A Fantasy Book Review
By Tim Byrd
Genre: Fantasy, Pulp Fiction, Monsters, YA
Reading level: Ages 10+
ISBN: 0399247831
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 14, 2009)
Hardcover: 224 pages
Read an Excerpt (PDF)
Publisher's Blurb:There is never a dull moment when it comes to Doc Wilde and his family of swashbuckling explorers. Brian and Wren have been trained from an early age to keep up with their worldfamous father. With their driver Declan mac Coul and their butler Phineas Bartlett in tow, there is no obstacle they can’t overcome, no evil they can’t defeat, including mutant frogs from another dimension.
The fun with this book starts with the front cover and does not stop until the very last page!
First off, I have a confession to make. I had to look up the definition of Pulp Fiction. As a result you will not find me making comparisons to Doc Savage or H.P. Lovecraft as other reviewers have done. (I am familiar with Indiana Jones though, I am not that far gone...yet.) Instead I was reminded more of Batman (the series), and Professor Gadget - with kids. I even got a mental nudge from Land of the Lost, only replace the dinosaurs with giant frogs. Moral of this ramble? I am obviously not much of a pulp fiction fan but I did not need to be in order to have alot of fun reading this tale.
There is more then just nonstop action and adventure in this story, though it has those in spades, it is also educational. There are explanations for everything from nanotechnology to meditation techniques. This book was written for the 10+ age group and while I agree that some of the educational portions of the book (I loved those by the way) might be lost on younger kids, I still kept having the same vision. I kept seeing myself reading this book to my grandkids, who are 5 and 6 years old. Not them reading it themselves mind you, but me reading it to them, a few chapters at a time, explaining things myself if needed. They might not understand some of the more technical aspects but it would not matter, they would LOVE the story! And, possibly learn a few things along the way. This book would be perfect for bedtime reading, the chapters are short and there are plenty of cliffhanger chapter endings to keep them begging for "just one more chapter...pleeeese..." You may find that you have a hard time putting it down yourself!
I read this book one night when I had just finished a book and it was to late to write up the review for it, and I did not want to start the next book until I had. It was perfect. Fast paced, fun, entertaining and even I learned a few things in the process. There was also a touching family quality to the whole thing that was priceless. It was one of those rare books that leaves you feeling really good once it is done. What a great story and a great way to end my day.
Shelfari Rating - None Yet Librarything Rating (None Yet) Amazon Rating 4.5 of 5 Stars (4 Customer Reviews)  LibraryThing Recommendations What Should I Read Next? | Kindle: Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom Ebook: Ereadable Buy Book: B&N - Powells - Abe Books Amazon: US  - Canada - UK |
Bookgasm - Monsters and Critics - Fantasy Debut Author's Web Presence Website, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Myspace, Blogger "DEAD FOLKS," A FREE Short Story by Tim Byrd |
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