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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
areadingraven's review against another edition
3.0
Cute middle grade spooky book for the season. Follows what fans would expect from a Bruce Coville book!
babsidi's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful Halloween romp with some mini monsters and aliens and the like. This book doesn't hold up as well as I would have hoped to an older reader, but I can see glimmers of why this book so fascinated me as a kid. The narrator's commentary on how hard some of the events of the book are to understand is the kind of casual nod that makes you think on exactly what they mean, such as what it would be like to have a little brother suddenly be much, much older than you. This is the kind of book that contains very little actual story, but leaves enough in a kid's head to extend it so much more. Definitely a great read for middle grade or young YA readers.
awake_at_midnight's review against another edition
3.0
The story opens at an estate sale in an old mansion slated for demolition. There, Anthony Walker and his sister Sarah find a set of monsters set in a box like chess pieces.
In true Coville form, however, they don’t just pop back to life. In what could be the eeriest scene in the entire book, the arm of the monster Anthony is looking at becomes living flesh and starts moving while the rest of the creature is still frozen in stone. Tension mounts as Anthony and Sarah revive the monsters and discover that they must get them back to the mansion to return them to their original size. Unfortunately it’s the middle of the night.
Gaspar, a lizard man; Melisande, who appears as a gorgon; Ludmilla, a vampiress; and Albert, who is reminiscent of Igor, (along with their faithful were-human, Bob,) are the family Morleskievich… minus one: their brother Martin– the one responsible for changing them in to statues!
This is a fast-paced adventure that won’t let go until the end! Though it’s more science fiction that the cover lets on, it is entirely true to the spirit of the horror movie matinee. You can hear the crackle of the Tesla coils and feel the ominous storm clouds roll in.
Just when you think the rest of the adventure is all spelled out, Coville continually throws in another twist that seems impossible to escape!
This story is very similar in style to Always October, though this one is my favorite. If you like the Monsters of Morley Manor, you will definitely want to check out that book, too!)
For the full review: Awake at Midnight
In true Coville form, however, they don’t just pop back to life. In what could be the eeriest scene in the entire book, the arm of the monster Anthony is looking at becomes living flesh and starts moving while the rest of the creature is still frozen in stone. Tension mounts as Anthony and Sarah revive the monsters and discover that they must get them back to the mansion to return them to their original size. Unfortunately it’s the middle of the night.
Gaspar, a lizard man; Melisande, who appears as a gorgon; Ludmilla, a vampiress; and Albert, who is reminiscent of Igor, (along with their faithful were-human, Bob,) are the family Morleskievich… minus one: their brother Martin– the one responsible for changing them in to statues!
This is a fast-paced adventure that won’t let go until the end! Though it’s more science fiction that the cover lets on, it is entirely true to the spirit of the horror movie matinee. You can hear the crackle of the Tesla coils and feel the ominous storm clouds roll in.
Just when you think the rest of the adventure is all spelled out, Coville continually throws in another twist that seems impossible to escape!
This story is very similar in style to Always October, though this one is my favorite. If you like the Monsters of Morley Manor, you will definitely want to check out that book, too!)
For the full review: Awake at Midnight
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the beginning, but it got a little convoluted as the story went on. Aliens, angels, the land of the dead, it got to be too much for me, but my daughter (9) really liked it. We actually listed to the audiobook.
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
janicesierra's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
classicsandcatnaps's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
4.0
I liked it! It was wild. And more reflective about what it means to live than I expected.
nerdsbianhokie's review against another edition
3.75
Read this several times as a kid, but forgot the title and most of the plot. All I really remembered was the cover and tiny monsters. Some friends helped me find it again and oh wow it's it a wild ride.
mossybookworm's review against another edition
4.0
such a funky little story about family - features aliens, intergalactic travel, strange magic, body swapping, and it all wraps up nicely. i expect nothing less from bruce coville, and i'm glad i revisited one of my favorite stories from when i was a kid!
youmayblah's review against another edition
5.0
Something in this book made me start to read, this book made me obsess over books :)