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J Yates
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Paradox Child: Book One Kindle Edition

by J Yates (Author), Julia Collins (Illustrator), Chris Keppie (Editor), Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 out of 5 stars 37 ratings
Copyright Jane Yates June 2013, this is the Re-edited version by the marvellous Mr Chris Keppie June 2014
This version updated March 2015
Set in the 1980’s most of the drama for this time travelling adventure is set in the Pitt Rivers Museum Oxford UK.

Lilly's family has an extraordinary secret, one they have kept for four generations. Lilly's proud to be different and special. At Halloween she's happy to stay at home and cast spells with her mum and her Grandmother rather than go out trick or treating like the other kids. At 12 years old, she thinks she knows it all.

But then Lilly becomes unsettled by odd events, like seeing the sinister man in the white shoes staring at her while she walks the dogs, and then local children start to go missing. When her mum doesn't come back from one of her regular night-time jaunts, Lilly's Grandmother thinks it's time to tell her the whole story. Lilly has second thoughts about whether her family's secret is a blessing, or a curse...
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  1. Reading age
    10 - 18 years
  2. Book 1 of 3
    Paradox Child Series
  3. Print length
    604 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    6 - 12
  6. Accessibility
    Learn more
  7. Publication date
    5 Jun. 2013
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Product description

About the Author

Jane, a dyslexic, mother, artist, and story teller. Lives in Oxford and works at the Pitt Rivers Museum, a museum of anthropology and world archaeology. Her Paradox Child series of Young Adult books features the museum and its objects. All the books are for young adults and are easy to read and translate.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00D8J41DM
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 5 Jun. 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 810 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 604 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 6 - 12
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Paradox Child Series
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 18 years
  • Customer reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

About the author

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J Yates

J Yates

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About Jane Yates

My name is Jane Yates, and I’m an author, artist and a narrator. I live in the historical City of Oxford in the UK.

Because I am dyslexic I did not start writing until I was 50 years old. I started as a cartoonist, illustrating and writing about my Springer Spaniel Mandy for a local community paper in Oxford, The Leys News, who I still write for.

I worked for several years in the Pitt Rivers a Museum in Oxford, which directly inspired me to write my first three books, the Paradox Child series.

My other books are Octopus Pirate and Garden which is published by Autumn Orchard and is Amazon’s #1 Children's Steampunk Bestseller. Also In audio read by Actress Anna Parker-Naples.

After the death of my dog Mandy, I had problem’s sleeping and discovered that there was not enough support after the loss of a beloved pet. I decided to make an audio. that would help other people who found themselves in the same situation.

It is called RELAX: Guided meditation to aid sleep, after the loss of a beloved dog. It has only been out a short time but is already receiving good reviews.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
37 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the story quality of this book. They find it entertaining, with one customer noting it's enjoyable for all ages.

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Story qualityEnjoyment
6 customers mention ‘Story quality’6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book.

"...get past this and the slightly frustrating narrator, the story is actually a good one...." Read more

"...In summary, a delightful tale which any child will hungrily devour in next to no time." Read more

"This is a book that has a sweetness and charm about it and is different enough to make for an interesting read...." Read more

"An enjoyable book for all ages, totally enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more of these books" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one mentioning it's enjoyable for all ages.

"...and charm about it and is different enough to make for an interesting read...." Read more

"An enjoyable book for all ages, totally enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more of these books" Read more

"I really liked this book because it is just so entertaining and informative at the same time...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reader
    3.0 out of 5 stars undecided
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Paradox Child by J. Yates Book 1

    The story is about Lilly a girl who is brought up by her Mum and her Gran, who are both as wiccans and also time traveller. Lilly learns of the family secret when her Mum doesn’t return home and Lilly’s gran becomes unwell and it’s down to Lilly to go back in time to bring her back.
    There are mysteries, tragedy’s and unanswered questions through the book.

    The book is written in a narrative style and has a unique way to it, though sometimes I found that the narrator flicked over serious or important things that I felt needed more explanation or clarification.

    The book does have grammatical errors with added words, spaces missing between some words and misspellings. If you can get past this and the slightly frustrating narrator, the story is actually a good one.

    I will read the next book in the series to see how the story continues.

    Book 2 – Therianthorpy
    Book 3 – Original Destination
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  • Jack Croxall Reviews
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful and enjoyable tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Time travel is the focus of Jane Yates' debut novel, Paradox Child. The child in question is twelve-year-old Lilly, a slightly shy girl with a delightfully inquisitive mind and a pretty unconventional family. Whilst a lot of eighties kids might have spent their time playing Hungry Hungry Hippos or watching The A-Team, Lilly is more concerned with practicing the art of magic with her mother and grandmother. But when her mother fails to return from one of her mysterious excursions, it's up to Lilly to put her skills into action and track her down.

