Tina Talinka and the Echo of the Allohom

by Mike Moulton

A cryptic cry for help leads Tina from London to an archeological dig in France. Here, she learns she must stop a Medieval Tyrant and to save a group of Cave Monsters. To do this she must use her powers of Time Travel and rely on the help of a new friend who takes the form of an old enemy.

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2020

Reviews

[Ayezu Tamarapreye Okoko]

BOOK:-TINA TALINKA AND THE ECHO OF THE ALLOHOM BY MIKE MOULTON.
BOOK REVIEWER:-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS:-
This is the second in the Tina Talinka's book series and another archaeological story with the characters of Tina,her mom and her friend Dennis.The story takes the reader traveling into the future and back in time as it explores the concept of ALLOHOM which echoes through out the book and its characters starting with Tina's experience at the library and Revelationary instructions from the book "The Reformation" written by Will Durant .The books action is written around and driven by an instruction to Tina to beware of allohoms; that the fate of the innocent is in her hands;save the cave monsters and that the truth is in the tapestry.Set in Oak Vista ,France,and Florence.According to the book, we all require support as an ALLOHOM is a supporter which could compliment someone's act either positively or negatively and also appears as a person's twin to protect them from being used to harm others; someone who has being strong for you when you were weak.
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE BOOK READ:-
🤸Need for special lessons to aid understanding of subjects not understood during the day as seen in Mr Symington's special lesson for Smythe,Hyde,Talinka,and Worthington who were having difficulty with the story problems.
🤸Tina agreeing with her thought of teaching the lads a lesson of pain who came to Hassel with her at the training station where they trapped and attacked her and later feeling sympathy for them depicts a situation of Mercy and Justice as we see her feel they deserve what they got.
🤸We learn speaking for the innocent from Dennis screaming that the boy is not a cave monster.
🤸That the fate of certain person's were in our hands to save as seen in Gurro saving the innocent boy ,Tina and Dennis in response to Tinas call whose fate were in Tina's hands
🤸Reloux murdering six Neanderthals or Blutoks and learning the use of a pistol after his previous jokes with the gun confirms Dennis and Tina's suspicion that criminal intent could be formed and learnt from watching television with the wrong mindset and absence of guidance
🤸 Television staffers giving interview and trying to film the skills at the dig shows the informative purpose of television to mankind.
🤸We see and learn that the allohom is used to prevent a person from being used to harm others from the cautioning of Relouxe in his wanting to execute the Blutoks for Saint Chappelle to be safe again and speaking like a military person.
🤸We see and learn that the allohom is someone who has been strong for you where you were weak from Marie's act as Estelle's allohom;Rene as Relouxe allohom;Tina saving Gurro with her medallion thus being an allohom;Gurro as Tina's allohom amongst others.
🤸You must not let your allohom become like you and you must not become like him.
APPLICATION OF LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE BOOK READ:
The lessons learnt can be applied both in family and corporate life as husband and wife and partners help each other make reasonable decisions that would not be harmful and can also influence bad decision as seen of Gurro in the story acting differently towards Tina when under Di' violla's spell.

[cha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tina Talinka and the Echo of the Allohom is the second book in Mike Moulton's Tina Talinka's Adventures series. It starts with a man named Rene discovering a mysterious scepter in France. Since Tina's mother is an archaeologist, she's sent there to translate the inscription on the artifact, and Tina and Dennis end up tagging along. Before long, what was supposed to be an archaeological trip turns into another exciting adventure filled with time travel, mysteries, innocent people to save, and a thief who's been traveling through time.

One of my favorite parts of this book was how Moulton stayed connected to the first book instead of taking the series in a completely different direction. It still feels familiar, but with enough new ideas to make it exciting. It made it really easy to jump back into the story and reconnect with the characters. The twist involving Rene, on the other hand, was one of the highlights for me. It was surprising, but at the same time it didn't come out of nowhere because the author had already planted little hints earlier in the story. There were also a lot of movie references throughout the book that made the dialogue and narration hilarious. Another thing I really appreciated was the focus on Tina's relationship with her mother. The first book didn't explore their mother-daughter dynamic very much, so I liked that this book gave it more attention. It showed that while Tina is independent and capable for someone her age, she's still a child who wants her mother's time and care, and I think that added more depth to her character. I also honestly thought Dennis wouldn't be coming back in this book, so imagine how happy I was when he showed up in Chapter Four. His friendship with Tina is still one of my favorite parts of the series because they balance each other so well. Their interactions make the story a lot more entertaining, and I think the book would've lost some of its charm without him.

