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195th out of 285 books
—
19 voters
The Suburb Beyond the Stars (Norumbegan Quartet #2)
From bestselling and National Book Award-winning author M.T. Anderson, a return to the world of THE GAME OF SUNKEN PLACES
Something very strange is happening in Vermont. It's not The Game of Sunken Places - Brian and Gregory have been through that before, and there's not supposed to be another Game until they say there's a Game. But still . . . when they go to visit a relat
...more
Something very strange is happening in Vermont. It's not The Game of Sunken Places - Brian and Gregory have been through that before, and there's not supposed to be another Game until they say there's a Game. But still . . . when they go to visit a relat
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
June 1st 2010
by Scholastic Press
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I didn't know this book was a sequel, but it was still an enjoyable book. Brian and Gregory look forward to some peace after winning the game of the sunken places. But, the boys are in charge of designing the next game, only to find that things are not what they should be. As they try to make sens of things in a rapidly expanding suburb in Vermont (on the very ground of the old game). After Brian is victim of a super-natural attempt on his life, the boys realize that the games are over and the t...more
Not nearly as fun as the first book in the series. I didn't mind the darker turn of the series, but I didn't like the open-ended conclusion that begs for a sequel. I left the first book satisfied and not particularly in need of more time with Brian and Gregory (whose characters I never really warmed too) but would have liked a little more time with Prudence. The dearth of female characters did grate on me and for some reason I got a bit tired of Anderson's prose (which at times felt a little clu...more
Watch out! The Thusser horde have built an evil suburb, and Brian, Gregory, and the troll Kalgrash are the only ones who can stop their plan to colonize the entire world with life-sucking three bedroom luxury units. Anderson revives the story of Brian, Gregory, and the netherworld contest between the magical Norumbegans and the wicked Thusser. Only, this time, it isn’t a game. It’s real, and the fate of humanity is at stake. This follow-up to “The Game of Sunken Places” is better developed and w...more
Received as a First Reads ARC.
I think it's reasonable to give the spoiler that while this second volume in the series that began with The Game of Sunken Places stands alone in terms of resolving the immediate plot points that it introduces, it ends on a cliffhanger betokening a third novel. Brian and Gregory, having won the game of sunken places, are now in charge of designing the next game--that is, Brian won, and Gregory is somewhat testy about this. However, it seems that someone isn't playin...more
I think it's reasonable to give the spoiler that while this second volume in the series that began with The Game of Sunken Places stands alone in terms of resolving the immediate plot points that it introduces, it ends on a cliffhanger betokening a third novel. Brian and Gregory, having won the game of sunken places, are now in charge of designing the next game--that is, Brian won, and Gregory is somewhat testy about this. However, it seems that someone isn't playin...more
Nov 15, 2011
Wandering Librarians
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Shelves:
adventure,
boy-appeal,
fiction,
friendship,
science-fiction,
fantasy,
middle-grade,
high-low
The Norumbegans and the Thussar were at war for many years before deciding there was a more civilized way to settle their territory dispute: play a game. Each race chooses a human to represent them in the Game, a kind of labyrinth. The winner of the Game creates a new labyrinth for the next players. In the first of this series, The Game of Sunken Places, Brian and Gregory have been chosen to participate in the Game that Gregory's cousin, Prudence, has created. Brian was representing the Numrumbe...more
The second book in The Game of Sunken Places series. Brian and Gregory return to Vermont and discover that strange things are happening. Cousin Prudence has disappeared, a mysterious suburb seems to be springing up, and time doesn't seem to be working normally. When it becomes clear the Thusser are breaking the rules of the Game and trying to take over the world, Brian & Gregory must stop them and summon the Norumbegans. This installment sets up well for the next book in this fun, but creepy...more
This book is simplistically written and a quick read. However, the storyline is incredible and the prose is very descriptive. I found myself at the end really wanting to read the next one. It is the story of when two guys go to visit a relative in the Vermont woods; they find many things are different. Like, people aren't where they're supposed to be. And houses are everywhere. In fact, the houses seem to be taking over…
Boo. Good premise. Second in a series, but what was awful is that it doesn't end. I mean that the book stops before the story ends. Yes, books can be in a series, and the action can continue, but there has to be a satisfactory end to something. Harry Potter, you knew it was going to continue, but there was a satisfying end to some of the action. You felt there was a conclusion. This one was just the drop on the roller coaster and the ride stopped midway. Boo.
