‘Wonderscape’ is ‘Ready Player One’ meets ‘Jumanji’ with escape room-style puzzles that Arthur, Cecily and Ren must solve after they accidentally stumble into a portal whilst investigating some exploding gnomes. The three children only know each other by sight from school but must find a way to work together as they move through various realms solving puzzles.

Realms are the different worlds that make up the Wonderscape and each has a different theme from Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt to Space. The children are helped along the way by a dog called Cloud (who seems to know his way around the realms) as well as ‘heroes’ located in the realms whom they meet after completing the challenges. They are also rewarded with a ‘realmkey’ after completing the challenges which opens a Wonderway (portal) to another realm.

The realms are occupied by robots called ‘mimics’ that come in two types – T-class and V-class – although they are not always very friendly. Other ‘Wanderers’ (those solving the puzzles) can also be found in the realms and Arthur, Cecily and Ren must wear ‘Wondercloaks’ so that they don’t stand out. The Wondercloaks offer guidance to the wanderers on their various quests.

Hxperion is the company behind Wonderscape and was created by three siblings: Milo Hertz, Tiburon Nox and Valeria Mal’fey. The children discover that Milo is missing and the more they learn about this, the more they realise that finding him is the key to them being able to get home.

The imagination and creativity behind this book is astounding; I was totally immersed in the realms of the Wonderscape due to the detailed descriptions and was racing to solve the puzzles along with the characters. This is a fantastic, modern adventure story for children aged 9 and up who love computer games, time travel, or something totally different from anything they’ve ever read before. Also suitable for older readers who remember playing computer games as a child!

What an amazing book! Arthur ends up in a mysterious game from the future with two girls from school, and has to solve challenges and work out what is going wrong, and get back to his own time before time runs out. Absolutely thrilling, with great characters, a convincing plot and lots of real life facts. Each realm of the game has a real life hero, for example Edison, Shelley and Isaac Newton. I loved the fact that these heroes encompassed African women, a Muslim navigator and other people that might not usually appear in a canon of heroes. This would really appeal to confident readers aged ten and up, and unusually, the subject matter is completely suitable for anyone in this age group. The book has a broad appeal but would particularly be enjoyed by children who like computer games and facts, even though it is a well written narrative. It reminded me of a (much better written!) Ready Player One. Flavours of time travel, science fiction and classic children's adventure, with a message about friendship and appreciating your family.

One of the best books I have read all year! I was immediately drawn in with the excellent theming and video game style – just like VR games. The premise of three children getting stuck in a game is just really exciting and the story did not disappoint. This reminded me of Jumanji and other video games and honestly, I could not stop reading for wanting to know what happened next.

All three main characters were likeable and intriguing. Their backstory was subtly interweaved throughout the plot at no detriment to the pace. This was an incredibly easy read and well, Cloud! Any story with an animal companion immediately wins me over anyway.

Poignant ending, “our futures are full of possibility”.

An action-packed, rip-roaring adventure that's full of fun and charm - Wonderscape launches you straight into the action.
3 kids investigate a case of exploding garden gnomes on the way to school before being flung through a portal to the future and thrust into an immersive game where each world contains an historical figure to be defeated.
The 3 main characters quickly bond as they face a race against time to find a way home before it's too late. Realms or worlds are themed around different historical figures and they must complete the challenge in that world to progress through to the next. As the progress they realise that there is more wrong with the future and more problems to overcome than just finding a way home.
Perhaps not words you generally associate with science fiction premise, but this was a genuinely heart-warming, almost cosy read, despite the breakneck speed and gaming themes. The characters were interesting, likeable and there are some nice themes of friendship, not judging people, and overcoming fears.

One of the best books I have read all year! I was immediately drawn in with the excellent theming and video game style – just like VR games. The premise of three children getting stuck in a game is just really exciting and the story did not disappoint. This reminded me of Jumanji and other video games and honestly, I could not stop reading for wanting to know what happened next.

All three main characters were likeable and intriguing. Their backstory was subtly interweaved throughout the plot at no detriment to the pace. This was an incredibly easy read and well, Cloud! Any story with an animal companion immediately wins me over anyway.

Poignant ending, “our futures are full of possibility”.

It is no secret that Jennifer Bell's 'The Uncommoners' trilogy is one of my favourite children's series. Wonderscape had a lot to live up to and it largely delivered!

A story based on the author's love of gaming and historical heroes is something I will always be interested in. Bell has created a speculative world where gaming has reached a whole new level, and I loved exploring the universe she created through the eyes of the protagonists. Unusually for a futuristic novel, the premise was both imaginative and believable.

There were a couple of things that, as a teacher, I wish the editors had picked up on. Firstly, using 'who's' instead if 'whose' early in the book was jarring. We all make typos but I would have expected an editor to notice. Secondly, there is a part in the book where the characters have to enter a 12-character password, yet the solution is greater than 12 characters (saying no more to avoid spoilers!).

These issues aside, this is a very strong start to what I hope will be a hugely successful series. I don't think Jennifer got anywhere near enough credit for her excellent first series, but I can see 'Wonderscape' rectifying that.

Travel with wonder into a gaming experience like no other. Wonderscape hooked me from the opening line.

When Arthur, Ren and Cecily investigate a garden full of exploded gnomes, they are teleported through time and space into the middle of an in-reality adventure game where they come face to face with heroes from human history.

Buy this now if your middle grade reader likes video games and adventure. In fact, buy it even if they don't, because Wonderscape is a brilliant novel that sucks you straight into the heart of the action and will be enjoyed by a huge range of readers.

The concept of Wonderscape was superb. I loved all the subtly included STEM aspects through the puzzles, challenges and characters. The historical heroes were a really strong addition, with unlikely cross-time conversations and a few inspirational figures I hadn't heard of before. Bell's world was intricately developed and described in depth and detail. The reader is plunged headlong into an extreme video-game, escape-room scenario (perfect escapism for right now). I really hope the characters return to Wonderscape for another adventure; there are so many realms left to explore!

Children will love Bell's characters. Arthur, Ren and Cecily were very relatable - brave and kind, but also full of doubts and insecurities. Cloud, the time-travelling dog who acts as their guide, is another highlight.

Thank you so much to Walker books for letting me review an eARC of Wonderscape. I really hope this isn't the last time I visit Bell's incredible world - I would especially love to see this book as a film.

While investigating some mysterious exploding garden gnomes on their way to school, Arthur, Ren and Cecily are sucked through a portal to another planet, 400 years in the future, and find themselves in the Wonderscape—an in-reality adventure game featuring famous historical characters.

As they play their way through the various realms, they must learn to conquer their own fears as well as their prejudices about each other so they can work together to find a way to escape and get back to their own time. But behind the entertaining facade of the Wonderscape, there is something sinister going on—can Arthur, Ren and Cecily solve the mystery of the missing founder and help the others trapped in the game before their time runs out?

Wonderscape is a fun, fast-paced and immersive story, perfect for fans of the new Jumanji films and Anna James’s Pages and Co. series. Jennifer Bell creates the sense of being in another dimension in a way that will appeal to gamers, but with real-life stakes. I particularly enjoyed the juxtaposition of the futuristic gaming-theme with the fascinating stories of real historical figures—some more obscure than others.

And I love the beautiful cover design—it perfectly encapsulates this thrilling world of imagination and possibility. Highly recommended.

Wonderscape is quite honestly one of the most propelling middle-grade books I have read, possibly ever! After putting this book through the CAWPILE rating system (created by Book Roast), it came out at a final score of 8.57, which is a rather high 4 star!

Wonderscape is pitched as a middle-grade Jumanji meets Ready Player One, and although I'm not too familiar with the latter, I can definitely see how this comparison is drawn. Our three main characters, Arther, Ren, and Cecily are spontaneously transported to an In-Reality-Adventure-Game 400 years in the future and must complete the levels to meet the heroes and work out how to get home before their time runs out. But there's so much more to it than that, and the complexity of this world and the details written in blew me away.

From page 1 the action kicks off, and it simply doesn't slow down. It's such a propelling read, a real page turner throwing you into new adventures in every chapter, from a research vessel in the arctic to a sweltering desert, to a gothic castle and haunted labyrinth - there's so much for our heroes to overcome. Along the way we also learn about the lives of the protagonists, and how although they may all come from different backgrounds and lead very different lives, a friendship can blossom! It was such a heartwarming journey to go on with these kids, and promotes such an inspiring message to young readers about overcoming fears and believing in yourself and your friends.

I had such an incredibly fun time reading this, the worlds visited are so vivid and creative, and the added layer of the real-life icons such as Isaac Newton, Thomas Eddison, and Mary Shelley to name a few, add something really special to this story. I loved every moment!

Thank you to NetGalley and Walker Books for the e-arc of this!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3310974877

A fast paced fun and captivating read by Jennifer Bell, Readers both young and old will be drawn in to a story full of sci-fi goodness, real life heroes and captivating characters that will have you quickly turning the pages to find out what happens next.

This is one of the most highly anticipated books of 2020! Gaming, time travel and adventure are thrown together in this fascinating book.
"The story you hold in your hands describes a voyage to distant lands. An adventure through time and space, A quest to save our heroes' fate. You will encounter within these pages great people from across the ages. So open up and turn the cover, Wonderscape is yours to discover”.

The perfect book to suite the gamer in your life, or the arm chair explorer or the dreamer. There is truly something for everyone in this MG fantasy!
We meet Arthur, Ren and Cecily as an explosion rocks a house on their estate. Drawn in to the house to rescue a dog, the action starts before we know much about the characters. A door closes and another opens- however it is a portal to a ship and 300 years into the future.
Given rhyming clues and the chance to chat with famous and important figures from history helps them on their quest- not only to save one of the writers of the game but themselves. Newton has delivered the news that they have a limited time to beat the game or the game with turn them into protoplasm. Beating levels, solving riddles and sharing pieces of themselves takes the reader through the ups and downs of an in reality adventure game.
I was completely engrossed in this book, loving the characters, finding the possibilities endless for direction and the premise fascinating.
Current gamers will love the reality side of a game, arm chair adventurers will love the travel and clues to be solved.

I can promise this won’t be on our shelves for long!

This is a book that will capture the imagination of many many children, I loved reading it. I would love it if there were sequels to this book, to learn about more of the realms and what might happen if certain characters come back, but of course that is up to Jennifer Bell. No doubt this book will go down a treat with everyone who reads it.