Robby Charters

Orphans of Time Space by Robby Charters will have you believing time is malleable, pondering where stray memories and imagination come from, and looking very differently at the choices of yesterday and the past. The story is threaded with history and fascinating facts, very plausible characters, a secret society, a scary antagonist, and an ending that’s absolutely enthralling and unexpected.

Interleaved short stories combine to create a fascinating picture in this novel, with young love enticing, characters reappearing, readers enjoying that sense of wonder and discovery, and timelines gradually melding into reality. History, pre-history, present and future, with a touch, even, of newspapers, science, and faith, the combination is unique and thoroughly enjoyable—highly recommended.

Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.… (más)

Think Prince and the Pauper, rags to riches, Harry Potter under the stairs, and add just the tiniest touch of C.S. Lewis perhaps. Make the protagonist a very normal boy with a very excellent desire to protect his younger sister. Lose his family, destroy his home, and set him free in a world of street kids begging, rich businessmen with the world’s best technology to hand, and a curious stranger who just happens to be where he’s needed... well... some of the time. Then plot to have your cool protagonist killed.

Robby Charters’ Pepe tells an age-old tale, with cool allusions to history ancient and modern; a great sense for youthful fun, loyalty, and computer games; and a nicely, slightly skewed image of a glorious technological future, but only for the rich. Hints of Biblical tales, a Truth that might leave adult readers pondering freewill at will, and a truly compelling storyline combine to make this a thoroughly entertaining read. The language is simple, clean and clear. The plot moves swiftly and smoothly through a string of enjoyable twists and locations. The level of detail is just right. The dialog sings. And the briefly poetic chapter headings are a great lure for adults as well.

One of the best teen novels I’ve read in a long while, I really enjoyed this.

Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.… (más)

The Wrong Time is a thoroughly intriguing and enjoyable collection of short stories by Robby Charters, tied together with a ribbon of twisted time. A master of the art of not-telling, the author uses short phrases such as "the viewing public had been satisfied with 100 percent reality 3D" to link future and present, together with delightful comments from off-beat narrators, like "the last time I ordered ice cream at Baskin Robbins, I created thirty-one universes."

The collection ranges from scifi to Biblical flash fiction. Sharp-edged verse is juxtaposed with deep-thought questions of time, space, love and guilt. And great characters from childish to adult to simply confused take the stage.

There’s a pleasing sense of authenticity to the tales, with a willingness to engage the reader’s brain as well entertaining. I read with many smiles, occasional laughs, and great satisfaction. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I was given a copy by the author and I offer my honest review.… (más)