Review: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding

The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding
by Alexandra Bracken
Age Range: 10-14
Release Date: September 5, 2017
Disney-Hyperion
9781484778173

“‘With stories like these, it’s best to start at the very beginning,’ Uncle Barnabas said. ‘Tell me, Prosperity, what do you know about the family curse?’”

Prosper Redding comes from power, his family existing as practical royalty in the town of Redhood. Everything notable to happen there can be traced back through the family line, and everyone in that line is absurdly gifted in some way. Unfortunately, Prosperity Oceanus Redding can boast none of this family talent. And to top it off, being the odd Redding out also means every person in Redhood knows it. Things take a seriously unexpected turn when Prosper is made privy to the demon living inside him, and suddenly, being unexceptional doesn’t seem so bad.

Alastor has spent nearly half of his eight hundred years dormant, just waiting for his chance to resurface. Oh, and when he does, those dreadful Reddings will pay. He gave them riches. Success. Good fortune. And they dared to betray him? Yes. Oh, yes, they would pay. For a demon is a kind of fiend, one of many kinds, but only demons specialize in making deals with humans.

Bracken’s (The Darkest Minds trilogy) first venture into Middle Grade is deliciously dark and addicting. Prosper has a snarky yet relatable voice, and he and Alastor play off each other beautifully. Alastor is learning how much the world has changed in his time away, but he is also a prince where he comes from, and so his ignorance quite often battles with his overconfidence. Prosper may be snarky, but the demon Alastor may as well be the Prince of Snark. Bracken’s characterization of the prince is truly brilliant, because despite being an evil demon craving revenge on our unwitting hero and his entire family, it is hard not to like Alastor.

Then there is Nell, Prosper’s long-lost cousin. Nell is a witch. A witch with attitude and a talent for keeping others at arm’s length. But Nell is also warm, loves those she is close to fiercely, and carries a strength about her that Prosper envies. The relationship that grows between the two outsiders is thoughtful and extremely rewarding. And her changeling, Toad (usually in the form of a kitten with bat wings when we see him), is simply the best.

In addition to a lovely cast of characters, the autumn setting is so fitting in the narrative and cozy as can be. So settle in on a rainy day, grab your blanket and hot beverage of your choice, and get ready for Halloween in Redhood. I can promise you laughs, demons, hobgoblins, and oodles of autumn goodness.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One Year Later: Reflecting on Cursed Child

Image
It has now been exactly one year since the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script book hit the shelves. This is one of those momentous days, much like the recent ten-year anniversary of Deathly Hallows , where fans everywhere sit back and reminisce on where they were and what they were doing this time last year. For most, it was a midnight release party of some sort the night before. For others, it was running to the nearest bookstore the minute it opened. For everyone, it was a weekend of nostalgia and a resurgence of affection for the boy who lived. Now, we could talk about characterization and story issues in Cursed Child until we’re all blue in the face (and many of us have), but these are not what I want to focus on in this moment of reflection. I want to look back and think on what it meant to be a Harry Potter fan on this day, and on the familiar anticipatory buzz in the air that surrounded Cursed Child ’s release. For that buzz, that crackling energy in the air duri
Read more

Review: When Dimple Met Rishi

Image
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon Age Range: 13 & up Release Date: May 30, 2017 Simon Pulse 9781481478687 You never know when you’re going to fall in love. Just as mysterious a phenomenon is who you will fall in love with . When Dimple Shah’s parents agree to send her to a summer program for aspiring web developers, she thinks they’re finally starting to understand her. To care about her hopes and dreams. Maybe they’ve even dropped this whole “Ideal Indian Husband” nonsense. What she doesn’t expect is another family to be in cahoots with her parents, or for this family to send their oldest son to the same program with the goal of winning her over. And Rishi Patel is for it. Dimple and Rishi are a delight. Dimple is ambitious and hardheaded, and when she discovers her family’s deception she refuses to take part. She did not come to this program to fall in love. She came to learn, and to win a shot at developing an app with her idol. Dimple is of the fir
Read more

Upcoming Release Review: Whichwood

Image
***Upcoming Release!*** Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi 9781101994795 Age Range: 10 & up Release Date: November 14, 2017 Dutton Books for Young Readers I had two top reads last year. The first is one you may have heard of. A vision of loveliness called The Girl Who Drank the Moon that went on to win the Newbery this year. My other favorite (and if I’m honest with you, my top book of the entire year) was the first Middle Grade novel by acclaimed YA author Tahereh Mafi, called Furthermore . Furthermore is this wondrous, whimsical love letter to your favorite childhood books. There’s a bit of Oz in there, some Secret Garden , and definitely Alice in Wonderland . But it is entirely its own story and, quite simply, it is a masterpiece. Now, on to Whichwood : new companion novel to the aforementioned Furthermore . Due to my intense love for Furthermore , you can imagine the anticipation for its companion. These anticipatory feelings were well founded. Whichwood is a
Read more