Matt Archer: Monster Hunter

Matt Archer #1

by Kendra C. Highley

Fourteen-year-old Matt Archer spends his days studying Algebra, hanging out with his best friend and crushing on the Goddess of Greenhill High, Ella Mitchell. To be honest, he thinks his life is pretty lame until he discovers something terrifying on a weekend camping trip at the local state park.

Monsters are real. And living in his backyard.

But that's not the half of it. After Matt is forced to kill a strange creature to save his uncle, he finds out that the weird knife he took from his uncle's bag has a secret, one that will change Matt's life. The knife was designed with one purpose: to hunt monsters. And it's chosen Matt as its wielder.

Now Matt's part of a world he didn't know existed, working with a covert military unit dedicated to eliminating walking nightmares. Faced with a prophecy about a looming dark war, Matt soon realizes his upcoming Algebra test is the least of his worries.

His new double life leaves Matt wondering which is tougher: hunting monsters or asking Ella Mitchell for a date?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Fiction, Adventure

299 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2012

About the author

Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to four self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most important job. She believes in everyday magic, extraordinary love stories, and the restorative powers of dark chocolate

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Archer Monster Hunter by Kendra Highley and narrated by Chris Snelgrove is about a 14 year old boy that not only has to worry about school, homework, girls, bullies, and his Uncle being deployed again, now he has to worry about monsters in his home state. Seems supernatural knife chose HIM to use it's power to fight monsters. So now he is working with the government, behind his mom's back, fighting monsters with crack fighters. Some of those fighters also have supernatural knives. It's a fun story that kept me interested. I do want to continue with this series.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Matt, he’s that kid at school who is smaller, less athletic, kind of geeky and fodder for the school bullies. Well, he was until that fateful camping trip with his uncle, the hardcore soldier and they were attacked by a monster. Who knows what Fate was thinking when giving Matt the power over an enchanted knife, making him its wielder?

Can a fourteen-year-old high school freshman be the one warrior to save humanity from a prophesied dark war? The school outcast is changing and has become part of a dark ops military unit, but can he keep his secrets from his family or the girl he is crushing on at school? Should he?

Action! Adventure! Fun! Fantasy! Larger than life, MATT ARCHER: MONSTER HUNTER by Kendra C. Highley is a day dreamer’s dream-come-true! Perfect reading for teens looking for some excitement and a hero that is as average as the rest of us!

Looking for a series to entice young teens on up to fall in love with the world of books? Kendra C. Highley has it right here!

Series: Matt Archer - Book 1
Publication Date: December 6, 2013
Publisher: Kendra C. Highley
Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure
Print Length: 297 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[chucklesthescot · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Matt is on a camping trip with his Uncle when a Yeti like creature attacks them. Using a knife from the tent, Matt kills it and saves his Uncle, forever changing his destiny. The knife is no longer Uncle Mike's-it it Matt's and he has just been recruited as a monster hunter for the US Government.

This book gets off to a very good start, straight into the monster attack and Matt's new destiny. No waffle, no boring crap, no long rambling introduction or history lesson. I liked that. When the scene switches to Matt obsessing over Ella at school I thought 'oh no, here we go with the YA cliche story' but it didn't go like that. It is a brief interlude from the monsters to introduce Ella. No love triangles, no mass teenage angst or other YA tropes thankfully, just three mature kids and a monster story. I think it is because Matt, Will and Ella are so likeable and you can relate to them that it works. Will is the rich boy with a talent for sport but his family never spend time with him and Matt's dad abandoned him and his family at birth, leaving Mike as the substitute father. Having him deployed to Afghanistan is a blow to Matt, and the reader because I love Mike! You can't help feeling sympathy for both boys. Matt's sister comes into the book more as it goes on and she is really good fun to read about. The characters really make this book such an engrossing read. It is the same when you start to meet all the army guys-I liked all of them! It's unusual to care so much for all the people in a book with such a large cast! Except for Ella's idiot boyfriend of course. He needs a damn good slap...

"I'm sending you out into the woods with a knife to kill eight foot tall Wookiees!"

The book is a great mixture of monster hunting tension and excitement, and stupid funny humour, which is exactly what I love in my books. Add in the different monsters, the magic knife and shamans and you have a really good plot. The teenage monster hunters aren't always smart and they do mess up a lot, which keeps it realistic in a sense, and it makes the action scenes quite gripping. The story rolls along at a good pace without any boring bits to slow it down, and there are no massive information dumps to confuse. The author does a good job in describing what teenage boys would think, talk and act like in these situations, which makes it easy to bond with Matt and Will, yet they never appear immature or moronic, which makes a nice change.

"Parker's team is in China...dealing with the mutant pandas."

I also enjoyed the chance to see a book with the Green Berets featuring heavily in a supernatural setting. One minute we are chasing Yeti things in Montana, then we are at an army camp and then the jungles of Peru with mutant crocodile things. The change of settings keeps the monster hunting fresh and interesting. There are plenty monsters and battles to keep the reader interested and you never really know what is going to happen next..

Overall there are no complaints or niggles about this book which I enjoyed enough to buy for my paperback collection this week. I'm not a huge fan of YA but the characters in this book are mature and fun, and it is a book aimed at older YA and adult readers so adults will enjoy this just as much as the YA audience. If you like monsters, action, horror elements and humour in your YA then give Matt Archer a try!

[Kimber Wheaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Fun. That's the word that comes to mind if I had to describe this book in one word. If I could add a few more: witty, exciting, action packed, and hilarious. Frankly I was planning to have my 12 year old son read and review this one since I didn't think it would be my thing. Boy am I glad he is surfing in sunny San Diego right now and too busy to read. I would have missed out on an awesome read and what I anticipate to be a fabulous series.

Matt Archer Monster Hunter is written in first person from fourteen/fifteen year old Matt Archer's point of view. It's amazing to watch how Matt changes as the novel progresses; not just physically, but mentally as well. He accepts what fate handed him with way more aplomb than I ever could. Matt is thrust into a scary world where monsters are real and can only be killed with certain magic knives, one of which chose young Matt as its wielder. He can either accept his fate and fight to save lives against living nightmares or fall apart in the angst of overwhelming self-pity. Matt doesn't disappoint the reader. Though he's scared (as any sane person would be), he steps up and does whatever he can to meet the challenge.

