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A review by ethan_bluestone
Facing the Beast Within by Mark Cheverton
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I got this book not really knowing what to expect, but thought I might as well read it considering how many of Mark Cheverton's books I've read. But after finishing it really felt bland; I think it had good intentions, but was written very poorly. It was a bunch of techniques for dealing with anxiety wrapped up in a lackluster middle grade fantasy story.
The writing was— for me personally— very hard to get through, especially when the actual story itself wasn't terribly well done and the characters kind of one dimensional, and the plot was pretty formulaic.
That being said, I think the author was really trying to do a good thing, and it had a lot of helpful information in it. I feel like it's stuff that every kid should know about, just to better understand people with anxiety.
But I'm not sure how helpful it is to a kid who actually has anxiety. For one, all the techniques are something you could just get either online or in actual therapy. For another, it could be a little discouraging to read about a boy with anxiety who finds out about this cool magic and goes on an adventure that helps him overcome it. Because let's face it, nothing that amazing would happen in real life.
I felt like this book didn't—like others recently— measure up to the Gameknight999 series for a simple reason: it's not Minecraft. What made all the Gameknight999 books interesting was the adventures taking place in Minecraft, a world where you can do anything. While this book, on the other hand, is in the normal world with unoriginal monsters attacking children. Not that interesting. If you haven't read the Gameknight999 series then this may not apply to you. But as a long time reader of this author I feel thoroughly tired of the same repetitive writing style.
But in spite of all that, I feel like this book could be helpful and enjoyed by some people. Just depends on who's reading.
The writing was— for me personally— very hard to get through, especially when the actual story itself wasn't terribly well done and the characters kind of one dimensional, and the plot was pretty formulaic.
That being said, I think the author was really trying to do a good thing, and it had a lot of helpful information in it. I feel like it's stuff that every kid should know about, just to better understand people with anxiety.
But I'm not sure how helpful it is to a kid who actually has anxiety. For one, all the techniques are something you could just get either online or in actual therapy. For another, it could be a little discouraging to read about a boy with anxiety who finds out about this cool magic and goes on an adventure that helps him overcome it. Because let's face it, nothing that amazing would happen in real life.
I felt like this book didn't—like others recently— measure up to the Gameknight999 series for a simple reason: it's not Minecraft. What made all the Gameknight999 books interesting was the adventures taking place in Minecraft, a world where you can do anything. While this book, on the other hand, is in the normal world with unoriginal monsters attacking children. Not that interesting. If you haven't read the Gameknight999 series then this may not apply to you. But as a long time reader of this author I feel thoroughly tired of the same repetitive writing style.
But in spite of all that, I feel like this book could be helpful and enjoyed by some people. Just depends on who's reading.