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Monster Problems #1
Monster Problems: Vampire Misfire
Some monsters are meant to be heroes...
12-year-old Abraham "Bram" Murray never realized how special he is. That's because he's clueless about his past, having bounced around foster care his entire life. Of course, his peculiar habits always raised eyebrows, like staying up all night and eating only red-colored foods like Swedish Fish. But Bram just figured he was different. He never imagined he was the world's last vampire--or that he was being hunted.
After escaping a werewolf ambush, Bram is recruited into the Van Helsing Academy, a secret school for monster kids. As Bram discovers clues about his past, he tries to learn how to harness his powers for good. Unfortunately, he just may be the most pathetic monster ever. But Bram better figure it out fast, because the Dark Ones have resurfaced, and they're searching for a powerful artifact to resurrect Count Dracula and conquer the world. Can Bram and his monster friends save humanity before it's too late?
Monster Problems is the first book in a hilarious, action-packed series that will entertain kids, middle school students, and adults. Monster Problems includes 11 illustrated character profiles.
12-year-old Abraham "Bram" Murray never realized how special he is. That's because he's clueless about his past, having bounced around foster care his entire life. Of course, his peculiar habits always raised eyebrows, like staying up all night and eating only red-colored foods like Swedish Fish. But Bram just figured he was different. He never imagined he was the world's last vampire--or that he was being hunted.
After escaping a werewolf ambush, Bram is recruited into the Van Helsing Academy, a secret school for monster kids. As Bram discovers clues about his past, he tries to learn how to harness his powers for good. Unfortunately, he just may be the most pathetic monster ever. But Bram better figure it out fast, because the Dark Ones have resurfaced, and they're searching for a powerful artifact to resurrect Count Dracula and conquer the world. Can Bram and his monster friends save humanity before it's too late?
Monster Problems is the first book in a hilarious, action-packed series that will entertain kids, middle school students, and adults. Monster Problems includes 11 illustrated character profiles.
- GenresMiddle Grade
218 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2018
231 people are currently reading
905 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Ullman
38 books105 followersR.L. Ullman is the bestselling, award-winning author of books for young readers including the EPIC ZERO series, the new THE BOY WITH VIDEO GAME POWERS series, the UNLEGENDARY DRAGON series, the MONSTER PROBLEMS series, and the PETUNIA THE UNICORN series. His fun, action-packed stories get kids to put down their screens and pick up a book! R.L. lives in Connecticut with his wife, son, and two freeloading dogs with unusually strong editorial opinions. You can find out more about R.L. at rlullman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 21, 2020
I won this via goodreads giveaways sort of ages ago and just now getting to it (Because I suck at keeping up with my ebooks). All my opinions are my own.
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The ending was a bit rushed but overall this was a fun and cute book.
The world building isn't a lot but the little tidbits thrown in are interesting. Still was frustrating somewhat. Not enough to keep me from reading it though.
All in all, I think the younger readers would enjoy this more than the adult set.
3.25 stars.. would still recommend.
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The ending was a bit rushed but overall this was a fun and cute book.
The world building isn't a lot but the little tidbits thrown in are interesting. Still was frustrating somewhat. Not enough to keep me from reading it though.
All in all, I think the younger readers would enjoy this more than the adult set.
3.25 stars.. would still recommend.
August 8, 2018
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A foster kid who is shuffled from home to home finally finds a place to stay. It turns out he is the last vampire on earth, dark forces are out to get him, but there's a special school he can attend to learn how to use his powers. He gets a group of monster friends, straight from the old Universal Horror catalogue.
Great start to a series. Reminds me a lot of the old cartoon, Drak Pack.
A foster kid who is shuffled from home to home finally finds a place to stay. It turns out he is the last vampire on earth, dark forces are out to get him, but there's a special school he can attend to learn how to use his powers. He gets a group of monster friends, straight from the old Universal Horror catalogue.
Great start to a series. Reminds me a lot of the old cartoon, Drak Pack.
July 27, 2018
Got my son to read. He has autism and he's picky on what he will pick up and read. I sat with him letting him read and ask questions. He said he'd give the book two thumbs up and can't wait to read more.
July 5, 2018
Homeless or Hero
Bram is a 12 yo boy who can't be caged. He has lived in foster care since he was four, traveling from family to family and group home to group home. This last facility came with cells, so he isn't staying any longer than it takes to call 911; then he is gone! But running this time leads him into a pack of wolves, which he realizes are actually werewolves. Before they can strike, he is whisked away to a secret academy. Can Bram and his new friends solve the mystery of the wolves?
Ullman has created larger than life characters, a tight plot, and resurrected a villain most foul. Fun, fast paced, story with themes of personal responsibility, friendship, and trust.
Bram is a 12 yo boy who can't be caged. He has lived in foster care since he was four, traveling from family to family and group home to group home. This last facility came with cells, so he isn't staying any longer than it takes to call 911; then he is gone! But running this time leads him into a pack of wolves, which he realizes are actually werewolves. Before they can strike, he is whisked away to a secret academy. Can Bram and his new friends solve the mystery of the wolves?
Ullman has created larger than life characters, a tight plot, and resurrected a villain most foul. Fun, fast paced, story with themes of personal responsibility, friendship, and trust.
July 3, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
About a aprcial thirteen year old boy who finds him in the world of vampires and a mentor by the name of Van Helsing. This is start of his adventures that he has not quite prepare for,
A story for young reader who like vampires bur not too graphic or scary for them.
About a aprcial thirteen year old boy who finds him in the world of vampires and a mentor by the name of Van Helsing. This is start of his adventures that he has not quite prepare for,
A story for young reader who like vampires bur not too graphic or scary for them.
September 15, 2020
Book Review - Monster Problems: Vampire Misfire by R.L. Ullman (2018) (Middle Grade) (Fiction) 4 Stars ****
Cute, funny, and harmless—exactly what you should expect from a Middle Grade book. Twelve-year-old Bram Matthews runs away from his most recent group home/orphanage in Arizona to find himself at the New England Home for Troubled Boys in Massachusetts at the Van Helsing Academy. This is no ordinary school. They specialize in teaching a variety of Supernaturals, monster-types and those with very special abilities. Bram's super power? Super speed, to name one! Bram is not just another Supernatural; he's the last living vampire and the last surviving relative of none other than Count Dracula. Bram is essential to the Count's existence, but Bram is determined to resist the forces of evil.
School motto? "YOU MUST BELIEVE IN THINGS YOU CANNOT IMAGINE." With a procession of werewolves, bats, spirits, and spider men to name a few, Bram realizes his life will be very different. Bram has never been able to fit in. Always the outsider, now he understands why. However reluctant at first, Bram accepts his role in this world and is awarded a silver badge as a token of acceptance into the Monstrosities. Bram's story does not end here. The series continues with other adventures. Particularly suited to younger readers, the vocabulary, sentence structure, and concepts are what you would find in chapter books—with the subject matter raising the grade level.
Not trying to be scary, with a cartoon-like presentation, the book is well-written and suitable for impressionable readers. The forces of good and evil are at odds, and Bram and his mentors and friends won't stop until they defeat the loathsome creatures of their world.
Cute, funny, and harmless—exactly what you should expect from a Middle Grade book. Twelve-year-old Bram Matthews runs away from his most recent group home/orphanage in Arizona to find himself at the New England Home for Troubled Boys in Massachusetts at the Van Helsing Academy. This is no ordinary school. They specialize in teaching a variety of Supernaturals, monster-types and those with very special abilities. Bram's super power? Super speed, to name one! Bram is not just another Supernatural; he's the last living vampire and the last surviving relative of none other than Count Dracula. Bram is essential to the Count's existence, but Bram is determined to resist the forces of evil.
School motto? "YOU MUST BELIEVE IN THINGS YOU CANNOT IMAGINE." With a procession of werewolves, bats, spirits, and spider men to name a few, Bram realizes his life will be very different. Bram has never been able to fit in. Always the outsider, now he understands why. However reluctant at first, Bram accepts his role in this world and is awarded a silver badge as a token of acceptance into the Monstrosities. Bram's story does not end here. The series continues with other adventures. Particularly suited to younger readers, the vocabulary, sentence structure, and concepts are what you would find in chapter books—with the subject matter raising the grade level.
Not trying to be scary, with a cartoon-like presentation, the book is well-written and suitable for impressionable readers. The forces of good and evil are at odds, and Bram and his mentors and friends won't stop until they defeat the loathsome creatures of their world.
August 18, 2020
I won a Kindle version of this book through a Goodreads giveaway about 2 years ago (yes, I am very behind in my reading, life is busy!) in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy reading YA Fiction and while this seems to be a bit more for the younger crowd, it's a quick and easy read that is also enjoyable. This was a good book to start off a series about "monster"/"supernatural" children in a world with supernaturals and naturals. I would be interested in continuing the series, though I hope the other books aren't as rushed in ending and that they provide a bit more information. It has a great basis, a great plot, great characters, it just needs more filler/information/details, especially about each of the characters, even though Bram is clearly the main character.
If you are into YA fiction, or have a child that is into such things as comic books, monsters, or superheroes, I'd recommend you give it a try and I don't think you'd be disappointed or feel like your time was wasted.
I enjoy reading YA Fiction and while this seems to be a bit more for the younger crowd, it's a quick and easy read that is also enjoyable. This was a good book to start off a series about "monster"/"supernatural" children in a world with supernaturals and naturals. I would be interested in continuing the series, though I hope the other books aren't as rushed in ending and that they provide a bit more information. It has a great basis, a great plot, great characters, it just needs more filler/information/details, especially about each of the characters, even though Bram is clearly the main character.
If you are into YA fiction, or have a child that is into such things as comic books, monsters, or superheroes, I'd recommend you give it a try and I don't think you'd be disappointed or feel like your time was wasted.
November 30, 2020
Such a fun monster adventure!
This was a fun book about a boy discovering truths about himself that were kept from him his whole life. The different characters were very lighthearted and fun, the story and character development were seamless, and I enjoyed reading how the characters got out of each mess they found themselves in. A very fun, lighthearted adventure. I also enjoyed the authors choice to include baseball type cards to introduce all of the main characters!
This was a fun book about a boy discovering truths about himself that were kept from him his whole life. The different characters were very lighthearted and fun, the story and character development were seamless, and I enjoyed reading how the characters got out of each mess they found themselves in. A very fun, lighthearted adventure. I also enjoyed the authors choice to include baseball type cards to introduce all of the main characters!
July 27, 2018
What a wonderful book! It was hilarious, but the humor did not detract from the problem faced by Bram. Rather the humor helped keep the story from becoming dark. This is a book for ANYONE who has a soft spot for monsters--they really are not the monsters we think they are!! I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program.
August 4, 2018
Cute book. My 10 year old daughter and I both read it. I finished before she did, but she said it reminded her of another book she had read before (and could not remember the name). Probably because it uses the characters of Dracula, Van Helsing, and Wolfman like other similar “monster” books. Overall, a good choice for a child interested in this type of genre.
August 19, 2018
* I received a promotional e-copy of this book.
Fun book, reminiscent of the first Harry Potter with a more playful writing style.
The best part is that this main character, Bram, has significantly more personality that Harry (who we all love, but mostly because nothing is that unique about him)
I think I will reread this one with my kids, and see if they like it too.
Fun book, reminiscent of the first Harry Potter with a more playful writing style.
The best part is that this main character, Bram, has significantly more personality that Harry (who we all love, but mostly because nothing is that unique about him)
I think I will reread this one with my kids, and see if they like it too.
July 28, 2020
A mosh-pit of familiar stories and elements from X-Men, Monster Squad, etc., that still manages to entertain its target audience, an 8-year old in this case, or the kid in you. Also enjoyed the Epic Zero series.
July 4, 2018
I won this Kindle version in a GOODREADS giveaway.
July 6, 2018
This was a fun book to read! I would suggest it for little kids, but it's super clean and I really enjoyed it! I would highly recommend. :)
October 22, 2020
Most enjoyable.
Mystery with humor has been a delightful mix in this book. Different. A definite page turner.
I look forward to read its sequel. #buckroth.
Mystery with humor has been a delightful mix in this book. Different. A definite page turner.
I look forward to read its sequel. #buckroth.
February 4, 2022
This is a very nice middle-grade series. I love vampires so I might be a little biased, but I really enjoyed the 3 books.
The story is well thought and includes some interesting additions to monster lore as well as some funny lines.
I really recommend these book for young and not so young readers.
The story is well thought and includes some interesting additions to monster lore as well as some funny lines.
I really recommend these book for young and not so young readers.
July 4, 2018
Unique twist on vampire history and really good for kids. Cant wait until my niece reads it. It very much reminds me of that other boy that went to a magic school with a little less detail.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews