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allicatca's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. The characters were engaging and I especially enjoyed the Japanese words, expressions, and culture involved.
Xander is a boy who doesn't have a lot of confidence and it certainly comes as a surprise that he's expected to be a hero. He fulfills his promise in unexpected ways.
I liked the creativity of the author and look forward to reading the sequel.
Heads up that Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny are all mentioned. May be best for ages 10 or 11+ due to that plus some scary parts and violence.
Xander is a boy who doesn't have a lot of confidence and it certainly comes as a surprise that he's expected to be a hero. He fulfills his promise in unexpected ways.
I liked the creativity of the author and look forward to reading the sequel.
Heads up that Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny are all mentioned. May be best for ages 10 or 11+ due to that plus some scary parts and violence.
posies23's review against another edition
5.0
This is the story of Xander Miyamoto, and how he discovered he wasn't just a nerdy half-asian middle schooler. As it turns out, he's this generation's Momotaro, a sort of Japanese monster-hunter. Maybe he should have paid more attention to his father's stories about Japanese mythology.
This is an engaging, well-written YA novel that mixes (as the back cover copy states) "Percy Jackson and Hayao Miyazaki." But really, that paints an incomplete picture, because the book really covers a remarkable amount of ground. It deftly handles a wide variety of topics, from Japanese mythology, living as a mixed-race child, parental abandonment, the quirks of middle school, and many others, without seeming forced or "preachy." Along the way, there's a ton of adventure, humor, bizarre dream sequences, and strong characterization. For readers looking for a strong, engaging read, this is one to look for.
There are quite a few plot lines left dangling at the end, although it does have a sense of closure, and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Proof of concept: My ten-year-old son stole the book away from me as I was reading it, and he finished it in two nights. Then he gave it back but didn't want to talk about it until I was finished. He told me it was "very different from Percy Jackson, but still really good." So, there you go!
This is an engaging, well-written YA novel that mixes (as the back cover copy states) "Percy Jackson and Hayao Miyazaki." But really, that paints an incomplete picture, because the book really covers a remarkable amount of ground. It deftly handles a wide variety of topics, from Japanese mythology, living as a mixed-race child, parental abandonment, the quirks of middle school, and many others, without seeming forced or "preachy." Along the way, there's a ton of adventure, humor, bizarre dream sequences, and strong characterization. For readers looking for a strong, engaging read, this is one to look for.
There are quite a few plot lines left dangling at the end, although it does have a sense of closure, and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Proof of concept: My ten-year-old son stole the book away from me as I was reading it, and he finished it in two nights. Then he gave it back but didn't want to talk about it until I was finished. He told me it was "very different from Percy Jackson, but still really good." So, there you go!
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 Stars
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book was absolutely perfect for us because of how excited my son has been about Japanese culture. None of us had ever heard the Japanese folktale that this book is based on—Momotaro (about a Japanese samurai who is found as a boy in a peach!), but we really enjoyed learning the tale right along with Xander and his best friend Peyton. When the book begins, Xander is an average, everyday kid who tends to get in a bit of trouble at school because his head is in the clouds. Xander is creative, which shows up in his artwork and in his video game programming, but he doesn’t feel like his creativity is particularly appreciated. Until one day when Xander’s world is turned upside down—his father is taken by oni (which are sort of Japanese demons), and Xander discovers that he might have to be very creative indeed to get him back. It turns out that Momotaro’s story is much more important than Xander ever imagined as he and Peyton are faced with tsunamis, strange creatures, oni, and other friends and foes. This book is filled with Japanese cultural references and folkloric magic (neverending rice balls to eat!) that make it incredibly fun, and it’s action-packed which kept it exciting.
I have to confess that I wasn’t as fond of the very beginning of the book, when Xander was still in school. His thoughts and feelings about school and some of his classmates weren’t my favorite aspect of the book, but it didn’t take long to be rid of the school setting and to move onto the fantastical adventures, so I’m not taking much off of my rating for that. My kids and I can’t wait to hear the next installment and we’re eagerly awaiting more of Xander’s adventures!
