Monstrous Devices

by Damien Love

“I enjoyed everything about Damien Love’s debut—its title, its breakneck action, its sly sense of humor. I wish my first novel had been as imaginative and assured.” —Anthony Horowitz, New York Times bestselling author of the Alex Rider series

On a winter’s day in a British town, twelve-year old Alex receives a package in the mail: an old tin robot from his grandfather. “This one is special,” says the enclosed note, and when strange events start occurring around him, Alex suspects this small toy is more than special; it might be deadly.
 
Right as things get out of hand, Alex’s grandfather arrives, pulling him away from an attack—and his otherwise humdrum world of friends, bullies, and homework—and into the macabre magic of an ancient family feud. Together, the duo flees across snowy Europe, unraveling the riddle of the little robot while trying to outwit relentless assassins of the human and mechanical kind.
 
With an ever-present admiration for the hidden mysteries of our world, Monstrous Devices plunges readers into a gripping adventure that’s sure to surprise.

• ISBN10: 0451478584
• ISBN13: 9780451478580
• Publish Date: 16 October 2018
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451478580

Reviews

[Beth C.]

When Alex is sent a toy robot by his grandfather, he thinks nothing of it - until he finds himself acting oddly, and strange things happening around him. One night, as he is being attacked in his room by other little robots, his beloved grandfather shows up and spirits him away. And that's when Alex starts to learn that his grandfather isn't all the he appears - and fairy tales may not always be just stories.

This was a good book, great for middle-graders. It's unique and imaginative, the pace is good, and the characters are interesting. There's a lot of action, between the chasing and the getting chased, of Alex and his grandfather - but no serious violence, so it would be appropriate for most ages. Honestly, it would make an excellent read-aloud for a classroom setting or at home.

The story was resolved (no spoilers), however it would be possible for a sequel, based on how events played out. I can honestly say that if a sequel were to happen, I would certainly enjoy reading it!