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An Awfully Beastly Business #3
Bang Goes a Troll
Rare wild trolls are being smoked out of their caves to be used as game at an evil beast-hunting range, and it's up to Ulf the werewolf and the members of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts (RSPCB) to stop them.
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First published April 28, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 4, 2018
Book three of the series and it continues on in basically the same vein with nothing untoward or unexpected really happening, fantasy light at it's most generic and basic, not that it's bad, it's just not earth shattering or ground breaking, but who said it should be? If all books were earth shattering there would be no earth left, he who feasts every day feasts no day so to speak.
March 5, 2019
The worst one of the series so far. In the future, maybe i'll detail why i dislike it but for now this is all i can say.
July 10, 2021
Love it! Seriously, I have a thing for trolls, werewolfs and giants😂 twas a good book
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June 22, 2010Ulf, a young boy, is part of the RSPCB - the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts. What beasts, you ask? Why, your standard run-of-the-mill trolls, goblins, gryphons, and fish-headed giraffes.
Ulf also happens to be a werewolf. He has lived most of his life at the RSPCB because he technically qualifies as a beast. His friends include the human vet, a fairy, and a giant. They work together to keep bad guys from hunting and hurting various mythical monsters. In this book, the bad guys have rounded up some young trolls and are planning on hunting them for sport, so Ulf and the rest of the RSPCB head off to figure out what is going on.
This reads much like a “Looney Toons” adventure, and there is a lot of possible peril and danger for those of you who are worried about sensitive minds. There is a guillotine, people shooting at animals, bad guys setting fire to animals’ homes, evil hunters with nasty devices, and someone wrapped in meat and used as bait. Think of the violence along the lines of reading Wile E. Coyote attempting to catch the Roadrunner- it sounds far worse then it actually is. Most of it is actually rather silly and will garner giggles from the young ones.
The book is written in a large typeface that will be appealing to many of the younger crowd, and there are occasional drawings that are quite good. The book is a fast read, and there is a lot of action jammed into a short number of pages, so as an adult, expect for it to whiz right by. As far as characterization, there really isn't much. Ulf is a boy who wants to be included and to help, his curiosity and sense of adventure gets him involved in something he was told to stay home from, and in the end he saves the day. The Goblin will remind you of a mixture of Sméagol from Lord of the Rings and Dobby from the Harry Potter series.
The morals of the tale include not judging others, not harming animals, and that everything has a right to live. In the end this is a quick read that kids a bit young for the Harry Potter will enjoy.
Review by KDP
Ulf also happens to be a werewolf. He has lived most of his life at the RSPCB because he technically qualifies as a beast. His friends include the human vet, a fairy, and a giant. They work together to keep bad guys from hunting and hurting various mythical monsters. In this book, the bad guys have rounded up some young trolls and are planning on hunting them for sport, so Ulf and the rest of the RSPCB head off to figure out what is going on.
This reads much like a “Looney Toons” adventure, and there is a lot of possible peril and danger for those of you who are worried about sensitive minds. There is a guillotine, people shooting at animals, bad guys setting fire to animals’ homes, evil hunters with nasty devices, and someone wrapped in meat and used as bait. Think of the violence along the lines of reading Wile E. Coyote attempting to catch the Roadrunner- it sounds far worse then it actually is. Most of it is actually rather silly and will garner giggles from the young ones.
The book is written in a large typeface that will be appealing to many of the younger crowd, and there are occasional drawings that are quite good. The book is a fast read, and there is a lot of action jammed into a short number of pages, so as an adult, expect for it to whiz right by. As far as characterization, there really isn't much. Ulf is a boy who wants to be included and to help, his curiosity and sense of adventure gets him involved in something he was told to stay home from, and in the end he saves the day. The Goblin will remind you of a mixture of Sméagol from Lord of the Rings and Dobby from the Harry Potter series.
The morals of the tale include not judging others, not harming animals, and that everything has a right to live. In the end this is a quick read that kids a bit young for the Harry Potter will enjoy.
Review by KDP
November 19, 2009
Reason for Reading: Next in the series. Read aloud to the 9yo.
Summary: The RSPCA receive a messenger bat that tells them the trolls are in trouble and Dr. Fielding, Orson, Ulf and Tiana set out to investigate. Once there they find that someone has set up an elaborate enclosure full of mechanical traps for a beast hunter's ultimate hunting weekend getaway. The three meet a new friend and set out to save the beasts.
Comments: This is definitely my favourite book in the series so far. So as not to keep repeating the same template book after book of having Baron Marackai plotting against the RSPCA the authors have gone in a different direction. Here we have the Baron already involved in his nefarious scheme when our heroes arrive on the scene to foul up his plans. Of course the Baron is only too pleased to have another chance to rid himself of his pesky nemesis. At this point in the series we are comfortable and great friends with the main characters and they need no introductions, nor do the authors waste space to re-introduce them. Everybody we've come to love returns, though our favourite character, Druce the gargoyle only has two small scenes this time around. However, we immediately took a liking to the new character Gumball the Goblin, whom I couldn't help but read aloud with a Gollum-like voice! Very funny story, full of action. The nine-year old was laughing and cheering so loud I often had to stop before I could continue reading. This is a wonderful series, that boys, especially are going to love. But girls will equally find appeal probably enjoying Tiana the Fairy and her take no guff attitude the best. Looking forward to next month's release of Book 4, The Jungle Vampire. Which, by the looks of it, may possibly be the last in the series. I'll wait until I know for sure before I tell my son though, as he's not going to take that news well at all!
