#denis markell

Book #130 of 2020:

Click Here to Start by Denis Markell

I like how this middle-grade adventure novel manages to educate readers about America’s Japanese internment camps while maintaining its lightweight tone, but the characters make a few too many lucky guesses that happen to pan out, especially for a treasure hunt that’s supposed to be meticulously planned. There are just so many spots in this narrative where the trail could / should have gone completely cold, and not enough explanation behind certain developments that verge on science-fiction (like an online escape-the-room game that only the protagonist can access, which mirrors his own life in uncanny detail). It’s a story that’s fun in the moment but falls apart the longer you think about its mysteries, and although there’s some indication at the end that a sequel might follow to clear more of that up, I’m not sure this volume is satisfying enough to merit trusting the author for level two.

★★★☆☆

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Ever wanted to read a book where your tabletop #rpg characters come to life!? Check out "The Game Masters of Garden Place" by Denis Markell! #bookreview #fantasy #reading #amreading #TheGameMastersOfGardenPlace #DenisMarkell

Warning: This review contains spoilers for “The Game Masters of Garden Place” by Denis Markell. If you want to avoid spoilers, please head to a different book review.

Cover of “The Game Masters of Garden Place” by Denis Markell.

I’m back with another book review, and this time I’m reviewing “The Game Masters of Garden Place” by Denis Markell! Here’s a summary so we know what it’s about:

“What if…

Middle School Monday: Click Here to Start by Denis Markell 

Ted is great at playing video games, especially the ones where he has to solve lots of puzzles. It seems strange when his great uncle, who is dying in a hospital, seems very interested in Ted’s ability to solve puzzles. Ted doesn’t think about it much until the reading of his great uncle’s will, because he left Ted all of the treasures that Ted can find in his apartment. This begins a hunt for hidden treasure that will take Ted and his friends in dangerous and exciting directions they’ll never expect. 

Middle School Monday: The Ghost in Apartment 2R by Denis Markell

Danny’s older brother is moving out and going to college, which means that Danny will finally be able to move into Jake’s old room. The first problem occurs when Danny’s parents explain that they need to rent out the room to strangers instead. The second problem occurs when Danny discovers that the room might be haunted. This is a smart and funny paranormal mystery that takes Danny and his friends to different parts of Brooklyn to learn about different types of ghosts, and to try to discover why a ghost is haunting his apartment.