Audiobook Review: Timekeeper

Author: Tara Sim

Narrator: Gary Furlong

Length: 8h 50m

Publisher: Forever Young Audiobooks

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release date: Feb. 14, 2017

Two o’clock was missing.

In an alternate Victorian world controlled by clock towers, a damaged clock can fracture time—and a destroyed one can stop it completely.

It’s a truth that seventeen-year-old clock mechanic Danny Hart knows all too well; his father has been trapped in a Stopped town east of London for three years. Though Danny is a prodigy who can repair not only clockwork, but the very fabric of time, his fixation with staging a rescue is quickly becoming a concern to his superiors.

And so they assign him to Enfield, a town where the tower seems to be forever plagued with problems. Danny’s new apprentice both annoys and intrigues him, and though the boy is eager to work, he maintains a secretive distance. Danny soon discovers why: he is the tower’s clock spirit, a mythical being that oversees Enfield’s time. Though the boys are drawn together by their loneliness, Danny knows falling in love with a clock spirit is forbidden, and means risking everything he’s fought to achieve.

But when a series of bombings at nearby towers threaten to Stop more cities, Danny must race to prevent Enfield from becoming the next target or he’ll not only lose his father, but the boy he loves, forever.

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Tara Sim is the author of Timekeeper (Sky Pony Press) and can typically be found wandering the wilds of the Bay Area, California. When she’s not chasing cats or lurking in bookstores, she writes books about magic, clocks, and explosives. Follow her on Twitter at @EachStarAWorld, and check out her website at tarasim.com.

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Gary Furlong grew up in Wexford, Ireland. Throughout his life he has worn many a hat: He has worked as a teacher in Niigata, Japan; a puppeteer in Prague; an improv artist in Memphis, Tennessee; and as a singer and actor all over Ireland. He started narrating audiobooks in late 2015 and hasn’t looked back.

Gary made his acting debut in the musical Godspell as a student. Since then he has pursued acting both on the amateur and professional circuits. Notable roles include Tom Collins in Bare Cheek’s production of Rent in 2010.

Over the course of his five years in Japan, he was an actor, director, and audio producer. It was during this time that he discovered his interest in audiobooks and voice-over.

He now works full-time as an audiobook narrator and voice actor from his home in Ireland.

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A story that keeps you hanging till the end! I could not wait to see the outcome for Danny and his clock. The legend of the creation of time is also very nicely created. I do believe this is a story that well deserves at least 4 stars – in my humble opinion. The narration was great as well. I could feel Danny ’s hesitations, his fears, his guilt throughout Gary Furlong’s voice.

The story is quite captivating, as it combines bits of history, with legends and an unconventional love. While Danny is doing his best to fill in for his father and carry the guilt of his captivity in a city beyond time, he falls for the subject of his work – the clock tower spirit. There are twists and turns, there are decisions that need to be taken, there are emotional struggles. So from plot perspective, I believe it has all that can be requested. Though I must admit I would have wanted a more spectacular ending.

Danny and Colton develop a relationship beyond friendship. However, I had the impression that maybe he takes advantage of Colton’s naivety, taking into account he has not had many visitors and does not know much about love. While one learns how to take advantage of his skills as a mechanic, the other learns about the world, life, love.

Not only our main characters are well developed, but as well the other figures present in the book. All have complex issues and daemons to face, but in the same time, all act to the best of their abilities. Here we can clearly see the weaker side of humanity, but as well the strengths.

The bits and pieces of legend, about time creation and gods have captured me as well. They have flaws and demons of their own, which brings them closer to humanity.

As I was mentioning, the narration was great! I loved the calm voice, the accent, the way Gary Furlong expressed even the exasperation that the characters feel at times. I cannot imagine a better voice for Danny, really! With a clear pronunciation, this audiobook can be listen to very easily. And did I mention the English accent?

All in all, I did enjoy it very much and I cannot wait for the next book in the series! Hopefully, also narrated by the same person!