jen_likes_reading's review against another edition
3.0
M.T. ANDERSON/ FANTASY
In this fantasy novel, two boys, Brian and Gregory, go to visit Gregory's Uncle Max. Before they even arrive, someone warns them not to go there because they will never come back. Uncle Ma is a strange character. His mansion is huge and very aristocratic looking, along with Uncle Max's persona. As the boys are in the nursery, they find a board game called "The Game of Sunken Places" and start playing. They soon realize that it is a real life game. (Think Jumanji). They go out into the woods and meet creatures, like a troll and a very lanky, creepy, man. They boys start playing and use the board game as a map. They have to go through challenges and solve riddles to get the next clues. They soon find out that they are actually playing against each other to save the world of the Norumbegans. The book ends with a thrilling twist as they uncover who made the game and what they have to do next.
This novel was alright. The world that M.T. Anderson created got to be confusing at times. It seemed so elaborate but there wasn't enough time to describe it all in full detail. Since it is a series, I figure that a lot of my questions would be answered in the following books. Because it was hard to follow, it did not completely grab my attention right off the bat. It took time for me to become fully invested in the novel.
In this fantasy novel, two boys, Brian and Gregory, go to visit Gregory's Uncle Max. Before they even arrive, someone warns them not to go there because they will never come back. Uncle Ma is a strange character. His mansion is huge and very aristocratic looking, along with Uncle Max's persona. As the boys are in the nursery, they find a board game called "The Game of Sunken Places" and start playing. They soon realize that it is a real life game. (Think Jumanji). They go out into the woods and meet creatures, like a troll and a very lanky, creepy, man. They boys start playing and use the board game as a map. They have to go through challenges and solve riddles to get the next clues. They soon find out that they are actually playing against each other to save the world of the Norumbegans. The book ends with a thrilling twist as they uncover who made the game and what they have to do next.
This novel was alright. The world that M.T. Anderson created got to be confusing at times. It seemed so elaborate but there wasn't enough time to describe it all in full detail. Since it is a series, I figure that a lot of my questions would be answered in the following books. Because it was hard to follow, it did not completely grab my attention right off the bat. It took time for me to become fully invested in the novel.
cstrauel's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay, but some parts of it don't interest me. But a good and surprising ending.
dandelionsteph's review against another edition
2.0
It had disjointed writing and was insufficiently engaging.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
The book starts with the murder of a real estate developer who's wandering in the forest around Gerenford, Vermont, dreaming of the suburb he plans to build, when he stumbles on an ancient rite with runes and chanting over a flaming snowmobile and finds himself -- the required sacrifice.
Shortly after, 11-year-old Gregory Buchanan receives an invitation from his Uncle Maximilian Grendle (like the beast, from Beowulf) and cousin Prudence to visit their huge mansion for summer vacation. He invites his best friend, Brian Thatz, to come along.
Creepy weird things start happening right away, on the train and at the station. Uncle Max is bizarre and doesn't behave quite right. The butler burns all their belonging and the boys have to dress in "knickers."
They're encouraged to roam the forest, even though the residents of the town warn the boys not to -- citing the real estate developer who disappeared, of course.
There's a game board in their shared room, The Game of Sunken Places, and as the boys explore, more "places" appear on the board.
At this point, you kinda clue in that this is, essentially, an outright creepier-than-Jumanji gaming book. The boys aren't big on strategizing, so it's not a role playing game, not per se.
But the boys have to
1) discover they're playing a game,
2) discover people are not who or what they seem,
3) figure out the objective of the game.
There's two sides to this game -- the Norumbegans, a sort of elf-race that used to live in the mountain, before the Thusser invaded and they came to a stalemate.
The game rules remain sketchy right up to the end, and frequently change beneath the boys' feet.
There's a troll, Kalgrash, who's anything but the expected hideous and enjoys a spot of tea, and Jack Stimple, who isn't at all what he seems.
I can't say more, I'd ruin it, so read and enjoy this thoroughly creepy sci-fi / fantasy read.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Shortly after, 11-year-old Gregory Buchanan receives an invitation from his Uncle Maximilian Grendle (like the beast, from Beowulf) and cousin Prudence to visit their huge mansion for summer vacation. He invites his best friend, Brian Thatz, to come along.
Creepy weird things start happening right away, on the train and at the station. Uncle Max is bizarre and doesn't behave quite right. The butler burns all their belonging and the boys have to dress in "knickers."
They're encouraged to roam the forest, even though the residents of the town warn the boys not to -- citing the real estate developer who disappeared, of course.
There's a game board in their shared room, The Game of Sunken Places, and as the boys explore, more "places" appear on the board.
At this point, you kinda clue in that this is, essentially, an outright creepier-than-Jumanji gaming book. The boys aren't big on strategizing, so it's not a role playing game, not per se.
But the boys have to
1) discover they're playing a game,
2) discover people are not who or what they seem,
3) figure out the objective of the game.
There's two sides to this game -- the Norumbegans, a sort of elf-race that used to live in the mountain, before the Thusser invaded and they came to a stalemate.
The game rules remain sketchy right up to the end, and frequently change beneath the boys' feet.
There's a troll, Kalgrash, who's anything but the expected hideous and enjoys a spot of tea, and Jack Stimple, who isn't at all what he seems.
I can't say more, I'd ruin it, so read and enjoy this thoroughly creepy sci-fi / fantasy read.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
bibliomaineiac's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Entertaining middle school book about two young teens caught up in a fantasy game. Felt like influences of Lewis Carroll and CS Lewis in there among others. While not a huge literary work, it was a fun read. I might consider the others in the series.
hcpenner's review against another edition
3.0
My initial thought as I was reading this was that it was a rip-off of the movie "Jumanji", with elves and trolls instead of wild animals. But it turned into a fun little adventure in its own right.
lindalou's review against another edition
3.0
A fun and exciting middle school fantasy. It takes inspiration equally from Jumanji, Lemony Snicket, and Narnia.
bittybren's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0