Book

The History Keepers

by Damian Dibben

📖 Overview

The History Keepers follows teenager Jake Djones, who discovers his parents are missing and learns they belong to a secret society of time-traveling agents. After joining the History Keepers organization, Jake begins training to protect the course of history from those who would try to alter it for nefarious purposes. Set across multiple time periods and locations, from present-day London to 19th century Venice, the story tracks Jake's first mission as he works to prevent a dangerous plot that threatens to disrupt history. The History Keepers headquarters serves as a base for the organization's agents, who monitor timeline interference and deploy through time using a mysterious substance called Atomium. Jake must quickly adapt to his new reality as a History Keeper while navigating complex relationships with fellow agents and searching for answers about his parents' disappearance. His journey introduces him to the organization's protocols, gadgets, and the weight of responsibility that comes with protecting history. At its core, the book explores themes of family loyalty, coming of age, and the interconnected nature of historical events. The narrative raises questions about fate versus free will, and whether attempting to change the past is ever justified.

👀 Reviews

Readers consistently highlight the fast pace and adventure elements, comparing the style to Rick Riordan and Anthony Horowitz's works. Many reviews note the book appeals to both children and adults. Readers appreciate: - Historical details and settings - The protagonist Jake's character development - Clear explanations of time travel mechanics - Humor and witty dialogue Common criticisms: - Plot predictability - Limited character depth beyond Jake - Some scenes feel rushed - Historical accuracy sacrificed for action Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Perfect blend of history and adventure" - Amazon reviewer "Too similar to other YA time travel books" - Goodreads reviewer "The historical settings come alive" - Book blogger "Characters needed more development" - Goodreads reviewer

📚 Similar books

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The Infinity Ring: A Mutiny in Time by James Dashner Three teens become time travelers who must repair breaks in history to prevent the collapse of their present-day world.

TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow A team of young time agents works from a hidden base in New York City to prevent time travelers from changing the course of history.

The Book of Time by Guillaume Prévost A fourteen-year-old boy discovers an ancient time machine in his grandfather's basement and travels through different historical periods to find his missing father.

Gideon the Cutpurse by Linda Buckley-Archer Two children from present-day London are transported to 1763 by an anti-gravity machine and must navigate eighteenth-century society while searching for a way home.

🤔 Interesting facts

🕰️ The book's protagonist, Jake Djones, travels through time to locate his missing parents while working with a secret society that protects history from those who try to change it. 📚 Author Damian Dibben was a screenwriter for major film studios before turning to novel writing, bringing his cinematic storytelling style to The History Keepers series. ⚔️ The story spans multiple historical periods, including 1820s Venice and ancient Rome, with detailed descriptions drawn from extensive historical research. 🌏 The History Keepers series has been translated into over 25 languages and sold in more than 40 countries worldwide. 🎬 Film rights to The History Keepers were acquired by Working Title Films, the production company known for movies like Love Actually and Les Misérables.