Uncle Mike Tannen is a Green Beret and the one that inadvertently drags Matt into the world of monster hunting when they are attacked by a monster while camping in the wilderness. This is the moment when the knife that once belonged to Major Tannen chooses Matt to be its new wielder. And the moment where Matt's life path is altered forever.

Will Cruessan is Matt's best friend and becomes his 'hunting' buddy for the local Billings, MT monster hunts. Will is a fun character, great best friend material, and he also rises to the challenges that fate places before him. Romantic interest Ella Mitchell is a cute, intelligent red-head - I like her.

Matt is from a close knit family though his father is absent, having left the family a while back. Mom, Danielle, is caring but busy working which makes it easier for Matt to hide his monster hunting from her. Older sister, Mamie, is a riot; not much gets past this intrepid teen. Older brother, Brent, is off in his own football star world and doesn't pop up often.

The action scenes are numerous and well written. There is never a dull moment in this novel. Between the action and the humor, I was hooked immediately. The imagery is wonderful, especially during the action sequences, it draws the reader right into the action. The dialogue between the characters feels real, never forced or off.

I love novels written from the male perspective. I've said before in earlier posts that many middle school and high school guys I'm around complain there's nothing out there for them to read. Well, hand this series over to them with a big flourish, cause I guarantee they'll be grinning just pages in. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt Archer goes on a hunting trip with his uncle Mike when he is attacked by a monster. He grabs the nearest knife and kills it. But it isn't any ordinary knife. It was wielded with magic and it has chosen him. It would have never worked otherwise. The knife will no longer work for his uncle so his uncles decides to take Matt for military training. Uncle Mike is in a special supernatural branch and wants Matt to train if he is now the only one able to use the knife.

Matt was the under dog. He was the little guy that got picked on by his older brother and other students. Never really felt good enough. Didn't get the girl. The knife having chose him gave him some confidence. He felt like he had a bigger purpose and even though it would be difficult, he would work hard to be worthy. Matt trained really hard and bulked up to help protect people. He didn't want to let his uncle or himself down. Training was hard and made him want to cry but he stuck through it. Seemed a bit out there that the military would let a fourteen year old train but since the knife would work for no one else they allowed it.

Matt had to hide his double life from his protective mother, nosy sister, and mean older brother. His family was very involved in his life so it wasn't long before they started noticing something was up. Matt's best friend Will finds out and they team up together to fight monsters. The monsters were not the normal vampire and werewolf type but just big ugly lion, lizard, gator, and bear like creatures. That was different and made it more fun. I love having a male perspective. Matt came across really genuine and true.

This book would be a great read for a boy and was also directed at a bit of a younger audience than what I am used to but it was a really cute story that any age could enjoy. Lots of military talk, training, and unique fight scenes would appeal to a male audience but I enjoyed it as well. There was also a very sweet romance. Ella was the beautiful girl Matt never thought he would have a chance with. As he continues his training his confidence builds. He sticks up for her and they have some really cute scenes. A funny, exciting read that would be good for all ages.


---
"My question was, if time was money, then why weren't we all rich? Smartass comments like that got me grounded though, so I kept my mouth shut and ran down the stairs."

"Sir, yes, sir." Not even here twelve hours yet, and I was ready to cry for my mama.

"Why do you always answer questions with questions?"
"Why don't you shut up and kiss me?"
She didn't have to ask twice.

"Matt, I didn't ask you to kiss me because of the monsters. I asked because I wanted you to. And I have for a long time."
---

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*

[Chrissy (The Every Free Chance Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I enjoy this book: I loved this book. I read every free chance I had and could not put my Nook down until I finished it. The first 30 pages had me wondering if this book was too geared towards the younger crowd of boys, the last half had me convinced that it would appeal to everyone. All I could say when I finished was "wow" and "holy crap"!

This book had enough action to keep me completely engrossed. There were parts where my adrenaline was pumping, where I laughed out loud, where I got excited and frightened and exhausted. Matt Archer: Monster Hunter is a well-written book that puts you in the action.

Matt Archer is your ordinary ninth grader...not big, not athletic, kind of quiet. But his life sure changes after a camping trip with his uncle. He is a character you want to succeed. You want Matt to get the girl of his dreams. You want him to take out the bullies that have bothered him for most of his school years. You want him to be a monster hunter. You want him to be safe and remain a kid in some respects. I think everyone would root for this kid...no one reading Matt Archer: Monster Hunter would want this kid to fail.

The remaining cast of characters fill out this book quite nicely. Mike is Matt's uncle and helps show Matt the ropes of monster hunting. Mamie is Matt's overprotective, older sister who proves to be quite an asset. Brent is Matt's older brother. The two do not seem to have much in common but they are brothers and there for each other. Will is Matt's best friend and fierce ally. He is indispensable to Matt and his hunting missions.

Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book. I can't wait for my kids to be old enough to read it.

Will I read it again: I probably won't read this book again but I will definitely read the next book in this series, Matt Archer: Monster Summer, which is a short story. I hope there are more books about Matt Archer.

http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I have to give a HUGE Thank You to YA Bound for allowing me to be a part of this tour. This book was a refreshing read for me and a change from what I normally read. I enjoyed it so much I am buying a copy for my son to read. In Matt Archer: Monster Hunter we meet Matt and his family. Matt loves his normal boring life of hanging with his best friend and crushing on the school it girl. So when Matt's uncle tells him they are going on a camping trip he is very excited. That is until the camping trip takes a turn for the worse. Matt's uncle is attacked by a monster and Matt kills it with a knife in his uncles bag. Matt's life is about to take a turn in so many ways.

Once Matt's uncle realizes that Matt used the knife to kill the monster he realizes he has to tell Matt that the knife has chosen who will wield it. Once Matt's uncle tells him the history of the knife and the history of the family Matt is not sure what to believe but he knows one thing for sure and that is things do go bump in the night. Along with the help of Matt's best friend they will have to hunt down the monsters and kill them. Will Matt and his friend be able to kill all the evil monsters or will the monsters kill them?

