The Mapmakers Trilogy

The Mapmakers Trilogy takes place in an alternate world where a mysterious event called the Great Disruption fractured time itself, causing different regions to exist in different historical periods. At the center of the story is thirteen-year-old Sophia Tims, who lives in New Occident Boston in 1891 with her uncle, a cartographer who goes missing. Sophia embarks on a quest to find her uncle, accompanied by a boy named Theo, in a world where maps hold extraordinary powers beyond mere navigation. Their journey spans across lands existing in different centuries and historical periods, from medieval settlements to futuristic territories. The trilogy combines cartography, exploration, and time travel while following Sophia's growth from a young apprentice into a skilled mapmaker. The interconnected plotlines involve political intrigue, ancient secrets, and the complex workings of memory and time. Through its unique premise, the trilogy explores themes of destiny versus choice, the relationship between past and future, and the power of maps to shape human understanding. The narrative raises questions about how people navigate both physical spaces and the dimensions of time itself.

Readers describe The Glass Sentence (Book 1) as complex and creative, though some found it confusing. The trilogy's time-shifting premise and map-based magic system engaged young adult readers, as did Sophia's relationship with her uncle. Liked: - Detailed worldbuilding and cartography elements - Strong character development - Original premise and unpredictable plot - Educational aspects about maps and navigation Disliked: - Pacing issues, especially in later books - Complicated concepts hard for target age group - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Middle book considered weaker than first and third Ratings: Goodreads Book 1: 3.9/5 (8,800+ ratings) Book 2: 3.9/5 (2,900+ ratings) Book 3: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon Book 1: 4.3/5 Book 2: 4.4/5 Book 3: 4.5/5 "The world-building draws you in but the plot gets tangled," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another commented, "Perfect for kids who love maps and history but the time concepts need adult explanation."

The Glass Sentence by S.E. Grove This story combines elements of cartography, time travel, and alternate history as a girl searches for her missing uncle in a world where continents exist in different time periods.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman A girl travels between parallel worlds using a truth-telling device while uncovering secrets about the nature of consciousness and reality.

The Map to Everywhere by Carrie Ryan Two children navigate magical waters between worlds using enchanted maps to find pieces of a powerful artifact.

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher A prison exists outside of time and space, connected to the normal world through crystal keys and mysterious technological maps.

The Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve Mobile cities hunt each other across a post-apocalyptic landscape while characters uncover ancient maps and technologies from the past.

🗺️ The trilogy's unique premise centers on a world where different parts of the globe exist in different time periods, creating a fascinating blend of historical eras existing simultaneously. 📚 Author S.E. Grove wrote the first draft of "The Glass Sentence" (Book 1) while completing her PhD in History at Harvard University. 🌍 The series incorporates real historical cartographic techniques and tools, including portolan charts and astrolabes, weaving them into its fantastical narrative. ⏰ The story takes place in 1891 New Occident (formerly Boston), but after an event called the Great Disruption scattered time periods across the world. 🔍 The author developed the concept of "memory maps" for the series - cartographic objects that contain actual memories and experiences rather than just geographical data.