Reviews

Moojag and the Auticode Secret by N.E. McMorran

rynaissanceenby's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a really cute book! It was one of those lovely and rare bits of very explicit representation that fosters acceptance and understanding. I found the story a little bit hard to follow, but it's possible this is because I was listening to an audiobook read by people with accents I'm not super familiar with. I also thought that some of the points they were trying to make about what autistic people are like and how we should be accepting of them were a little bit simplistic and stated in ways that were so explicit they kind of took me out of the story. However, I will fully acknowledge that I am well above the target age range for the book, so it's very possible that the kids this book is aimed towards need it to be laid out that explicitly. 

ccwingreads's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

A fun audiobook experience! I like the Alice in Wonderland and approachable futuristic setting. The focus on acceptance and belonging for neurodivergent people is written with so much joy. I can see this being a favourite for any kid.

Some of the terminology could be confusing at times, but it just took some time to get used to. I think this would work wonderfully as an animated movie with the same voice cast. 

I won this in a giveaway and this is my honest review.

notwithoutmybook's review

5.0

This is by far one of the most unique and imaginative books I've read in a long time, massive Alice in Wonderland vibes with a sprinkling of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I absolutely loved it. It's great to read a book with authentic autistic characters, as opposed the same tired old stereotypes usually found in fiction. The understated humour in this book is fantastic, the author really is so skilled at writing nuanced, diverse characters and the sci-fi element to the story is so vivid and creative. Moojag and the Auticode Secret may well be a children's book, but I can see this story becoming a cult hit with adults.

Set in a post apocalyptic Britain; the Surrey Isles aka the Real World, in the year 2054, where neurodivergents live in harmony with nature. Here we are introduced to the three main characters, Nema, Izzy and Adam, who upon meeting a strange and mysterious character named Moojag, find themselves thrust ("thrust!" - Izzy) into the sinister, sticky-sugary, Wonka-esque underground world ruled by the 'Conquips' - evil villains holding autistic and disabled teens prisoner, conditioning them to believe they're not good enough, that they're less than whilst using them; their intelligence and skills to overthrow and destroy the peaceful and egalitarian Real World. Can Nema and her friends reverse the Auticode to find the truth about her missing brother and free the missing children without becoming trapped forever in the creepy, sticky underworld themselves?

Thank you so much, N.E. McMorran for gifting me a copy of Moojag and the Auticode Secret.

astrochar's review against another edition

I was excited for this book but I found the social commentary to be very strong and even a little extreme in places, particularly as it was often just against modern life in general. I also often found it simultaneously overcomplicated and oversimplified, especially when it came to the technology of the world

andiesmith's review against another edition

4.0

I received a free audio copy. This book is so much fun. The audio version was beautifully done! I will play it again and again on road trips with my son

scottyreadsstuff's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Thank you to N.E. McMorran and The StoryGraph for hosting this giveaway and providing the opportunity to enter it! :)

I didn’t know what to expect going into this novel, but now I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! It’s full to the brim with neurodivergent joy and creativity!! As a #actuallyautistic person myself, I was enthralled with the world-building, characters, and ideals!!

My only criticism is that the social commentary was too overt - even for a middle-grade novel - IMO. Other than that, I absolutely recommend this book to everyone - but especially fellow neurodivergent people! 😁

xanaouro's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

3.5

dannythestreet's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted

4.5

anelya's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

samreadssometimes's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

i loved this book so much. it has such a good message and i think more people need to read it. that being said, i couldn't really follow the plot (i think partly because i listened in audio), but i wouldn't say i was confused by it