s young people are totally believable and we all wish we’d had an Uncle Percy. The end of the book is the culmination of the series and it’s been a great ride. I heartily recommend it.

I received a copy pre-publication for review purposes.

Carl Ashmore

Fourth in a series but it's not growing stale!

The Time Hunters - Sword of Ages

Amazon.com The Time Hunters - Sword of Ages
My review - 

Our friends Becky, Joe, Uncle Percy and Will are on the hunt for another Eden Relic, the Sword of Ages. Natural their arch enemy Emerson Drake and his henchman Otto Krueger are looking for it too, for the power is confers. As always with Carl Ashmore’s books, there’s plenty of action and excitement but there’s always more under the surface. The children’s characters are so wonderfully real and I can hear their conversations in my head – they ring very true! We learn a great deal more about the past of some of the characters including Joe. There are hidden depths in this story and it’s a nail-biting read.

Fans of The Time Hunters are going to snap this up and they aren’t going to be disappointed. I read it in just a couple of days and it took me from laughter to being a little choked up. You mustn’t miss this!

Carl Ashmore

Carl writes for young adults but many an old adult has read and enjoyed his fantasy stories.

The Time Hunters

Amazon .com  The Time Hunters

My review -

This is a time travel/adventure story for young readers but with enough substance in there to entice an adult too. The characters are wonderful. Becky is the classic thirteen year old, shouting at adults, perpetually angry on behalf of animals, no stranger to the huff but devotedly loyal to friends. Eleven year old Joe is a WYSIWYG - What You See Is (most definitely!) What You Get. Their wise, gentle Uncle Percy is a time traveller and they become enmeshed in his world when they visit Bowen Hall for the school summer holidays.

Carl Ashmore can be funny and clever without ducking dark issues such as the loss of a parent and the existence of evil in the world. There are history, mythology and palaeontology here together with high adventure. The story itself is exciting and where else would you meet a vegetarian Minotaur and a bunch of useless 'heroes'? I have read the book previously but any good story will stand a re-telling and this is no exception. It's a great first book in what promises to be a brilliant series.


The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity

Amazon.com  The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity

My review -

Carl Ashmore goes from strength to strength. This book, allegedly a children's story, is a continuation of the adventures of a brother and sister and their Uncle Percy, a Time Traveller. The characters are believably drawn, the story is huge in its imaginative scope and the whole combines history, palaeontology, adventure, danger and great fun. The author is not afraid to address dark emotions - he never talks down to a child audience so it is a very satisfying book for adults too. There's a huge sense of humour in this book - I still laugh aloud at the name of one of the pirate ships. I won't give it away.
Carl is on to a winner with this series - I am glad to see that there will be more and I look forward to them.

Bernard and the Bibble

Amaxon.com   Bernard and the Bibble

My review -

This is a lovely book, another of those Carl writes so well for younger readers but which translate into a good read for adults too. The book is funny and light-hearted but there are serious underlying issues. The hero, Bernard, suffers from a heart problem and has a very restricted life as a result. Here though, through meeting some strange beings befriended by his late grandad, he helps others and is helped in turn.

There are some wonderful moments - "Fungal was elated. 'I'm so happy, I could piddle.' Please don't' Bernard replied flatly." I can see children everywhere (and me) finding this funny!

Bernard says, of his life, 'I want to make a difference.' Isn't that what we wish for all youngsters? Yet so many want to be famous or rich. Carl Ashmore has the right idea about what is important in life and he has a great way of transmitting this to people through his book. Another thoroughly good read from Mr Ashmore.

The Night they Nicked Saint Nick

Amazon.com  The Night they Nicked Saint Nick

My review -

This was a lovely modern Christmas legend, the kind of book I look forward to sharing with my grand-children. Seven year old Derek Brundle discovers he is to be the next Father Christmas and that the current Santa is in great danger. We meet some wonderful characters in this book. I especially loved the elf Munkle with her quirky modes of expression, 'Yeppers!' The villain of the story receives a very satisfying punishment for his iniquities. Children will love it.

Carl Ashmore has a great imagination and some excellent verbal skills that bring his creations to life. He sums up Christmas by having Santa say to the villain, 'Christmas is about more than toys and presents and turkey dinners. It's about love and decency and respect and kindness. These are the real gifts of Christmas.' How can you sum it up better than that? Thank you Carl, for a bit of fun in the true spirit of Christmas.