It’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!
This new fantasy adventure features a twelve-year-old boy with the most unusual name: Prosperity Oceanus Redding. He prefers to go by Prosper. What he really prefers is to get rid of the demon living inside his body and stay alive in the process. It won’t be easy given the Redding family history. Alastor is not a welcome guest.
The darkness is more in tune for upper middle with elements of terror and creepiness (Alastor often takes a walk at night while Prosper sleeps though it all). They can also talk to each other and along with Prosper’s relationship with Nell, a witch in training, this becomes the heart of the story.
Prosper is sarcastic at times and his favorite word is “crap” but you grow to like this kid. He’s openly honest with his thoughts. You’ll also have a deep sadness for his predicament.
If you like a story where the climax wraps everything up in a nice tidy fashion—don’t expect it here. What you will get is a thrilling ending with many loose ends that will have you clamoring for the next book in the Prosper Redding series.
PUBLICATION DATE: 2017 PAGE COUNT: 368
FULL PLOT (From AMAZON)
“I would say it’s a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness .”
Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history-that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper’s great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made-and then broke-a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, eight-hundred-year-old Alastor isn’t exactly the forgiving type.
The fiend has reawakened with one purpose–to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts to trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his afterlife without a side of eternal servitude, thanks. But with the help of his long-lost uncle, Barnabas, and his daughter, Nell, a witch-in-training, it seems like Prosper has at least a fighting chance of ridding himself of Alastor before the demon escapes and wreaks havoc on his family.
Little does Prosper know, the malefactor’s control over his body grows stronger with each passing night and there’s a lot Alastor isn’t telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host
From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a tale of betrayal and revenge, of old hurts passed down from generation to generation. Can you ever fully right a wrong, ever truly escape your history? Or will Prosper and Alastor be doomed to repeat it?
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT:
THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING
- Prosper’s rocky friendship with his cousin Nell is a delight to follow. They live under the same roof and attend school together. Not the best set up for either of them.
- Alastor is often creepy but also has a somewhat offbeat witty banter: I smell of conquered kingdoms and doom and despair—unlike you paunchy, knotty-pated maggot pies. Most of the subtle humor comes out in his conversations with Prosper.
- The book is told from Propser’s first person POV, but it does switch for a few chapters to a third person look at what the demon is up to. It was a nice break from Prosper to see more of this nasty creature who has a mind of his own.
- Art in schools was woven into the story in a beautiful fashion.
- As much as I hate cliffhangers this one was a dandy.
FAVORITE LINES :
“Like I said, it’s a bit of a shock, but…” Uncle Barnanbas’s gaze flickered between his bony hands and my face. “Do you need something for your nerves? Tea? I have a little brandy—
“I’m twelve,” I reminded him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexandra Bracken was born and raised in Arizona. The daughter of a Star Wars collector, she grew up going to an endless string of Star Wars conventions and toy fairs, which helped spark her imagination and a deep love of reading. After graduating high school, she attended The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she double majored in English and History. She sold her first book, Brightly Woven, as a senior in college, and later moved to New York City to work in children’s book publishing, first as an editorial assistant, then in marketing. After six years, she took the plunge and decided to write full time. She now lives in Arizona with her tiny pup, Tennyson, in a house that’s constantly overflowing with books.
Alex is a #1 New York Times bestselling and USA TODAY bestselling author. Her work is available across the world in over 15 languages.
(For more visit Ms. Bracken’s author website)
I love a good mystery, especially when they’re real. This new title from National Geographic KIDS reveals many of the mysteries that still stump scientists and archaeologists. There were many I had not heard of before. You’ll find the mysteries in one of the seven chapter categories:
none of them work quite like they should. He narrates the tale in the usual way first person MG books are presented, but his thoughts and many side jokes also come out in comic book style panels on every page.
SUPERFAIL by Max Brunner 
Did you know…
t tale. First written in Spanish and now translated into English, the book consists of twelve chapters following a year in the life of Toletis. He’s a boy who contemplates a lot about the seasons, the love for his Mother, friendships, and loneliness.
makes sure I was comfortable with the new role. The trial period is over. I’m now fully trained and ready to carry the MMGM flag into next year and beyond.
With the upcoming award season on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at my favorites in a few categories that don’t normally get represented. There’s a special giveaway too detailed at the end of this post.
Always in the Middle... 