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A review by dandelionsteph
Arcade Catastrophe by Brandon Mull
4.0
Though the series title seems a little out of place since the characters are no longer fighting a candy shop owner, I can't detect any other flaws. Sure, the list of questions at the end of the book felt demeaning, but if it helps endear Brandon Mull to teachers, it can be excused.
This book wasn't heavy on character development. Of all the characters, Nate developed the most, as he seemed willing (if reluctant) to sacrifice himself by destroying Uweya.
I don't mind its lack of focus on character development. Sentimental coming-of-age novels with hamfisted changes of character (the first example coming to mind being Vicki Blum's The Dragon Prince, though it might not fit the full definition*) bother me. The action in this book is appreciated.
However, this doesn't mean there's nothing but action. The characters (Nate at least) are clever negotiators and have prudence. Mr. White is also a competent villain with plenty of backup.
The varieties of candies used are limited. Flame Outs, Melting Pot Mixers, and most other candies other than Moon Rocks introduced in The Candy Shop War aren't used; even Shock Bits, which were mentioned, aren't used. (Despite the Shock Bits apparently being used on the cover) This is justified because magical candy interferes with the effects of the magical stamps, so it's normally risky to both be under the effects of a stamp and candy.
However, it's not like this book is Pokémon, which must arbitrarily give every kind of the distinguishing subject attention. It's a little jarring that the series has 'candy' in the title when this book involves much less candy than before, but this doesn't really count as a flaw so much as a minor nitpick.
Some new magical candies are used, though not all (Spider Bites and to a lesser extent Camouflage Caramels) are shown in action. While the Bestial Biscuits' effects bring to mind Animorphs, that's just because the Animorphs series popularized the animal-shapeshifting concept. While the results are the same, the execution and specific details are different. (Besides, the whole book doesn't focus on Bestial Biscuits alone.)
*Note: I read Vicki Blum's The Dragon Prince years ago, so I might not remember much but the ending.
This book wasn't heavy on character development. Of all the characters, Nate developed the most, as he seemed willing (if reluctant) to sacrifice himself by destroying Uweya.
I don't mind its lack of focus on character development. Sentimental coming-of-age novels with hamfisted changes of character (the first example coming to mind being Vicki Blum's The Dragon Prince, though it might not fit the full definition*) bother me. The action in this book is appreciated.
However, this doesn't mean there's nothing but action. The characters (Nate at least) are clever negotiators and have prudence. Mr. White is also a competent villain with plenty of backup.
The varieties of candies used are limited. Flame Outs, Melting Pot Mixers, and most other candies other than Moon Rocks introduced in The Candy Shop War aren't used; even Shock Bits, which were mentioned, aren't used. (Despite the Shock Bits apparently being used on the cover) This is justified because magical candy interferes with the effects of the magical stamps, so it's normally risky to both be under the effects of a stamp and candy.
However, it's not like this book is Pokémon, which must arbitrarily give every kind of the distinguishing subject attention. It's a little jarring that the series has 'candy' in the title when this book involves much less candy than before, but this doesn't really count as a flaw so much as a minor nitpick.
Some new magical candies are used, though not all (Spider Bites and to a lesser extent Camouflage Caramels) are shown in action. While the Bestial Biscuits' effects bring to mind Animorphs, that's just because the Animorphs series popularized the animal-shapeshifting concept. While the results are the same, the execution and specific details are different. (Besides, the whole book doesn't focus on Bestial Biscuits alone.)
*Note: I read Vicki Blum's The Dragon Prince years ago, so I might not remember much but the ending.