The toy robot accompanies Alex and Grandpa to Paris and as the story unfolds we discover its history and why the evil villains in the story will stop at nothing to get it. But Alex’s robot isn’t the only robot, there are also armies of toy robots, life sized robots and fliers (drone like robots). Time and time again Alex and his grandfather have to defend themselves from the robots and the girl who unleashes them.

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love | Goodreads

An ingenious tale… an array of menacing miniature machines equipped with whirling blades; a mystery that it takes the whole book to gradually unravel…and a properly apocalyptic Christmas finale” – BOOKS FOR KEEPS When twelve-year-old Alex receives an old tin robot in the post, the note from his grandfather simply reads: 'This one is special'. But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn't take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly. The story is very fast paced, and kept me engaged all throughout. The author's writing is very fresh and easy to glide through, with vivid imagery of the setting and robots and magic. He took magic and science and mixed them up together to create some dangerous tin monsters, human and mechanical assassins and a story filled with action. What fun! An evil villain, a host of scary robots, big and small, and a hero with commendably bad personal habits. Loved it!' * John Flanagan, New York Times bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice series * Hugely original, exciting debut novel… a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour… Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.’ The TimesQUESTIONS. I had so many questions during the story and they barely got answered. By the end of the book, I was hoping to at least understand more of what was going on but.. that didn't happen? I know there'll be a sequel, but I hate having this many questions left after finishing a book. I'm not a fan of open endings in general and this honestly feels like one. What fun! An evil villain, a host of scary robots, big and small, and a hero with commendably bad personal habits. Loved it!” – JOHN FLANAGAN, New York Times bestselling author of the Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband series And we’re off: Alex’s grandfather takes him on the run, leaving little Britain behind and heading out into the big, wild, snowy world. The much-missed Broadcast drew a lot from the old film and TV music that haunted them, and this is like the theme from a jet-setting 1960s mystery that was never made, and should have been.

The Shadow Arts: Monstrous Devices, Book 2 - Common Sense Media The Shadow Arts: Monstrous Devices, Book 2 - Common Sense Media

His grandfather was pretty obnoxious in general. He was constantly flippant and capable of solving any problem they came across easily, leaving little to no sense of actual danger. He was also incredibly cavalier with the life of his grandson. He sent a robot to him knowing full well it could put him in danger because he didn't want this other group to have it. What the flip Gramps? Dan Smith is an author who knows the horror genre incredibly well, and he brings just the right elements of it into his children’s books. Below Zero is my favourite of his longer novels – it is genuinely chilling (and with a perfect chilly setting that brings the action and scares to life) and brilliantly written. His current Crooked Oak series with Barrington Stoke is also fantastic and the perfect way into horror for young readers. The Bigwoof Conspiracy by Dashe RobertsAdventure, mystery and tin-toy terror! An absolutely ripping read from start to finish.' -- Tom Huddleston, author of Floodworld Published today by OneWorld Publications, Glasgow-based writer Damien Love’s MONSTROUS DEVICES is a wild, weird and spookily magical children’s adventure (featuring killer robots) highly recommended for readers aged 9–99! Don’t just take our word for it – ask The Times, who gave the book a rave review this week. This grandad and grandson adventure has all the hallmarks of a whopping kids’ thriller.’ The Big Issue, Kids’ Books of the year Director Chris Sivertson takes the monster movie to a new, more sophisticated level in Monstrous. The movie's creature is likely to freak out young teens, who may not appreciate the movie's upside-down story. But parents will not only appreciate the plot; they're also the ones who will feel their hearts ripped out as the film, and Laura, unspools.

Monstrous Devices | Rock The Boat Monstrous Devices | Rock The Boat

Damien Love’s MONSTROUS DEVICES is a devilishly creepy children’s book about a young boy’s journey with his grandfather. Twelve-year-old Alex collects toy robots, but when his grandfather sends him a strange, very old looking, little tin robot, neither of them are prepared for what happens. The robot itself seems to have a mysterious connection to Alex, and it isn’t long before he and his grandfather are traveling through Europe (with stops in Paris and Prague) to prevent a cadre of strange people (and their minions) from acquiring a supernatural power. I am usually up for a multigenerational adventure, but the relationships between family members that holds those stories together was very much absent in this book. At no point did I really understand or relate to any of the characters, nor they to each other. The setting was mysterious and mostly enjoyable, but the plot, like the characterization, was disjointed and choppy.Hugely original, exciting debut novel... a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour... Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.' The Times Another assured debut that takes its protagonist somewhere unexpected... Fans of Anthony Horowitz will love Monstrous Devices.' * Irish Times *

new picture books and novels - The Guardian the best new picture books and novels - The Guardian

The mystery leads Alex and his grandfather to Prague in the Czech Republic, just as the city is preparing for Christmas. This local hymn is something that might be overheard coming from an old church as they go hurrying through the Old Town. A great read. The descriptive writing really created an incredible image in my mind of what was happening. Can't wait for the sequel.' * Max, aged 14 * There is plenty to enjoy about this book. A boy and his grandfather, hurrying away on the train to Paris in winter. A toy robot which seems just a bit, well, different. Unusual events happening to Alex at school (and the bullying not playing too large a part in the overall book, thank goodness....) A superbly assured debut... an effortless, atmospheric evocation of place and history combine in an unforgettable, immersive reading experience.' * Guardian *With more twists and turns than a Slinky going down a huge spiral staircase, an atmosphere reminiscent of the best of 1960s films and TV shows and some splendid touches of humour, The Shadow Arts is thoroughly recommended to able readers of 9 upwards. Right from the prologue, Damien Love instils a sense of mystery in us readers, giving us the sense of an impending doom. You start thinking 'oh lovely, sweet' and it soon turns into 'oh damn, that was dark'! There wasn't a miss in the adventurous tone of the story and throughout, we journey along as our MC face challenges after challenges. R.L. Stine has paved the way for all other children’s horror writers, bringing the genre to young readers in a way that nobody else has. The Goosebumps series is just the right amount of scary, with some humour thrown in, and featuring children and settings that readers will find relatable. There’s also the added bonus that young fans of his stories have not only an extensive series of Goosebumps books to enjoy, but dozens of awesome stories to move on to when they’ve outgrown those. Growing up, I loved R.L. Stine’s books in the Point Horror series – I think they turned lots of teens into readers.