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mbellsamantha's review against another edition
3.0
I think this one was a little too hyped for me. It was cute as heck, but not a fave by any stretch.
esw_reads's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. While I was reading, the book was good and interesting and all, but there wasn't anything that made me want to pick it back up after I set it down. I also can't say the ending surprised me all that much. I would maybe consider reading the sequel just to see what happens, but then again, it isn't like 'OMG I HAVE to read this' at all. I also don't feel like a whole lot happened throughout the book.
lumierewhispers's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 🌟
Wow. I adored this book. This is one of the best middle grade books I’ve ever read, that’s for sure !
One of the strong points of The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding is its atmospheric and autumnal setting. Spooky yet aesthetic, Alexandra Bracken’s lyrical prose brings the cities of Redding and Salem to life in such a magical way.
I also adored the characters - especially our main trio (Prosper, Nell, Alastor), and how they interacted: their hilarious voices made me laugh out loud multiple times, and I don’t remember the last time I laughed this much while reading a middle grade book! I think it’s a book that even adults would love - it doesn’t feel juvenile and the plot is very well rounded. I love how it touches upon universal & important themes such as hope, bravery, and trust. Bonus points for diversity and some girl power !
I highly recommend The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding, especially if you’re looking for an atmospheric, autumnal read! If you’re a scaredy cat like me, and are hesitant reaching for spooky Halloween books, I believe this one would be the perfect compromise.
But be prepared for the ending - I’m absolutely shaking in excitement for the sequel !
Wow. I adored this book. This is one of the best middle grade books I’ve ever read, that’s for sure !
One of the strong points of The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding is its atmospheric and autumnal setting. Spooky yet aesthetic, Alexandra Bracken’s lyrical prose brings the cities of Redding and Salem to life in such a magical way.
I also adored the characters - especially our main trio (Prosper, Nell, Alastor), and how they interacted: their hilarious voices made me laugh out loud multiple times, and I don’t remember the last time I laughed this much while reading a middle grade book! I think it’s a book that even adults would love - it doesn’t feel juvenile and the plot is very well rounded. I love how it touches upon universal & important themes such as hope, bravery, and trust. Bonus points for diversity and some girl power !
I highly recommend The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding, especially if you’re looking for an atmospheric, autumnal read! If you’re a scaredy cat like me, and are hesitant reaching for spooky Halloween books, I believe this one would be the perfect compromise.
But be prepared for the ending - I’m absolutely shaking in excitement for the sequel !
fabsavila's review against another edition
4.0
¡Me ha encantado! Es un libro super ligero, se te pasa volando, bastante ameno y divertido de leer.
Los personajes creo yo son lo mejor del libro, son únicos y divertidos.
El tema familiar en esta historia está muy presente: lo que significa, la confianza que hay, el amor, los fuertes lazos y como no todas las familias son perfectas.
Me ha agradado la forma en la que Prosper busca solucionar las cosas y su relación con Alastor es lo más cómico de todo.
También el ambiente otoñal, de halloween y de pueblo me ha gustado bastante le da ese toque spooky que queda muy bien para este tipo de historias.
Los personajes creo yo son lo mejor del libro, son únicos y divertidos.
El tema familiar en esta historia está muy presente: lo que significa, la confianza que hay, el amor, los fuertes lazos y como no todas las familias son perfectas.
Me ha agradado la forma en la que Prosper busca solucionar las cosas y su relación con Alastor es lo más cómico de todo.
También el ambiente otoñal, de halloween y de pueblo me ha gustado bastante le da ese toque spooky que queda muy bien para este tipo de historias.
margaret's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 3.5 stars
“Being different – being simply you instead of what other people wanted you to be – was it’s own kind of bravery.”
This spooky middle grade book follows Prosper Redding, whose old New England family is full of secrets. One of those secrets is that there is a demon living inside Prosper, passed down from an ancestor who broke a contract. Alastor, the demon, is intent on destroying Prosper’s family, which means Prosper has to figure out how to get rid of him before it’s too late.
I love Alexandra Bracken’s writing, and this book was no exception. I’m so glad that I read this around Halloween, because the spooky vibes were spot on! Prosper himself is a hilarious narrator – constantly snarky and saying the wrong thing at the wrong time – and I couldn’t help but love Alastor’s confusion and exasperation with the modern world. This book wasn’t perfect – the pacing felt wonky at times and there was more info dumping than I would have liked – but it was still fun and spooky, and I look forward to reading the sequel!
Content warnings: spiders
“Being different – being simply you instead of what other people wanted you to be – was it’s own kind of bravery.”
