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“In this immersive sci-fi fantasy series launch…Seneviratne and Sutherland reference real historical figures and events to ground intricate, fantastical worldbuilding, and deploy strong characterization chops to develop fully fleshed-out protagonists. The siblings are complex and undeniably charming tweens, whose journeys…make for a vivacious time-hopping extravaganza.”

—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“With its brisk pace, well-crafted characters, humorous asides, and abundant plot twists, this book offers a fresh take on time-travel adventures. The cliffhanger climax will leave readers eager for the duology closer. A pacy adventure, centering Sri Lankan culture and inventively reimagining time travel.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“The fast-paced story includes healthy doses of Sri Lankan heritage, world history, and science in a way that keeps readers engaged while learning. With the door left open for a sequel, this genre-bending sf adventure will be the next series to recommend to reluctant readers and lovers of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.”

—Booklist

Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop

Written by Krystal Sutherland and Martin Seneviratne
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

Twins Pearl and Patrick are no ordinary twelve-year-olds. They’re geniuses, hiding in plain sight, who pull heists all over the world to further their scientific and historical research. Their criminal activity, including grand theft auto and espionage, has made them a regular nuisance to both the CIA and MI5. But it’s all been worth it. They’ve finally achieved their greatest triumph: time travel. Pearl’s Chrono-Loop can take the twins anywhere in time! Their first stop: ancient Egypt, where they even get to see King Tut!

But when they return home, they’re arrested by TIME—The Interdimensional Misconduct Enquiry—a secret organization charged with maintaining the timeline. Turns out Pearl and Patrick didn’t invent time travel, after all—that happened two hundred years ago! And what Pearl did in ancient Egypt—killing a mosquito—could have rewritten history as we know it if not for TIME agents stepping in.

Punishment for disrupting the timeline is 100 years in the Eternal Abyss. But TIME, impressed by the pair, offers them a chance to become agents. Unfortunately, they fail their entrance exam and instead are banned from ever attempting time travel again. Pearl is furious, and when she’s offered another chance at time travel by a rival organization, she takes it! Too late, she realizes she’s been tricked and unwittingly plays a part in replacing the timeline they know with a nightmarish scenario.

Now Pearl and Patrick must clean up the mess they’ve made. But to restore the timeline, they have to go back to the beginning—to Lion Rock—to convince the real inventor of time travel to help them save time and the world.

In this electric time travel adventure steeped in unexplored Sri Lankan history, these whiz kids use their book smarts and a healthy dose of girl power to fight the ultimate villain.

Primary ISBN: 9780593616321
Publication Date: October 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 10 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: England, Egypt (Ancient)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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