I am so looking forward to reading book two in this series so we can see what happens to Matt and his best friend Will. This is a must read for all kids who love things that go bump in the night.

[Donna (BLHmistress) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt, 14 goes camping one weekend with his Uncle Mike , when he finds out there are things that go bump in the night. And in one night becomes the youngest monster hunter on a special ops team. In that one night everything he knows and his life as an ordinary teenager goes out the window.

I really enjoyed this book, a really good page turner. I found myself deeply engrossed in this book and when it ended, it left me craving for more. The characters were well written and I easily connected with them even though I haven't been a teenager for a very long time.

What I also liked was the monsters, they definitely were different than I have read about. Not your typical type of supernatural creatures, that's for sure. Would I recommend yes, if you are looking for something unique and different from the typical supernatural , this book is for you. I can tell you I really want to read more not only from this author, but I want to read more of Matt's adventures in the future.

[Amelia Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourteen-year-old Matt Hunter struggles to absorb the knowledge that there are monsters in the world, and that a magic knife has chosen him to fight them. Matt matures, finds love (or at least some smooching), and kills a lot of monsters -- what's not to like? I thoroughly enjoyed this very competently composed YA/11+ read from first-time novelist Kendra C. Highley. Reminiscent of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson, Matt is edgier, rawer -- perhaps in part because he lives in a universe filled with adults, both good and bad, as well as kids, whereas Percy's adventures take place in something more like a Neverland. Matt lives in the real word, albeit a real world inhabited by some pretty gruesome monsters. Terrific page turner; I stayed up half the night reading it, and now I can't wait for the next installment.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA book, Fantasy.

I really enjoyed listening to this book on my Kindle. Fantasy isn't my favorite genre, except for Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings, I don't read much of it. I liked all of the characters in the book. Perfect adolescent fantasy, getting to travel the world and be this heroic monster killer and get the girl in the end. All this with Mom never the wiser about what her son is actually up to!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you like a good thrill and enjoy hunting monsters then this book and this series is definitely for you. The action hits hard from the first page right the way through and doesn't stop rolling until the last page is turned. Hard hitting full of gore this is a thrilling ride from the start and the action doesn't stop till the last monster is killed. Definitely worth picking up and delving into the whole series.

This was a free download from smashwords

[♥♡¢σσкιє♥♡ (Krystle) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can read this review and more on my blog:

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I received a free copy of this book from the author via Reading Addiction Virtual Blog Tours in exchange for an Honest review.

I'm going to start this review with a little story. I was recently watching Cinderella with my mom, (Yes I still do that even at my age.) and I told her that it ruined my day when I was a child and realized that more than one woman should have fit the glass slipper. One day it just dawned on me that a lot of women should have fit that darn shoe. So my mom being the amazing woman that she is fixed a huge part of my childhood by saying, "No one but Cinderella fit the slippers because the slippers were magic." Isn't she great?

I tell you this story because that is the exact mind-set that you will need to fully enjoy Matt Archer: Monster Hunter. Everything makes sense because it's magic!

Matt Archer is a below average 14-year-old highschool Freshmen. He is shorter and thinner than most of his peers, and they treat him like it. He deals with bullies and can't manage to get the girl of his dreams to give him the time of day, but everything changes in when he and his Uncle Mike go on a camping trip. After that trip, Matt learns that monsters are real, and it is going to be his job from now on to track down and kill as many of them as he can.

This is the part where you will need to suspend every ounce of cynicism that you have and just be entertained. All it takes is one week training with Uncle Mike and his Green Beret buddies, and Matt goes from geek to chic and becomes a lean mean monster fighting machine! I personally wanted the transformation to take more time. Even if he had just spent the summer rather than Spring break training, the massive change that happened would have been easier to belive. But the author does address how and why Matt adapts so quickly to monster hunting later in the book so it wasn't a huge plot hole.

The action scenes are where this book really shines! I held my breath and was constantly on the edge of my seat. I wasn't expecting them to be so well written and detailed, but they were some of the best that I have ever read. But one of the things that I enjoyed most about this story is that it focuses on more than just the supernatural. There was a nice mixture of moments when Matt got to be a teenager and deal with the same things that every other boy his age does, and he has some great interactions with a lot of great of characters. I love, love, loved each and every character in this book, and that hardly ever happens for me. It was so much fun to read and never want to rush and get to the next scene. Every scene was necessary, and each and every person served a purpose.

Will, Matt's best friend was so great! He didn't even hesitate when Matt asked him to be his monster hunting wingman. He was the best possible partner for Matt because he had his back front and both sides. Unlike Matt, Will experienced his growth spurt years ago, and has never had to put up with bullies or feeling weak so looking out for Matt is second nature for him. I kept expecting Will to have a moment where he was jealous because his friend, who had always needed his protection, was now not only able to protect himself but was becoming stronger and faster than Will could ever hope to be, but that never happened. The first time Will sees Matt in action, he feels exactly what a true friend should, pride.

However, my favorite character besides Matt was his sister Mamie. Matt has the normal sibling relationship with his brother. They love each other to death, and would never let anything happen to each other, but they also fight. Matt's relationship with Mamie was simply adorable. Mamie is a year older than Matt and a genius. No, seriously, the girl is Mensa level smart. She is also very secure in who she is, and I couldn't help but love her. She's a nerd who knows that she will probably rule the world someday, and everyone else around her knows it too. Mamie is fiercely protective of her little brother, and she watches him like a hawk, that makes it very difficult for Matt to sneak around and kill monsters. But instead of resenting her for this, he respects the fact that she is just built to mother people, and does everything he can to reassure her that he will be safe and happy.

Matt's relationship with Uncle Mike is also great. Matt's dad has been long gone for some time now, and Uncle Mike gladly took on the job as the father figure for Matt and his siblings. Even though Mike has to leave often because of his job in the military, he makes his family a priority so he is always there for them when they need him.

There is a cute little romance in the story. Matt has the hugest and sweetest crush on Ella, and what I liked about the romance in this book is how it served a purpose. Too many romances in Young Adult paranormal novels feel forced to me. They are just placed into the story as an afterthought because the that's the trend, but they don't actually add to the story or make sense. The romance in this book helped me get to know the main character better. Because of Ella, I got to see him be insecure and nervous, and it reminded me that he is still just a very normal young man. It was adorable the way he could come back from a hunt where he kills this giant bear like creature without losing his cool, but then this sweet young girl would have him stumbling over his feet and stuttering the next day.

Now let me spend a few more words gushing about my absolute favorite person in this book, and then I will let you go. :)

Matt Archer is a fantastic main character, and I can not wait to read about his growth as a hero in the next books! He is so well-developed already so I can only imagine how much I am going to love him by the time the series ends. He makes mistakes, but he really is just a very capable and extraordinary human being and those types of people make the best heroes. No stone was left unturned when it comes to his development. I know what makes him happy, what worries him and, what drives him to hunt. By the time I'm done reading these books, I think I will know him better than the author, and that's just fine with me because I really do like this kid and enjoy rooting for him. After all, he just might save the world someday!

If you want to read a fast paced coming of age story with an exciting, well written storyline, then Matt Archer: Monster Hunter is worth a read. At least download the free sample because if that doesn't win you over, then the book is just not for you.

Because of violence and mild language, I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.

[Awesome Indies Book Awards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include MATT ARCHER: MONSTER HUNTER by Kendra Highley in the library of Awesome Indies' Badge of Approval recipients.

Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (4 stars):


Matt Archer is a bit of a dork. We love those sorts of characters, don’t we? One friend, down on his luck, one parent run out on him, bullied a bit by one sibling who’s bigger and stronger than him, pitied by another sibling who’s smarter than him. Living with a hopeless crush on a girl who’ll never notice him, the same girl who’s dating the number one jerk in the school…

…and then you kill your first sasquatch/demon bear monster and all that changes.

There is a ton to like about Matt Archer, and his peculiar set of circumstances: the YA convention of being drawn into an urban fantasy setting with a character who doesn’t really know what’s going on, we learn as he does, the thrill of danger and the cool world that’s just below the surface that you kind of wish you were also a part of. You know, the world of Harry Potter. Or in this case Matt Archer.

The characters have their definitive quirks and true-to-life voices. Mom, Brent, Mamie, Ella, Will, all the army dudes, and Matt are far from cookie cutter, and definitely have their own well-crafted dialogue.

As for the rest of the technical specs, the book is about what you’d expect of high-grade YA urban fantasy: a nice sarcastic first person voice with a nice garnish of adolescence and some good humor. Secondly, the conventional three act narrative (which veers only slightly into being too conventionally plotted), and a wonderfully smooth pace with the sorts of fun twists and developments you’d expect from a master craftsman. The humorous spots were nice (the ride in the jet being my personal favorite) and while the book got pretty gory, mostly a young adult audience could handle it.

The only real trouble with this book (aside from it being a bit formulaic) was the cursing… yes we know students around the tween/teen ages talk like this, and yes we know they shouldn’t, and yes of course we’re kind of uncomfortable omitting those words because it’s not good form to tell the truth, but yes we also acknowledge that YA is mostly curse free (even though this kind of flies in the face of reality, which authors don’t like to do… argh!), and yes we want to try to help young people learn the sorts of lessons in this book, about bravery and doing the right thing, without the possibility of being seen as encouraging young people to swear. It’s almost as impossible as, say… walking the edge of a magic knife. We understand all that, and try our best to sand out the swearing where we can…

In any event, young people will probably get a kick out of Matt Archer (and write letters to the author demanding to know when the next book’s coming out), and adults who like the sorts of Harry Potter-like YA fantasy branch outs will probably also like this as well. It gets a well-deserved four and a half stars from AIA reviewers.

Review 2 - 4 stars

Matt Archer is a modern coming of age superhero story. A mystical knife chooses Matt to be its wielder after he defeats a monster while on a camping trip with his uncle. This catapults Matt into the military world of monster hunters, helped by his green beret uncle, he is put through a crash course in monster hunting and sent back home to scout out and defeat the ‘bear’ monsters in his area whilst maintaining utmost secrecy from his family and school friends.

I found it very hard to believe that a fourteen year old would be able to live such a double life without his family or school becoming aware of it. Even harder to believe is that apparently in the entirety of the US special forces, they couldn’t even spare one man to protect a fourteen year old boy so he got his best friend to come hunting with him.

The prose itself was well written. it accurately evoked the life of a high school teenager with a crush, the excitement of his first kiss and the awkwardness of growing up. The monster action scenes were also very engaging and the plot moved along at a good pace. The characters were well rounded and there is a good mix of action, humour and romance. This book ticks all the boxes if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief about certain plot points.

Four stars.

[Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my blog post to read chapter one of this book. I promise it will get you hooked! Just click the cover below.



I was really impressed with the start of this series, it showed lots of potential as far as first in a series goes. To me is seemed to be very well laid out with some humor and touching scenes too. It was well laid out, and does a great job of hooking you right into the story.

Matt’s voice in this is youthful, but articulate. He has to grow up fast as he is pushed into this new scary world. Monsters are real, and the knife chose him as its wielder, saddling him with a huge responsibility. I like how there were just the right amount of background of the other characters and Matt.

I usually do not like to read books that are from a 14 year old boy’s point of view. But this one didn’t bother me. It had me hooked in the same way Harry Potter books hooked me in, and I had originally read those books to check them out for my daughter when she was really young, as she read well above her age group, so I had to check out books she wanted to read. Needless to say, that series hooked me even though Harry was like 12 I think, lol.

I was surprised at how much I actually connected to the characters since its been a long time since I was a teenager, lol. Its very well written and won’t matter if you’re a teen or of the older crowd like me.

Kendra Highley has written a great series that both guys and girls will enjoy.
I do not want to spoil anything good, so will leave you with this quote of what Matt thinks of the first monsters he has to deal with.

It was like some mad scientist threw a bunch of DNA into a blender and this is what came out. What the heck could it be? Was it some kind of alien? A scientific experiment gone horribly wrong? Did we have a Dr. Frankenstein living in Billings? Seriously, the creature looked like a resurrected Wookiee made from spare parts.

I Highly recommend this book and series. Check it out, no matter how old you are. I feel teens and adults alike will equally enjoy this.

I was provided this book for my honest review.

Be sure to check out the other books in this series,


Monster Summer (Matt Archer 1.5) is FREE at Amazon for Kindle

You can also go check out my blog post for the 4th book Bloodlines to enter the giveaway. You can read that review as well there and an excerpt. Bloodlines Book Tour

[Marked By Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous. Matt is fabulous, Uncle Mike is fabulous, Mamie is fabulous, Will is fabulous, the knife is fabulous. The whole dang thing is fabulous. So fabulous, in fact, that I'm having a very hard time putting my feelings about it into real words, so I'm just going to keep typing whatever comes into my mind and hope that it makes some sort of sense to somebody out there.

Okay, here I go.

Probably my favorite part about this book was how believable all of the characters were. It's really hard to write teenagers, especially young ones, and make them sound their age without seeming ridiculous. Yeah, I guess you could say that some kids aren't exactly the brightest yet, but they're not all that way. I personally know of many underage individuals who are much more mature than their "adult" counterparts. Not that I think that Matt is like a 40-year-old man in a 14-year-old's body, but just because he's young, doesn't mean he's stupid.

He makes his mistakes just like everybody else does, but he's also very responsible. Very few people, his age or not, would be willing to set aside nearly everything they want in life in order to protect what others need. It's a very mature decision to make, and I think that Matt was very willing to make it without ever acting selfishly.

Still, he's a 14-year-old boy, not Mahatma Gandhi. Too often, I think that authors overstep this sort of "maturity line" in young characters because they're too afraid of making them seem weak. If you offer a teenage boy a ride in a Special Forces aircraft, he's not going to sit and contemplate the deeper meaning of it all, or do an extensive background check on the pilot to see how safe he is first. No, he's going to think it's freaking AWESOME, jump right in, and wait until he's able to tell all of his friends about how cool it was. And that's exactly what Matt did. You know, until he threw up. Minor detail.

Matt did end up growing up a lot throughout this first book, though. I didn't really notice it until he started reflecting on it himself after someone brought it up to him, and that really impressed me. I was shocked by how much he had changed and matured in such a short time, and I was even more surprised that I really hadn't noticed it that much. There was never a time when I stopped to think that something he did was way too out of character, yet that character kept changing all of the time. If anything at all, I have to give Kendra a whole lot of credit for that alone.

Luckily, it wasn't just that about this book that impressed me. I also really liked how descriptive yet fast-paced and dialogue-filled the novel was. I was always given enough information to envision what I needed, yet I never felt like a certain scene dragged on for way too long. The monsters were pretty great, too. I really liked that they adapted so quickly and were actually pretty smart. They came up with their own plans to win fights too, and they certainly mastered the area of smack-talk. No villains (or his/her minions) are complete without it.

Taylor


For the original review and more, please visit Marked By Books.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An electronic copy was provided by the author to review honestly

Fourteen-year-old Matt Archer is out camping in the woods of Montana with his uncle Mike when they are attacked by a paranormal grissly bear with tusks. Not knowing what to do as his uncle is attacked, Matt grabs the first weapon he finds in his uncle’s bag – a sharp knife that glows at his touch. The knife takes out the monster and Matt is thrust into the mist of a mission to save the world from armageddon.

For a fourteen-year-old thrust into the tough ordeals of a military nightmare, Matt handles himself extremely well. He is a well-rounded character written unbelievable well by Highley. He acts as a fourteen-year-old would when faced with girl-troubles, but is also smart enough to obey command when necessary. Matt is not irrational and stubborn as most teenagers would be when told that they’re wielding immense power – and that is what I loved about him. Highley has created a person that all readers could root for – rather than another annoying kid given power they’re unable to comprehend.

I found the entire story very well written and paced. Most scenes were definitely filled with action and Highley does not shy away from the prospect of death, which I admire her for. While written for children, it is still to be expected that when you’re fighting a war with monsters, death would always be lurking around the corner.

I have only high praise for the character developments within this story. All the characters were well-rounded and felt completely real. I enjoyed the strong bond of friendship between Matt and his best friend Will, but what I loved most was his bond with his family. His sister Mamie is one tough cookie, even though she’s known as a nerd to people around school. While we don’t see much of Matt’s brother Brent, he is always there when Matt needs him the most. He has his back and that’s what counts the most. And how can I forget the relationship between Matt and his uncle Mike? With Matt’s father M.I.A, Mike is the closest father figure he and his siblings have. Being deployed to Afghanistan serves the family a huge blow, but it is because of Mike’s leaving that pulls the Archer family together. They’re all just so supportive of each other, and it’s such a great thing to read about.

While you may think that this book is just about hunting mosters in the dark, Matt is still a teenager in high school. He has problems just like any other adolescent boy full of testosterone, and the glimpses offered into his ‘normal’ life was quite enjoyable to read about. Not once did I get impatient and want to fast forward to the fighting, because Matt chasing after is dream girl Ella was fun to read about too.

Matt Archer: Monster Hunter was an extremely enjoyable read and I will definitely be reading the next one in the series - Matt Archer: Blades Edge. I hear it’s set in Australia, my home country, so I’m very, very excited!

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For more reviews, visit thoughtsbyj!

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review first appeared @ Moosubi Reviews! Be sure to check out my tour stop here to read an excerpt & enter for another chance to win a PB copy of this book, gift cards and more!

This book was just fun! I'm not how else to describe it - after all, I had fun reading it, the language was easy and fun to go along with, and the story was a joy to follow along - and just fun haha ^__^

The language is extremely easy to get hooked on, especially if you're in the mood for something along the lines of a fantasy-adventure. The style of writing was light and humorous, something that of a fourteen year old like Matt Archer. There was also a good amount of humor in the book, along with non stop action (Monster-Killing! Fight scenes!) and a bit of mystery. Because that, this type of book might also appeal to an older MG reader, especially guys, considering that the romance portion of the book was kept to a minimum, but the action and language may appeal to that specific age group.

Matt was also a great character, perfect for the setting of the story. In the fantastical element of the book, he definitely grew a lot as a person and as a warrior. Being a high school student myself, there were also certain aspects of his character that I found exactly like resembling that of a younger high school student. His troubles with his older brother, his crush, algebra (ewww), and monsters all in all made him an endearing character to follow along in his journey.

Other than that, I also liked his relationships with his family and best friend, as well as the fantasy elements of the book. As I mentioned before, I liked the elements of realism in this book, despite the fantasy genre. His close relationship with his uncle and best friend, but not-so-close bond with his siblings, were nicely portrayed. The main fantasy element of the book, monsters, was also an interesting topic. Eventually, Matt finds out about the origin of the them, which for me was actually quite unexpected. Exploring their mythology and being was intriguing for me, but I think it's important to note that there are small religious aspects of their origin. Personally, I didn't mind it, but it may be a small problem to a certain group of readers.

Overall, Matt Archer: Monster Hunter was a quick and enjoyable read! The magic and mystery of the monsters as well as the realisticness of the characters would make this a great read for a male readers, even in the older MG age group (:

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy for review

Kendra C. Highley's Matt Archer: Monster Hunter is a young adult novel that follows fourteen, soon-to-be fifteen, year-old Matt as he navigates a supernatural world full of monsters and a mysterious life-altering prophecy. With a hint of teenaged angst towards young love, and spine-tingling descriptions, Highley's novel is a book that will make the reader both giggle with anticipation, and squirm with what Matt encounters.

I loved the characters of Will, Matt's best friend, and Matt because they help each other navigate the difficulties of growing up. Will's wit matches well with Matt's increasing strength as the protagonist. Will is the sidekick to the still growing and learning hero, and he fits the description of best friend, confidante, and unrelenting support throughout the whole novel.

When I first started reading Highley's novel, I wrongly assumed that since Matt was only fourteen at the start this would be a naive and slightly adorable story. Let me warn you, however, if you have a weak stomach, perhaps you should steer clear of this one. The story gets increasingly harder to stomach as Matt progresses deeper into his monster hunt, but it is well worth it. Highley doesn't save us from any of the disturbing descriptions and I applaud her for that. Her novel has a certain originality thanks to her fearless attempt at creating a successful horror story for the young adult audience.

Highley also has a great sense of pacing in her novel. Very rarely is there a lull in the story. The only instance where the reader might pause is during the explanation of why the monsters exist and the part Matt plays in the hunt for evil. The rush of information is a bit overwhelming, but is useful for later on in the story. Highley weaves a story that is easy to follow and is hard to put down.

If you're looking for an exciting book with tons of action and a slightly original monster story, then you might like this one. Highley offers the reader an insight into an imperfect protagonist that is growing as the story progresses, metaphorically and physically. He is also someone who isn't emotionally impervious to his surroundings, which makes him very relatable and realistic, despite the fictional situation.

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Archer is a typical teenager he hangs out with his best friend Will, has a crush on the beautiful girl in school, and finds it all kind of blah. Matt goes camping with his uncle Mike his mom's brother on a typical weekend camping trip. While on the camping trip Matt has to save his uncle from a strange creature using his uncle's knife. Matt's uncle tells him the story how he the story he about how he learned that there are monsters, and how he happened to have the knife.

Matt learns that the knife is magical picks the one who shall wield its power and Matt just happens to be that guy. His uncle plans a trip before he deploys to have Matt go through monster basic training so he's better prepared to wield the knife. After a long weekend at basic training Matt returns home to start his journey of hunting monsters in his own backyard. His uncle is going to deploy but he wants Matt to have a partner before he leaves. Matt's best friend Will stumbles across them hunting one night and fits the bill perfect as a partner for Matt, since he knows he can trust Will. While Mike heads off for Afghanistan, Matt, and Will continue to hunt down the strange creatures, tracking their patters to see if they are getting smarter which they are. They also are seeing several female creatures which aren’t common, and the rise of monsters happens to have something to do with the lunar eclipse.

I received Matt Archer: Monster Hunter as part of a blog tour at YA Bound in return for a honest review. I totally loved Matt he reminds a lot of a guy next door type. The author does a great job creating a character that anyone can relate to, and someone you can root for when things get tough. I really like that family is so important in this story, and it's not your typical two parent family. I love the concept of the monsters it's unique from typical monster books, and I really liked that aspect. It's a fast paced adventure that draws you in right from the start not letting go till the end. I had a hard time putting it down I wanted to read it all in one sitting but I had to make dinner but when it was over I came back to finish. I can't wait to read the next one in the series and read more about Matt's adventures.

[Sara Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to start by sharing the paragraph that convinced me to buy the book:

"Before I had a chance to dig out some marshmallows for s'mores, the air turned sharp and the wind gusted cold into the campfire, sending up sparks. Uncle Mike rose to his feet, with an intense, alert expression I'd never seen before--like he could eat a brick and enjoy the crunch."

I laughed out loud when I read that. Original, well-used metaphors aren't that common, and a funny one to boot? Excellent. The rest of the book carries on in that vein, happily.

On to the plot. Matt Archer is your average ninth-grader whose biggest problems are a crush on a beautiful classmate, Ella, and a long-absent father figure when his world is rocked by the discovery that yeah, monsters are real. After his Green Beret uncle's mysteriously powerful knife picks Matt to wield it, he's got no choice but get out there and start slaying some monsters ... while staying out of trouble in school.

Highley keeps a nice balance between the parts of Matt's life that are about chasing and killing the monsters invading his part of the world and the parts of his life that are about being a teenage boy. He goes to classes, he argues with his siblings, and he struggles to work up the nerve to ask out Ella. My own teen years are a decade or so behind me, but I think younger readers will be pleased by the way Matt's life is depicted. As an older reader, I was happy to find that Matt's teen problems didn't make it hard for me to buy him as a soldier capable of slaying monsters.

The only real question I had about the story was how easily the adults accepted the idea of sending a 14-year-old and his best-friend sidekick off to fight creatures that units of Green Berets had trouble handling. It didn't bother me that much, however, and it's not something that's likely to matter much in subsequent books.

