Title: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken

Pages: 362

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy/Paranormal

Published by: Disney-Hyperion (Sept. 5, 2017)

Summary

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. 

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a tale of betrayal and revenge, of old hurts passed down from generation to generation. Can you ever fully right a wrong, ever truly escape your history? Or will Prosper and Alastor be doomed to repeat it?

What I Thought

This was such a fun, fall book!  There was so much buzz about this book in early September, that I just knew that I had to read it for Halloween.  I’m so glad I decided to read The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding.

First of all, I loved the Halloween-ness about this book.  I’m really glad I read this during October, because the atmosphere is so perfect for that time.  I especially loved the little details like Prosper wearing pumpkin socks, and the neighborhood having Halloween decorations out.  That was so fun to read about!

Another thing I really loved about this book were the characters!  Prosper is so sweet, and you just can’t but help feel sorry for him.  Really though, I loved all the characters.  Everyone was so unique and memorable.

I also found it incredibly refreshing that there was no romance.  Prosper had bigger things to worry about than crushes, and I really appreciated that.  The story in itself was enough, and I’m so glad that Alexandra Bracken didn’t throw in a love interest just because.

Also, like all her books, this one was so well written and well thought out.  The plot is so good and quite different from what I usually read.  I didn’t see the ending coming either.  I am really looking forward to the sequel!  I could definitely see this book becoming a movie someday.   Honestly, I really hope it does, because I would definitely watch it!

Overall, The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding was so clever and so much fun.  It is middle grade, but I think anyone looking for a fun, fall festive story would love this one.

Follow me on:

Bloglovin’ | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Litsy (@thecalicobooks)

Buy from:

The Book Depository

(I receive a tiny commission if you follow my links!)