WAF RATING:  

Across Time: Mystery of the Great Sphinx by author O.J. Harp III is a refreshing surprise.  It tells the daunting tale of a group of people who bravely travel back and forth through time in an effort to discover their true identities, correct some mistakes of the past and reinforce some timeless principles into their present existence.  When all is said and done, lost identities are discovered, true love is found, lessons of justice, morality and truth are learned and, best of all, good triumphs over evil.

Dr. John Steel, a Clinical Psychologist and recent Ph.D. graduate is happy with his present life.  He still, however, has no memory of his childhood of his childhood since he, as a pre-teen, mysteriously found himself by the Potomac River with nothing  and no one to validate his existence.  Deep down inside he knows that something is very different about him - a difference that goes way beyond just his childhood.

As the story unfolds, Dr. Steele slowly unlocks the keys to his past, unveiling a destiny unlike anything he could have ever imagined.  Other main characters include Mutshat Ma’at, a police cadet and the long-lost love of Dr. Steele, Dr. Christopher Jones – a minister and philanthropist (with a past of his own) and students Eddie Richardson and Victor Carter, of the I Have a Dream Charter School.

Unbeknownst to this special group of people, they will all soon be caught up in a battle stemming from their past lives as Nubian warriors and Kemetic royalty from Ancient Egypt who are being pursued by an ancient tribe, the Anu and an evil, legendary Pharaoh who is seeking world domination for all ages to come.  The help of some psychic practitioners, human geneticists and super-intelligent robots are enlisted along the way as these valiant trailblazers transcend the barriers of space and time, defying even the laws of gravity.

This book is a great read and is by no means for the faint of heart. A lot of historical, scientific and even paranormal information is covered in this novel, and I found the supplementary sections, i.e., the fact, prologue and glossary sections of great and necessary value.

It can be enjoyed by all readers, regardless of age.  Some parts cater to a younger audience, making it relatable in today’s language while at the same time fostering a desire to learn more about history including prehistoric times, Egyptology and slavery.

For the more mature audience, it offers a different, more spontaneous reading experience.  It speaks to the adult mindset through themes of romance, the discussion of art and travel and by dealing with sociopolitical and religious subjects such as cloning and reincarnation.  I personally identified with the emphasis placed on the beauty, power and mystery of the Black race.

What I expected to be a dull, long and drawn-out history lesson actually turned out to be a virtual adventure.  The author combined history, science and psychology and then cleverly blended in the imaginative elements of time travel, magic, wizardry and extreme science fiction in order to create this whirlwind tale of past, present and future ideas.  A roller-coaster ride full of twists, turns, loops and tunnels, this novel goes beyond entertaining with enough substance to satisfy even the most ambitious thrill-seeker.

Across Time: Mystery of the Great Sphinx would be a great addition to the list of required reading for high schools and colleges across the nation.  I recommend it highly and give it 5 stars *****.

Devalyn M. Kirkman

WAF Book Reviewer

  www.WeAreFearless.com

                                         Copyright Llumina Press