Narration: I thought the narration for this book was spot-on! Chris Patton has a great kid voice that sounds natural for this age group, and his inflections and speech patterns made him completely believable as a middle grade MC.
Overall, I give this book 4.5/5 Stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via AudioBook Jukebox in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book was absolutely perfect for us because of how excited my son has been about Japanese culture. None of us had ever heard the Japanese folktale that this book is based on—Momotaro (about a Japanese samurai who is found as a boy in a peach!), but we really enjoyed learning the tale right along with Xander and his best friend Peyton. When the book begins, Xander is an average, everyday kid who tends to get in a bit of trouble at school because his head is in the clouds. Xander is creative, which shows up in his artwork and in his video game programming, but he doesn’t feel like his creativity is particularly appreciated. Until one day when Xander’s world is turned upside down—his father is taken by oni (which are sort of Japanese demons), and Xander discovers that he might have to be very creative indeed to get him back. It turns out that Momotaro’s story is much more important than Xander ever imagined as he and Peyton are faced with tsunamis, strange creatures, oni, and other friends and foes. This book is filled with Japanese cultural references and folkloric magic (neverending rice balls to eat!) that make it incredibly fun, and it’s action-packed which kept it exciting.
I have to confess that I wasn’t as fond of the very beginning of the book, when Xander was still in school. His thoughts and feelings about school and some of his classmates weren’t my favorite aspect of the book, but it didn’t take long to be rid of the school setting and to move onto the fantastical adventures, so I’m not taking much off of my rating for that. My kids and I can’t wait to hear the next installment and we’re eagerly awaiting more of Xander’s adventures!
Narration: I thought the narration for this book was spot-on! Chris Patton has a great kid voice that sounds natural for this age group, and his inflections and speech patterns made him completely believable as a middle grade MC.
Overall, I give this book 4.5/5 Stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via AudioBook Jukebox in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
Just before a school break, Xander gets in trouble at school after drawing a caricature of a student who was bullying him without even realizing it. When he gets home, his father gives him a comic to read - a comic about a Japanese folk hero named Momotaro - that Xander apparently wrote himself, though he has no memory of it. Xander and his best friend, Peyton, are in his room reading that comic when suddenly a huge tsunami hits the area and his father disappears.
Xander's grandmother tells Xander that his father can reverse the tsunami, and prevent all the other climate change problems that are being caused by oni (Japanese demons), but Xander has to rescue his dad first. To do that, Xander must become who is really is - Momotaro. Will Xander and Peyton be able to rescue Xander's dad? Will they be in time for Xander's dad to reverse the tsunami?
This was a cool story with a mythology that I don't see often in books, so it was really nice to engage with it. The relationship between Xander and Peyton was done really well, and I liked that the two complete opposites had maintained their friendship into middle school when those relationships tend to break down. Xander's love of his friends and family truly comes through in everything he does.
I absolutely loved to see Xander's growth through the book, and I can't wait to read the sequel and see what other trouble he gets into - and out of. As an added bonus, I laughed when it was revealed that his dog's name is the Japanese word for cat, largely because I once had a cat whose name was the Japanese word for cat.
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, which was narrated by Chris Patton, was really good. Patton's performance was really good, providing just the right amount of tension and emotion to truly bring the scenes to life. Whether I read or listen to the next book, I know I will enjoy it.
Xander's grandmother tells Xander that his father can reverse the tsunami, and prevent all the other climate change problems that are being caused by oni (Japanese demons), but Xander has to rescue his dad first. To do that, Xander must become who is really is - Momotaro. Will Xander and Peyton be able to rescue Xander's dad? Will they be in time for Xander's dad to reverse the tsunami?
This was a cool story with a mythology that I don't see often in books, so it was really nice to engage with it. The relationship between Xander and Peyton was done really well, and I liked that the two complete opposites had maintained their friendship into middle school when those relationships tend to break down. Xander's love of his friends and family truly comes through in everything he does.
