DNF. I couldn't connect with this book at all and found it really hard to get into. I had high hopes for this, which is a shame.

So, my first thought has nothing to do with the actual story, I just think it’s funny. The main character, Tick, is from the U.S.A., the writing is European. When I read things like tyre and torch when someone is in the states, it makes me laugh. Like I said, it has nothing to do with the story, and readers in other countries probably wouldn’t even notice, but the syntax being used does not match the location.

This book may be a little dark for some kids, there is murder and violence. It’s not really dwelled on, just mentioned, so it may not be as big of a problem as it could be.

I know this is a fantasy, but I have to say, I really have to wonder what kind of parents would let their kid just go off to who knows where to do who knows what. I don’t know what the other parents knew of the clues, but Tick’s father was in the know, and he just went with it. He let Tick go even after happenings in Alaska. I’m sure younger readers wouldn’t care, but um, bad parenting.

In other news, I appreciate how the villain of the story is likened to a banana. It makes her seem less scary than she is. The character descriptions for those from other realities was great. The character descriptions for Tick and his friends, kind of basic. I would like more development of the kids I’m supposed to be rooting for.

Personally, the best part were the letters and their clues. I like trying to solve riddles, and this offered a few of those. They were all over the place as far as difficulty, which I guess kept it interesting. At the same time, there would be a clue that I couldn’t figure out until Tick did, and then the very next clue I could solve without even really thinking about it. If they had gradually gotten more difficult, I feel like I would have enjoyed it more.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication Date: March 3rd 2008

This is an exciting middle-grade adventure book. We follow a young boy - Tick - who receives a mysterious letter one day. Reality is in danger of falling apart and Tick must decide if he will follow the 12 clues sent to him, in order to save reality. 

I'm a lover of a clever and intelligent main character, and thus, I loved Tick. I initially requested this because of James Dashner and how much I loved The Maze Runner. Of course, I shouldn't compare but one of my favourite things about The Maze Runner was the absolute brilliance of the books. In Journal of Curious Letters, Dashner once again showed how he can weave intricate clues and cleverness into his story. 

This is fantastic, especially for the Middle-Grade Adventure category. It is exciting throughout the story and I loved this concept and plot. It is an easy read, even if it does have a lot of clues to follow. I would suggest reading it if you like reading Middle Grade. It does follow a typical young teen adventure story. But not for a moment does it feel like it was stereotypical. Tick was a fantastic and intelligent MC, and the book was constructed well. 

I gave this a 4 / 5 star rating and would suggest it to anyone who wants a great middle-grade adventure.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC. 

I jumped at the opportunity to review this title because I thought the blurb sounded great, with a promising premise for a new series. Unfortunately I didn’t think that the book delivered to the standard of the blurb, I found it difficult to read, and although I’ve returned to the story, two years later am accepting defeat and a rare DNF.

Thank you to Sweet Cherry Publishing for providing an ARC of James Dashner’s The 13th Reality: Journal of Curious Letters.

I was really looking forward to this. James Dashner, author of The Maze Runner, and the book’s premise similar to Artemis Fowl, I really had my hopes high. And I guess I had my hope too high. This book was okay. Tick was okay but fell flat for me. The premise was fine but I wanted more. I feel like it’s lacking. I’d still recommend it to children though. Maybe it was not just my cup of tea,

James Dashner is an amazing author and I'm sad that I wasn't able to read this book, because it was too much at the same time.
Anyway I've read maze runner and it's amazing, so this will also be great

The Journal of Curious Letters is a science fiction book and is the first of The 13th Reality series that is targeted more for middle graders, though talks of quantum physics and alternate realities might confuse the younger readers. Nevertheless, it is a fun start for the series and turned out to be unexpectedly an enjoyable read. It is engaging and the characters are likeable enough. I love knowing Tick. He’s smarter than most of his age and despite having no friends and being bullied constantly, he still has a positive disposition. The side characters are okay and some turned out to be interesting. Some names can be over the top, though.

I especially enjoyed the challenging clues to solve and the word plays are absolutely brilliant. I also like that Tick has a great relationship with his family and confided to his dad everything that is happening. The pacing is steady and the buildup for the important event is good. I was just a bit disappointed by the number of kids who passed the challenge. I expected a lot more.

