Cynthia Reeg's Blog - Posts Tagged "reviews"
Latest Review of FROM THE GRAVE
Here is a review from Claire Fayers, author of the entertaining and inventive 2016 fantasy,
The Voyage to Magical North:
FROM THE GRAVE
Great fun for middle-graders, this book plays with a great number of monster cliches. The group of misfit monsters are charmingly endearing - which is, of course, against all the Monster Rules because monsters are supposed to be horrible. The story revolves around Frank's struggles to fit in, which are in constant conflict with his loyalty to his friends and his desire to be true to himself.
The book has a great cast of characters - I especially like Oliver the Mummy whose bandages keep falling off - and there are some serious themes tucked in amid the madcap adventure. Truth versus blind obedience to rules, self identity versus the pressure to conform. The message never overpowers the story, and there's just the right blend of humour and peril to keep kids reading.
The Voyage to Magical North:
FROM THE GRAVE
Great fun for middle-graders, this book plays with a great number of monster cliches. The group of misfit monsters are charmingly endearing - which is, of course, against all the Monster Rules because monsters are supposed to be horrible. The story revolves around Frank's struggles to fit in, which are in constant conflict with his loyalty to his friends and his desire to be true to himself.
The book has a great cast of characters - I especially like Oliver the Mummy whose bandages keep falling off - and there are some serious themes tucked in amid the madcap adventure. Truth versus blind obedience to rules, self identity versus the pressure to conform. The message never overpowers the story, and there's just the right blend of humour and peril to keep kids reading.
