Blog 132 - Teacher's Pest

Author: Charles Gilman

Format: Hardcover with Holographic front

Pages: 170

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

ISBN-13: 9781594746147

About the Book

DON'T BE FOOLED by his friendly smile, his perfect manners, or his shiny red apple. Student council president Howard Mergler is actually a sinister bug-monster in disguise—and he's summoning swarms of roaches, wasps, fleas, and head lice into the corridors of Lovecraft Middle School!  Twelve-year-old Robert Arthur is the only student who can stop him—but he'll need help from his best friends: the school bully, the school ghost, and an extremely courageous two-headed rat.

This third novel in the Lovecraft Middle School series begins right where Professor Gargoyle and The Slither Sisters ended—with more action, more adventure, and more outrageous monsters!

My Review

So the third installment from the Lovecraft Middle School series was…creepy.

Things that I liked: I loved that they picked up right where the second book, The Slither Sisters, left off. We were given such a surprising twist at the end of that book, which then makes this book set up perfectly for the readers. I loved that characters both had side issues, but also still had to deal with the big issue of all the creepy crawlies. If I had to go through this when I was in middle school I probably would have fainted. LOL. I loved the way these books were written. The author did a good job with the descriptions and getting the story told within a reasonable amount of pages for a middle grade novel. I absolutely loved it.

Things that I didn’t like: I can’t really think of anything, however I could have done without the pictures of the all the bugs. It really helped picture them throughout the story and I was really creeped out.  

Overall: I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes Lovecraft or like a good short fast read. I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Blog 131 - The Slithers Sisters

Author: Charles Gilman

Format: Hardcover:

Pages: 172

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Publication Date: January 15, 2013

ISBN-13: 9781594745935

About the book

This second novel in the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series begins right where Professor Gargoyle ended.  Seventh-grader Robert Arthur has discovered that two of his classmates are actually sinister snake-women in disguise. Even worse, his new middle school is full of “gates” to a terrifying alternate dimension – a haunted mansion full of strange spirits and monstrous beasts.  For Robert to protect his teachers and classmates, he'll need to return to this haunted dimension with his best friends Glenn and Karina.   Can they uncover the secrets of Lovecraft Middle School before it's too late?

The Slither Sisters features more bizarre beasts, more strange mysteries, and more adventure.  It's perfect for readers ages 10 and up. Best of all, the cover features a state-of-the-art “morphing” photo portrait – so you can personally witness the sisters transforming into their slithering alter egos.  You won't believe your eyes!

My Review

These books are fun and quick little reads. I can read these in no time at all.

Things that I liked: I really liked the way that the author has so far started the second book right where the first book left off. It’s as if he never ended the first one. It just keeps going. I do love how the author, Charles Gilman, lets the characters figure things out so to speak on their own, even if they do get hints or minor help here or there. I liked that new conflicts arise while old one are still there in the big picture. I do like that the slither sisters were certainly a challenge in this book.

Things that I didn’t like: I know it was going to be part of the story towards the end, but I wish they would have done a few more hints during the novel itself.

Overall: I really enjoyed the book and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes creatures, mysteries, two-headed rats, and H.P. Lovecraft. I rate it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Until next time, Happy Reading!
 

Blog 130 - Professor Gargoyle

Author: Charles Gilman

Format: Hardcover (3-D Cover)

Pages: 168

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Publication Date: September 25, 2012

ISBN-13: 9781594745911

About the book

Strange things are happening at Lovecraft Middle School. Rats are leaping from lockers. Students are disappearing. The school library is a labyrinth of secret corridors. And the science teacher is acting very, very peculiar. Robert Arthur knew that seventh grade was going to be weird, but this is ridiculous!

With the help of some unlikely new friends, Robert discovers there’s more to Lovecraft Middle School than meets the eye. Can he uncover the secrets of the school before it’s too late?

My Review

Things that I liked: The 3-D cover that they used really looks awesome and creepy. I like how the man’s face changes when moved back and forth. The illustrations throughout the book were awesome. They helped me put visuals to the story and what was going on at certain time. I’ll admit I’ve never read anything by H.P. Lovecraft but this series is a fund read. I think the author did a really good job with the story. As soon as I finished this book I immediately picked up book two, The Slither Sisters. The story plot seems creepy and scary but fun and adventurous at the same time.

Things that I didn’t like: *cue the crickets* I couldn’t think of anything that I didn’t like.

Overall: I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the sequels. I rate this book 5 out of 5 

stars.

Until next time, Happy Reading!