The Past Master

Reviews / Votes

An inspirational, witty read that effortlessly blends rip-roaring adventure with real-life issues, including racial inequality and neurodiversity * * Buzz Magazine * * The latest offerings in her thrilling kids's debut quartet . . . [fans will] be feverishly turning the pages * * Sunday Post * * Praise for The Time-Thief: An ingenious, exhilarating adventure -- SOPHIE ANDERSON, author of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS An adventure so thrilling it makes time fly! -- BEN MILLER, author of THE BOY WHO MADE THE WORLD DISAPPEAR A time-travel mystery that manages to incorporate criminal masterminds, neurodivergence, racial inequalities, intertemporal friendships and Samuel Johnson - all narrated in Elle's exuberant and energetic voice. Even better than The Infinite! Loved it! -- FLEUR HITCHCOCK, author of THE BOY WHO FLEW In The Time-Thief, Agbabi has written a second instalment to the Leap Cycle series that even exceeds the first. Elle is a delightful character to follow: not just a well-rounded heroine with a unique set of beautiful insights, but also an important example of meaningful representation in a literary arena where Black autistic girls are rarely represented. In reading The Time-Thief you also get a clear sense of how much Agbabi loves creative wordplay, as she tells a gripping time-travel story that keeps you guessing, while clearly having fun with the English language along the way! A creative, imaginative novel with a fascinating lead character -- CHRIS BONNELLO, author of UNDERDOGS Thrilling . . . Starring a brilliant young heroine, this original and inventive adventure story will keep you gripped from beginning to end * * The Week Junior * * The main characters in Patience Agbabi's The Time-Thief [are] as literate as they are skilled on the athletics field. They are also neurodivergent, not least narrator Elle, whose autism is depicted accurately and sympathetically . . . just as clever and enjoyable as its forerunner * * Financial Times * * A must-read . . . Filled with thrilling twists and turns, and with a relatable main character, this a spellbinding mystery that will keep readers gripped to the final page * * Scotsman * * What a delight to be back in the company of Elle and her Infinite friends. The Time-Thief is chock-full of wicked wordplay and time-travelling conundrums, but also a breathlessly paced thriller. Time disappears while reading this book, so Agbabi actually proves that time travel is real -- STEVE TASANE, author of CHILD I