Underneath Earl's Bed

by Cy Hartshorne

It's hard to say that Dustyn's life has been an easy one. As he sits in his shoebox with X512 and remnants from his past, he wonders if he will ever get that prized opportunity to leave. Of course, he'll have to worry about a dangerous, robotic dragon that resides in the same room. But when a chocolate bunny enters his home, how will he respond? Can Colate's bravery help the two leave their home behind and into a world full of danger and adventure?

372 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2018

Reviews

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dustyn is a dust bunny that grew up in the attic with his friends and family. Things were normal for him with school, bullies, and friends. But there was always the threat from the Black Widow. This was just a story passed off until one day Dustyn saw someone killed in front of him by the Black Widow. He leaves the attic but finds that the world outside of the attic is not very friendly.

Dustyn makes it to Earl’s bedroom and lives under his bed with X512, the robot. Earl is a rather spoiled five year old kid that has a dog and a robot dragon. Dustyn discovers a half eaten chocolate bunny and brings him to life for companionship and to help defeat the dragon and get out of Earl’s room.

This is an interesting read, one that has taken me a while to get through. I’m sorry to say that I had a hard time staying focused to this story which is completely me. This is a rough story with an interesting plot. I was not expecting the story to go where it did but was pleasantly surprised in that dark kind of way.

There are many topics that we face in our lives like bullies, monsters, and wanting to adventure yet fearing the unknown. I think this is a good read and although a little rough still a good start. I would like to read more from Cy Hartshorne. I am curious to see what he comes up with next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little hesitant going into this story. A dust Bunny, Dustyn, longs to explore. He hails from a community of dust bunnies that lived in the attic of the Earl's home where a black widow reigned with terror. The story takes us through the perils of growing up in the dust bunny community and dealing with the Black Widow to his teenagers years and having more trials to face into adulthood and why he needs to leave his home under Earl's bed or did he. The revelation of Harold's outcome and how it related to Earl's toy from his grandfather was an interesting twist. The Black Widow's "evil gift and what it was prompting young earl to do gave the story a terrifying aspect. Dustyn with his friends X and Colate work to defeat a common enemy in a show of love, friendship, and unity. This story was a cross between Toy Story and Nightmare on Elm Street. The author touches on a few very important topics that all young people have to deal with as they mature - bullying, a lack of self-confidence and awareness. I think the author is talented and the places his mind went to craft this world is a story for another post. I would place this book firmly in the pre-teen section of dark fantasy. The author is young and only has room to grow and mature in the craft. I look forward to seeing what's next.

[Destiny Bridwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. When I got this book a couple of months ago I was not sure if I would like it or not. It was the concept I was not sure off. Dust bunny Dustyn is just trying to survive with his robot. The add a chocolate bunny, dog, black widow spider, dragon and it all just kind goes crazy from there. I was not ready for how this book made me feel. It seems all of the other items under or around the room just seem to want to get rid of poor Dustyn. It makes me wonder about the items in my room not after reading this. Very interesting tale. I think younger readers would find it fund and entertaining. 

[S.K. Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dustyn the Dust Bunny lives under a little boy's bed with his robot companion. He finds a chocolate bunny and decides to bring him to life. An interesting story that I think younger readers will love.