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Partners in Time Meet A Boy Called Romulus
Nicholas Hodgson’s Partners in Time Meet A Boy Called Romulus is a captivating historical fiction tale that blends time travel, friendship, and the bittersweet allure of second chances. As the second installment in the Partners in Time series, it picks up with Harry and Jett, whose chaotic and accidental ventures through time have landed them in yet another adventure. This time, they encounter Romulus Augustus, the exiled and forgotten last Emperor of Rome, who has inexplicably found himself lost in 1942 England. What follows is a thrilling collision of timelines and a heartfelt exploration of power, identity, and loyalty.
Hodgson’s story is a fusion of nostalgia and mystery, weaving the grandeur of history with the wonder of time’s intricate possibilities. Hodgson uses time travel not as a mere plot device but as a means to explore themes of belonging, loss, and redemption. The story’s heart lies in its characters. Romulus, the boy Emperor, is a deeply haunting figure marked by loneliness, defiance, and the crushing weight of his fallen empire. His quiet strength and vulnerability leave a lasting impression, making it impossible not to feel his pain. Harry and Jett, in contrast, bring a sense of grit, determination, and relatable humor, serving as the perfect counterbalance to Romulus’s solemnity. Together, the trio navigates the complexities of their unlikely alliance, creating moments of humor, tension, and deep connection.
The prose is dynamic, tumbling forward with a lively rhythm that captures the urgency of the plot while pausing just long enough to savor its emotional depth. Hodgson’s ability to balance historical authenticity with modern sensibilities is impressive. The dialogue, though occasionally a bit contemporary for a historical setting, brims with wit and relatability, making the characters feel alive and engaging.
The fast-paced plot keeps readers on edge, plunging them into a series of high-stakes adventures while never losing sight of the personal journeys at its core. The action-packed moments are tempered by thoughtful introspection, ensuring that the story resonates on an emotional level. Though the pacing sometimes leaves little room for the narrative to breathe, this brisk tempo enhances the sense of urgency. The stakes feel personal, centering on three individuals trying to find their place across disparate worlds rather than on the grand machinations of history or empire.
Partners in Time Meet A Boy Called Romulus is a beautifully written and emotionally rich story. Hodgson handles historical detail with care, creating a world that feels both immersive and playful. This book is perfect for readers who long to dive into the margins of history while enjoying a fast-paced, imaginative adventure.
Pages: 304 | ASIN : B0DJWGSWJB
Finding Friendship in Unlikely Places
Partners in Time follows two boys from London who use a secret underground tunnel to travel through time and have to fix the broken timeline before all of history is altered. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve always loved time travel stories and time travel movies. And the idea of travelling back into the past and seeing some amazing historical events (and people from history!) unfold right before your eyes has been an idea that has thrilled me since I was a kid. So when I decided to write a middle-grade novel it was a no-brainer that it would feature two kids time travelling through history.
Harry and Jett become unlikely friends, and their bond deepens as they travel through time to repair the historical timeline. What was your inspiration for the characters and their relationship?
I’m not sure there is one inspiration for their relationship. Both those characters are very close to my heart and once I started to write them into scenes together, the friendship between them just evolved. Maybe having a best friend you could travel in time with would have been my dream when I was their age? I’m not sure…
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
To me the book is really about two boys, each with hardship in their lives (especially Harry) finding each other and becoming friends. The plot is what they are doing while becoming friends, but the story itself is about discovering friendship in unlikely (impossible) places. And the courage that having a true friend by your side gives you.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
The post-credits scene at the end of Partners in Time gives a big hint as to where Book 2 will go. Suffice to say – time travel is never quite straight forward and it’s really important to close doors properly. The only other clue I can give is that the next book explores a part of history completely different from in Partners in Time. With luck I’ll have book 2 ready to launch mid way through 2024.
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Jett was just happy to make a new friend.
He honestly didn’t mind that Harry claimed to have time travelled via a secret underground tunnel from wartime London all the way to twenty-first century New Zealand.
Nothing wrong with a kid having a great imagination.
Except Harry wasn’t lying or making it up.
There really was a tunnel.
An impossible link between the past and the future.
But tampering with time travel, even by accident, has unintended consequences.
Now Harry and Jett have to race against time to mend what was broken or nothing in the past, the present or the future will ever be the same.
An unlikely adventure that will make… or break… history.
Partners in Time is a story of fixing history and making friends, a most unexpected (and sometimes smelly!) time travel tale.
With cheese toasties.
“If I wasn’t in this book, I’d definitely want to read it.” – Harry, aged 11. England
“Such a good story, I hope they make a movie, and I get to play me!” – Jett, aged 11, New Zealand
Partners in Time
Partners in Time by Nicholas Hodgson offers readers an exhilarating journey through the realms of mystery and time travel. Dive into the heart of an enigmatic tale, where an unseen door within a secluded chamber reveals the path to alternate dimensions. Two companions propelled into a bewildering quest, land in an unfamiliar future. A chilling, distorted reality awaits when they return to their known world. They embark on an urgent race, navigating the secrets buried within the globe’s most celebrated landmarks. The tale seamlessly blends the boundaries of past and future, delving deep into the tenacity of friendship, the emergence of unexpected bonds, and the fate of destinies teetering on a fragile edge.
Merging the intricate elements of mystery with the allure of time travel requires a deft hand. Nicholas Hodgson not only achieves this blend but truly shines in his execution. From the outset, readers will find themselves ensnared by the gripping narrative.
A distinguishing feature of this novel is Hodgson’s distinctive voice. He animates his characters with depth and nuance, constructing a tale that’s smartly laid out. The plot is rife with unexpected turns that fit organically into the story, a testament to the author’s prowess in foreshadowing and weaving a tale.
A standout aspect of this book is the vibrant portrayal of its characters—they leap off the pages with authenticity and vigor. The narrative flows effortlessly, yet the suspense continually beckons readers to turn one more page.
Hodgson’s narrative talents shine brightly, captivating his audience from start to finish. The tale is so enthralling that one simultaneously dreads its conclusion yet eagerly anticipates each new development—a testament to the book’s magnetic pull.
For fans of mystery and time-travel genres, Partners in Time is an essential addition to your reading list. Hodgson’s knack for spinning a riveting tale and his meticulously crafted characters assure a mesmerizing voyage through time.
Pages: 219 | ASIN : B0CDY5K9KM
LITERARY TITAN 