The Nick of Time

In primis honor factis – “Of first importance, honor in deeds and actions.”

This phrase, translated by Newport’s own Katie Robinson, Latin teacher at Harbor Day School, is the central theme of the new young adult ebook, “Time of Honor,” by Margo Sorenson.

In Sorenson’s latest outing, we meet Connor Ames, a smart-mouthed 14-year-old prep school student. While visiting a medieval castle in England, and during a freak lightning storm, Connor gets hurled back more than 700 years to the year 1272 and must quickly figure out how to find her way as a young medieval “lady.”

Drawing on her quick wit, and a few key analytical skills picked up on the debate team; Connor falls in step with William and Maud, the two teen-aged nobles living in the Grafford Castle.

She soon discovers that not only will she have to navigate the vastly different rules that govern absolutely everything in her new world, including the things that she, as a female, should know, she will also have to solve the answer to this very important question: Who wishes to bring harm to William, the future Baron of Grafford, and will they be able to stop them in time to save William’s neck?

The list of suspects is long. With William’s father, the Baron, gone off to fight in the Crusades, there are many who stand to profit from his heirs being out of the picture. Is it Uncle John, the Baron’s younger brother, who, as a second son, stands to inherit neither power nor fortune? Is it Robert the Steward, charged with collecting the rents due to the Graffords, and suspected of lining his own pockets? Or, is it Adam de Coppeley, the Chief Forester and one whom William and Maud suspect to be involved in varying nefarious activities?

With a little help from their allies in the kingdom, the three friends set out to learn the truth, not only to save their own skins, but also to preserve the family’s honor, not allowing any to sully the motto of Grafford Castle – “In primis honor factis.”

With “Time of Honor,” Sorenson, author of 28 books for young readers, proves once more that she has what it takes to write a story perfectly suited for the younger audience.

Again, she has filled the pages with mystery, and intrigue, (and murder, oh my!) but purposefully left out the sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll elements. And, once again, she has hit it out of the park.

Written with a voice that is very relatable, and youthful in nature, the protagonist remained appropriately edgy. She was a typical 14-year-old girl – consumed with her friends, boys, and annoying her mother. She hinted at episodes of rule breaking and encounters with the opposite sex, giving her enough of an edge to make her a realistic counterpart to the tween audience, but maintaining enough decorum to be parent friendly as well.

As with Sorenson’s previous books, it is something that I wouldn’t think twice about recommending to any young reader. And, although it breaks my boys’ cardinal rule when selecting a book to read by having a main character that is –gasp- a girl, with all the plotting and mystery, it is a story that is equally suited for both male and female readers.

So, I pray thee, make haste, and get at once to Amazon, to procure thyself a copy!

For more information on “Time of Honor” or Margo Sorenson, please visit www.margosorenson.com