briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
Just before a school break, Xander gets in trouble at school after drawing a caricature of a student who was bullying him without even realizing it. When he gets home, his father gives him a comic to read - a comic about a Japanese folk hero named Momotaro - that Xander apparently wrote himself, though he has no memory of it. Xander and his best friend, Peyton, are in his room reading that comic when suddenly a huge tsunami hits the area and his father disappears.
Xander's grandmother tells Xander that his father can reverse the tsunami, and prevent all the other climate change problems that are being caused by oni (Japanese demons), but Xander has to rescue his dad first. To do that, Xander must become who is really is - Momotaro. Will Xander and Peyton be able to rescue Xander's dad? Will they be in time for Xander's dad to reverse the tsunami?
This was a cool story with a mythology that I don't see often in books, so it was really nice to engage with it. The relationship between Xander and Peyton was done really well, and I liked that the two complete opposites had maintained their friendship into middle school when those relationships tend to break down. Xander's love of his friends and family truly comes through in everything he does.
I absolutely loved to see Xander's growth through the book, and I can't wait to read the sequel and see what other trouble he gets into - and out of. As an added bonus, I laughed when it was revealed that his dog's name is the Japanese word for cat, largely because I once had a cat whose name was the Japanese word for cat.
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, which was narrated by Chris Patton, was really good. Patton's performance was really good, providing just the right amount of tension and emotion to truly bring the scenes to life. Whether I read or listen to the next book, I know I will enjoy it.
Xander's grandmother tells Xander that his father can reverse the tsunami, and prevent all the other climate change problems that are being caused by oni (Japanese demons), but Xander has to rescue his dad first. To do that, Xander must become who is really is - Momotaro. Will Xander and Peyton be able to rescue Xander's dad? Will they be in time for Xander's dad to reverse the tsunami?
This was a cool story with a mythology that I don't see often in books, so it was really nice to engage with it. The relationship between Xander and Peyton was done really well, and I liked that the two complete opposites had maintained their friendship into middle school when those relationships tend to break down. Xander's love of his friends and family truly comes through in everything he does.
I absolutely loved to see Xander's growth through the book, and I can't wait to read the sequel and see what other trouble he gets into - and out of. As an added bonus, I laughed when it was revealed that his dog's name is the Japanese word for cat, largely because I once had a cat whose name was the Japanese word for cat.
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, which was narrated by Chris Patton, was really good. Patton's performance was really good, providing just the right amount of tension and emotion to truly bring the scenes to life. Whether I read or listen to the next book, I know I will enjoy it.
tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
Great for fans of myth-based fiction, once they've finished with Greek and Norse tales. We have lots of kids with Japanese heritage; i think they'll really enjoy this one: suspenseful with heart.
Rice balls! Other Japanese snacks.
Rice balls! Other Japanese snacks.
hcpenner's review against another edition
4.0
A very sweet story about a boy who is not great at school, not great at athletics, and very self-conscious about being mixed-race (white-Asian) in a very all-white small town. But then Xander discovers an amazing family secret, and comes into his own unique blend of superpowers, which he uses to rescue his father from monsters and save the whole world.
Some important subplots deal with Xander's best friend who has rigid and controlling parents, and a girl who was abandoned by her mother and has a physically abusive father, but these are handled in a way that will not be overwhelming for young readers.
Some important subplots deal with Xander's best friend who has rigid and controlling parents, and a girl who was abandoned by her mother and has a physically abusive father, but these are handled in a way that will not be overwhelming for young readers.
jillcd's review against another edition
5.0
If you are a fan of Rick Riordan's style of writing, then this is your next read. Japanese mythology wrapped up in high adventure and a modern day "geek" is the main character. Can't wait for the next book.
hannahsophialin's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I think I've grown out of reading middle grade books now. I find that a little sad - the first book in Dilloway’s Momotaro series isn't even a bad book, aside from the fact I kept expecting a Percy Jackson vibe (which, in a way, it kind of does).
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters - if we're going down the Percy Jackson vibe (I'm pretty sure the synopsis makes the comparison….) - is basically Japanese folklore set in modern day, with plenty of Japanese mythological creatures making an appearance. Unfortunately, Xander definitely resembles a Japanese version of Percy Jackson - blue eyes, black hair, twelve years old, and the only difference? Xander has a bit of silver streak in his hair (oh wait…) and he's mixed (Asian and Irish).
