Reviews

Ravenous Things by Derrick Chow

brittster622's review

4.0

Let's say someone comes up to you and promises to give you the greatest desire of your heart? What if that desire is impossible? What if that desire it to bring someone you love back from the dead? This is exactly what the conductor offers Reggie, and as a young boy, of course he wants his dad back! Reggie quickly finds out that everything is not as seems...

What a great way to retell the mysterious story of the pied piper. I really enjoyed the creepy elements. They were well done and I felt that they were unique enough that it kept my interest. I also liked that some creatures you typical would things of as a negative were actually friendly and helpful, while others were as bad as some may imagine. The dynamic between the three kids who go through this experience today include some great character arcs and a good combo of personalities.

I would recommend this to any middle school age id who likes creepy stories or any who enjoy the tale of the pied piper.

queer_bookwyrm's review

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? No

4.0

jdalton's review

5.0

Thank you to Disney Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

A different take on the Pied Piper tale we learned growing up, this book is a great way for kids who have experienced grief (or those who want to understand it) to connect and feel seen and understood. It's a good book to help open up conversations with young readers.

cboddie's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

4th - 7th

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief

aliciakindlereads's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.0

nightwing's review

Thanks to NetGalley & Disney Publishing Worldwide for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I dropped the book at 20% of the way through.

This book is pretty dark and genuinely unnerving despite being a book geared toward children. I don't really recommend it for that reason--it looks like a lighthearted fantasy adventure book but it's reeeeallly creepy. If your kid can handle nightmare fuel involving the protagonist's deceased father go for it. 

I also wasn't a fan of the writing style either.

shaffe71's review

2.0

2.5

The audio narrator definitely did not do this any favors.

sr_toliver's review

3.0

I really liked the premise of the book even the creepy crawly horror stuff. I thought the characterization was lacking, and the consistent use of similes (some that didn’t make much sense) took away from the story. Overall, I know there are several people who will like this story, but I think there are many who will want a bit more from it.

floridaminnie's review against another edition

5.0

This is the best Middle Grade Fantasy of 2022 for me.  It is a fast paced book that does a great job on character development and deals with death, depression, friendship and growing up. 

I listened to the audio and narrator did an amazing job. He helped the listener be drawn into the story. 

Much appreciation to Disney Audiobooks for the ARC via NetGalley.  Anticipated publication date is 8/16/2022.