A review by jen_likes_reading
The Game of Sunken Places by M.T. Anderson
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.