Summary: The RSPCA receive a messenger bat that tells them the trolls are in trouble and Dr. Fielding, Orson, Ulf and Tiana set out to investigate. Once there they find that someone has set up an elaborate enclosure full of mechanical traps for a beast hunter's ultimate hunting weekend getaway. The three meet a new friend and set out to save the beasts.
Comments: This is definitely my favourite book in the series so far. So as not to keep repeating the same template book after book of having Baron Marackai plotting against the RSPCA the authors have gone in a different direction. Here we have the Baron already involved in his nefarious scheme when our heroes arrive on the scene to foul up his plans. Of course the Baron is only too pleased to have another chance to rid himself of his pesky nemesis. At this point in the series we are comfortable and great friends with the main characters and they need no introductions, nor do the authors waste space to re-introduce them. Everybody we've come to love returns, though our favourite character, Druce the gargoyle only has two small scenes this time around. However, we immediately took a liking to the new character Gumball the Goblin, whom I couldn't help but read aloud with a Gollum-like voice! Very funny story, full of action. The nine-year old was laughing and cheering so loud I often had to stop before I could continue reading. This is a wonderful series, that boys, especially are going to love. But girls will equally find appeal probably enjoying Tiana the Fairy and her take no guff attitude the best. Looking forward to next month's release of Book 4, The Jungle Vampire. Which, by the looks of it, may possibly be the last in the series. I'll wait until I know for sure before I tell my son though, as he's not going to take that news well at all!
August 20, 2014
Upon completing this third installment in the series, it is becoming apparent that each book has a formulaic plot structure to it. Baron Marackai is plotting some way to bring down the RSPCB that involves attacking and harming some sort of magical beast. In this case he is after trolls to use as prey in a beast hunting preserve. One of the beasts in injured and brought to the RSPCB where Dr. Fielding, Ulf and Orson care for it. Marackai manages to trick, and capture, Dr. Fielding and Orson and Ulf and Tiana must save them and free the beasts. The repetitive nature of the books makes them wonderful for children just starting on chapter books, or reluctant readers. The familiar plots, characters and themes make the books quick enjoyable reads. At the end of each book is also a tantalizing clue about the past of Professor Farraway, the man who founded the RSPCB, which will keep children eager for the next installment.
-Miss Jessica
This title is available from PPLC in print format
-Miss Jessica
This title is available from PPLC in print format
February 28, 2014
"This book is recommended to kids who like adventures and monsters (cryptids). It took me three days to finish and I cannot wait to read the others in the series. It is exciting because the characters show great courage and effort to save the Professor, the Giant and the Trolls. The conversations were believable and it felt like you were right in the book. The author tells a great story that you can really picture in your head." Review by a 9 year old, F.B.
And a brief comment from the mother of this reviewer. "ANYTIME a book holds the attention of my children --and away from dreaded, idle electronic games, I have to cheer! Hurrah! These books will definitely make the Christmas list." Christina Boyd
And a brief comment from the mother of this reviewer. "ANYTIME a book holds the attention of my children --and away from dreaded, idle electronic games, I have to cheer! Hurrah! These books will definitely make the Christmas list." Christina Boyd
November 30, 2011
If you want to read a book about FANTASY, ACTION and DRAMA then you really should consider reading this book.
Okay, the main character is named Ulf and he is a (as you can hear in the name) a werewolf. Ulf lives in a park for fantasy animals like werewolves, unicorns, fairies, giants and dragons. One day a bat comes with a note which says HELP. The next day he goes to a big mountain and there aren’t passing much time before he is on the case of a illegal troll hunt. The best thing about this book will truly be when Ulf saves the trolls. I will recommend this book to boys from 10-13 years old.
Okay, the main character is named Ulf and he is a (as you can hear in the name) a werewolf. Ulf lives in a park for fantasy animals like werewolves, unicorns, fairies, giants and dragons. One day a bat comes with a note which says HELP. The next day he goes to a big mountain and there aren’t passing much time before he is on the case of a illegal troll hunt. The best thing about this book will truly be when Ulf saves the trolls. I will recommend this book to boys from 10-13 years old.
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November 18, 2010I think that it is a relly good book because I like the adventers and the front cover it cort the corner of my right eye.
February 17, 2012
Wasn't nearly as good as the first two Beastly Business books, and I'm not sure why. Still, Ulf was cute as always and the pictures were adorable. Always loved the artwork.
November 12, 2013
i can visualize what is happening in this book.
August 29, 2016
It was a really fun read- I got this as a reward for something I wrote a while ago but I only now got around to reading it - it was a fun short read for sure :)
July 13, 2015
More of the same! :)
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September 5, 2018great
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews