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readingrobin's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A perfect read for upper elementary readers that are interested in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. This book gives an adequate introduction to the world of Faerun and all the creatures and magic that inhabit it. While some of the creatures may give first timers some pause, the illustrations make up for the lack of descriptions.
The story basically serves as a quick, simple one shot, a team of misfits going to investigate the disappearance of their classmates and necromantic shenanigans ensue. Each character is endearing and brings a good variety of personality to the party, whether it's the shy owlbear Hugo or the brash kobold Snabla.
I personally would have loved a bit more worldbuilding, given how expansive the setting is and the target demographic is middle schoolers, but I could see this being a way to ease kids into the world.
It's a silly goofy adventure with heart and a found family and that's really good enough for me.
The story basically serves as a quick, simple one shot, a team of misfits going to investigate the disappearance of their classmates and necromantic shenanigans ensue. Each character is endearing and brings a good variety of personality to the party, whether it's the shy owlbear Hugo or the brash kobold Snabla.
I personally would have loved a bit more worldbuilding, given how expansive the setting is and the target demographic is middle schoolers, but I could see this being a way to ease kids into the world.
It's a silly goofy adventure with heart and a found family and that's really good enough for me.
mehsi's review
5.0
A dazzling fun book about adventure, monsters, friendship, and finding home and figuring out family. Cannot wait for more!
bookgerblin's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bibliobrandie's review
4.0
This is a great story of identity and found family and I really enjoyed it. Loved the artwork, the characters, the humor. I think it's better for 4th/5th grade, probably too young for middle school.
meevees's review
4.0
A little predictable but a lot of fun! Perfect for a middle grade reader who enjoys D&D, is looking to learn more about it, or enjoys fantasy in general.
Snabla the kobold stands out as the character who takes this one from good to great. He really brought the joy to this one!
Snabla the kobold stands out as the character who takes this one from good to great. He really brought the joy to this one!
geekwayne's review
5.0
'Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed' by Madeleine Roux with illustrations by Timothy Probert is an ebook adventure for younger readers based on the popular role playing game.
Zelli goes to Dungeon Academy, but there is something different about her. She is human but her mothers dress her like a minotaur. One day in class, she reads about a famous adventurer that looks very much like her. She is joined by an oddball group of friends, including a vegan owlbear, but what will happen once she finds what she thinks she wants?
This is a good story about finding yourself and the right group of friends along the way. The illustrations were good as was the feel of the D&D lore. All I know is i now want an owlbear for a friend.
I received a review copy of this ebook from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Zelli goes to Dungeon Academy, but there is something different about her. She is human but her mothers dress her like a minotaur. One day in class, she reads about a famous adventurer that looks very much like her. She is joined by an oddball group of friends, including a vegan owlbear, but what will happen once she finds what she thinks she wants?
This is a good story about finding yourself and the right group of friends along the way. The illustrations were good as was the feel of the D&D lore. All I know is i now want an owlbear for a friend.
I received a review copy of this ebook from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
ohemgeebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
motherbooker's review
4.0
I was excited to pick this up because it just sounded like so much fun. Especially as it focused on the monsters instead of the adventurers. Not only did this mean a lot of fun but it provided plenty of great themes. This book proves you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The book's protagonist, Zelli, knows this better than anyone. She's a human masquerading as a minotaur at an academy for monsters. An academy where being a human would be dangerous. Zelli was abandoned as a baby and adopted by two minotaurs. Her mothers raised her and helped her hide her true colours with a pair of fake horns and a tail. Zelli tries to keep to herself but often finds herself getting in trouble. Until one of her lessons gives her a clue to her past. A clue that will take her out of school and into the world of adventurers. Can she find her real mother or will she just get into trouble?
Zelli doesn't embark on her journey alone and is joined by some of her fellow students. There's the vegan owlbear, a kobold looking to prove himself, and a mimic. Together they will form an unlikely group of misfits. A group of misfits that isn't ready to get caught up in a dangerous showdown with somebody powerful. The chemistry between the group is a lot of fun and their friendship is a joy to see develop. These people become part of Zelli's found family and accept her for who she is. They are also funny and bound to be a hit with younger readers. Each has their own personality and brings something unique to the book. I can't wait to see more of what this group can achieve.
The story itself is full of fun and adventure. It's got some darkness but is still light-hearted. There is enough excitement for young readers and a fair amount of world-building. It doesn't go too deep into the way the Dungeon Academy works or the wider world. I guess it's mostly because of the age of the intended reader. It doesn't want to go into too much detail and overwhelm them. It also introduces plenty of themes and ideas that will be relevant to these readers. It's about not fitting in and having to decide who you are. Zelli is also coming to terms with her adopted family and how she fits in. This could easily be written off as a fun adventure story but there is also plenty of depth here.
This book is a great read and could be a great introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for younger readers. If I had one criticism it would be that some of the elements could be explained better. Children who are familiar with the world of D&D would possibly be okay with the constant references to certain creatures. However, I'm sure there will be plenty of readers who might not. Maybe it would have benefited from an introductory Creatures Guide with images and descriptions of the various beasts. Just to further flesh out the world. I found a few other aspects of this book weird and there were some things that I didn't agree with. For example, the fact that the illustrations don't always match up to the story. Still, I think as a book for children, these are forgivable.
This isn't the perfect book but it is an entertaining one. I have hope that the rest of the series will get stronger and delve deeper into this world and these characters. It won't surprise any older readers but should keep younger ones entertained.
blitzzz's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
manwithanagenda's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A really cute start to a middle grade series for the growing number of young readers who are getting interested in Dungeons and Dragons and other roleplaying games. It's on the younger end of the spectrum and had plenty of illustrations.
The story takes place at a Dungeon Academy in Faerûn (the Forgotten Realms world) and imagines that many of the classic monsters of campaigns past are trained in evil and various other nasty things at a school. It plays with a lot of the usual funny villain tropes in that friendship is discouraged and good deeds of any kind can lead to detention.
Our main character is the adopted daughter of two professors who are minotaurs. She wears false horns and a tail and is supposed to hide her human identity. She unwittingly recruits some other misfits such as a mimic that doesn't like turning into gross or scary things, a smaller than average kobold and a vegetarian owlbear.
Like I said. Cute.
I hope the series finds an audience as it was enjoyable enough, but doesn't have enough grit in to hold on to older readers.
Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeon Academy
Next: 'Tourney of Terror'
The story takes place at a Dungeon Academy in Faerûn (the Forgotten Realms world) and imagines that many of the classic monsters of campaigns past are trained in evil and various other nasty things at a school. It plays with a lot of the usual funny villain tropes in that friendship is discouraged and good deeds of any kind can lead to detention.
Our main character is the adopted daughter of two professors who are minotaurs. She wears false horns and a tail and is supposed to hide her human identity. She unwittingly recruits some other misfits such as a mimic that doesn't like turning into gross or scary things, a smaller than average kobold and a vegetarian owlbear.
Like I said. Cute.
I hope the series finds an audience as it was enjoyable enough, but doesn't have enough grit in to hold on to older readers.
Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeon Academy
Next: 'Tourney of Terror'