I absolutely loved to see Xander's growth through the book, and I can't wait to read the sequel and see what other trouble he gets into - and out of. As an added bonus, I laughed when it was revealed that his dog's name is the Japanese word for cat, largely because I once had a cat whose name was the Japanese word for cat.
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, which was narrated by Chris Patton, was really good. Patton's performance was really good, providing just the right amount of tension and emotion to truly bring the scenes to life. Whether I read or listen to the next book, I know I will enjoy it.
tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
Great for fans of myth-based fiction, once they've finished with Greek and Norse tales. We have lots of kids with Japanese heritage; i think they'll really enjoy this one: suspenseful with heart.
Rice balls! Other Japanese snacks.
Rice balls! Other Japanese snacks.
hcpenner's review against another edition
4.0
A very sweet story about a boy who is not great at school, not great at athletics, and very self-conscious about being mixed-race (white-Asian) in a very all-white small town. But then Xander discovers an amazing family secret, and comes into his own unique blend of superpowers, which he uses to rescue his father from monsters and save the whole world.
Some important subplots deal with Xander's best friend who has rigid and controlling parents, and a girl who was abandoned by her mother and has a physically abusive father, but these are handled in a way that will not be overwhelming for young readers.
Some important subplots deal with Xander's best friend who has rigid and controlling parents, and a girl who was abandoned by her mother and has a physically abusive father, but these are handled in a way that will not be overwhelming for young readers.
jillcd's review against another edition
5.0
If you are a fan of Rick Riordan's style of writing, then this is your next read. Japanese mythology wrapped up in high adventure and a modern day "geek" is the main character. Can't wait for the next book.
hannahsophialin's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I think I've grown out of reading middle grade books now. I find that a little sad - the first book in Dilloway’s Momotaro series isn't even a bad book, aside from the fact I kept expecting a Percy Jackson vibe (which, in a way, it kind of does).
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters - if we're going down the Percy Jackson vibe (I'm pretty sure the synopsis makes the comparison….) - is basically Japanese folklore set in modern day, with plenty of Japanese mythological creatures making an appearance. Unfortunately, Xander definitely resembles a Japanese version of Percy Jackson - blue eyes, black hair, twelve years old, and the only difference? Xander has a bit of silver streak in his hair (oh wait…) and he's mixed (Asian and Irish).
It's no wonder I expected a lot of humor out of Dilloway's book (comparisons = high expectations). The first Momotaro book does have the occasional funny moment, but it just isn't as funny as I hoped it would be. (That might just be the fact I'm nineteen.)
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters is set in a comic book like format with illustrations featured throughout the book, and it will definitely appeal more to younger audiences than the older ones. (And hopefully, it'll be more funny to them than to me.)
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts
I think I've grown out of reading middle grade books now. I find that a little sad - the first book in Dilloway’s Momotaro series isn't even a bad book, aside from the fact I kept expecting a Percy Jackson vibe (which, in a way, it kind of does).
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters - if we're going down the Percy Jackson vibe (I'm pretty sure the synopsis makes the comparison….) - is basically Japanese folklore set in modern day, with plenty of Japanese mythological creatures making an appearance. Unfortunately, Xander definitely resembles a Japanese version of Percy Jackson - blue eyes, black hair, twelve years old, and the only difference? Xander has a bit of silver streak in his hair (oh wait…) and he's mixed (Asian and Irish).
It's no wonder I expected a lot of humor out of Dilloway's book (comparisons = high expectations). The first Momotaro book does have the occasional funny moment, but it just isn't as funny as I hoped it would be. (That might just be the fact I'm nineteen.)
Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters is set in a comic book like format with illustrations featured throughout the book, and it will definitely appeal more to younger audiences than the older ones. (And hopefully, it'll be more funny to them than to me.)
This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts