Boyband of the Apocalypse

Boyband of the Apocalypse

by Tom Nicoll (Artist), David O'Connell (Illustrator)

When Sam agrees to take his little sister, Lexie, to see the world’s most popular boy band, Apocalips, he expects it to be bad. But he doesn’t expect to get locked in a cupboard, to overhear the band plotting to destroy the world and to witness them disintegrate one of their own members. When no one believes him but his best friend, Milo, Sam is left with no option but to take part in a contest to join the band to try and save the world from Armageddon. To do this Sam will have to become someone he’s never been before. With help from Milo and Lexi, he’ll have to overcome the Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse, pop Svengali Nigel Cruul, a dodgy haircut, and his complete inability to sing or dance. Still, it’s not the end of the world. Not yet anyway.

Genres: Childrens

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2017

About the author

Tom Nicoll is an award-winning writer of funny books for children, including the There's a Dragon in my... series and Boyband of the Apocalypse, which won the Stockton Children's Book of the Year 2019. He is also an avid, though arguably not-very-good, gamer and has written a video-game based series for younger readers called Level Up!

Tom started writing when he was at school, but forgot to stop when he left. It's now gotten quite out of hand with ten books having been published with his name plastered all over them.

He lives just outside Edinburgh with his wife and two daughters. When he's not writing, reading or playing videogames badly he enjoys imagining he should have other interests.

Reviews

[Ryan Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hysterically silly. As a boy band fanatic, I couldn’t help but picture my favorite boy band as the characters which made it 10x more fun. The references to 90s and early 00s pop culture might confuse some kids now, but that’s what parents are for. So, basically, demonic boy band is about to take over/destroy the world and the only way to save us all is if Sam is able to infiltrate the band and bring them down. Come on! Hilarious!

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boybands, teenage girls, and the apocalypse?? Wait?

I won't make this a very long review (and will keep it basic) because there are some twists and turns (that were very fun), but which I don't want to spoil (plus, I don't want to spoiler tag whole parts of the review).

Boybands are evil (why are they so good, and so swoony?), we all know that, but the characters in this book are going to be up against a whole new level of evil boyband-ness. Namely the apocalypse. Yep, world-domination is so 2016, so let's up the level to destroying the world instead.
And it is up to our MC to beat this plan, to infiltrate the band, and to save the world! But well....

Sam is a great guy, but um, his plans aren't always the best. :P Plus he can't sing or dance, two very main things one needs to become a boyband member (other than stage presence and of course the very cool hairdo).
But he is quite brave, and he can talk his way out of things (which was hilarious to see).
And I could really relate to him. In books you always see someone become a hero, or find a hidden talent, and yet he feels like he can't be a hero, and he doesn't seem to have a talent. I know that is the same feeling I have (especially when I was his age). Books always make it seem like everyone has a hidden talent, but some of us are just ordinary.

The audition part was really fun, and I loved every part of it. It was a bit different from normal auditions you read about, or see on television, and that made it even better. I was curious about a lot of things, but then again everyone participating was a bit confused. I was happy that not every rival was a mean person, I actually loved Mickey and was rooting for him.

Sam's parents were fun, and I loved when x was revealed! OMG, I never saw that part coming!

Sam's sister was brilliant, she really has a cool, but weird, talent. I wonder how that will help her in the future.

Milo, Sam's friend? I am not sure what to think of him. He was nice, but eh, I am not sure how to put this in words. Sorry.

There are lots of twists and turns and I was so surprised at various events happening, I just love it when books don't make things too obvious and surprise the reader with something cool and unexpected.

I just flew through this book (there never was a dull moment), and I am delighted to see that there will be another book with these characters in the future!

Ah yes, one last thing, I just loved the illustrations that were all over the book!

Highly recommended!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is a 13-year-old who can't stand the latest boy band, Apocalips. But when his parents make a deal with him to take his sister to the concert so that he can get a phone, he doesn't expect to see the band take out one of their own members, and plot to destroy the world. The only person that believes him is his best friend, and they make it their mission to make Sam win the contest to become the next member of the band, so that he can save the world.

This middle grade book is so silly and fun. I got it from a book party ages ago and never sat down to read it. I don't know why I slept on this one though. I was through it in a matter of hours, and I was cracking up the whole time. As a lifelong fan of boy bands, I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who's ever loved boy band culture. (Yes, I mean culture, thank you.) Worth it. 🤣

[Jeorgette Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If K-Pop Demon Hunters' Saja Boys hasn't taught you about the dangers of boy bands, maybe this book will. And the twist ending will make you even more cautious of idolizing *any* bands.

This book is one of the most entertaining middle-grade novels I've read in a while. More than once I caught myself laughing at what I was reading and that kept me wanting to read more.

So, if you love funny, fast-paced middle grade novels about the evils of the music industry and dangers of idolatry (or even being a stan of any celebrity), it'll be worth the purchase and the read. I promise: those 320 pages will just fly by.

[Jennifer Kamauff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read following Sam on his quest to save the world from a boy band that has plotted to end the world. I enjoyed the story and illustrations that make the book come to life. My only complaint is an "ah-ha" moment in the book that I wish was more exciting and played out. Other than that I enjoyed little things they touched on like bullying, standing up for people, and of course saving the world!! I do plan to read the next in this series!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this book is around 300 pages and I devoured it in a single day. As a fan of boy bands since I was a kid, I fell in love with the humor in this book! It's very nostalgic and makes fun of boy bands without seeming insulting. I would definitely compare the humor to that of Kim Possible (y'know, the Oh Boyz?).

Spoiler: Parental Warning - the Apocalips band winds up being the Horsemen of the Apocalypse aka demons. I did not care for this, but the demons are bound not to kill anyone. Basically they can transport people to other dimensions and shapeshift. The final battle winds up being a sort of sing-off.

[Pages Bursting Hearts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me rolling. It's hilarious! I may be rating this 5 stars, because I had not expected it to be what it was. In any case, I really enjoyed reading this. It was a total plus that the boy band was evil, since they all are anyways, am I right? LOL

[Heather Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to follow.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. It was smart and funny, and it had twists I didn't expect. Highly recommended for boys, girls, and adults.

[Heidi Selas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely surprised me! Once I got halfway through, I couldn't put it down. This book is silly, imaginative, and nostalgic of my 90's boy band obsession days!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many laughs reading this with my 11 year old!

[Shia TIAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

the og kpop demon hunters saja boys

[Emmie Seals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this was every bit of fun and ridiculous and adventure that you would expect. Even my 4 year old sat, content and excited to hear what would happen next. I would laugh out loud to the lyrics of the boy band's songs (and you know I'd put them to a catchy tune to sing-read) and so would the kids.

You only need one of these three things to be in a boy band: a voice, awesome dance moves, or amazing hair. So yes, even you might have a chance 🤪🤷‍♀️

Basically, a boy band wants to destroy the world...and is going to succeed unless Sam finds a way to stop them before it's too late. Oh no!

My 4 kiddos give this two thumbs up!