Book Review: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken

 

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The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken 
Series: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding, #1
Genre: Paranormal | Fantasy
Age Range: Middle Grade
Format: Hardcover, 362 pages
Source: Birthday gift from my sister
Published on September 5th 2017 by Disney-Hyperion
Alexandra Bracken: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Synopsis:
I would say it’s a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness.

Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history — that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper’s great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made — and then broke — a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, four-thousand-year-old Alastor isn’t exactly the forgiving type.

The fiend has reawakened with one purpose — to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his future without a side of eternal servitude, thanks.

Little does Prosper know, the malefactor’s control over his body grows stronger with each passing night, and there’s a lot Alastor isn’t telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host.

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I rarely ever pick up middle grade books unless they’re written by Rick Riordan. I almost didn’t even give this one a chance but come on demons!

I liked that Prosperity was a straight D student. It always makes me feel like the worst student ever when I see book characters been smart af all the time. I thought it was fitting that he knew greek mythology so well since Percy Jackson is one of my favorite middle grade books.

You guys know how much I love Hopper from Bloodlines, right? I think Toad became my second favorite magical creature. A kitten with bat wings? How cute is that.

I didn’t really like Prue in most of the book. I felt like she didn’t really care for her brother after she got better. She laughed at her brother instead of standing up to him. I just felt bad for Prosper just wanting to be accepted.

All in all I loved this book and I didn’t see that ending coming! I can’t wait to read book two and to see where Bracken takes this world to.

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