And, yes, Highley is writing a sequel to "Matt Archer: Monster Hunter." I look forward to reading it.

[Chris Torretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author interview at: http://myseryniti.wordpress.com/2012/...

This was a really fun read! Matt is just your average kid, average build, average height, actually he is a bit short even so when he and his uncle go out camping and he finds and kills a monster he doesn't know what to think! And then his Uncle tells him that the knife he was wielding chose him to be a Monster Hunter at 14!! And this is just the first few pages! You get to know Mike and Matt a bit more as the story progresses of course but right there, chapter one and I was in it for the long haul.

The plot is really interesting. What makes it even more fun and dastardly is that Matt is only 14 but he has the courage of a mountain lion. He doesn't only have to learn how to fight monsters out in the world, he also has to fight them in his own school, and we're not talking the grizzly bear type. We're talking the type that thinks smaller kids are easy to push around. But he does have friends that have his back and that's the best part of this story, the characters. There's also a huge military presence that adds a lot of substance to the plot.

Mike is his Uncle and that guy is a real stand up kind of person, willing to do anything for his family which includes helping Matt figure out his way in this new world. Will is probably my favorite though, he and Matt go through some very interesting things together. They kill monsters, save damsels in distress and have mysterious growth spurts. Interesting, unique and I loved reading about them.

This ended on a note that says, maybe sequel, maybe not but as Kendra kindly told us above there is definitely a sequel of Matt spending his time in Australia. And there's also the companion to this, Matt Archer: Monster Summer, so if you enjoy young adult horror this will be right up your alley!

[Danielle Smiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

My Review:
I absolutely loved Matt Archer from the get go!!! He's such a likable character! I loved the "voice" of the first person narrative, endearing Matt to me immediately. All the characters are very well developed; not one felt flat in the least. The family dynamics, the average-teen-high-school issues, the friendships all felt so real. I was amazed at the high level of believability considering the subject matter (I read urban fantasy all the time, but when a high school boy gets to be a part of a Navy Seal team, you've got to be a great author to get that sense of "sure that could happen"). The action is quick-paced, abundant and so much fun!!! I can't get over just how awesome of a read this book is; I can't wait for more!!! And luckily for us all, there is more! There's a short story that comes after this and book 2, Matt Archer: Blade's Edge is due out in January! Yay for more good books!!!

Cover Art:
I really like this cover! I think it is fitting for the target audience and makes you want to see what's inside. The title is also very grabbing; you don't really need to read the synopsis to know this is going to be an awesome read.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

[Adam Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

***ABANDONED BOOK***

14yo Matt is out camping with his uncle when suddenly something attacks them. Panicked, Matt grabs a nearby knife and kills the beast. Bound to a magical knife Matt Archer is now a monster hunter.

I don't like giving up on a book when I'm not even half way, but that's a habit I'm trying to break. Why keep going when I'm not enjoying myself? And frankly, just over 20% in, I've found I've stopped caring what happens to these people. I'm sure this book might appeal to others, but it's just not holding my interest, so I'm calling it at 21%.

The story might get more interesting later, but if it's anything like what I've seen so far, I'm not sure how it'd do that. There's just been too many things that didn't sit well with me. The history of the knife sounded like it had potential, but the story was too simplified and unbelievable. I can buy that the military stumbled across monsters in South America and put together a task force, but what I can't buy is that it consists of just ten guys worldwide. It sounds like the author had some brilliant ideas that they then dumbed down to the point of absurdity.

The characters were getting on my nerves as well. Matt is supposedly 14yo but he reads more like a 10yo most of the time. Most of the other characters felt like they had one gimmick to their name and that was it for the day. Maybe they develop more given some time, but I'll never know, I spoke the 8 deadly words before they had the chance; I don't care what happens to these people.

Maybe this book is intended for younger audiences, but even then I get the feeling that even young children would find the oversimplification and shallow characters insulting. Just not something I could bring myself to continue reading.

Maybe this book gets better later. Maybe not.

[Kendal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look out Buffy Summers! Here comes Matt Archer, Monster Hunter! This book is such a fun read and I really enjoyed it. Kendra Highley has written a great new series that both guys and girls will enjoy.

Matt Archer is a great character and very relatable. He starts as a typical teenager but has to grow up very quickly. What I really like is that he is a really good kid with a strong value system. He is loyal to his friends and family and has a strong sense of responsibility. He is going to make a wonderful hero as the series moves along.

Ms. Highley created a strong bond with Matt’s family. Even though the father is out of the picture, they are a strong, loving and loyal family. That is very nice to see. Matt’s sister, Mamie, is a real momma bear. She will do anything to protect her little brother.

The military aspect of the book is a little hard to believe, but it works well with the story. It is fun to read about Matt training to become a soldier. He works hard and never gives up. That is a nice message.

Also, this book has some really good fight scenes. The monsters are really horrifying; mutations of real animals. Even though Matt is fighting real monsters, he is still just a fourteen-year-old boy. His heart races and his body trembles with fear. But he overcomes his fear to accept his duty as a Monster Hunter.

The romantic interest in the book is Ella. She is a really sweet character. She is very deserving of Matt’s attentions. Even though Matt is facing some really horrific things, he will still blush when Ella smiles at him. It brings some normalcy to his life which he really needs.

Monster Hunter is a great beginning for a new series. I can’t wait to read the next book!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know by now how found I am of stories that have monsters in them so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this book by Kendra C. Higley. I thought that this first book in the Matt Archer series had a lot of potential, and as far as first books in a series goes I thought it was very well laid out.

I love monster stories so I loved reading about the monsters that had taken up residence in his backyard and that awesomely mystical knife that he had to fight them with. What I liked most about the book though besides the characters was the plot of the book itself. I was surprised by the strength it had. While it's the first book in a series I also think that the book has the weight to stand on it's own equally well.

The book brought to mind the television show Supernatural in a lot of ways but still Monster Hunter maintained its own uniqueness. I haven't read many books like it and I think that that's rather a shame since it was so well written. There is a great sense of mystery and adventure to this novel that I think I would have enjoyed very much if I were the age of Matt when I read it but in any case I enjoyed it even now.

