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Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets
Breathe. Listen. Surrender.
Twelve-year-old Zya Nicole Jenkins wishes for an adventure on the last night of summer. But, when she and her best friend Elijah find a glowing door in the woods, the youngsters get much more than they bargained for. Cast into the midst of a centuries-long intergalactic conflict, the newly minted heroes are tasked with finding the powerful Emerald Tablets. The Guardians will have to overcome their greatest fear, learn to trust a mysterious ally and master their new magic timepieces to save the day and free humanity from the Evil Archons.
Get swept away by this 2025 Literary Global Children’s Book Award winner and finalist for the Children’s Book International Award for Fantasy. Packed to the brim with pharaohs and zombies, twists and turns, shape-shifters and a fearsome Lizard King, Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets is a contemporary fantasy for Dreamers of all ages.
The Emerald Tablets follows two precocious young people as they break the mold, transcend expectations and grow to accept their destiny. A fast-paced story about freedom, responsibility and friendship that can’t be broken. With the fate of humanity on the line and new surprises around every corner, you’ll be on the edge of your seat until the final bell.
If you’re a fan of Ancient Egypt, time travel, aliens or the cosmic battle between good and evil, this story is just for you. The first of a seven-book series, The Emerald Tablets aspires to be a foundational narrative for anyone with big dreams.
Twelve-year-old Zya Nicole Jenkins wishes for an adventure on the last night of summer. But, when she and her best friend Elijah find a glowing door in the woods, the youngsters get much more than they bargained for. Cast into the midst of a centuries-long intergalactic conflict, the newly minted heroes are tasked with finding the powerful Emerald Tablets. The Guardians will have to overcome their greatest fear, learn to trust a mysterious ally and master their new magic timepieces to save the day and free humanity from the Evil Archons.
Get swept away by this 2025 Literary Global Children’s Book Award winner and finalist for the Children’s Book International Award for Fantasy. Packed to the brim with pharaohs and zombies, twists and turns, shape-shifters and a fearsome Lizard King, Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets is a contemporary fantasy for Dreamers of all ages.
The Emerald Tablets follows two precocious young people as they break the mold, transcend expectations and grow to accept their destiny. A fast-paced story about freedom, responsibility and friendship that can’t be broken. With the fate of humanity on the line and new surprises around every corner, you’ll be on the edge of your seat until the final bell.
If you’re a fan of Ancient Egypt, time travel, aliens or the cosmic battle between good and evil, this story is just for you. The first of a seven-book series, The Emerald Tablets aspires to be a foundational narrative for anyone with big dreams.
138 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 16, 2025
Cosmic Chaos and Glowing Tablets: A Wild Ride That Doesn’t Go Too Deep
Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: Book One: The Emerald Tablets is a fun, fast-paced ride through a universe packed with ancient secrets, cosmic energy, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Jabril Yousef Faraj clearly had a blast putting this world together, and that energy comes through—think sci-fi meets mysticism with a dash of Saturday morning cartoon vibes.
The story leans more toward action adventure than deep character work, so if you’re looking for a mind-bending epic, this might not be it. But if you're down for a story that throws you into a whirlwind of glowing tablets, mysterious forces, and big cosmic stakes without taking itself too seriously, you’ll probably have a great time!
Some of the writing feels a little rough around the edges, and there are moments where the plot could’ve used a bit more tightening. Still, it’s imaginative, fast-moving, and has a cool, pulpy charm.
Bottom line: not super deep, but definitely entertaining. A solid start to a series that could go in some pretty wild directions
Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: Book One: The Emerald Tablets is a fun, fast-paced ride through a universe packed with ancient secrets, cosmic energy, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Jabril Yousef Faraj clearly had a blast putting this world together, and that energy comes through—think sci-fi meets mysticism with a dash of Saturday morning cartoon vibes.
The story leans more toward action adventure than deep character work, so if you’re looking for a mind-bending epic, this might not be it. But if you're down for a story that throws you into a whirlwind of glowing tablets, mysterious forces, and big cosmic stakes without taking itself too seriously, you’ll probably have a great time!
Some of the writing feels a little rough around the edges, and there are moments where the plot could’ve used a bit more tightening. Still, it’s imaginative, fast-moving, and has a cool, pulpy charm.