    Unfortunately for Lilly, however, her mother hasn't just got lost down the shops, she's lost in time. Luckily, Lilly's grandmother (one of the book's most beautifully-written characters) knows a thing or three about a machine which, when combined with magical expertise, can transport Lilly through the ages in order to locate her mother.

    The machine is housed at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford (an institution the author is familiar with) and Lilly's Grandmother slowly reveals the history behind the machine's creation to her Granddaughter. It's these fascinating nuggets which are perhaps the major highlight of the book, especially considering Lilly's Grandmother explains the machines conception in the context of Pitt Rivers' extraordinary life.

    The book is written in an engrossing style, with simple, lyrical writing and gorgeous, childlike observations. For example, at one point Lilly notes how herons remind her of dinosaurs. However, the plot, with its references to quantum physics and numerous threads, is a fairly complicated one. But, thanks to Yates' skill as a storyteller, this combination does work creating a rare book which bridges the gap between children's stories and YA fiction.

    In summary, a delightful tale which any child will hungrily devour in next to no time.
    One person found this helpful
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  • FeedMyReads
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and interesting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 May 2020
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    This is a book that has a sweetness and charm about it and is different enough to make for an interesting read. I do wish it would be re-edited to get rid of some spelling and grammatical errors but I can forgive them as the story is able to keep you engaged.
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  • Stephanie Bradley
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2014
    Verified Purchase
    An enjoyable book for all ages, totally enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more of these books
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  • Valkyrie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievablyinteresting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I really liked this book because it is just so entertaining and informative at the same time. I have really come to love Lilly and her family and I don't know if their spells are real or imaginary, but they just work so well and seem so real, like all the Pitt rivers information (which is actually real information). i have recommended this to so many of my friends and so far they love it and I would recommend this to anyone with a need for sci-fi book with excitement and information thrown in. Loved it
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  • Jane
    4.0 out of 5 stars Paradox Child
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 December 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I downloaded this book because I enjoy time travel adventures and I am hoping one day to go to the Pitt River's museum. It was a nice story (although more a children's story) and I enjoyed it, particularly the way it related to historical characters. However this book does not really stand alone, there are too many loose ends left to be resolved in the rest of the series.
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  • astrofox
    3.0 out of 5 stars time travel and magic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 March 2017
    As a book the story is fine; there is time travel, unexplained child disappeances, random tornadoes and ghosts. But somehow it just does not work. At first i assumed it was set in USA as Halloween was a big event, that was until they had to dial 999. The story itself reads like a series of events. There is no/little emotional intelligence shown by Lilly despite the number of people who disappear around her.
    The book itself has strange formatting with 3 or 4 lines of space around each paragraph. The book is also littered with typos (of =off , over=other, the letter a appearing randomly) about one per page. The explanation of what happens to an object as its speed approaches speed of light is not correct either.
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  • Daisy Thompson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 December 2014
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    Very good read!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Meghann Doyle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully Filled with Science!
    Reviewed in Canada on 14 September 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Beyond all the classic things, like well developed characters and interesting plot progression, this book was terrific. It has spirit.

    The framework of setting description and foreshadowing is solid and graceful. The science of time travel is not an easy or very often a graceful subject. Yates has rewritten the rules. This book not only made the theories of space and time travel seem simple, but perfectly obtainable. All the while entertaining too. At no point did I feel like I had left the immediate story to be told how to understand it. All the necessary information is packaged up in the action naturally.

    The characters are believable and likeable. The main character Lilly is thoughtful and just bold enough to get the job done without stirring up too much trouble. She holds the lead well without being conveniently over intelligent to drive the plot. The supporting characters all fit fluidly into Lilly's thoughts and actions. While all the characters are multidimensional, Lilly maintains the action herself.

    The relationships withing the story are touching and dynamic. Lilly's school friend Mary is a breath of fresh air. Her closeness with Lilly is sweet while kept at arm's length as she does not know of Lilly's home life. Lilly's warmth towards her grandmother reminded me of my own, and made me pick up the phone more than once.

    It's a terrific thing when a book full to the brim with flawlessly articulated science can be equally as full with compelling human emotion.
    Whether you're a science fiction buff or this would be your first, this book is a must read. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next in this fantastic series.
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  • Jane V. Blanchard
    3.0 out of 5 stars First book not worth reading unless you read all three
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 September 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Paradox Child by J Yates ("re-edited version by the marvellous Mr Chris Keppie") is the first of three books. I really can't call it a series, more like installments of one book. Paradox Child ends abruptly and without conclusion, making me wonder just what happened to the storyline. There isn't even a "to be continued." I felt really dissatisfied until I picked up the second book which started just after the last incident in the first book. This second book has no backfill; it is just a continuation of the story. I had a feeling the work was too long for a YA book, and the author merely divided the long tale into three sections. With that in mind, the three-book story is filled with mystery, time travel, science, interesting characters, romance, friendships, spells, and even a recipe for Maharaja cake.

    The printed version has large margins around the edges, which is curious. In book three, I found out why. The space is for the reader to add notes and make drawings. Without this white space, the book would be a third of its size. If you like to puzzle out the plot with notes and drawings, purchase the printed version.

    The story is about Lily and her family of time-travelers. The steam-operated time machine is in a hidden basement of the Pitt River Museum in Oxford (real place). A secret passageway provides access to the time machine, which only works with magic. For four generations, the women in Lily's family have traveled back in time, but at what expense? What are the repercussions?

    The first book Paradox Child introduces Lily, her mom Rose, and grandmother Isis. All the women in this family are named after flowers. Each woman is magical and it is interesting to see them cast spells. Lily is taught to keep her knowledge of magic secret. Then she founds out that the family has a bigger secret—they are time travelers, and her mum is stuck in time. Lily must rescue her. In addition to time travel, children are disappearing, a strangely dressed man stalks Lily, and Lily is introduced to the Grandfather Paradox concept. Lots of strange happenings!

    In book one, Lily's character is the most developed, but lacks emotional depth. She just doesn't seem to react like a thirteen-year-old. The mom's character is also flat and appears to be there just to make countless cups of tea and give insights into time travel and magic.There also seems to be a lot of holes in the plot which never get explained (until book three). Apart from that, and the countless spelling and grammatical errors, the story is entertaining and I recommend it for young adults who enjoy reading fantasy, and only if they plan to read all three of the books.
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  • Shari Klase
    5.0 out of 5 stars Paradox Child is a book about magic and mystery. ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 January 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Paradox Child is a book about magic and mystery. While Lilly's Mom is practicing magic, especially for protection of her family and friends, Lilly is trying to lead a normal life. But her life is anything but normal. Her father isn't around, but why? The answer to that question involves time travel. Another mystery centers around the disappearance of some of Lilly's school friends. Something sinister may be involved here. After reading this first book in the series, I'm left with a lot of questions. I guess if I want them answered I'll have to continue on with book two.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Childhood Story
    Reviewed in the United States on 25 August 2014
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    I wish this book had been around when I was a kid; I would've loved it so much! The world is richly imagined with beautiful world-building so that it feels lush and fully realized. There's a small romance, but that aspect is kept very light due to the character's age and I think that works well for the book. I love that the author focuses on Lilly's relationships with her mother, grandmother and friends instead of trying to build an all-consuming romance like so many young adult books do, because it was so much more true to life for a girl of that age. I especially appreciate that Lilly had girlfriends her own age and formed meaningful friendships!

    The only minor complaint I have is that Lilly's emotional reactions are not always explored, but I can understand if that is deliberate on the part of the author in order to facilitate discussion between the book's young readers and their parents. I could certainly understand how a parent reading this book with a younger child would want to stop the book and talk out the emotional points in the book, so I can definitely see why the author would choose to downplay Lilly's emotional reactions.

    I loved that the book ended on a hopeful note, and I hope that the mysteries brought up in this book will be answered in the next two books. The unanswered questions will definitely have you grabbing the second book right away! I feel kinda bad that I got this book for free because I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next books in the series!

    *Also, how inspiring is it that the author is dyslexic!? I'm gobsmacked! Well done, J. Yates!!
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  • O. Zachary
    3.0 out of 5 stars A delightful read
    Reviewed in the United States on 5 January 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book is an easy read.... I wish more effort was made on developing the plot rather than narrating the scenes/landscape...although that in itself was not too bad...but the story is a good story..it would have been great if more body was added to the plot. For instance the ending, that strange character who constantly lerked around Lily's home was added to the story about mid way through the book, and even though he turned into a crow at the end of the book we are still not told who he is or why he attacked Lily...nor do we know who is the fox that saved her. It was too much for the sake of simply introducing the second book.
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