Odditorium #1 Alistair Grim's Odditorium

Presenting Odditorium #1 Alistair Grim's Odditorium by Gregory Funaro.

Here is the summary of the book:

This cinematic, action-packed middle grade fantasy adventure set in Victorian London brims with fresh magic and has the cozy feeling of a classic.

Grubb, age twelve (or thereabouts), has never known anything beyond his miserable existence as a chimney sweep, paid only in insults and abuse by his cruel master.

All of that changes the day he stows away in the coach belonging to a mysterious guest at the inn that he is tasked with cleaning. Grubb emerges from Alistair Grim's trunk and into the wondrous world of the Odditorium. Fueled by a glowing blue energy that Grubb can only begin to understand, the Odditorium is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew that embraces Grubb as one of their own.

There's no time for Grubb to settle into his new role as apprentice to the strange, secretive Mr. Grim. When the Odditorium comes under attack, Grubb is whisked off on a perilous adventure. Only he can prevent the Odditorium's magic from falling into evil hands-and his new family from suffering a terrible fate.

Grubb knows he's no hero. He's just a chimney sweep. But armed with only his courage and wits, Grubb will confront the life-or-death battle he alone is destined to fight.

Magic, Mystery, Humor and loads and loads of adventure. Presenting Gregory Funaro's enchanting oddity called the 'Odditorium' with the first volume of the series titled Alistair Grim's Odditorium. Just your old fashioned frolick-y adventure but not your garden variety one mind you and it shows its vigor in spades. This is a book of great substance, it has character, it is carefree yet curious, it is mysterious, yet enchanting. Coupled with those magnificent illustrations this is a story that manages to stand onto its own.

This is the story of Grubb (spelled like the worm but with a double b, in case you plan on writing it down someday"), "12 years old or thereabout". An orphan chimney sweep learning under his less than reckoning foster father Mr. Smears but it is not long before he leaves that less than gracious life to join in the adventures of a Mr. Alistair Grim and his equally odd associates, at that equally odd construct called the Odditorium. Housing every and any Odditoria known and unknown to man, the Odditorium is what Mr. grim and his compatriots call home.

Consisting of all manners of cogs & bearing, enchanting mysteries and equally magical beings of the likes of Faeries, Humans and mischievous Banshees alike, the Odditorium promises much and delivers many with its unparalleled imaginarium. It teaches us much as well. Honesty and Loyalty, two o the greatest and most valued quality known to man as rewarding. The right path is not always easy to walk on and courage is found and equally rewarded in leaps and bounds.

Grubb makes lots and lots of mistakes but works equally hard to learn from them to set things right. This is a book for kids but it is ideal for all ages. Funaro's easy narrative and the supporting illustrations takes this enchanting tale to newer heights. Its fun and instructive and I am very invested to know what adventures the next volume offers in the lives of Grubb, Mr. Grim and his associates.

"Enchantingly audacious and magically adventurous"

Genre :      Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Steampunk

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Release Date: 6th January, 2015

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

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