Title: The Temporal Guild
Author: George W. Bailey
Price: $17.95, paperback
Genre: Sci-fi/Futuristic/Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1430304241, paperback
Publisher: Lulu/sold only through Amazon
Point of Sale: amazon.com
After the discovery of a tell-all book, a seasoned Temporal member and his empathetic apprentice embark on a journey suffused with secrets, treachery while facing one man’s craving for revenge and power. Temporal Arbiter, Rumford and his Agent-in-Training, Jon Seymour are assigned to arrest Claymore Mortimer, a banished Temporal associate, for publishing and distributing secrets belonging to The Temporal Guild. Their attempts to apprehend him has them unraveling Claymore’s puzzling time travel activities and growing obsession with antiquated toys, at the same time solving a timeline bleeding into another dimension and escaping giants. For Jon it is a time of learning that limitations stem from low self-belief, overcoming many of them as they arise.
Mr. Bailey’s, “The Temporal Guild” is an enjoyable captivating story, suitable even for young adult readers. With its unique premise, as I have never read a story like it before, it possesses a smooth natural plot maintained by solid characters. The Temporal Guild is a group of explorers trained to gather and archive past historical events, branding them as keepers of all lost knowledge. Agents gather this information then submit to the Guild for approval and filing. The Arbiters train apprentices and serve as co-Regents but with no decision-making authority. Regents preside over them all creating a government of its own and like most ruling bodies they like some things kept secret.
Claymore Mortimer reveals classified information in a book, distributing it throughout the past eras he visits. Years ago, he was dismissed for using the timelines for personal purposes, worse he married in secret and fathered a child – a no-no as members are forbidden any romantic entanglements. At his hearing, Claymore vows revenge against the entire Guild, most especially Rumford for his investigative prowess. Years pass before he emerges again, more sinister then ever.
Jon Seymour, a sensitive, caring young man, sees himself as ordinary and a mediocre achiever. His fellow apprentices mocked his love of the old tomes in the Temporal library, preferring books to them. Seeking a leisure read, he uncovers a book written by Claymore that outlines the Temporal Guild’s demise, where he builds an army as he rules over all dimensional space and time as the Guild’s new leader. Jon does not read the final chapter of the book, revealing a secret the Guild prefers to remain buried. Uneasy about his findings, he shows the book to his tutor.
Rumford is a lively man who enjoys mentoring students and sharing his prolific experiences and knowledge; he also has a tendency to ramble needlessly. He takes the book to the Regents who send him to capture Claymore and all his writings. Rumford chooses Jon to accompany him on this clandestine mission. Their first order of business is to meet with the Agent who submitted Claymore’s book to the Temporal library – A. Daggons.
Addie Daggons is feisty, opinionated and independent. Abandoned by her father at an early and the daughter of an alcoholic, she gives this simple story spice. Rumford and Jon are taken aback by her hostility at being interrupted from her duties; cataloging the Salisbury Cathedral building designs in the year 1251. She denies ever submitting the book, since never been sent to Alexandria where the book originated. The mystery begins, as Rumford and Jon must now retrace Claymore’s movements through the dimension timelines, only uncovering his fondness for antique toys. Pulled away from the investigation, the men inspect a dimensions glitch.
More intrigue follows the duo when probing merging dimensions that have created discord. Rumford suspects Claymore of creating this irregularity. Then, Jon expresses a foreboding when asked to meet privately with Lord Delborne, Regent and leader of the Temporal Guild, at Mesa Verde, Colorado. The two continue on their course, only to encounter Claymore and his army of giants. Now, teamed with Addie, Jon and Rumford witness a great evil as they draw near to exposing Claymore.
I urge readers to give “The Temporal Guild” a glance, especially parents looking for books appealing to pre-teen and teenagers who enjoy sci-fi/fantasy novels. It is not a deep adult story instead a light, fascinating read.
RATING: 8/10
Reviewed by: In August of 2006, Pamela broke into book review writing with Erotic Escapades, but writes for The Erotic Bookworm, The Muse Book Reviews, Romance At Heart, and now POD People. Her own web site, Chewing the Bone exhibits book reviews in multilple genres, including children and young adult fiction. With all that she has going on Pamela finds time to dabble in flash-fic writing. Although, she doesn't aspire in becoming a published novelist, because it would take valuable time away from her first love... reading.
1 comment:
Nice review, I may have to pick this one up.
Post a Comment