Reviewed for Readers' Favorite
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Great Time Lock Disaster by C. Lee McKenzie is a charming, fast-paced middle grade novel with lots of magic and mayhem. Pete Riley is not a very good wizard. He has trouble with spells, and during a magic lesson with a witch named Harriet, he has so much trouble that he accidentally unlocks a Time Lock. Pete and his friend Weasel end up in England around the time of Queen Victoria’s coronation, and from there, they have to find out how to fix the spell and get back to their own modern time period. They also meet many fun characters in Victorian England, such as the determined and brave Margaret, and Dr. Dread Wraith, who bounds off the page with his electric personality. There’s also a talking alligator named Fanon, a witch named Mattie, and some interesting boys at The Spike, a home for children that Pete describes as stinky with bad food.
The Great Time Lock Disaster is the sequel to Alligators Overhead, which I did not read. In lieu of weaving backstory into the first chapter, C. Lee McKenzie took a creative approach by having Weasel, Pete’s best friend, provide some helpful information about the characters. After that, the book moves along at a fast pace, never straying from the plot and Pete’s quest to fix the Time Lock spell and get back home with Weasel. The writing is smooth and fun, and stays true to the intended age group. Pete was believable as a clunky wizard, and his friends all had unique personalities to the point where I could hear each character’s distinct voice. The initial landing in Victorian England via the graveyard gave a spooky edge to the story, especially right in the beginning. I knew from there I was in for a treat! I recommend the book to fans of children’s literature who enjoy fun, magic, and quirky characters.
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