Middle Grade Book Review - The Frankenstein Adventures by Bil Richardson

I’m not a big fan of horror and things like Frankenstein but when I saw "The Frankenstein Adventures" by Bil Richardson with the note "Celebrating Frankenstein's 200th Anniversary" and a low price I purchased it.

Book Blurb

This is the story of Frankenstein told from the vantage point of Igor, the bumbling, brave boy who will risk everything to save his master’s flawed creation. Hilarious and heartwarming – this is a book that will make you stand up and cheer one minute and fall down laughing the next. Igor’s heart is in the right place even though parts of his body aren’t. He is a loveable, lopsided fellow who has more courage and strength than any of the adults who look down on him. When things go wrong with his boss’s “experiment,” Igor sees it as his duty to save the day – even though most days he is the one who needs saving. Our hilarious hero has to overcome enormous odds on his mission to rescue the most important achievement in human history – the creation of life. Follow Igor on his amazing adventure to prove that he is more than just a not-so-pretty face. This book is being released in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of the original Frankenstein’s first publication. 

The story is simple. A geeky scientist named Victor Frankenstein lives with his wife & a misshapen boy, Igor. As a scientist, Victor's work is his devotion. He belongs to a family of ill repute and his work has made him an outcast to his village. His life's goal is to create life. After years of experimenting he succeeds but the creation runs away the moment it opens its eyes. Victor and Igor both make the mistake of not following the creation - and that is how misfortune falls upon him. The creation (who later names himself Frank) meets very few good people, and most consider him a monster.  Later he is re-united with his creator. Victor’s life is made more difficult when his old competitor/foe does something sinister. But you’ll have to read the story learn more about that.

The book is written for Middle Grade and I think word selection and language usage is done wisely for the audience. Also, the length of the book is also adequate for the targeted age.

There is a good amount of thrills, action, and adventure in the story, but the author's main focus is to touch human nature and show its good and bad side. Though Frankenstein was created with a criminal's brain he became good due to the good people he met on his journey. And though his counterpart Angfang was created with a Nobel prize winner's brain, he was influenced by a sinister person and became evil. I think such hidden messages are delivered to kids without making them bored because it is such a cute story. 

Ratings

1. Cover - 3.5/5
2. Concept - 3.5/5
3. Characters - 4.5/5
4. Overall - 4/5

The book can be found at Amazon India and Amazon USA

Reviews from other readers can be found at GoodReads