Cover Image: Relatively Normal Secrets

Relatively Normal Secrets

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I really enjoyed this time and can see it being read in school from year 4 onwards-the adventures Tuesday and axed have are literally out of this world and did I mention they have a dog-not any dog mind you!

Was this review helpful?

I love this book! It is a great beginning to a world of mystery and conflict. It would be ideal for the middle grades set (4-6th grade). The performance of the audiobook was good. I felt that it was just the right pace for a read along with the book in hand.

Was this review helpful?

Fantastical adventure with precocious kids? Yes please.
Alternate world to explore? Sign me up.
Magical hellhound pet? I want one.

This story is good fun, and Ivy Tara Blair does a fine job with the audiobook narration. My main struggles are with the pacing and interest level for kids. There are a few fun puzzle elements whose simplicity points to a target age group of young middle grade. But then the book spends time explaining things like how self-sufficient a rebellion settlement is. Does any kid actually care about the details of how a camp sustains itself?
The suspense of figuring out exactly what secrets adults have been keeping helps to drive the story. But all the buildup ends in a quick explanatory reveal and abrupt ending. The book by itself doesn't feel much like a complete story and while the urgency to continue with book 2 is probably good for sales, it feels heavy-handed.
Relying strongly on vibes, I suspect that readers of A Series of Unfortunate Events and Percy Jackson will enjoy this series. I'd love to know if my prediction is accurate!

Was this review helpful?

This would be a good Sci-fi/fantasy book for an older child. Tuesday and Zed are wondering what their parents really do. Are they in for many surprises when they are left behind at home when their parents are away. Read the book and find out what adventures they are dropped into. This is the first book in a series, this book really sets the scene for the second book. I thought this book was a little less exciting than the second book. Thanks to Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine.

Was this review helpful?