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beautifullybookishbethany's review
4.0
Stanley Pargo in Suburbia: The Crooked House is the first in an indie middle grade adventure series that is quirky, funny, and rather dark at times. Stanley wakes up from a nightmare to find himself in the middle of the sea, sitting in a giant hat. Eventually he is rescued by a talking bird who serves as a butler to a strange professor who lives on a stranger island. This book follows his adventures while there and his search for a way home.
Overall, I found the story to be enjoyable, funny at times, and inventive. There are some creepy moments that get kind of dark and elements that walk the line between whimsical and absurdist. I listened to it on audio and the narrator was really fantastic. Stanley is a very run of the mill character pushed into a wild world and the story reminded me a bit of traditional adventure stories akin to Mary Poppins. There were a few plot holes or unanswered questions. For instance, we never find out what the thing in the woods obsessed with Stanley's blood actually is. I think this could have been further developed (it is quite short!) but still a fun story. I received a review copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
Overall, I found the story to be enjoyable, funny at times, and inventive. There are some creepy moments that get kind of dark and elements that walk the line between whimsical and absurdist. I listened to it on audio and the narrator was really fantastic. Stanley is a very run of the mill character pushed into a wild world and the story reminded me a bit of traditional adventure stories akin to Mary Poppins. There were a few plot holes or unanswered questions. For instance, we never find out what the thing in the woods obsessed with Stanley's blood actually is. I think this could have been further developed (it is quite short!) but still a fun story. I received a review copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
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