Book Review: A Mutiny in Time by James Dashner

Title: A Mutiny in Time
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Rating: 4/5 

Cover Impressions: I love the colors in this cover. The imagery is interesting and I definitely think it would appeal to a middle grade audience.

The Gist: Dak and Sara know that something is not right with their world.  Natural disasters abound, people are plagued with mysterious remnants and a secret agency called SQ has taken ultimate control.  When they stumble upon Dak's parents time travel device, the Infinity Ring, they embark on an adventure to fix the Time Breaks and restore balance to their world. 

Review:  A Mutiny in Time is not just the first book in new series, it is also the introduction into a multimedia experience that is sure to grab any young reader.  Each book is packaged with a Hystorian's guide, a strategy guide for the online game.   The game itself seems quite well done, with beautiful graphics, character interaction and fun mini-games.  Teachers - here is a great opportunity to pull together reading and history with gameplay, perhaps by spending a little time studying the particular time period, reading the book and then playing the game!

A Mutiny In Time is a very fun read.  The characters are unique and interesting.  Dak and Sera are both geniuses in their own way.  They are relatable and likeable.  I can really see middle grade students connecting with these characters and following their adventures through each of the seven books.  I found less of a connection with Riq in this novel, but I am looking forward to learning more of his story in the next installment.

The plot is intriguing and fast-paced.  I love the incorporation of history and imagine kids will really enjoy encountering pieces of history that they already know and that it will inspire them to learn more about that time period.  I am not normally a fan of time travel novels, but I was impressed by the unique premise of this one and I enjoyed reading about the different time breaks that made the history of their world so different from ours. 

A Mutiny in Time is a great introduction to a fun new series.  I look forward to seeing how the story develops through future books and how Scholastic will continue to incorporate gameplay in innovative new ways.

Teaching/Parental Notes:

Age: 8-12
Gender:  Both (boys will enjoy this one)
Sex:  None
Violence:  Gunplay, swordplay, attempted drowning
Inappropriate Language: None
Substance Use/Abuse: None