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A review by katykelly
Embassy of the Dead by Will Mabbitt
4.0
Mix-up in identity leads to a fantastical after-life adventure that has a fresh feel to it.
It's a little different, a younger read to Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant series that create a world of the dead. It gets off the ground quickly and scoops up the main character in a fast-paced exploit with a fair backstory of characters, plotlines and terms.
Jake unwittingly enters a rather dark and scary world when he signs for a box that's not intended for him. Now the Dead are after him and if he doesn't want to spend eternity in an unpleasant afterlife and get home to his parents (who think he's on a school trip) he's going to need to return the contents of the box to a certain Embassy while avoiding some intent pursuers, and learns along the way a few things about life after death, loyalty and friendship.
Despite being quite short, there are some amusing minor characters (though none get much chance to develop), and Jake is a pretty smart little protagonist. The author tries to fit in a lot, making it a little episodic, but it's an enjoyable world to explore, with highlights being one character who reminded me of Moaning Myrtle and a rather funny Embassy and staff.
If you have a reader that likes fantasy and magic, this could be for them. For ages 9-12.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing the sample e-copy.
It's a little different, a younger read to Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant series that create a world of the dead. It gets off the ground quickly and scoops up the main character in a fast-paced exploit with a fair backstory of characters, plotlines and terms.
Jake unwittingly enters a rather dark and scary world when he signs for a box that's not intended for him. Now the Dead are after him and if he doesn't want to spend eternity in an unpleasant afterlife and get home to his parents (who think he's on a school trip) he's going to need to return the contents of the box to a certain Embassy while avoiding some intent pursuers, and learns along the way a few things about life after death, loyalty and friendship.
Despite being quite short, there are some amusing minor characters (though none get much chance to develop), and Jake is a pretty smart little protagonist. The author tries to fit in a lot, making it a little episodic, but it's an enjoyable world to explore, with highlights being one character who reminded me of Moaning Myrtle and a rather funny Embassy and staff.
If you have a reader that likes fantasy and magic, this could be for them. For ages 9-12.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing the sample e-copy.