Review Detail

The first installment in The Rhythm of Time series is a mixture of science fiction, time-travel, and pure fun. Set in Philly, the novel follows friends, Kasia and Rahim, navigating school life and getting into mischief. When Kasia comes up with a brilliant invention and allows Rahim to try it chaos ensues and it’s up to both to set things right or risk the threads of time destroying the world we know.

This novel is fast-paced and thrilling from beginning to end! Readers will have a hard time putting the novel down as Questlove and Cosby craft such a high-action tale full of mystery. I loved the pure excitement radiating off the characters in the story and their urgency to figure out how to fix the mess that they came in. Rahim and Kasia make for engaging main characters who not only have a strong friendship on page, but vibrant personalities as well. The way their characters develop over a short time makes the reader root for their story and excited to see how their adventures will continue.

The time-travel elements and futuristic gadgets are what really had me hooked on the story. There were creative inventions, wacky time-space happenings, and the uncertainty about time travel’s consequences. Those aspects of the story made it such a memorable read. The addition of the illustrations by Godwin Akpan also keep the reader entertained and only enhance the reading experience.

The Rhythm of Time has an overall positive message about following your dreams and the importance of friendship while also discussing relatable issues such as bullying and peer pressure. I highly recommend this middle grade read for those who are looking for an adventure and wait to see where the series goes next.