It is easy to see how some adults may not like the simplicity of the writing and how things slowly played out, but considering the target readers, it’s understandable. I had a great time reading the book and I enjoy the humor, the adventure, and the mixture of fantasy and science. It is entertaining and no doubt a kind of book younger readers will appreciate.

I love the fact that they're short chapters (usually 5-6 pages long) and it makes it seem like I'm reading a whole lot quicker than I actually am. Along with that, I love all of the twists and turns that the book brings in each chapter.

The 13th Reality: Journal of Curious Letters is a young adult action fantasy that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The fast paced storyline never lets up. The brain teasers the lead character is challenged with solving are utterly ridiculous and awesome. And, simply put, I loved it!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.

You cannot go wrong with anything written by Mr. Dashner! Maze Runner series was wonderful and every kid, and some adults, who read the series loved it! This one is intelligent, too. It's well-written, has adventure, a suspenseful plot, riddles to solve likable characters... it's an all around great read for summer reading! bet if you get it for a favorite kid in your life, they will enjoy it!

After the recent speculation surrounding James Dashner in the press of late, I feel uncomfortable reviewing this book on my blog.  Whilst I realise accusations are not proof, I am choosing not to review this book.  Thank you for allowing me to review it though.

It took me some time to get into this book, but once I did I enjoyed it.

From the writing style I knew this tale would not resolve itself in one book; all the tell-tale signs were there.  Sloooooow moving.  Cannot recall the name of one character from the book.  Cannot recommend to anyone.

This review has been edited due to recent allegations against the author and is no reflection on the work itself..

This is a plot format that's becoming increasingly familiar. Middle grade kids thrust into an unexpected adventure  as part of an unlikely team, in this case involving puzzles and multiple dimensions. A slightly tired concept can still work if the execution is novel enough, but I'm not certain this one is. It was trying too hard to be quirky. I liked some elements, like how only the vastly different realities can persist. And there is the promise of some intriguing secrets around Twig.

I could not get into this book. I do normally like James' writing but this seemed very different to his other series. I'm sure others will enjoy it, but it simply wasn't for me.

The 13th Reality: Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner a well written, cleaver story of clues and intrigue for mid-grade readers.  The reader gets to take an adventure with a boy named Tick, when he receives a mysterious letter in the mail and goes on an adventure.

I requested this book from NetGalley because the title and cover reminded me of "Warren the 13th and the All Seeing Eye." And most of the book reminded me of that, sort of a new story but mostly familiar tropes. Prime reality? Earth Prime? 
Atticus 'Tick' Higgenbottom is one of many people to receive an envelope inviting him into danger. But he seems to be one of the few who answers the call. He is trying to solve the 12 clues that are very slowly being given to him while trying to make it through school alive. 

Three stars
This book comes out February 8
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

I received a free ecopy of this book in return for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley and and the publisher for the opportunity.

The Journal of Curious Letters is a re-release. First released in 2008, it is presumably hoped that the success of The Maze Runner will help sales. This book is a whole different ball game. Unlike The Maze Runner, which is a Young Adult dystopian with a pretty high body count, The Journal Of Curious Letters is middle grade fiction with mild danger. 

Reminiscent of the early Harry Potter books in its style and humour, TJCL is about a boy who receives a letter and strange things begin to happen. Unlike HP, this books explains these things with vague references to quantum physics. Most of the book involved Atticus (Tick) working out word puzzles and building up to a major event that didn’t occur till quite late in the book. I mimicked Tick’s impatience and felt the main action could have come along quicker.

I felt that some of the obstacles were overcome too quickly and easily, though given the age range this is aimed at, this may not be such a bad thing. Also some of the dialogue was a bizarre and perhaps based a little to heavily on stereotypes.

There were some great elements to the book though. You were given plenty of opportunity to work the puzzles out for yourself (I was too lazy for the most part). Also Tick has a lovely family, especially dad who is supportive without taking over. By the end of the book, there was still enough unexplained mystery to draw you to the next book. 

This is a book that would provide entertainment and enjoyment to a younger, pre-teen reader (and some adults too).

I quite enjoyed this but it felt a little bit young at times, fun characters and some interesting ideas. Think it could have worked better if it had been aimed slightly older. I was expecting teen but this was very much 9-12.