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Interviews | January 24, 2012

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Ben MarcusBen Marcus's books The Age of Wire and String and Notable American Women were considered "experimental" fiction because of his unconventional use of... Continue »
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The Navigator

by Eoin Mcnamee

The Navigator Cover

ISBN13: 9780375839108
ISBN10: 0375839100
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

One day the world around Owen shifts oddly: Time flows backwards, and the world and family he knew disappear. Time can only be set right when the Resisters vanquish their ancient enemies, the Harsh. Unless they are stopped, everything Owen knows will vanish as if it has never been....And Owen discovers he has a terrifying role to play in this battle: he is the Navigator.

Review:

"McNamee (Resurrection Man, for adults) makes his YA debut with an inventive time travel story. Owen lives in the shadow of a father who committed suicide, but readers barely get to meet the young hero before he encounters a tiny man who warns him, 'It has begun... it is to be you.' From there, Owen is whisked to the Workhouse, 'the center of the Resisters to the Harsh and the frost of eternal solitude that they wish to loose upon the earth.' He is taken in by these 'custodians of time,' who tell him about the Harsh-faceless creatures that 'long for emptiness, for cold nothingness.' To this end, the Harsh have begun the Puissance, which is causing time to run backwards. In order to defeat the Harsh, Owen and new friend Cati must find the Mortmain, a device of unknown shape and size that can destroy the Great Machine causing the Puissance. The Mortmain recalls Rowling's 'portkey' concept — a magical artifact, hiding in plain sight as an everyday object, which may feel a bit derivative to some readers. But the ultimate discovery of that object and its keeper ties the book's ending to its beginning in satisfying fashion. McNamee's setting is certainly unique, and readers who relish the brain-teasing nature of time-travel stories will also relish this book and its planned sequels. Ages 9-12." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"In this wonderful story, McNamee brings his skill to writing for a younger audience in a novel that not only bends but alters and rearranges time. This is a story not to be missed by fans of Kate Thompson's The New Policeman or Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time." Children's Literature

Review:

"Excellent world-building, a thrilling and propulsive plot, internal consistency and a multitude of child heroes guarantee a following for this exciting fantasy." Kirkus Reviews
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About the Author

Eoin McNamee is an award-winning author of novels for adults. His first novel, Resurrection Man, was made into the film. The author lives in County Sligo, Ireland.
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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
crowyhead, November 21, 2008 (view all comments by crowyhead)
Eoin McNamee brings us a good first venture into the realm of middle-reader speculative fiction. There are elements of Philip Pullman and Garth Nix here, and it also reminded me a bit of Jeanette Winterson's recent children's novel, "Tanglewreck." It's less ambitious than "Tanglewreck," though, and I'm inclined to see that as a good thing, since that one really got mired down toward the end.

In contrast, "The Navigator" moves along at a fast clip and refuses to get too involved in the mechanics of the world (which is not to say that the background is not detailed), and it's a cracking good yarn for younger readers. As an adult, I felt that at times the author relied too heavily on coincidence (or providence?) to move the plot along, but that didn't keep me from devouring this in short order. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel eventually, but I didn't feel the need to rush right out and get it. Overall, this is a seriously solid novel and well worth reading, but it's nothing breathtaking.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780375839108
Author:
Mcnamee, Eoin
Publisher:
Wendy Lamb Books
Author:
McNamee, Eoin
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Action & Adventure - General
Subject:
Fantasy
Subject:
Time
Subject:
Fantasy & Magic
Subject:
Action & Adventure
Copyright:
2007
Publication Date:
January 2007
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
Children/juvenile
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
342
Dimensions:
8.54x5.88x1.15 in. 1.13 lbs.
Age Level:
09-12
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Related Aisles

The Navigator Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$5.50 In Stock
Product details 342 pages Wendy Lamb Books - English 9780375839108 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "McNamee (Resurrection Man, for adults) makes his YA debut with an inventive time travel story. Owen lives in the shadow of a father who committed suicide, but readers barely get to meet the young hero before he encounters a tiny man who warns him, 'It has begun... it is to be you.' From there, Owen is whisked to the Workhouse, 'the center of the Resisters to the Harsh and the frost of eternal solitude that they wish to loose upon the earth.' He is taken in by these 'custodians of time,' who tell him about the Harsh-faceless creatures that 'long for emptiness, for cold nothingness.' To this end, the Harsh have begun the Puissance, which is causing time to run backwards. In order to defeat the Harsh, Owen and new friend Cati must find the Mortmain, a device of unknown shape and size that can destroy the Great Machine causing the Puissance. The Mortmain recalls Rowling's 'portkey' concept — a magical artifact, hiding in plain sight as an everyday object, which may feel a bit derivative to some readers. But the ultimate discovery of that object and its keeper ties the book's ending to its beginning in satisfying fashion. McNamee's setting is certainly unique, and readers who relish the brain-teasing nature of time-travel stories will also relish this book and its planned sequels. Ages 9-12." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "In this wonderful story, McNamee brings his skill to writing for a younger audience in a novel that not only bends but alters and rearranges time. This is a story not to be missed by fans of Kate Thompson's The New Policeman or Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time."
"Review" by , "Excellent world-building, a thrilling and propulsive plot, internal consistency and a multitude of child heroes guarantee a following for this exciting fantasy."
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