The Time Machine

The Truth Chronicles #1

by Tim Chaffey, Joe Westbrook

When four unsuspecting teens from the world's top science academy attempt a trip to ancient Egypt, they dive into an adventure beyond their wildest imaginations. Jax and Isaiah expect pyramids and pharaohs, but come face-to-face with some of the deadliest creatures to ever walk the earth. Can JT and Micky get there before it's too late? And what will happen when they are confronted with the true history of the world? "Rather than compromising biblical history, this story confirms the facts recorded in the Bible and helps the reader understand the biblical worldview. Dinosaurs, time machines, international intrigue, and the that is the mix you will enjoy in The Truth Chronicles ." -- Roger Patterson, author of Evolution Exposed

Genres: Science Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian

142 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Time Machine" is a science-fiction adventure for boys and girls about age 8 to 14. This fast-paced, humorous adventure had an anime/manga flavor to it. There were black and white illustrations--about one per chapter, and the chapters were short.

The world-building was sketchy (it's vague as to when and where the present day events occur), but I don't think most kids will notice or care since Middle Grade fiction often spends less time on details. The characters were engaging, interesting, and acted in realistic ways. I cared about what happened to them. I also liked the ending. It wasn't necessarily what one might expect, and it turned out that way for a good reason.

There was a Christian element that was worked realistically into the story. Jax refused to go to church like his mom wanted him to because he didn't understand why a loving, all-powerful God would allow his father to die. Also, JT believed the machine really took them back 4,500 years while the others believed the machine glitched and sent them back to the previous entry, 70,000,000 BC, because there were dinosaurs. However, these issues were only briefly touched on. The story was a potential discussion-starter rather than slowing the pace to give detailed answers in the story itself.

There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this novel as well-written and exciting clean reading for kids.


I gave this book to a friend--a girl who's turning 13 years old next month. She read the entire novel in one night and told me the next morning, "It was SO AWESOME! I put it down and tried to go to sleep, but I just couldn't until I knew how everything turned out. So I finished it. And what a twist at the very end! When is the next book out?"


I received this book as a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Shannon Skaer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've wanted to read the Truth Chronicles for some time, but I was always dissuaded by my dislike for Manga comic books, which I incorrectly assumed from the covers that they were. The Time Machine was not only a "real" novella, but a fast-paced one with a good amount of action and a message that was delivered in a pleasant, non-preachy style. My only complaint is that they didn't spend as much time as I would have liked in the prehistoric world. I'm looking forward to book 2!

[Manette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this at a local used book store. I’m glad that I did. It will be given to one of my grandchildren. This is a science fiction about time traveling. It is an appropriate read for middle school children. The teen characters are high schoolers and there is a touch of romance in the novella but nothing inappropriate or offensive. I appreciate the creationists perspective included in the storyline.

The story was engaging and kept me going until the end. I really like the cliff hanger ending. That sort of ending keeps the kids reading. I’m looking forward to more of the series.

[Whitney Bougher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with my 8 & 6 year olds and while they really enjoyed the storyline it was definitely above their age level with the content. There were teenage relationships/dating and it just wasn’t on the level of my kids. It was clean and nothing crude/inappropriate but I would recommend this for age 12+.

I enjoyed that this book had a good balance of biblical science along with time travel adventures.

[Brunetta Lafara Lingg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm Hooked

Easy to read, everything flowed smoothly. No "Huh?"s at all. Presents the Bible as the Inspired Word of God. I was hooked on it from the beginning. I'll be starting on the next Book in the Series.

BTW I started in the Paperback but switched to the Kindle Version. I'll be donating the Paperback to my Church and going straight Kindle.

[Broheros · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-3.6 stars

A fun, short Christian book! Had some plot holes, or just unanswered questions to things that seem pretty obvious, but I enjoyed my two days spent with it! (Spent two Saturdays reading this) I’m definitely excited to continuing with the series and see the characters grow!

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There was a time machine and people could go back to maybe a hundred years and more." - Noel

[Kristen Cornelius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It’s OK but I would say this first book was too condensed. too short. I wish there was more content.

[Christa R · Rating 5 out of 5]

We enjoyed how this wove so many worldview questions into the story.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a scientist runs in Jax Thompson's family. His father had even solved the formula for time travel, but lacked the energy source necessary to make an operational time machine. Now Jax and his best friend Isaiah, better known as Izzy, are seeking to combine his father's last invention with the Space-Time Generator to finally able to go back in time. The guys are competing with their good friends JT and Micky, who are attempting to invert a hover board in time for their school's science fair.

Every attempt to go back and see the dinosaurs ends up a failure for Jax and Izzy, until they decide to change tactics and go back 4,500 years to see the building of the pyramids. They're shocked when the time machine works... except their destination looks like what they expected to see seventy million years ago! Did something go wrong? When their adventure takes a serious turn, Jax returns to the present and brings back JT and Micky to try and rescue Izzy.

JT is a Christian and recognizes that although the guys think the time machine malfunctioned, what they are seeing and experiencing lines up with what the Bible says about creation. Although uncertain about how to share her beliefs to three friends who think evolution is the only scientific answer for how the world began, JT is prayerful and considerate in bringing out truth and encouraging the others to find out more for themselves.

Jax doesn't trust God or believe that He is good in any way. Why should he believe in a God who let his father die? Yet he cares deeply about his friends and feels responsible for their safety. Will he listen to JT's words of wisdom, or will his bitterness break apart their friendship?

"The Time Machine" is full of adventure, Biblical principles presented in easy to understand format, and real life teen struggles. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has young science fiction lovers in their families! I look forward to the rest of "The Truth Chronicles" series and reading the further adventures Jax and his friends.

I received my copy of the book from the author in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.livejournal.com

[Jaguar · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK #1 - THE TRUTH CHRONICLES: THE TIME MACHINE
Pretty good book about four teens, Izzy, Jax, Micky, and JT. They are doing a science project for the school science fair and they each have to make something. Micky and JT decide to make a hoverboard. And Jax and Izzy make a time machine. Jax and Izzy end up getting the time machine to work when they went back 4,500 years ago. JT believes they went back 4,500 years ago while the others believe they went back 70,000,000 B.C. Which they thought they would end up at the time the pyramids were being built. But they end up with dinosaurs! Jax and Izzy get chased by a dinosaur and with Izzy stuck in a tree, Jax goes back for help. He brings back Micky and JT and they save Izzy. They make it back and go to the science fair, though only Micky and JT enter due to something concerning Jax and Izzy's time machine. Jax really like JT and loves her. So Jax brings JT home after the fair. And he tells her he loves her and wants to date her. JT is a Christian, Micky, Izzy, and Jax are not. JT says no, though she says they are still good friends, because she only wants to date someone she pictures spending the rest of her life with. And due to Jax's bitterness toward God for his fathers death, JT said it wouldn't work right now. Jax, furious, goes home, leaving JT in tears. The romantic is off and on in the book, though its very little. Then, the final chapter is where JT and Jax talk and it starts.

I'll see what happens and review the next one: BOOK #2 - THE TRUTH CHRONICLES: THE CONTEST

[Tessa Stockton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun adventure full of Biblical truth...

I had fun with this one. Four smart teenagers go on the adventure of their lives, traveling back in time, discovering what the Bible really says about creation, dinosaurs, and other pertinent elements to the foundation of Christianity. Faced with danger, international intrigue, relationships challenged and deepened, and spiritual devotion—solidified as well as strengthened—this series not only entertains, but is an excellent tool for answering, with a clear and simplistic approach, those questions that have perplexed many. Ideal for the young reader, enjoyable for the old, The Truth Chronicles delivers something wonderful to us all.

[Keira-- OLD ACCOUNT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short, interesting read. The cover made me think that it was more of a manga book, but it wasn't. Instead, it was a faith-filled time-travelling book. While I was very confused why these kids were able to invent the amazing things they could, I did enjoy some of the ideas behind it all. It was far from scientifically accurate, but it was cool to see a book like this written from a Creationist view. It was a very clean, short, Christian book.

[Torie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was great! I was thoroughly entertained, and it was sooooooo short, so I read it within just a few days, even though, if I cared enough, I COULD'VE finished it in one day, haha. I was most excited to read this because I had met one of the authors at a convention in Chicagoland, bought the book and received his autograph, so obviously that made it more fun. ;p

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a great book and i look forward to the rest,