The Time Warden

by Nora Barth

A boy in a helmet.

A girl in a mask.

One fateful night, each becomes the other’s worst enemy.

But they don't know that. Yet.

—

Kirt Morgana, the privileged son of a knight, is an utter disappointment. Inherently bad at everything his father values most, he’s failed every test and squandered every chance. To his surprise, however, he’s given a mission to retrieve his lord’s lost property—a box, locked and guarded in a fortified tower. To Kirt’s devastation, everything goes wrong…and he’s the one to blame. Reeling from his failure, he begins a desperate quest to find the Time Warden. If the last magician is real, he can turn back time and give Kirt a second chance.

Lucia Durand, called Luke by everyone except her older brother, spends her lonely days guarding a tower. Whatever’s inside doesn’t seem worth protecting, since no one’s ever paid attention to it…until now. Without warning, her castle is attacked, rekindling embers of a war long over. She succeeds in protecting the tower, but the invaders kill her brother, the only person she’s ever cared about. Even more broken than before, she sets out for revenge, running away and risking everything she and her brother have worked for.

When their paths cross, Kirt and Luke realize they can both get what they want if they work together. Not knowing that each was the catalyst of the other’s problems, they begin their journey across the kingdom. As the two form a bond of friendship, the truth of their entwined pasts bubbles closer and closer to the surface. But if they can find the Time Warden, maybe they can fix more than their own broken lives. Maybe they don’t have to be enemies after all.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2023

Reviews

[Kelsey Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was so good and it was written by a high school student from Omaha! I met her at our neighborhood farmers market where she was selling copies of her book. She is coming to talk to our book club next week. So cool to see young people creating!

[Gianna Capra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous! Everyone loves a magical quest, and I’m no exception. Burned through nearly the whole book in a single sitting. Lovely characters, airtight premise, strong motivations behind actions, and some great twists (that I didn’t predict). For me, it really took off after page ~30.

I bought The Time Warden from Nora at the Omaha farmers market when I was visiting a few weeks ago, and will now be recommending it to people all over my home cities of Seattle and Chicago!

I believe this is Nora’s debut novel? Incredibly impressive! Reading 250 pages in one sitting is no small feat for me. Will be watching for and reading anything she releases in the future. 🧙🏼‍♂️

[Kathleen Basi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredibly creative take on time travel, magic, and fantasy, with great world building and lovely writing. Complex characters with nuanced backgrounds and powerful motivations. Nora Barth has a great future ahead of her.

[Mackenzie Vanden Heuvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done for a first time author. Some minor errors (can't remember the page exactly but mentioned "the men will leave with father in the morning" twice in one paragraph) and a few recurring phrases that are mentioned a few too many times (ie. It's a curse. Or a blessing depending on which way he looks at it). Easy and enjoyable read even as a YA book. Met Nora at the farmers market in Omaha who was a joy to talk to. Good luck Nora and keep writing!

[Marcy Saniuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! From the details with the characters, timeline with travel, clear to the end there was so much action I could not stop reading! You can tell there was a lot of thought that went into all of it! Highly recommend for all ages!

[Kade Gering · Rating 5 out of 5]

(First off, I will admit that this review might be a tad biased. Second of all,) UGH this book was SO GOOD!!! A feel-good, classic fantasy adventure with two great protagonists and moments that tug at your heartstrings. Barth does such an excellent job with mixing worldbuilding and action - I could not put this book down. An absolute 10/10; I cannot wait to see what this author puts out next. Please support her and read this fantastic book!!

[Catherine Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to pick this one up from a little free library at a nearby park in Omaha only to find out the author is from here. And she's very young! This book was a fun read, reminds me a little of game of thrones with light magic. I can't wait to see what else Nora will write in her budding career as an author!

[Hannah Truax · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely astonishing. When I first bought this from the author I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it as it is not normally my preferred genre. After the first page, I couldn’t put it down. It was just so enticing and such a page turner. Looking forward to more books by Nora Barth! Such a great read.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has all the things you want in a good adventure story…an intriguing world, an unlikely friendship, time travel, and of course MAGIC. This was Nora Barth’s first novel and so excited to read whatever she gives us next!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora has given us a wonderful book! I look forward to her next endeavor. I am so very glad her uncle came into my library to request The Time Warden, I truly enjoyed it and passed it on to the next coworker, and many more are waiting!

[Tyler Montoya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining book, especially for a first novel! I bought this at the Omaha farmers market in the old market, and enjoyed chatting with the author for a bit. I’m excited to see what Nora Barth does next.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I was reading this I forgot that it was written by a teen. It was a search for someone to find themselves and their worth. For a young woman to save her brother and change their world. It was a perfect fantasy read that is clean and wholesome!

[Emily Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good debut novel from a young writer. The story was cute, the characters were a bit one-dimensional with predictable choices, but what do you expect from a high school author. I would have loved more world building and lore about the magic system in the world. But overall, fine. An easy read.

[Elizabeth Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I really liked how things all connected and the development of the characters. I even had the pleasure of meeting the author in her home town!

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story with an intriguing magic system and lovable characters! Fantastic debut. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great debut! I found this book by meeting the author at a local farmers’ market, and it did not disappoint! One of those books you want to read all in one sitting.

[Brianna Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was so creative and well done. I heard about it because of a book club I'm attending next week and I can't wait to go talk about it!

[Tatum Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!! the writing was amazing it was easy to read not too wordy!! i loved the storyline and the details there were! great imagery it was like i was watching it while reading!