Hi guys! I'm so excited to be bringing you this book review today as I think this is possibly my favourite middle-grade book I've read this year.
The book I want to talk about today is the stunning Malice in Underland by Jenni Jennings.
Read on for my review...
First, here is the synopsis for Malice in Underland:
The Malign family don't just make mischief for fun. Oh no! Mischief is their business, and the business of mischief is a very serious matter. And as Underland representatives, it is their responsibility to maintain respectable levels of gruesome amongst us Topsiders.
But when grandad ghosts mysteriously start disappearing - including her own beloved grandad - Malice has no choice but to put aside her mischief and solve the case.
The story is a great little mystery for middle-grade readers and really had me hooked from the very first chapter. I was completely in love with the Malice and her family from the very beginning. They reminded me a bit of The Addams Family. Sometimes with a book, you feel it is either character driven - with the main character being the one thing that pulls you into the story and makes it happen - or plot driven, where the storyline is so exciting that you just want to know where it's going next. However, I feel this book is the perfect mix of the two: the character of Malice and her accomplices are so interesting, plus the story of the missing grandads and the places they travel to keep you wanting to read on.
I did especially love the settings within this book. The places Malice travels to, from The King's Head pub - that has an actual head at the entrance - to The Be-Careful-What-You-Wish For Emporium - run by three Shakespearesque witches - are all so interesting and creative.
I have to give a special mention to Hannah Peck, who has done the most incredibly beautiful illustrations for this book. I am honestly in love with the cover of this book and the drawings inside are amazing. Whether it be an occasional little bat, insect or teacup scattered amongst the writing or a full-page illustration of the characters or setting, I adored every single one of them and it really added to the story and reading experience. Well done, Hannah!
I'm also very excited by the fact that it says on the back of the book that this is the "first Underland adventure", meaning there is another book coming. I am beyond excited for that and I already can't wait to read it!
So, if it wasn't clear already, I absolutely adored this book and I know that this will be one that I reread again, probably every year around Halloween. I would also love to read this one with my class at school as I think they would really enjoy it too!
You can buy Malice in Underland here.
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