Overall, I thought this was a wonderfully written book with a great main character. I really came to like Matt and I enjoyed going on the monster hunts with him so I can't wait to read the next book in the series so I can get back to going on the hunts with him.

I would recommend this book to those who like young adult fictions with monsters in it and fans of the television show Supernatural since the book reminded me very much of it. I enjoyed the book immensely and I hope anyone who reads it enjoys it as much as I did.

*I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for my FREE and HONEST review.

[Laudys · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was kindly given to me by the author, Kendra C. Highley, in exchange for an honest review. After finding the summary interesting, I could only oblige.

Matt Archer is your average 14 yrs old. He's got one best friend, a terrible crush on a girl and bully to torment his school days. Then everything goes to hell when he gets attacked by a monster while on a camping trip and ends up paired with a mystical hunting knife of dubious origins, and even more mysterious properties, with the task of eliminating the unnatural things that now prowl at night in his backyard.

I really enjoyed this book, because, boy, do things get crazy.

I hadn't been expecting the military turn it took. Yes, we are talking about real flesh-eating monsters that allegedly came from Hell as the first phase for a war against evil, but instead of opting for giving Matt sudden paranormal powers, the author put him through more conventional means of developing. You know, like actual combat training and exercise. It says a lot of what I've been reading lately that the normal, logical thing (like getting the goddamn army involved when monsters started eating people) would feel so out of the blue. I loved it.

The only thing I found a tad grating was how much time Matt spend thinking about how hot Ella was. Not how kind or nice or smart. Hot. Always so attentive to her perfect hair, the swaying of her hips or how tight her clothes were. Even once trying to look down her shirt. But that's normal male behavior as far as I know so, ugh, boys.

[Giselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Electronic Advanced Reader Copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. Quotes have been pulled from an ARC and may be subject to change.

Matt wields through his life, going to school, trying to ask his long-time crush Ella out, having dinner with his family and most of all, hunt monsters. These monsters are gruesome, and they’re not your average monsters either. They’re hybrids of various animals and that probably makes it so terrifyingly realistic. Scientists could be playing with animal genes and create a monster just like the ones mentioned in the book. Yikes!

I’ve always enjoyed reading middle grade novels, even ones that are targeted towards boys for one reason. There is always non-stop action. Matt Archer: Monster Hunter is no exception, this book is just pure fun. There are no boring parts. The pacing is lightning fast which I immensely enjoyed. The scenes are perfectly detailed and are just the right amount of descriptions. The dialogue is hilarious, especially in the mind of a growing 15 year old teenager.

The relationship between Matt and his best friend Will is endearing and can I say precious even? They’re both loyal to each other and always have each other’s best interests at heart. These two characters are there for one another and will step up to defend each other when one needs help. We can’t forget about Matt and his siblings either. This is another adorable relationship to read about. The older siblings are protective of Matt, considering he’s the youngest, and they look out for him.

What a great story. Fast-paced, and action packed, I’m sure no one will get bored reading this one.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Archer is your average high school freshman, until he's attacked by a monster and finds out he's not. Average, that is. He's still 14, and has to cope with all the trials of school (& girls!) that come with that.

There are a lot of things I love about this book:
1) It's young adult, and there's no swearing. It may not mean much these days, but I was glad to read a story where even the adults manage to curb their language around kids. I certainly try to.
2) The action doesn't stop. Seriously! I was up until after 1am because I couldn't put it down! And it's not all monster-violence, either - a lot of the book is about Matt and the people around him.
3) Perhaps my favorite aspect - the book flows smoothly. If there's dialog, it's smooth. If there's a segue of two months, it's smooth. I never had to wonder if I had missed something because the author didn't edit it correctly.

There are some very dark, but within-the-book realistic moments, so it isn't all action and fluff. Matt has a lot of emotional growth moments.

Mild spoiler ahead -
When discussing the origin of the monsters, I did worry slightly about a religious overtone to the book. It doesn't go there, though. There are a few references to the potential of the dark forces being from Hell, but it comes across as a more generic, all religions included, battle of good vs evil. I actually really appreciated that.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It has a great 14-15 year old hero with fantastic friends and monstrous enemies! It was so well written I found myself getting very nervous for him every time he went monster hunting, except for the last few episodes when he had more back-up. Strangely so, as at this stage it was more dangerous for him but maybe I was just reading the book too fast, to find out what happened next, to be worried for him! I actually read it in one day, being unable to put it down (whatever it says on my Goodreads list).

Kendra Highley paints a wonderful picture with lovely language choices; some of the words I didn't know but then I'm not a teenage boy in Montana. I got the gist though. The idea that Matt Archer is 'found' by a monster hunting knife is nice (although not entirely new since we all know that the wand chooses the wizard etc.) but the extent of the knife's powers are gradually revealed, both by our own reading of the interactions it has with Matt and others, and with the tales of the legend that are brought in near the end. The monsters are beautifully described and paint a terrifying picture in the reader's imagination. But I did sleep well after reading it; no nightmares!

Matt's own nightmares are intriguing additions to the plot, since the reader interprets some correctly as belonging to the story, but others foresee a future which I look forward to reading about. I recommend this book to MG/YA and up who like a fast paced fantasy thriller!

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the author through the GoodReads first-reads program in exchange for an honest review.

Matt Archer: Monster Hunter was a true delight. Kendra C. Highley has written a fantastically funny and quick-paced YA novel that never loses sight of its plot. The main character, from which this series derives its name, is a surprisingly forthright hero. He accepts his fate with open eyes, and dives into his destiny with a refreshing abandon that is commonly lacking in books of this genre. This makes for a grin-inducing ride, full of action and suspense (and appropriately grotesque monsters) that reminded me of all the excitement I used to get from Goosebumps, though minus a fair bit of the now groan-inducing cheese.

This book would be an excellent purchase for any young teen, and stands a very high chance of being just the thing that would encourage a reluctant boy to read. After finishing it, I happily handed it over to my nephew in hopes he'd enjoy it as much as I did. I certainly would like to see it in school libraries. A book this fun and exciting would be shame to miss.