Haunting, hopeful, and full of wonderful characters. It’s perfect for the fall season.
The writing was lyrical yet had a punch. This book was so atmospheric and will be one I reread again. The audio had great narration and was amazing when having to do chores I hated.

I liked listening to this audiobook. It's true, I am a creature of habit and this book has key elements that I love in middle grade - misunderstandings, family secrets, bold children ready and willing for adventure and plenty of mystery. Add to that the fairy tale slant, an intelligent dog and interesting characters, you have all the ingredients for a thoroughly good read. Looking forward to the next instalment.

This was such a fun read. The characters were entertaining and I enjoyed reading it with my niece who also thoroughly enjoyed the storyline

Free audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.

Tuesday always knew there was something weird about their family. She entertains herself by making up all kinds of unlikely explanations. Her brother Zed is mostly just suffering hearing her out, but even he starts believing there might be something to it. When their parents go on a business trip, they finally have a chance to uncover the secrets. And discover a whole new world.

This is a very delightful story about kids and their "pet dog" trying to survive alone and get back home to their parents. They need to think on their feet and solve some puzzles. It reminded me quite a bit of the Deltora series.

Although it is written for children, it is not much dumbed down and I perfectly enjoyed myself listening to it as an adult.

Now, as I am reviewing the audio version, I need to mention the narration.
I tend to listen at 1.25 - 1.40 speed. As for this book, I had to listen at normal speed as the narrator speaks quite fast. Despite that, it’s not really a fast read-through because she makes a lot of pauses. Sometimes quite long ones. Not really so problematic, but what was a bit annoying sometimes was the over-dramatization. I think since this is not a book for small kids, it could be read with a bit more natural voice. The voice she was giving Tuesday also sounded a bit annoying at times.

But overall, I enjoyed listening to this story and I will be continuing with the series.

"Tuesday and Zed Furst are perfectly normal children with perfectly strange parents.
This book was fun and with an obsessive sense of adventure.

The siblings desperation to discover the secrets their parents keep from them resonated with me, especially with how they were only left to speculation and rumours. All the clues being connected by the siblings all lead to one definite thing, they are most definitely not adopted.

Of course that's not all though, but I couldn't possibly spoil this book for you, that would be a heinous crime.

However I do love how the author presents the concept that the reader should be appreciating their weird qualities just as much as their other qualities, declaring "normal" nothing but a construct that doesn't define you. And it was something I really appreciated.

But you should know it's definitely worth a read, or a listen (as I did thanks to NetGalley in return for an honest review).

So if you need a cute middle-grade mystery, look no further. This book is perfect for little kids, and even as far as adults, especially if you have a poor attention span for audiobooks!

This book was so fun. Allen's worldbuilding was richly detailed and playful. Tuesday and Zed delightful heroes to spend a few pages with. I look forward to reading Allen's next book.

I recommend this one for younger middle grade readers as it has a relatively simple plot. However, it does deal with some darker themes, so it might be worth it to preview ahead of time. Overall, a diverting fantasy romp similar to Spy Kids in many ways.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an audio galley in. exchange for a fair and honest review.

It was a nice and funny audiobook!
I enjoyed listening to it but I found quite annoying when the narrator made Tuesday's voice... really annoying!
Anyway, I loved Tuesday and Zed, I liked their personalities but I'm not really sure if it was according to their age...
I liked all the mystery around the parents and the plot (didn't see that coming)

Of course, I want to make my nephew listen to it when he grows up

Great audiobook. Great narrator. Interesting witchy story. Great middle grade. Really loved the interaction of the story

Loved this book, it's really fun to listen to at work and the narrator did a good job putting life into the characters.

Ho. Hum. For Zed and Tuesday, life is "relatively normal." Sure they live pretty far from school and friends. And then there are some unexplained mysteries. Every other kid in school has no trouble saying what their parents jobs are, but Zed and Tuesday suddenly realize they have no clue what their dad goes when he goes off to "work". But nothing could prepare them for the adventure ahead.

With their parents on a rare business trip, Zed and Tuesday come home from school before heading to the neighbor's house. A knock at the door. Two men. And their dog Nix ... well we'll leave that unsaid.

So begins an adventure with surprises, danger, and fun.

Gratitude to NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook.

Ivy Tara Blair's narration is lively and engaging, beginning the story to life.

The story is clever and the children are bright and capable. The plot moves steadily forward with exciting bits sprinkled liberally through out.

This is a story about Tuesday and Zed, who one day find out about their family secret, big secret, that changes their whole life. Tuesday always thinks that their family is not an ordinary one. Who knows, she turns out right!

I liked Tuesday and Zed's adventure in Falinnheim. I enjoyed following them in solving some riddles. Overall, this book has a good story, but I think it is predictable. The hints that the author put throughout the story are quite obvious.

For the narrator, I think she did a great job accentuating the characters' personality and their expression in dialogues.

Book Title: Relatively Normal Secrets’
Author: C. W. Allen
Series: The Falinnheim Chronicles
Narrator: Ivy Tara Blair
Publisher: Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC
Genre: Middle Grade Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Pub Date: September 7, 2022
My Rating; 3.7 rounded up

This is first in this series and I read and love the second book [book: The Secret Benefits of Invisibility].
In this story Tuesday and Zed Furst believe they are relatively normal but their friends think differently.
• It seems strange that they live in an isolated area away from everyone.
• Seems strange that mom doesn’t go anywhere without ‘Nix’ her guard dog!
• It seemed strange when Tuesday class assignment was to do an essay on her parent’s profession. Tuesday knew mom stayed home but didn’t know what dad did.
• It seemed strange when Zed’s school assignment was to do a family tree and his parents said they didn’t have an extended family.

This has them thinking perhaps they were adopted - or stolen - or they are in a witness protection program.

When their parents go out of town for a ‘so called’ business trip, and before heading next door to stay with their kindly neighbor- Tuesday opens the door thinking it is their neighbor. However, it is two men with weird shaped weapons push their way in. Zed and Tuesday escape and soon find they are trapped in ‘Falinnheim’

Although slow in parts it was still a good red!!!
The audiobook narrator Ivy Tara Blair does a great job in performing the character.
I believe this story will help children see that differences are really okay!

I know I am not the target audience for this book but as an educator I love to read children as well as YA stories. When parents find out that I am an avid reader they’ll often ask if I have any recommendations. ~ I can always say~ as a matter of fact - Yes I do!

Want to thank NetGalley and Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC (Member of IBPA- Independent Book Publishers Association) for granted me the pleasure of listening to this eGalley. Publishing Release Date was September 7, 2022

I was very excited for this book it had all the elements I enjoy espionage with supernatural elements, multiple realities and interesting characters.
The book started as most do laying down the base story it was moving along well but I kept getting the feeling that the writer was trying to force the point that this was a book with magical elements which ruined the flow of the story in parts especially in the beginning chapter.
The story felt predictable at many points during the book as well as taking too long and being overly descriptive about things that didn't need it only to rush certain parts that could have used more time such as the nursery rhymes that part was clever and interesting.
I understand that this book is probably setting up as a series judging by how the book ends but it felt rushed when it didn't need to be, if there are more books I would like to read them as I believe these characters could have amazing adventures and the story has a lot of potential.
For the few hiccups this book has overall it is quite enjoyable and I hope it does well for the Author.

It’s been a while since I read a middle grade book and “Relatively Normal Secrets” sounded like something right around my corner. It has mystery and magic, children, a whole new world and a Gabriel Hound, that is a huge dog with magical abilities. What’s not to like about all that?

Tuesday and Zed and perfectly normal children! Their family not very much though! They don’t exactly know what their father does for a living, his job is not a discussion topic. Their mother never leaves their house without her gourd dog, Nyx. Also, they have no relatives, the children never met anyone, and the children were never able to create a family tree as there was information made available to them.

One day, their parents need to leave for a business trip. Tuesday and Zed check all their things trying to find something abnormal. Something that would explain all the secrets their parents keep, but they come emptyhanded. However, when their parents leave, they are more vulnerable than ever. Their snooping around is interrupted when some very bad and dangerous looking people suddenly appear at their house. They only manage to escape thanks to Nyx, who out of sudden appears to have magical abilities. Thankfully, they remember their family meeting spot, a huge tree. One moment, they are at the tree and the next moment they find themselves at a strange and peculiar place. Nyx has managed to get transported with them, so they see a familiar face. But they also see the face of a man they never saw before. He claims to know their parents and he tells them that they are in danger, and they cannot return home. To do that, they would need to have a special device that looks like a compass, like the one he is holding in his hands. They also learn they are no longer in the world they have lived all their lives. They are now at Fallinnheim, which is in another dimension and is a mixed of medieval and futuristic world. Soon, the man that saved them leaves them all alone, and it is up to Tuesday and Zed to find their way around, without any knowledge of this whole new world, without any money to get something to eat and without actually having any idea what to do. Their parents’ secrets seem to be in the way of their survival in Fallinnheim. But just as they start to lose faith, they find messages hidden nursery rhymes and they understand that someone is trying to help them, and they find hope again.

This story has everything a middle grader would appreciate. Relatable characters, children of the same age that go on an adventure, meeting interesting people, both dangerous and helpful. Tuesday and Zed are two amazing characters! It is always easy to understand whose voice is heard and it is not only because of the narrator, who has done a great job, but also because of the writing. I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and I would recommend it to children or anyone else that likes reading middle grade books. There’s a lot of action, but none so graphical that would be inappropriate for children.

Thank you to NetGalley & Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC for an advance copy of this book. The views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.

2.5 This book had a lot of action/adventure following a pair of relatable siblings battling secrets hidden from them by their parents. I enjoyed the interactions between characters, the secrets, and of course the dog companion. I did find my attention wandering while listening (not sure if it was the narrator or the plot) and felt myself underwhelmed at points, jumbled with pacing, and confused about the sudden jump to another part of the story. While the plot was magical and I love a good portal jump, the story didn't wow me as compared to others I've read with young children going on a magical quest. On the other hand, I can see younger readers enjoying this story, especially if they haven't read a similar plot before, but higher level readers may struggle to find interest.

I do love a good 'parents are undercover spies' adventure! This book dives almost immediately into the action, and it doesn't let up throughout.
I wonder if this is the start of a series. While the main story is concluded, there's a big opening for a next book to find out what happens to the family next.
I enjoyed the narration but it was a little too energetic for me. That much liveliness gets a bit tiring after a while.

A wonderful whimsical tale of mystery and adventure.

Just the kind of book I'd have loved to read at this age fast paced and set in an alternative world full of magic portals, technology with some extinct animals thrown in for good measure.

I listened to this on audio and the narrater was enjoyable although I maybe would have like to see two different voice actors voice the two main characters as I think it would have given it a bit of extra dimension.

Thank you to Net Galley the author and publisher for allowing me an audio copy to review. 3.5 rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook!
Tuesday and Zed Furst are normal kids with weird parents. They always felt like their parents had kept things from them. Maybe they were adopted, or maybe their parents kidnapped them when they were very young. Tuesday had plenty of strange ideas about their parents' secrets. Even their pet, Nyx, was weird. Nyx is a smart, and huge dog, who was only obedient around their mum. One day, inspired by their parents' upcoming business trip, Tuesday and Z decided to snoop around, and expose the secret but to no avail. After their parents leave, their snooping was interrupted by a pair of dangerous-looking, uniformed men attempting to kidnap them. Thankfully, Nyx intervened with her magical abilities allowing Tuesday and Zed the perfect escape to a huge tree their father had mentioned as a meeting spot in case of trouble. Soon after arriving at the tree a light descended towards them and transported them to the same forest in a different dimension called Fallinnheim. It was now up to Tuesday and Zed to find their way around this unfamiliar territory. With the help of clues hidden in nursery rhymes posted in different places around the towns of Fallinnheim, Tuesday and Zed inch closer to being reunited with their parents. But soon they will find out there are many people who wish to harm them because of their parents' secrets. Not everything is so grim for the siblings, on their journey they will form unexpected kinship which brings more answers than they ever hoped to find.

This is a lovely story filled with fantastical elements and a mystery that keeps the momentum going. Our protagonists with quirky names are intelligent and quite mature for their age. Tuesday is fierce and snappy, while Zed is more quiet, perceptive, and always writing things down in his notebook. The narrator, Ivy Tara Blair, does a great job of bringing all the characters to life. She gives a lively performance, making it easy to know which character is speaking and expressing their emotions accordingly. The world-building is soft and simple; it expands the story and shapes it into a memorable collage. The story's second half is set in a cave base hidden by a waterfall. One of the rooms is wall-to-wall covered in glow-in-the-dark mushrooms, and yes, it's my favorite place.
The story is action-driven, goal-oriented, and fast-paced. Despite that, there are enough moments for our protagonists to bond with other characters and engage in conversations that spark emotional growth. All in all, I enjoyed this story so so much, which is why I immediately listened to the second part.

Firstly, I must thank Netgalley, the author and the publishers for providing an Audiobook of this book for me to review!

Relatively Normal Secrets is a Middle Grade Fantasy narrated from Zed Furst's point of view, as he and his sister question everything their parents do and don't, and once they are thrown into a whole new world, literally, they slowly start grasping the foundations of the world, and discovering that their pet dog, is a little more than just a big smart dog, amongst other great findings.

I want to start by saying this book was definitely listed properly, and I knew what to expect and wasn't disappointed by what I faced when I started reading. This one said it was middle grade fantasy and it was aimed at children, and it was written for that exact category!

I will say, as a 25 years old adult, I might've immersed myself in the story a little too much! Lol.

The book was extremely enjoyable and the narration was super exciting! The plotline was intriguing and the characters just good enough! I loved that it was literally in the last two chapters that we discover everything, and yet there are so many questions left unanswered.

I for one, am excited for the rest if the journey!