Bottom line: not super deep, but definitely entertaining. A solid start to a series that could go in some pretty wild directions
April 3, 2025
In “Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks - The Emerald Tablets”, Jabril Yousef Faraj leads us into the adventures of two almost-teen friends, Zya and Elijah, who, bored at the end of summer vacation, enter a portal and encounter a world beyond their wildest imaginations. They travel backwards in time, are given magic timepieces to fight the alien lizard species that controls Earth, and search for the keys to the power of this alternate universe. The plot is fast moving, the writing is precise and efficient and each concise chapter leaves you wanting more.
This book is described as young adult fantasy but it will appeal to anyone who likes ancient history, science fiction and lots of action. I can't wait for the next in the series!
This book is described as young adult fantasy but it will appeal to anyone who likes ancient history, science fiction and lots of action. I can't wait for the next in the series!
April 25, 2025
Jabril Yousef Faraj's Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks kicks off a wild, genre-blending ride through time, space, and soul-searching adolescence. It follows Zya, a spunky, sharp twelve-year-old girl with big dreams and an even bigger heart, and her quieter best friend Elijah, a kid with a mind for circuits and logic. When they stumble upon a mysterious portal in the forest behind their neighborhood, they’re launched into a futuristic yet ancient interstellar conflict. There are aliens, time travel, cosmic watches, and high-stakes missions to recover the enigmatic Emerald Tablets—artifacts of immense power tied to humanity’s fate. All of it is steeped in Afro-futurist themes, social commentary, and enough banter to keep it all feeling grounded.
I honestly fell in love with the way Zya is written. She's the kind of kid you root for immediately—complicated, headstrong, sweet, and full of fire. Her thoughts about wanting to be free, wanting to be seen and heard, absolutely resonated with me. It’s not just character-building; it’s emotionally real. Her world feels alive even before aliens and spaceships show up. When the science fiction finally kicks in—like when Zya and Elijah first lay eyes on the glowing portal in the forest and jump through it without hesitation—I was hooked. The pacing is snappy, but not rushed. The way Faraj builds out the Lumerian race, particularly through the elegant and mysterious Maroun and the guide Kelven, is slick and satisfying. The Nimrod (their spaceship) is described in such a cool, cinematic way it’s easy to imagine it.
But what surprised me most was how layered the story is. Faraj isn’t afraid to get deep. The Archons—power-hungry lizard-like overlords—aren’t just sci-fi baddies; they’re stand-ins for systemic oppression. The idea that they’ve used Earth's pyramid structures to send out mind-controlling frequencies is wild, sure, but also kind of genius. It reimagines colonialism and spiritual suppression through a futuristic lens. The Emerald Tablets themselves are introduced with mythic reverence, and their purpose remains just cryptic enough to keep you curious. That said, I think some of the explanations got a little too exposition-heavy—especially in the scenes where Maroun lays out the backstory. It wasn’t bad, just a bit dense for younger readers. Still, the dialogue often balances it out with humor and warmth. Zya and Eli’s dynamic never feels forced. They’re just two kids, caught up in something huge, doing the best they can with sass and heart.
Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets is a blast. It’s heartfelt and hopeful. It manages to feel epic and intimate all at once. If you love sci-fi with strong characters, real-world metaphors, and a touch of magic, this is for you. Teachers and parents looking for a smart, diverse, adventurous read for middle schoolers—grab this.
I honestly fell in love with the way Zya is written. She's the kind of kid you root for immediately—complicated, headstrong, sweet, and full of fire. Her thoughts about wanting to be free, wanting to be seen and heard, absolutely resonated with me. It’s not just character-building; it’s emotionally real. Her world feels alive even before aliens and spaceships show up. When the science fiction finally kicks in—like when Zya and Elijah first lay eyes on the glowing portal in the forest and jump through it without hesitation—I was hooked. The pacing is snappy, but not rushed. The way Faraj builds out the Lumerian race, particularly through the elegant and mysterious Maroun and the guide Kelven, is slick and satisfying. The Nimrod (their spaceship) is described in such a cool, cinematic way it’s easy to imagine it.