This spooky middle grade book follows Prosper Redding, whose old New England family is full of secrets. One of those secrets is that there is a demon living inside Prosper, passed down from an ancestor who broke a contract. Alastor, the demon, is intent on destroying Prosper’s family, which means Prosper has to figure out how to get rid of him before it’s too late.
I love Alexandra Bracken’s writing, and this book was no exception. I’m so glad that I read this around Halloween, because the spooky vibes were spot on! Prosper himself is a hilarious narrator – constantly snarky and saying the wrong thing at the wrong time – and I couldn’t help but love Alastor’s confusion and exasperation with the modern world. This book wasn’t perfect – the pacing felt wonky at times and there was more info dumping than I would have liked – but it was still fun and spooky, and I look forward to reading the sequel!
Content warnings: spiders
valdiebalt's review against another edition
4.0
REALLY ENJOYED THIS ONE
The story is soild and had a lot of good twist and turns, I totally forgot I was reading a middlegrade novel at times.
But I would say that the ending of this book was not satisfying, I know it is setting up for the sequel but im a firm believer that a book should be able to stand alone even if it is apart of a series.
This book should have just been longer if the story wasn't finished.
ANYWAYS! cannot wait to read the second one !
The story is soild and had a lot of good twist and turns, I totally forgot I was reading a middlegrade novel at times.
But I would say that the ending of this book was not satisfying, I know it is setting up for the sequel but im a firm believer that a book should be able to stand alone even if it is apart of a series.
This book should have just been longer if the story wasn't finished.
ANYWAYS! cannot wait to read the second one !
literarilyjess's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a huge Alex Bracken fan, so I bumped this one up to the top of my TBR the moment I was approved for it. This is a book that just feels like Fall, like a classic Halloween story to return to again and again. (This reference will be dated to the target audience, but it actually reminded me a lot of an episode of Sabrina The Teenage Witch). It was voicey and fun, a little spooky, yet magically atmospheric. I don't often read Middle Grade, but I enjoyed this so much that I might just have to start up again.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
victoriiiamarie's review against another edition
4.0
A charming Halloween read.
I honestly went into this book not 100% aware that it was a middle grade book so my first instinct was "what the hell, Alex?" I then did my research and realized is MG and from there my experience improved.
This was a super fun read! I listened to it after listening to some darker, romance heavy stories and it was honestly so refreshing. The atmosphere of this story was so fun and really put a fun tone to everything. Just the fact that the characters live in a tourist trap haunted house, makes me love this book so much more!
The narrator of this story was incredibly naive and trusting, but honestly you can't blame him as he has been betrayed and lied to his whole life. I loved the relationship between the main character and the demon that lives inside of him.
The humor reminded me a lot of Percy Jackson, which is still something I can appreciate. The spooky aspects were very well done and the magic made sense and I wasn't forced to believe anything that didn't make sense in the context of the book.
Overall, a very good middle grade book! A perfect October read, I actually purchased a copy for my 10 year old sister!
4/5
I honestly went into this book not 100% aware that it was a middle grade book so my first instinct was "what the hell, Alex?" I then did my research and realized is MG and from there my experience improved.
This was a super fun read! I listened to it after listening to some darker, romance heavy stories and it was honestly so refreshing. The atmosphere of this story was so fun and really put a fun tone to everything. Just the fact that the characters live in a tourist trap haunted house, makes me love this book so much more!
The narrator of this story was incredibly naive and trusting, but honestly you can't blame him as he has been betrayed and lied to his whole life. I loved the relationship between the main character and the demon that lives inside of him.
The humor reminded me a lot of Percy Jackson, which is still something I can appreciate. The spooky aspects were very well done and the magic made sense and I wasn't forced to believe anything that didn't make sense in the context of the book.
Overall, a very good middle grade book! A perfect October read, I actually purchased a copy for my 10 year old sister!
4/5
singerchick1569's review against another edition
3.0
I gave this book 3.5 stars but rounded down to 3 because it was closer to 3 than 4 for me.
I enjoyed this book for what it was, a quick and fun read. It isn't the best book by Alexandra Bracken but I liked it nonetheless.
Read my full review here: http://eightfulllives.com/index.php/2017/12/19/review-the-dreadful-tale-of-prosper-redding-by-alexandra-bracken/
I enjoyed this book for what it was, a quick and fun read. It isn't the best book by Alexandra Bracken but I liked it nonetheless.
Read my full review here: http://eightfulllives.com/index.php/2017/12/19/review-the-dreadful-tale-of-prosper-redding-by-alexandra-bracken/