The Sands of Time

Mouse watchmaker Hermux Tantamoq is back for his second adventure, this time recruited by a mysterious chipmunk to find a map leading to an ancient royal library — a library that belonged to a lost kingdom of cats. When the desert expedition begins, it quickly becomes clear they are not searching alone. Michael Hoeye leans into Indiana Jones energy here, and it works: the plotting is genuinely exciting, the anthropomorphic world-building is witty and detailed, and the trade comparisons to Rowling and Brian Jacques are not empty flattery. The honest caveats are that this is a second book in a series — readers benefit from starting with Time Stops for No Mouse — and the series never quite reached the mainstream recognition of Redwall. For ages 8–12 who love adventure-mystery in a richly imagined animal world, this is well worth their time. Worth It.