This was so very different from the first book and yet in many ways similar. Deliciously creepy!!! At times I found myself shaking my head (huh?) and rereading the last few paragraphs, and then, the "oh" factor kicked in. I just wasn't getting it but the reread allowed my head to wrap around the idea. Remember, this is for young teens... don't read too deeply into the bizarre. Rather, just sit back and enjoy it.
I read this book as an ARC through work.
The Suburb Beyond the Stars is a children's middle reader, which I didn't realize when I picked it up, so it's simplistically written and a quick read. However, the storyline is incredible and the prose is very descriptive. I found myself at the end really wanting to read the next one, which unfortunately will not be out for quite some time.
The Suburb Beyond the Stars is a children's middle reader, which I didn't realize when I picked it up, so it's simplistically written and a quick read. However, the storyline is incredible and the prose is very descriptive. I found myself at the end really wanting to read the next one, which unfortunately will not be out for quite some time.
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Almost a pretty good book, but somehow misses it entirely. There are some extremely chilling moments and some very nasty creatures and the whole idea behind this trilogy (I believe it's a trilogy so far, anyway) is interesting and more original than lots of things, but somehow that doesn't at all add up to good books, which is mysterious and disappointing.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Less complicated follow-up book, but a bit creepier, especially for some YA books. Sets up the next book with quite a strong cliff-hanger. Character development of the main characters is a little shallow, though hints at relational dysfunction start to give a stronger sense of the deeper emotions.
Just as compellingly creepy as the first (in fact, possibly more so: who would have thought a newly developed suburb more unnervingly eerie than uninhabited woods & an isolated mansion), & with an ending promising more to come. The sly back-and-forth wordplay between the two main characters, especially Gregory, is very amusing.
Wonderful! "The Suburb Beyond the Stars" is just as great as the first book in this series, "The Game of Sunken Places." M.T. Anderson's imagination is delightfully horrifying, and the creatures he brings to life in this book are disturbing and original. The author also kept me laughing through even the most brutal and suspenseful scenes. This series is a masterful blend of horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and comedy. I also appreciate that even through the chaos and fear, this is still a story about fr...more
I didn't realize when I started reading this that it is the sequel to Anderson's Game of Sunken Places - but it certainly made me want to read the first one. Maybe after I do so, I'll come back and revise my opinion of this one.
This one is not as good as the first in the series--it doesn't actually have any kind of resolution! It just leads right into the third.
2.5 I guess it's the sequel to a book I haven't read, which is maybe why I found the book hard to get into. Intriguing concept tho.
fun story with plenty of action and magical creatures. a quick, undemanding read.
I really liked this book... There was a lot of adventure and suspense.
second in a series - maybe I should have read the first first.
great sequel to the game of sunken places. I can't wait for the next one
Pretty good-it definitely continued the action in The Game of Sunken Places and sets up the reader for what appears to be the climax in a book to follow. I enjoyed following the story of a suburb populated with "programmed" children and vague, clueless adults with monsters prowling about. I'm definitely looking forward to the continuing action.
This second book was just ok. The book trailer for it is quite amusing (thanks Sam!), and there is some pretty witty dialogue if you can make it through the first half of the book.
I liked this, because it was written by the inimitable M.T. Anderson. But I really missed out by not having read the first book in the series, The Game of Sunken Places.
May 11, 2013
Kent Barlow
marked it as to-read
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Matthew Tobin Anderson (M. T. Anderson), (1968- ) is an author, primarily of picture books for children and novels for young adults. Anderson lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
His picture books include Handel Who Knew What He Liked; Strange Mr. Satie; The Serpent Came to Gloucester; and Me, All Alone, at the End of the World. He has written such young adult books as Thirsty, Burger Wuss, Feed, The...more
More about M.T. Anderson...
His picture books include Handel Who Knew What He Liked; Strange Mr. Satie; The Serpent Came to Gloucester; and Me, All Alone, at the End of the World. He has written such young adult books as Thirsty, Burger Wuss, Feed, The...more
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