It's no wonder I expected a lot of humor out of Dilloway's book (comparisons = high expectations). The first Momotaro book does have the occasional funny moment, but it just isn't as funny as I hoped it would be. (That might just be the fact I'm nineteen.)
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters is set in a comic book like format with illustrations featured throughout the book, and it will definitely appeal more to younger audiences than the older ones. (And hopefully, it'll be more funny to them than to me.)
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts
I think I've grown out of reading middle grade books now. I find that a little sad - the first book in Dilloway’s Momotaro series isn't even a bad book, aside from the fact I kept expecting a Percy Jackson vibe (which, in a way, it kind of does).
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters - if we're going down the Percy Jackson vibe (I'm pretty sure the synopsis makes the comparison….) - is basically Japanese folklore set in modern day, with plenty of Japanese mythological creatures making an appearance. Unfortunately, Xander definitely resembles a Japanese version of Percy Jackson - blue eyes, black hair, twelve years old, and the only difference? Xander has a bit of silver streak in his hair (oh wait…) and he's mixed (Asian and Irish).
It's no wonder I expected a lot of humor out of Dilloway's book (comparisons = high expectations). The first Momotaro book does have the occasional funny moment, but it just isn't as funny as I hoped it would be. (That might just be the fact I'm nineteen.)
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters is set in a comic book like format with illustrations featured throughout the book, and it will definitely appeal more to younger audiences than the older ones. (And hopefully, it'll be more funny to them than to me.)
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts
imjustcupcake's review against another edition
4.0
I am a huge fan of Rick Riordan and the publisher Disney-Hyperion, so when I read the blurb of Xander of the Lost Island of Monsters I knew it was a book I had to get my hands on.
Now, I realize that it is not by Rick Riordan, but it has the same idea/concept that he uses in his stories. Xander of the Lost Island of Monsters is a story set in today's world, the main character is a preteen, and the story encompasses Japanese folklore.
Oh, yeah, I am also a huge fan of Japanese culture which is ANOTHER reason I knew I had to read this book.
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters is about Xander. Xander is a preteen boy who is small for his age. He is half Asian and half white (I only tell you this because it is actually important for the story). Xander loves to day dream and draw. He is also great with computers and is very creative.
In this story, Xander learns that he is a Momotaro and that he actually comes from a long line of Momotaro. In essence, he learns that he has to fight demons. Super fun! Well for us readers it is anyways. Xander happens to have a lot of other thoughts and reservations about it.
The folklore that this story uses and teaches us is that of the Peach Boy. I personally had no knowledge of this story. I found it very interesting and very educational (in a fun way of course!)
All in all, I really enjoyed this story from the beginning to the end and I think others will too. Especially those in the age range that it is intended for.
There are actually some references in the story, that while they do not have the name we know them by, you can tell what they are referring to easily. A huge one being Minecraft (named Craft Worlds in the book). I found these references fun and they helped me relate to the story a little bit more. Making it seem like it could be more like our world and not a created world in a book.
Honestly, there really is nothing that I can pinpoint about the story that I found blegh. I found it well done and very entertaining. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
Now, I realize that it is not by Rick Riordan, but it has the same idea/concept that he uses in his stories. Xander of the Lost Island of Monsters is a story set in today's world, the main character is a preteen, and the story encompasses Japanese folklore.
Oh, yeah, I am also a huge fan of Japanese culture which is ANOTHER reason I knew I had to read this book.
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters is about Xander. Xander is a preteen boy who is small for his age. He is half Asian and half white (I only tell you this because it is actually important for the story). Xander loves to day dream and draw. He is also great with computers and is very creative.
In this story, Xander learns that he is a Momotaro and that he actually comes from a long line of Momotaro. In essence, he learns that he has to fight demons. Super fun! Well for us readers it is anyways. Xander happens to have a lot of other thoughts and reservations about it.
The folklore that this story uses and teaches us is that of the Peach Boy. I personally had no knowledge of this story. I found it very interesting and very educational (in a fun way of course!)
All in all, I really enjoyed this story from the beginning to the end and I think others will too. Especially those in the age range that it is intended for.
There are actually some references in the story, that while they do not have the name we know them by, you can tell what they are referring to easily. A huge one being Minecraft (named Craft Worlds in the book). I found these references fun and they helped me relate to the story a little bit more. Making it seem like it could be more like our world and not a created world in a book.
Honestly, there really is nothing that I can pinpoint about the story that I found blegh. I found it well done and very entertaining. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
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