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Finders Keepers #2
The Timekeeper
After winning a computer in an unusual quiz show, Patrick discovers that it will not work and returns to the parallel world beyond an invisible Barrier, getting involved with something far more important than a TV game.
156 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1992
5 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Emily Rodda
297 books2,116 followersEmily Rodda (real name Jennifer Rowe) was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1973 with an MA (Hons) in English Literature. Moving into a publishing career, first as a book editor, and finally as a publisher at Angus & Robertson, Rodda's first book was published in 1984.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 5, 2015
The story is simple and yet complex. The characters are the sorts one can relate to - with the fantastical spin attached. For the targetted age-group, I think it's a solid piece of work...but upon reading it, I find it far too short.
By short, I mean two things: short in length (because the crux of the story takes place in the space of two hours and not a whole lot, action wise, happens there - liken it to losing a little sibling in the crowd with a very brief dimension-travel spiel and that's pretty much what you've got) and short in keeping my attention because I read most of this while engaged in a phone conversation. Which means the story wasn't gripping me awfully tightly.
I think my main reason for feeling like that is that things fit together too neatly. It was too linear - and that made it quite predictable. Whenever a problem came up, immediately there was a way to resolve it. Perhaps the most interesting resolution was the one where Doon threw off her rings to create an opening - and that is the bulk of what I took away from this fic.
I think if I read it twelve years ago, I would have loved it. Now that I'm older and I've read Rodda's Deltora Quest, Rowan of Rin, Three Doors, Teen Power Inc. and Rondo books... I find this one short and relatively sweet but missing the something that'll make me revisit it.
By short, I mean two things: short in length (because the crux of the story takes place in the space of two hours and not a whole lot, action wise, happens there - liken it to losing a little sibling in the crowd with a very brief dimension-travel spiel and that's pretty much what you've got) and short in keeping my attention because I read most of this while engaged in a phone conversation. Which means the story wasn't gripping me awfully tightly.
I think my main reason for feeling like that is that things fit together too neatly. It was too linear - and that made it quite predictable. Whenever a problem came up, immediately there was a way to resolve it. Perhaps the most interesting resolution was the one where Doon threw off her rings to create an opening - and that is the bulk of what I took away from this fic.
I think if I read it twelve years ago, I would have loved it. Now that I'm older and I've read Rodda's Deltora Quest, Rowan of Rin, Three Doors, Teen Power Inc. and Rondo books... I find this one short and relatively sweet but missing the something that'll make me revisit it.
April 19, 2024
Not as good as the first book in the series (3 stars)
I loved the premise of Emily Rodda's "Finders Keepers" book, which precedes "The Timekeeper", so I was keen to read this sequel.
Once again Patrick returns to the other side of the Time Barrier, and meets his old friends there. They have asked him for help, as their world appears to be unravelling due to the time clock not working properly. This time he takes his sister and brother with him, and all kinds of mayhem results.
While the concept is similar, the story itself isn't nearly as good as the first book, and isn't worth reading unless you are really keen on continuing the adventures beyond the time barrier. I'd suggest just reading "Finders Keepers", and not bothering with this one.
I loved the premise of Emily Rodda's "Finders Keepers" book, which precedes "The Timekeeper", so I was keen to read this sequel.
Once again Patrick returns to the other side of the Time Barrier, and meets his old friends there. They have asked him for help, as their world appears to be unravelling due to the time clock not working properly. This time he takes his sister and brother with him, and all kinds of mayhem results.
While the concept is similar, the story itself isn't nearly as good as the first book, and isn't worth reading unless you are really keen on continuing the adventures beyond the time barrier. I'd suggest just reading "Finders Keepers", and not bothering with this one.
May 22, 2017
Book two of 'Finders Keepers' brings us back into the two worlds that Patrick knows of. He is once again pulled back in to solve the mystery of why the barrier is spewing objects into our world from a very large tear.
This crazy adventure is the most important of all as the barrier becomes more unstable and Patrick is on a quest where time is running fast and so therefore is running short for the hero of our tale.
You read your kids 'Finders Keepers' as a bedtime story, maybe it is time for them to return the favor and read The Time Keeper to you...If the book is where you left it last.
This crazy adventure is the most important of all as the barrier becomes more unstable and Patrick is on a quest where time is running fast and so therefore is running short for the hero of our tale.
You read your kids 'Finders Keepers' as a bedtime story, maybe it is time for them to return the favor and read The Time Keeper to you...If the book is where you left it last.
August 19, 2017
Definitely should have left it at Finders Keepers.
October 18, 2018
A quick read like the brilliant first book in the series.
January 9, 2020
A fun read for children who like books with alternate dimensions and travel between the two dimensions. Great for teaching inference and what will happen next with younger readers
January 12, 2023
Fast paced and fun. Not her best, but very interesting and I'm glad I read it.
September 21, 2024
Childhood nostalgia!
December 19, 2009
Book 2 in a two-book series. The first book is entitled "Finders Keepers".
We return to Patrick a few days after the events in the last book and things seem to be worse than ever. The barrier between the two worlds is going berserk and if something isn't done about it soon, then it can only lead to disaster.
The first couple of chapters were a bit slower than I expected. I believe the story got bogged down with backstory, which is a shame. But once that was over with, the pace picked up and the plot was suspenseful.
The two books would intrigue any young reader.
Recommended.
We return to Patrick a few days after the events in the last book and things seem to be worse than ever. The barrier between the two worlds is going berserk and if something isn't done about it soon, then it can only lead to disaster.
The first couple of chapters were a bit slower than I expected. I believe the story got bogged down with backstory, which is a shame. But once that was over with, the pace picked up and the plot was suspenseful.
The two books would intrigue any young reader.
Recommended.
March 14, 2017
Not as enjoyable as the first book (no competition or puzzle clues to solve in this one!) but still an excellent and intelligent read. Emily Rodda has such skill in laying hints throughout the narrative; as an adult, it's easy to figure out how everything will be conveniently resolved, but for children it's surely still magical. I love how she's quietly subversive too in her gender politics, making the people with great responsibility or the manual labourers mostly women. I wish there had been a whole series of books about these loveable characters but just two books is also the perfect number.
October 28, 2013
What is here is good and really well done. Lots of nice characters, fast paced action but the story seems to be only half here. I would have liked to seen the show Finders Keepers, got to meet the characters during the show. I would have been more invested in their plight had I known more about them before the action really kicks in. Would have love to seen the game in action. What is here is great it just seems like it is only half the story.
August 10, 2016
This was a follow-up book to "Finders Keepers," which we hadn't read. A pre-chapter "Notes on Finders Keepers" seemed to suffice. The first 3rd of the book was very boring. If there were 1/2 points, I would have ranked this a two point five.
April 29, 2009
Yay sequel! Yay TV series sequel as well! Almost as awesome as the first one.
March 24, 2011
Not as good as the first book in the series. It took longer to get into, and there was not as much mystery. But it was still fun to read and I think Kate will enjoy reading this one soon, too.
September 18, 2016
Bit boring. Wasn't really my kind of book. I've never really been into Emily Rodda's stuff.
August 5, 2011
A great sequel and an entertaining series for children.
November 15, 2014
Just as good as the 1st one
April 8, 2017
A good follow up to a great original story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews