4.06 Stars from 1,504 GoodReaders
MALICE is so much fun.
If your children liked the "GooseBumps" series and are ready for a
longer tale in the same vein, then they might want to take a look at
Chris Wooding's "Malice".
The premise of the story is that there is a mysterious comic book series called "Malice" that if you have it in your possession, and then say the right words and burn the right set of ingredients, that you can be 'transported' into the comic book-world by the villainous guy that you see here on the cover, Tall Jake. The catch is that the world is just awful -- filled with monstrous creatures and machines that will hunt you down and kill you.
Now you might be wondering who on earth would want to take part in such an experiment, but the truth is that it's mostly done because the children don't really believe that it can happen. They are just fooling around and challenging each other. Too bad it works.
Talking Points:::The writing in "Malice" was much better than I expected. (I don't know why my expectations were low.) Not only is the book well written, it's well plotted; and it wouldn't surprise me at all if kids stay up late trying to finish it.
As far as appearance, I have to say that the cover is really eye-catching. It features Tall Jake and he and the "Malice" lettering are raised and touchable and just the sort of thing that ought to have this book whizzing off the shelves.
Inside the print is good sized and easily readable. AND... in addition, there are plenty of grayscale drawings by Dan Chernett. These illustrations are divided into panels just like you would find in a comic book, which obviously supports the storyboard concept of being drawn into the mysterious comic book series. As far as I can remember, all of the violence in the world (and there's quite a bit) is portrayed in these drawings.
Overall, this book isn't going to be for everyone. It's scary and fast paced though, and since there's both male and female characters I think "Malice" is going to appeal equally to Middle Schoolers of both genders. At least those who like a scary adventure story.
Beginning of a series.
The premise of the story is that there is a mysterious comic book series called "Malice" that if you have it in your possession, and then say the right words and burn the right set of ingredients, that you can be 'transported' into the comic book-world by the villainous guy that you see here on the cover, Tall Jake. The catch is that the world is just awful -- filled with monstrous creatures and machines that will hunt you down and kill you.
Now you might be wondering who on earth would want to take part in such an experiment, but the truth is that it's mostly done because the children don't really believe that it can happen. They are just fooling around and challenging each other. Too bad it works.
Talking Points:::The writing in "Malice" was much better than I expected. (I don't know why my expectations were low.) Not only is the book well written, it's well plotted; and it wouldn't surprise me at all if kids stay up late trying to finish it.
As far as appearance, I have to say that the cover is really eye-catching. It features Tall Jake and he and the "Malice" lettering are raised and touchable and just the sort of thing that ought to have this book whizzing off the shelves.
Inside the print is good sized and easily readable. AND... in addition, there are plenty of grayscale drawings by Dan Chernett. These illustrations are divided into panels just like you would find in a comic book, which obviously supports the storyboard concept of being drawn into the mysterious comic book series. As far as I can remember, all of the violence in the world (and there's quite a bit) is portrayed in these drawings.
Overall, this book isn't going to be for everyone. It's scary and fast paced though, and since there's both male and female characters I think "Malice" is going to appeal equally to Middle Schoolers of both genders. At least those who like a scary adventure story.
Beginning of a series.
Pam~
MALICE
(Malice #1)
Scholastic
by Chris Wooding
Reading Information:
Word Count: 67,634
Page Count: 384
Accelerated Reading level: 4.5 / points: 10.0
AR quiz: 133618
Lexile: 650L
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