The Al-Eden Emergency

I came to the Al-Eden Emergency through the real life setting for Al-Eden of Aden, which is a former British colony situated in the present day country of Yemen. I met the author at an Aden event in London. With grown-up children, it was some time since I had read any children's literature, however since I once lived in Aden and retain a keen interest in the place I wanted to read this book for myself. My initial impression was that the book is well plotted, nicely descriptive, carefully researched and is full of great characters. However, the story comes properly into its own for me once it reaches Al-Eden (Aden) because of my personal association. The major theme of the book is time travel. The 3 main protagonists - Grandpop, Billy and Radar - find themselves transported from their present day situations back to their respective younger selves in Al-Eden circa 1966. In real life this was the time that Aden colony and its upcountry protectorates of South Yemen were headed towards independence from 128 years of colonial rule (the final withdrawal by the last remaining British forces eventually occurring on 30 November 1967). In real life it was a time of great change and upheaval for everyone in the colony. There were hostilities between local freedom fighters and British forces as well as between differing factions of the local insurgents, who wished to gain power once the colonial overlords were gone, all of which resulted in what became known as The Aden Emergency. The Soviet Union and other Cold War powers stood almost perceptibly in the surrounding shadows, just waiting to step into the breach that would be caused by the departing British. Aden, always a quirky and interesting geographical location, was at that time a place full on intrigue and adventure, populated by fascinating as well as mysterious personalities. I am impressed by the way the author has been able to harness such facets of real life in Aden in order to create a very authentic story revolving around her imaginary Al-Eden. Fighter pilots, forays into Arabian Nights-style countryside, shark infested waters and an ominous Russian warship that lies in the outer waters of a harbour are just some exciting aspects of The Al-Eden Emergency that ring true in my life. Much of the dialogue is quite old-fashioned and is in keeping with the time frame of the mid 20th century that the characters come to find themselves in. It is perfectly paced and the style conveys both the sense and the action of the story. I like the way The Al-Eden Emergency cleverly combines historical fact with thrilling fiction for modern children to enjoy, and I now plan to read the two preceding books (The Bother in Burmeon and Trouble in Teutonia) of this unusual and interesting series for children written by S.P. Moss.

A rollicking good yarn of derring-do! The Al-Eden Emergency is the third in the series, although each can be read as a stand-alone story. Somehow, the author manages to step up the intrigue; the thrills and spills with every new outing, while also maintaining the unique and delicious writing style. I love the way in which SP Moss evokes not only the past, but also the idiomatic speech and actions of her characters. The historical periods in which the books are set are brilliantly brought to life with just the right amount of description to place us in the middle of the action - especially if the older reader was there at the time! Yes, these books may well be primarily aimed at a younger audience, but readers with more Summers at their backs will find much to enjoy and commend within the pages. From Spitfires to the sands of the desert; from the sights and sounds of the Souk; from time-travel to international villainy, SP Moss has her characters run the whole gamut. And what a cast of characters we are gifted, heroes and villains to delight and amaze with their antics - no spoilers from me! In conclusion, if you're looking for a darn-good read, whether it be for a young person of your acquaintance or, indeed, yourself, I can thoroughly recommend the Al-Eden Emergency. Chocks away!

The third book in S.P Moss’s brilliant and thrilling time-travelling adventure series is a humdinger of a story. At its centre is thirteen-year-old Billy and his heroic RAF pilot Grandpop. Also taking centre stage is feisty and courageous Radar, a charismatic character who first appeared in “Bother in Burmeon”. In the “Al-Eden Emergency” Billy has travelled back to 1966 for a roller coaster of a ride involving sharks, scorpions, kidnappings, a stolen astrolabe, chases through souks, sandstorms, hairy rides in classic planes and a sinister organisation led by the shadowy Al-’Aqrab. With the reappearance of the villainous Featherstonehaugh from “Bother in Burmeon” and “Trouble in Teutonia”, now minus one arm and an eye after an encounter with a crocodile, we have a ruthless villain out to take revenge on Billy and his beloved Grandpop. There are thrills and chases a-plenty, and events that leave the reader breathlessly wondering how Billy, Radar and Grandpop are going to escape in one piece. The strands of time travelling involving present, past and future interlinked events and characters are skilfully and sensitively held together by the author. S.P. Moss demonstrates that time doesn’t have to be represented in a linear movement but can be seen as a number of parallel worlds or different pages in a book, which time-traveller Billy is able to move between with growing confidence and bravery. An action-packed and fun adventure story with a difference that will engage girls and boys alike. A story that also makes the reader stop and think at some of the complexities of the plot as past, present and future events are cleverly woven into the mix. A thrilling read and one that is thoroughly recommended.

S. P. Moss’s books get better and better… I loved the first two books in this series, but ‘The Al-Eden Emergency’, while featuring many of the same characters, is aimed at a slightly older market and is, I think, even better. It’s perfectly possible, however, to read this book as a stand-alone, or as an introduction to the series. If ‘The Al-Eden Emergency’ is your first, I’m pretty sure you’ll be seeking out the other two when you’re done. Thrills, spills, amazing planes and ancient mysteries, exciting and exotic locations, two young heroes everyone can identify with – this is an adventure story in the traditional mould, but bang-up-to-date as well. Billy is from the present day, but he ends up back in the summer of 1966, meeting his grandfather as a daring young pilot and getting involved in unmasking some very shady goings-on. There’s fun and humour too, and some brilliant characters – good, bad, and somewhere in between. If you’re an older reader, you may well experience delightful nostalgia as the summer of 1966 and England’s winning the World Cup is revisited… with perhaps just a little rewriting of history. The book is beautifully written and the story bounds along with never a dull moment, though if you’re so inclined there are some interesting reflections, too. S. P. Moss appears to have achieved the near-impossible, in writing a book that will appear to boys and girls not only in the 10–13 target age-group but right up to… let’s just say those who remember 1966 the first time round. (Not that I would know!)