“I enjoyed everything about Damien Love’s debut—its title, its breakneck action, its sly sense of humor. I wish my first novel had been as imaginative and assured.” —Anthony Horowitz, New York Times bestselling author of the Alex Rider series
On a winter’s day in a British town, twelve-year old Alex receives a package in the mail: an old tin robot from his grandfather. “This one is special,” says the enclosed note, and when strange events start occurring around him, Alex suspects this small toy is more than special; it might be deadly.
Right as things get out of hand, Alex’s grandfather arrives, pulling him away from an attack—and his otherwise humdrum world of friends, bullies, and homework—and into the macabre magic of an ancient family feud. Together, the duo flees across snowy Europe, unraveling the riddle of the little robot while trying to outwit relentless assassins of the human and mechanical kind.
With an ever-present admiration for the hidden mysteries of our world,
Monstrous Devices plunges readers into a gripping adventure that’s sure to surprise.
On sale: September 3, 2019
Age: 8-12 years
Grade: Grades 3-7
Page count: 368 Pages
ISBN: 9780451478597
Reading level: Lexile: 680L
Damien Love was born in Scotland and lives in the city of Glasgow, where, even as you read these words, it is raining. He has worked as a journalist for many years, writing about movies, music, TV, and other things for a variety of publications. He has the ability to talk to cats, but there is no evidence that they understand him.
Monstrous Devices is his first novel. Learn more at damienlove.com.
“I enjoyed everything about Damien Love’s debut—its title, its breakneck action, its sly sense of humor. If you imagine
Rick and Morty colliding with early Spielberg, you get some idea of this delirious adventure . . . and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it on the screen. I wish my first novel had been as imaginative and assured.” —
Anthony Horowitz,
New York Times bestselling author of the Alex Rider series
"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
"
Monstrous Devices effortlessly brings mythic legend and modern life together in one exhilarating, breathless chase. With humor, relentless adventure, and true insight, Damien Love compels us to look closely at our wishes and illusions, at the dark and light forces of creation, at what really makes us tick." —
S. E. Grove,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Glass Sentence
* "Frightening and mysterious....[A] well-crafted adventure."—
Publishers Weekly,
starred review
"A well-knit debut generously stocked with chills, thrills, and chancy exploits."—
Kirkus