Overall, time travel is a familiar concept in fiction, and while it often follows the same cause-and-effect structure, it remains fascinating when executed well. At first, this book seemed to have a simpler plot than the previous one, as much of the story revolves around constant time travel. However, as the narrative progresses, Moulton gradually reveals a deeper connection between the characters, the mysterious man, and the newly discovered scepter. These revelations add greater complexity to the story and make the adventure far more rewarding. Hence, Tina Talinka and the Echo of the Allohom is another fun, fast-paced adventure that's easy to get into. It introduces new characters while bringing back familiar ones, expands the world established in the first book, and adds more emotional depth through its themes and mystery. It keeps the same humor, sense of adventure, and engaging mystery that made the first book enjoyable.

[Mercy Presh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel follows Christina "Tina" Talinka, an ordinary-seeming American girl living in England who possesses a secret capacity for time travel and a powerful, invisible protector she calls "Handy". When her archaeologist mother is called to a dig in Saint-Chappelle in the Pyrenees Mountains, Tina—along with her observant friend Dennis Richardson—finds herself caught in a cross-temporal mystery involving ancient scepters, mysterious coded messages appearing in books, and a ruthless medieval despot named Captain Reloux. Reloux has stolen a parallel artifact and acquired a 20th-century Luger pistol through time anomalies, hunting down a local group of Neanderthals (the Blutoks) whom he mistakes for cave monsters. The narrative shifts across multiple time periods, blending historical environments with science-fantasy elements as Tina attempts to decipher her own powers and save the innocent.

Tina serves as a relatable protagonist whose internal conflict drives the story forward; she constantly wrestles with the sudden bursts of rage and violence she unleashes through her protector and her alter-ego entity, Gurro. Her character growth centers on learning to master her emotions, accept responsibility for her unique gifts, and balance her analytical deductions with empathy. Supporting characters like Dennis provide comic relief and practical logic reminiscent of math word problems, while figures like the blind tapestrist Estelle and the mysterious mentor Celeste deepen the book's thematic exploration of fate, truth, and alternative versions of oneself ("allohoms").

Moulton’s writing style is straightforward, highly accessible, and conversational, utilizing simple human terms that make complex concepts like temporal mechanics and anthropological shifts easy to digest. The pacing is brisk and episodic, shifting rapidly from school life and libraries to ancient caves and WWII resistance encounters. This keeps the momentum high and ensures young readers remain engaged, mirroring the fast-paced nature of a classic adventure serial.

On the positive side, the novel excels at merging educational historical and anthropological elements—such as Neanderthal culture, Mousterian tools, and archaeological grid systems—seamlessly into an imaginative fantasy adventure. However, the book does suffer from certain narrative weaknesses, including occasional repetitive dialogue structures, heavy reliance on convenient coincidences to drive the plot, and simplistic resolutions to high-tension conflicts. Furthermore, the transition between historical eras can sometimes feel abrupt, occasionally stretching the reader's suspension of disbelief regarding how characters navigate complex temporal paradoxes. 

[Vidhya · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading book 1 of the Talinka series,I was eager to read book 2. As expected, I wasn't disappointed this time too.
This time, Tina encounters strange texts which seem to ask her to save a group of certain 'cave monsters' and 'an innocent in the dungeons'.

A confused Tina lands in France along with her friend and mother to analyse an excavated archaeological dig. She finds herself switching back to the timelines of the Neanderthals in which a few of them are kidnapped by another time traveller named Reloux from the Medieval times. Reloux plans to portray the Neanderthal men as 'cave monsters' and kill them to make a name for himself amongst the public. It is up to Tina, her friend Dennis and their once ancient enemy-now-turned-friend Gurro to reverse the fate of the cave men with the help of her time travel medallion.

I liked the way the author used the concept of time travel efficiently in his story. The concept of mixed up timelines and a villainous time traveller is an excellent story to read.
However, you must pause between chapters and recollect the story as there is a lot of jumping to the past and present times. It might appear confusing at first, but you will get hold of the story eventually and enjoy the plot.

