Bad Luck

I acquired Bad Luck as a READ NOW from NetGalley. Back when I was devouring books one after the other and didn’t need to worry about my score because I was going through them so fast. Then my work situation changed and suddenly I wasn’t going through books so fast. Suddenly I had less time to read, and a pile of books from NetGalley that weren’t really catching my interest.

Shame on me. When I took on the #BeatTheBacklist challenge my goal was to clear out my NetGalley list. Looking at all the little thumbnail covers none of them jumped out at me. I knew I wanted something clean, so I held my breath and dove into this middle grade book.

And then I was kicking myself for not starting sooner. Upon closer inspection of the cover (darn you little thumbnail images that hide details!) there’s a DRAGON! That right there gives a book an automatic star. Probably. Okay, not really, but it certainly is a sign that I will probably enjoy the books contents.

So what’s this book about? Clay is a boy who attends Earth Ranch, a summer camp for misfits who happen to be magicians. Like, the kind of magicians with real magical powers. Earth Ranch also happens to be located on an island in the middle of nowhere. When Clay comes across a boy washed ashore, things get weird. Soon the island is swarming with men in search of the missing boy, but Clay and his friends are sure something else is going on.

This is a solid middle grade read that was enjoyable for this girl who has not been in middle school for… well, a very long time. There were bits of middle grade potty humor, but nothing too over the top, just enough to remind me “oh yeah, this is a middle grade book targeted at boys”. I loved the footnotes the author included, filled with humor. I loved the dragon. I loved the excerpts from the book about taming a dragon scattered through the novel. Though it was nothing too complex, I loved the plot.

This is a book I’ll be giving my 10-year-old daughter to read and, just maybe, purchasing the rest of the books.

Don’t overlook this series. I can’t speak for the first book, as I haven’t read it, but now that I’ve read this one I plan to!

Why are there one star ratings already. The book hasn't even come out. I bet you that this book is going to be amazing

I really like it, and it fits right in with 'Bad Magic'. I like how you added Brett in there just add another character and add more mystery. I love your books and think you are very creative (especially with the 'Terces Series') and I hate to complain. But, the thing is that why did you change it? Why are the pictures different? Why is it not like the original 'Bad Magic' or 'Terces Series' why is it just a normal book with a really good story line? Why isn't there a negative chapter 10, or chapter one which is all X's, or why isn't there a cartoon about a bunny and chocolate in the middle? Why did it go from weird, spunky, and enticing, to just regular, and predictable? You are very good at mixing things up, and I liked that. Why are you not doing that now?
But anyways, I really like the cliffhangers you use, and how Max-Earnest saw Clay. (Though I kinda saw that coming). I really like your way of writing, and so does my friend. And I'm NOT a hater I LOVE your books. You are the best author ever.