AUTHOR: Gregory Funaro (US)PUBLISHED: Disney Hyperion ; 2015.
PAGES/ILL: ~400 pages.
SERIES: Odditorium. Alistair Grimm's Odditorium ; Alistair Grimm's Odd Aquaticum.
PLOT:
12 year old Grubb has been raised as a chimney sweep. Adopted as a baby, he has lived a miserable existence since his mother died when he was six. But everything changes when he stows away in a mysterious carriage and winds up in the Odditorium and under the care of Alistair Grimm.
The Odditorium is fuelled by a strange blue energy, which Prince Nightshade wants for his own evil ends. Grubb finds himself in an adventure of magic, fairies, banshees, and ninjas. When Grubb is captured by the Prince, he'll need all his wit to save not only himself, but his new family, too.
REVIEW:
The premise is interesting and the story keeps you involved, however there was something about the voice, especially towards the end, that didn't quite gel with me. The plot was generally very predictable, and the character's "ah hah" moments felt flat.
I picked up this book because I'd catalogued the second in the series and it looked and sounded interesting. It's not a terrible book, and I can see that Middle Grade-aged children may really enjoy it, but it just didn't live up to expectations. I think the action would appeal to reluctant readers, and although it is quite long, it's a fast read.
AGE: 9+.
GENRE: Steampunk/Fantasy/Adventure.
RATING: 3 stars.
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