Review: The Frankenstein Journals by Scott Sonneborn

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Fourteen-year old J.D. discovers why he never fit in at the creepy orphanage--he's the son of Frankenstein's monster! The boy always wanted a big family. Now he's got a doozy: the donors of his jigsaw puzzle-papa! Fans of adventure and classic monster movies will gasp with delight as they follow J.D. through this diary-style thriller. Old photos, maps, artifacts, and entries from the mad scientist's own journals will plunge the reader into J.D.'s quest to track down his Frankenstein family. But will he be in time? A shadowy stalker seeks the journals-and J.D.- to build a new, more powerful monster!

MY TAKE:
I like journals, and even though it's been awhile since I've read stories about monsters, I enjoyed this book a lot.

In The Frankenstein's Journal, J.D. discovers that he is the son of Frankenstein's monster. He realizes that because of that, he actually has relatives, namely the relatives of his father's donors. He embarks on a journey to find his relatives, but his mission is made more complex when he has to get to them ahead of someone who plans to use them to create a new monster.

I thought the concept was pretty interesting. Obviously, it's not medically sound, but as a book for young children, it definitely works. I liked how J.D.'s adventures with his relatives are somehow tied to what specific part was used on his dad and he therefore inherited. I also liked how the book acknowledges that normally, people wouldn't immediately accept his story.

J.D. is an awkward hero but you can't help but cheer him on. His relatives are also likeable, even though there are times when they seem bumbling.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book and finding out which new relative J.D. will encounter next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Stone Arch Books for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Frankenstein Journals is on August 1, 2014.

THE GOOD:

1. The characters are easy to like.
2. The concept is fresh.
3. The adventures are interesting.

THE BAD:

1. The adventures feel a little bit short.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Dorotea turned to me. She wore an old leather pilot's jacket over a purple shirt and orange pants. 

READ IT IF:

1. You like adventure books.
2. You like heroes that are just a little bit awkward.
3. You like monsters but don't like scary books. 

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?