But what surprised me most was how layered the story is. Faraj isn’t afraid to get deep. The Archons—power-hungry lizard-like overlords—aren’t just sci-fi baddies; they’re stand-ins for systemic oppression. The idea that they’ve used Earth's pyramid structures to send out mind-controlling frequencies is wild, sure, but also kind of genius. It reimagines colonialism and spiritual suppression through a futuristic lens. The Emerald Tablets themselves are introduced with mythic reverence, and their purpose remains just cryptic enough to keep you curious. That said, I think some of the explanations got a little too exposition-heavy—especially in the scenes where Maroun lays out the backstory. It wasn’t bad, just a bit dense for younger readers. Still, the dialogue often balances it out with humor and warmth. Zya and Eli’s dynamic never feels forced. They’re just two kids, caught up in something huge, doing the best they can with sass and heart.
Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets is a blast. It’s heartfelt and hopeful. It manages to feel epic and intimate all at once. If you love sci-fi with strong characters, real-world metaphors, and a touch of magic, this is for you. Teachers and parents looking for a smart, diverse, adventurous read for middle schoolers—grab this.
April 11, 2025
I liked it more than I thought I would. The plot was well written and I was hooked from the start. It reminded me somehow of the "The Last Kids on Earth" show and I can see the potential of this book/series to make a good Kids tv show too. Highly recommend and I will ask my son to read it as soon as he reaches pre-teen age.
January 15, 2026
Guardians Of The Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets was a genuinely fun and engaging read. It was different, it's fast paced, easy to follow and packed full of excitement from start to finish. If you enjoy stories that blend time travel, aliens, and history this book delivers all of that and more. The story starts as the reader is introduced to one of the main characters, Zya. A pre-teen who feels trapped by the mundane of everyday life. She deals with school, guitar lessons, after school clubs which do nothing to satisfy her craving for something bigger. All she wants is adventure and freedom, and that restlessness is instantly relatable, it's what all kids dream of. Alongside her best friend Elijah, Zya escapes with him to her favourite place whilst her mom thinks she is practicing guitar, that's when everything changes. What begins as a normal walk quickly turns extraordinary when they uncover a mysterious portal. Once they pluck up the courage to step through it, this is where the story truly took off for me. Zya and Elijah find themselves aboard an alien spaceship where they encounter The Lumerian beings, who reveal that the fate of Earth rests on the shoulders of these two children. From that moment on, the narrative becomes a thrilling ride filled with fear, wonder and excitement as they embark on one of the biggest adventures of their lives.
One of the standout strengths of this book is its clean editing and tight storytelling. I usually notice plot holes/typos and inconsistencies quite easily, but this book felt polished and well edited. The pacing is perfect for this type of book, there is always something happening, yet it never feels underdeveloped.
The world building is impressive. We are introduced with small kids who can morph into something else, (a mouse as a small example.) mummies, Ancient Egyptian settings, alien civilisations and unforgettable villains such as the Lizard King. The author's use of personification and eye dialect, particularly the hissing dialogue of The Lizard King's minions was clever and effective, adding personality and menace to the character in a memorable way. Another detail I really appreciated was the choice to name the chapters instead of numbering them. This stylistic decision works amazingly setting the tone and preparing the reader thematically before each chapter began.
Although this book is clearly perfect for teen readers, it is equally enjoyable for adults. The themes of identity, destiny, the desire for something greater and typical pre-teen feelings stem beyond a younger audience. Genre wise, it is difficult to place, which I see as a strength rather than a weakness. It blends science fiction, fantasy and history into an adventurous hybrid that feels fresh and exciting.
This is a short but satisfying read, packed with imagination. The vivid descriptions of worlds, the space-ships and characters is what brings the story to life. By the end...it's hard not to want more. Knowing this is the first book in a series only adds to the excitement and I am very much looking forward to the next installments.
"Live kindly and be well, Guardians, and always be ready, you never know when you will be needed."
The quote above is a fitting reminder that adventure, responsibility and courage can find us when we least expect it.
Great read. I'm impressed.
One of the standout strengths of this book is its clean editing and tight storytelling. I usually notice plot holes/typos and inconsistencies quite easily, but this book felt polished and well edited. The pacing is perfect for this type of book, there is always something happening, yet it never feels underdeveloped.
