This grandad and grandson adventure has all the hallmarks of a whopping kids’ thriller.' The Big Issue, Kids’ Books of the year The elements of the story are strong and put me on the edge of my seat throughout reading this masterpiece.' * Olly, aged 16 * Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. Get started Close

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love - LoveReading4Kids

I did have a good time reading the adventure story, but I feel that some things were not as well-solved by the end of the novel as I'd like. I don't know if this is the first of a series, but I felt some of the plot points could be cleared up more. The resolution hardly felt resolved, and some of the characters ... they fell a bit flat. Alex's grandfather was funny at times, but other times, his 'uh's' and other hesitations seemed overdrawn. Less charming and more annoying. I felt bad for Alex most of the time - I understand the point of keeping some things for later in the book, but the kid is so caught up in a mess that nobody understands completely. Not even the people fighting seem to have the clearest idea of who or what they're on about. He just randomly fights against these vague "evil" forces without understanding the real history behind the bad guys. Who is that girl? Who is the tall man? Why are they all scarred up and how are the robots controlled by them? The little bits that are uncovered leave more questions. Canadian flautist Ron Korb has been joined by Cuban pianist Hilario Duran to create a catchy, up-beat Jazz Fusion sound in Havana Sun, as only […] Let me start with the stupidest one first. I am aware it is kind of silly, but for some reason it drove me batty. Alex is bebopping all over the place with his cell phone, able to make calls and texts, but WITHOUT AN INTERNATIONAL PLAN. Also, his mom was able to text him, and he was texting her, but there wasn't the hassle of area codes. It was just like he knew how to make international calls no prob. Alex, 12 year old jetsetter. Things that should have been obstacles, even trifling ones, were just easily ignored or solved. Prague has a rich, beautiful, and fearful history at times. This is hinted at and could be employed fully to really explore why the Golem is there, what role the Charles Bridge plays, along with the other important (and perhaps magical) buildings and locations. It snows a lot in Monstrous Devices. This is a Yoko Ono/ John Lennon song, but I think this slow-motion-then-raging cover by Galaxie 500 might be the best version.AUDIOBOOK awarded as one of the Notable Children’s Recordings 2019by the ALSC, a division of the AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION – “With great aplomb and distinct accents, Allan Corduner throws listeners, along with the main character Alex, into a world in which robots are alive, ancient magical powers can come to life, and Alex’s grandfather eats too many sweets.” Alex is a good kid who tries to make good decisions. He grows a lot as a character in this book. His grandfather is brave but not always completely honest. His love for Alex is clear. Harry is a loyal, trustworthy, loving guy. Kenzie is a bully, but he starts to learn empathy.

Monstrous Devices eBook by Damien Love | Official Publisher

A monstrously good tale…evocative atmosphere, disturbing chills and perfectly-paced cliffhanger chapters” – THE SUNDAY TIMES It is hard to believe that this fantastic, mega-original novel is Love's first book. The author speeds through his thrillingly ingenious tale with the confidence and creativity of a seasoned storyteller." -- South China Morning Post What fun! An evil villain, a host of scary robots, big and small, and a hero with commendably bad personal habits. Loved it!”— John Flanagan, New York Times bestselling author of the Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband series Damien Love was born in Scotland and lives in Glasgow, where, even as you read these words, it is raining. He is the author of several books on film and filmmakers, and is the TV critic for Scotland's broadsheet, The Sunday Herald. He has the ability to talk to cats, but there is no evidence that they understand him. Monstrous Devices is his first novel.I found this book very creative… I think it’s a very good book and is rather funny… I especially like the grandfather character because he’s a calming, funny, father figure to Alex.’ Golems are interesting, frightening creatures, aren't they? One could also argue that automata are similarly interesting and frightening. So a book that combines both with adventure and chase scenes (including one on the rooftops of Paris) is a book I want to promote to my readers. Alex's life is somewhat like that of Milo's in The Phantom Tollbooth, albeit with a bit of bullying added, and the excitement of the toys his grandfather brings him lessens that somewhat. But this time, the gift is a little too exciting and Alex's life will never be the same. There are many questions not answered, which makes me believe that this will be the first in a series (leading to one huge question: can the series maintain the quality of this book?). One of the most acclaimed, exciting new children’s series in years... A hugely appealing adventure for all ages, which seems almost certain to be adapted for the screen.' The mystery leads Alex and his grandfather to Prague in the Czech Republic, just as the city is preparing for Christmas. This local hymn is something that might be overheard coming from an old church as they go hurrying through the Old Town.

Monstrous Movie Review | Common Sense Media Monstrous Movie Review | Common Sense Media

All I'm telling you, Alex, is that this is the story. It's a story. Stories all come from somewhere, and sometimes they get bent out of shape over the years. But this is the story." - Alex's grandfather This is an incredible series for older secondary school readers. The plot is deliciously dark and elaborate, and the settings across Europe beautifully painted. As soon as I started reading, I was absorbed into Love’s world of robots and powerful, horrible magic – it really doesn’t shy away from the gruesome or frightening. It also gives us one of the best grandfather/grandson relationships I’ve ever come across in fiction. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Goroge What fun! An evil villain, a host of scary robots, big and small, and a hero with commendably bad personal habits. Loved it!” – JOHN FLANAGAN, New York Times bestselling author of the Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband series Hugely original, exciting debut novel… a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour… Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.’ The Times

There is plenty to enjoy about this book. A boy and his grandfather, hurrying away on the train to Paris in winter. A toy robot which seems just a bit, well, different. Unusual events happening to Alex at school (and the bullying not playing too large a part in the overall book, thank goodness....) Families can talk about why "monsters" scare us, whether we're kids who think something is under the bed or we're watching a movie with a clearly fictional creature. What monster movies have you seen?

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love | Goodreads

Mysterious and frightening...a well-crafted adventure that's filled with desperate chases, narrow escapes, fight scenes, and twists.' * Publishers Weekly, starred review * Damien Love was born in Scotland and lives in Glasgow, where, even as you read these words, it is raining. He is the author of several books on film and filmmakers, and is the TV critic for Scotland’s broadsheet, the Sunday Herald. He has the ability to talk to cats, but there is no evidence that they understand him. This story felt like a blend of Harry Potter meets A Series of Unfortunate Events. Like a lot of middle grade novels out there the boy had one remaining parent left, but unlike a lot of middle grade books that wasn’t the focus of the plot and that was one of the reasons I loved it so much. This book was more about the plot, the robots, his witty grandfather and the crazy adventure they set out on. How are the 1950s depicted in Monstrous? Why is that era so often considered such a wholesome, happy era? What were the realities of that time? How does the media play into artificially idealized depictions?But Paris isn’t safe and Alex and his grandfather are thrown into a macabre and magical adventure which includes thrilling chases through small Parisian streets, dangerous rooftop encounters, a French country house and Christmas markets in Prague… Alex already knew where they were headed. Halfway along the attic, a single skylight glowed dimly, just low enough to reach. Just big enough to fit through.