Ancient remnants of bones lying in the wrong era, a mad time traveller who has trouble using a gun, an old enemy back as a friend, a blind lady who knits beautiful stories and a time travel medallion is what the story is about.
I highly recommend this to preteens and people who love to read historical fiction and time travel stories

[Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Tina Talinka and the Echo of the Allohom," the main character, Tina, becomes embroiled in a mystery while participating in an archaeological excavation. Alongside uncovering ancient Neanderthal remains, she receives cryptic messages urging her to rescue "cave monsters" and an imprisoned individual.

The book skillfully crafts suspense through its mysterious messages and Tina's attempts to interpret them. The incorporation of archaeology and the Neanderthal discovery adds an intriguing historical layer to the story.

Having enjoyed the first book, I eagerly anticipated the second installment, and it didn't disappoint. Like its predecessor, it seamlessly blends themes like archaeology, time travel, friendship, and the battle between good and evil, appealing to both young and adult readers.

The use of time travel is cleverly executed, although the frequent shifts between past and present may initially confuse readers. However, perseverance uncovers a compelling narrative featuring mixed timelines and a malevolent time traveler.

Overall, "Tina Talinka and the Echo of the Allohom" delivers an absorbing blend of mystery, adventure, and historical intrigue, inviting readers on an enthralling journey through discovery and time. The overall storytelling quality and thematic coherence make it a highly enjoyable read.

[Bearone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel begins with the story of Tina and Dennis meeting and their secret friends.
The new secret that surprises me is that Tina's a ...... (let's guess).
Wow, I really like this kind of story.
I was wondering, is this some kind of guy who has a gifted?

While reading this book, several times I remembered Renesmee in Twilight and the ring that was in Lord of the Rings.
Maybe you'd think the same way I would if you read this book 🤔.

Tina's figure here really illustrates one of the qualities of a student.
Sometimes, there are students who dislike material and prefer to go directly to the field to observe and learn about something.

I really liked the part where Tina was proud of her mother. And I also like Tina's cool mindset about her mother, even though she doesn't spend much time together. She's a grown-up little figure.

I love her mother's open character and always let her daughter learn his own way.
I was wrong to focus on Tina's family situation.
This family is very relaxed but of quality. Isn't this cool?
You can learn well in your own way and be supported by the environment. It's a dream family.

By the way, this novel reminds me of an Indonesian novel called Incognito. They have some of the same vibes, especially about time travelers.

[Hikmah AbdulGafar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Moulton had this book surrounding itself with the world of archaeology and prehistory. That, I find impressive and interesting. The plot weaves in and out of the exciting world of excavations, artifacts, the mystery that surrounds them, and time travel. This is a book for preteens and early teenagers, but if archaeology interests you, you have a load of information to feast on.

Tina Talinka, the only child of a seasoned archeologist, was chosen to save the lives of some innocent neanderthals who were brought closer to the present age by the actions of an uninformed mean man who could time travel—as she could.

This book ultimately seeks to pass the message of relativism. It tells that the difference in other people's looks, actions, or speech compared to ours, does not make them less worthy of equal treatment.

However, time travel, which is the stem of this book, can be quite a jumble and a bit tasking to keep up with. You can need to place the book down at intervals and retrace your "steps" before you catch up with the latest development in the book.

With these in mind, I give the book a four-star rating.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired teacher that still subs at various grade levels, I like to occasionally read books that are written for kids. This is my second book by this particular author, and it is part of a series. This book could be read as a stand-alone book. However, there is some mention of things that happened in the first book, as well as recurring characters, and it helps to know the personality of the characters a bit deeper with that backstory.

I am personally a fan of Tina Talinka and her friend Dennis Richardson. They are curious enough to seek out adventure and not just sit in a basement playing video games. My own interest in archeology stemmed from reading about Pompeii in the sixth grade, so this reminded me of the importance of reading about different occupations at young ages. Talinka’s mother is an archeologist that works in a museum in Florida, but her expertise is often called upon by other countries, which leads them to visit other cultures, which is also fun to learn about. This book does deal with death, just as the previous book did, but it is not written in a gory way, and there is nothing overly depressing. I found it to be a page turner, once I got started. Some of the vocabulary may be tougher for a middle school reader, but it is good to challenge young readers whenever possible. I would recommend this series for grades 5 -8. If your kids are already fans of The Magic Treehouse series, they will probably enjoy this series, too.

[EdenB15 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading book 1 i was very much looking forward to reading the 2nd book. This definitely didn’t disappoint.The character of Tina is quite relatable and i rlly enjoyed seeing her opinions and actions develop over the course of the book. I think it was helpful there was a recap at the beginning of the story which meant that it was easier for the readers to pick up book 2 without having read the first. This time Tina finds herself in France on another archaeological dig and has time travelled back to the medieval times where she must reverse the fate of the ‘cave monsters’ A lot of mystery,action adventures with some interesting characters such as a blind old woman, an arch nemesis and a mad time traveller. I loved how it moved between the past and present however this can be quite confusing at times. Would recommend to both old and young alike and am excited to see what happens in Tina’s next adventures

[Het · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting read for young minds. The background of history with archaeology makes it an enriching read with the mystery and adventure to keep the young minds engaged. Obviously the initial story line to get the characters where they need to be like Dennis in London is very forced. But I loved the overall message behind the story of your thoughts and actions that make sense in context. Like one act could be bad but within another context it might be right. So to treat everyone equally without judgement.
Since Tina gets better at time travelling, it might get a bit confusing for young minds to get hold of what's happening but I guess with a little adult help it will be a better reading experience.

[Pinky N.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find time travel as an amazing ability, but most writers weren't using this ability fully in their story. The time travel here is so interesting. And I also like the fact that I had to really used my head – to think, and it helps me overcome my hard time (yeah I got so many problems this month).

The only think that bother me a little bit is the margin – on the right side. As long as I remember, the writing for the first book is far better than this one. Well, it doesn't affect me in bad ways anyway, so I still wanted to give this book five stars.

[I.G. Fleu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deeply enjoyed book 1 of this series and was eager to get my hands on book 2. It didn’t disappoint me: just like its predecessor, it manages to mix several concepts (among others archeology, time travel, friendship, good vs evil…) in a funny and clever way. The way the characters evolve and grow up is well managed too. I honestly think this series are not only fit for middle graders, but also for those adults who look for tiny fables hidden in children’s stories.

[francessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Received a copy of this book via BookTasters in exchange of an honest review)


Okay. Having read the first book of this series. I was not disappointed by how the story unfolded this time around.

It was, however, a bit confusing on the time travel part, with the medallion and I am a bit disappointed that there aren't any consequences in the manipulation of events during time travel.

But overall, the story is great!

[Ludivine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was most definitely very interesting. I liked the mystery so much, and being a fan of the time travel concept (because there’s just so much to say), I gotta say I wasn’t disappointed by the author’s take on it. It was captivating in a way that makes you think with the protagonists, which I loved.

It was literally a good read (no pun indeed, lol). I would recommend it to you if you’re into that type of book, particularly if you’re all about mysteries and you like solving them.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the second book in the Tina Talinka's Adventures series. I enjoyed it as much as the first one, if not a little bit more. By this point, I had already had time to warm to Tina and found myself enjoying her quirky personality. This was another entertaining adventure story, and I found it slightly more eerie than the first book. I think these books would be a good choice for younger readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure stories.

[Swati]

I had read the Tina and talinka first part...i loved that book and expected second part too...i read it for my brother too...The concept of mixed up timelines and a villainous time traveller is an excellent story to read. I love the way way author used the time travel very well.. It may be confusing at first but you will get the story soon and love the plot..
I highly recommend this to teens and people who love to read fiction and time travel stories...

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this. I actually don't know if I liked the first more or this one more! The idea of the allohom was interesting and I liked the interplay between timelines. Gurro is awesome and while felt bad for Rene, I think it was the right ending. There's a lot in here for kids interested in archaeology. Everything has its part to play and the characters etc are like puzzle pieces in the big picture. Really good story.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As interesting and entertaining as the first book.

I love the historical setting and the fast pace story.

This book managed to explain some things that were left without explanation in the previous one, so I really liked reading it.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute story with more details on Tina Talinka's powers. She begins to take action in the story. It was a fun, probably middle school age read.