The Gate of Days

Guillaume Prevost

In The Book of Time, Sam learned that his father time travels. He also learns how to travel around in time as he tries to fine his father. At the beginning of The Gate of Days, Sam has learned where he can find Father. But can he get there/then?

Father is being held in the dungeon of Vlad Tepes, better known as Vlad the Impaler. Vlad Tepes is also known as Dracula... Sam studies his history to learn more. Even though the real Dracula was not a vampire, he was an evil man. He killed thousands in his quest to free his kingdom from others and set up his own holdings in Eastern Europe. Sam knows that his father lived in the dungeons. Can he figure out how to work the coins and the sun stone and find Father while he is still alive?

Since his time traveling adventures started, he learned that his cousin Lily is not so bad after all. She's 12 to his 14 and he thought she was a pest. But Lily understands when he starts explaining the odd things happening to him. In fact, she starts helping him. If she concentrates on him while he is gone, it is easier for him to return.

This time Lily travels with him. Their trips are dangerous - Pompeii, the Oracle of Delphi, and others. Sam has to find the secret to directing their travels so they can go to the time they want, not just jump around randomly throughout history. If Sam does find Father alive, how does he get him out of Dracula's dungeon?

The Gate of Days is as fun as The Book of Time, and is a good sequel. It can be read on its own, but will lose some of the back story. It's better to start "at the very beginning" to learn how Sam stumbles into and around time travel.

Guillaume Prevost has added other magic to make this book easier for children to accept. Sam and Lily are magically able to speak and understand the language where they jump. That gets rid of the talking problems. Prevost adds other bits to add realness to his story, such as the linen clothes the children should wear to make the travel easier.

The Book of Time
The Gate of Days
The Circle of Gold