The world building is impressive. We are introduced with small kids who can morph into something else, (a mouse as a small example.) mummies, Ancient Egyptian settings, alien civilisations and unforgettable villains such as the Lizard King. The author's use of personification and eye dialect, particularly the hissing dialogue of The Lizard King's minions was clever and effective, adding personality and menace to the character in a memorable way. Another detail I really appreciated was the choice to name the chapters instead of numbering them. This stylistic decision works amazingly setting the tone and preparing the reader thematically before each chapter began.
Although this book is clearly perfect for teen readers, it is equally enjoyable for adults. The themes of identity, destiny, the desire for something greater and typical pre-teen feelings stem beyond a younger audience. Genre wise, it is difficult to place, which I see as a strength rather than a weakness. It blends science fiction, fantasy and history into an adventurous hybrid that feels fresh and exciting.
This is a short but satisfying read, packed with imagination. The vivid descriptions of worlds, the space-ships and characters is what brings the story to life. By the end...it's hard not to want more. Knowing this is the first book in a series only adds to the excitement and I am very much looking forward to the next installments.
"Live kindly and be well, Guardians, and always be ready, you never know when you will be needed."
The quote above is a fitting reminder that adventure, responsibility and courage can find us when we least expect it.
Great read. I'm impressed.
April 3, 2025
In “Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks - The Emerald Tablets”, Jabril Yousef Faraj leads us into the adventures of two almost-teen friends, Zya and Elijah, who, bored at the end of summer vacation, enter a portal and encounter a world beyond their wildest imaginations. They travel backwards in time, are given magic timepieces to fight the alien lizard species that controls Earth, and search for the keys to the power of this alternate universe. The plot is fast moving, the writing is precise and efficient and each concise chapter leaves you wanting more.
This book is described as young adult fantasy but it will appeal to anyone who likes ancient history, science fiction and lots of action. I can't wait for the next in the series!
This book is described as young adult fantasy but it will appeal to anyone who likes ancient history, science fiction and lots of action. I can't wait for the next in the series!
January 11, 2026
Copied review from its original posting on a different edition.
This book's cover was run through publicly available AI detection software, and comes back to 100% likeliness of AI use in its creation. Within the front matter of the book, specifically on its copyright page, there is no cover designer cited.
Within, taken through Amazon's "read sample", the inside text returned a high likelihood (92% to be exact) of AI assisting in its creation; meaning a prompt was created and then tweaked/doctored.
Demand human voices. Demand human art. Stop generative AI. It's trained by unlicensed (stolen) works of real authors and artists.
To the author: I'm sure this was a great idea, but take the time to learn the craft, invest in yourself and in the story you want to tell.
This book's cover was run through publicly available AI detection software, and comes back to 100% likeliness of AI use in its creation. Within the front matter of the book, specifically on its copyright page, there is no cover designer cited.
Within, taken through Amazon's "read sample", the inside text returned a high likelihood (92% to be exact) of AI assisting in its creation; meaning a prompt was created and then tweaked/doctored.
Demand human voices. Demand human art. Stop generative AI. It's trained by unlicensed (stolen) works of real authors and artists.
To the author: I'm sure this was a great idea, but take the time to learn the craft, invest in yourself and in the story you want to tell.
March 28, 2025
Two special children step through a mystic door…
…And are chosen as time-traveling guardians in the war between good and evil. Zya and Elijah are gifted with special time pieces and sent to ancient Egypt to acquire the potent Emerald Tablets before the evil reptilian Archons can claim them.
I liked the children’s characterization, though sometimes they seemed overly adult. To me, the actions of their benefactors came across as reckless – specifically sending untrained children into a dangerous situation. The Archons were almost one-dimensional.
This is a thrilling adventure tale with mystical overtones that should appeal to younger readers.
…And are chosen as time-traveling guardians in the war between good and evil. Zya and Elijah are gifted with special time pieces and sent to ancient Egypt to acquire the potent Emerald Tablets before the evil reptilian Archons can claim them.
I liked the children’s characterization, though sometimes they seemed overly adult. To me, the actions of their benefactors came across as reckless – specifically sending untrained children into a dangerous situation. The Archons were almost one-dimensional.
This is a thrilling adventure tale with mystical overtones that should appeal to younger readers.
January 7, 2025
Very engaging. Pulled me in as though I was there. Found myself laughing, then drawn in to see myself in each character at different times and crying toward the end. Enthralling and all-in-all, brilliantly penned!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews