Although I found the beginning of The Cave of Time somewhat jarring (You are inconcievably quick to
be aware that you're in a cave that allows you to time-travel), it is undeniably a fun way to start the series.
You could easily have a 1000 page book filled with stories, with the infinite possibilities that present themselves in a book that's purely about time-travelling, but Edward Packard is clerly still aiming to have the kids early to bed in this one, with many short sharp plotlines.
Look out for a nice little in-joke on page 57, althugh I am genuinely surprised that there aren't movies like that in our modern age.
Here we are introduced to R.A for the first time, and his first effort shows research and intelligence, pity it's also boring. Choices are on almost every page, but this book failed to grab my interest. Part of what makes a good title in this series is meeting wacky characters and having interesting conversations, but in Journey Under the Sea you're by yourself most of the time, and when you do actually do come across someone, there's next to dialogue. The illustrations are silly beyond description.
This title is superior in every way to #2. Instead of the plodding seriousness of Journey Under the Sea, 'D' has approached the third book in the series in a refreshingly tongue-in-cheek way, and instead of the typically brief 'do you do this or do you do that' options all the time, the author continues the story within the choices, going through the thought processes you might be having. It always adds to the fun having companions also, and Sarah and Peter (and of course Harry) are a memorable bunch, and it's a pity we never get to have any more adventures with them, perhaps taking their balloon to some other far-out location.
What's also a pity is that there's aren't any more titles by this author, but plenty from the author of the books before and after this one...
Written by R.A Montgomery. Illustrated by 'Paul Granger'
This is the first CYOA I ever read (it cost me 20c), and it's still my very favourite.
Very atmospheric and creepy, and the characters you encountre in chimney rock are all well-developed and interesting. They aren't too black and white in terms of who're the good guys and who're the bad guys as well... each new page read brings new discoveries about these people and what the mystery is.
A great story, and not just your typical 'get away from the haunted mansion filled with ghosts and witches and other scary things' plotline.
Speaking of haunted mansions, Chimney Rock was reissued under the incredibly banal title of Curse of the Haunted Mansion.
Edward packard does 007 - CYOA style, though the back cover is very keen to promote that "you're" an American spy. This particular book is very choppy, with too much clumsy looping back to the same familiar pages. But what a cool title!
Written by Edward Packard. Illustrated by 'Paul Granger'
Written by: Edward Packard. Illustrated by 'Paul Granger'
Written by Edward Packard. Illustrated by 'Paul Granger'
Written by R.A Montgomery. Illustrated by 'Paul Granger'
This has got be one of the worst in the series. Boring, and poorly written, it botches up a potentially interesting title in the series. Get your act together R.A! To add to the crapness, Richard Anderson provides some of the worst illustrations seen in the series.
Written by Edward Packard. Illustrated by 'Paul Granger'
Written by R.A Montomery. Illustrated by 'Paul Granger'
The Cave of Time returns, but this time it's just there as a plot convenience, so Packard doesn't have to think of an alternative "whoops I'm in the past" scenario.
The adventure itself is first-class storytelling, in a great setting.
Written by R.A Montgomery. Illustrated by Ralph Reese
Lots of messing around at sea, and big action-packed illustrations from 'Paul' are in store here. Pity the story is mostly dull, with an abundance of unimaginative 'will you sail north or south' type questions.
Tthis is a mediocre entry in the series.
Written by R.A Montgomery. Illustrated by Ralph Reese
Written by Edward Packard. Illustrated by Anthony Kramer
Written by Richard Brightfield. Illustrated by Anthony Kramer
Written by R.A Montgomery. Illustrated by Ralph Reese