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Ministry of Pandemonium #2
The Great and Dangerous
Ben Harvester and Becky Sanborne have found their true calling at the Ministry of Pandemonium, guiding the souls of the newly-dead to the afterlife. But the enemy, the Lords of Sundown, still smarting from their catastrophic defeat at Halloween, are keen for revenge.
407 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Chris Westwood
28 books7 followersWestwood, the son of a coal miner and a school teacher, decided on his writing career at age 11. Despite being Yorkshire born & bred, Westwood does live part of the time in East London. His first published writing was for the London music paper Record Mirror, where he worked as a staff reporter for three years.
His career mixes journalism and fiction.
His career mixes journalism and fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 10, 2020
This is the second in the series and it was as enjoyable as the first. But it ends in a cliffhanger and there is no third!!!??? Can this be true?
February 19, 2026
How unfortunate that the story ended on a cliffhanger with no inkling of another book to follow
May 29, 2015
Spoilers Below....
The next in the series that began with ‘The Ministry of Pandemonium’ in 2011. Ben carpenter is now a fully fledged and valuable member of the Ministry team, guiding souls to the next level. But those souls are also wanted by forces of evil called Mawbreeds and Death heads and they are getting to the souls first. Is someone leaking the Ministry telegraph list to the other side? Ben and his friend Becky have noticed something sinister happening at school, and Ben is also dealing with his Mum’s new boyfriend. His gift to Ben of a rare cactus smells odd, and it’s not until Ben is really sick, does he realise it is poisoning him and taking away his ‘gifts’ that he uses to fight evil. His mum is in the clutches of Luther Vileheart. Ben and his friends at the Ministry have to fight to save her and many other souls on the train of evil leaving their city.
A fabulous follow up to one of my favourite reads last year. It grips the reader from the first page and holds on to the shocking finale. Already looking forward to the next in the series!
The next in the series that began with ‘The Ministry of Pandemonium’ in 2011. Ben carpenter is now a fully fledged and valuable member of the Ministry team, guiding souls to the next level. But those souls are also wanted by forces of evil called Mawbreeds and Death heads and they are getting to the souls first. Is someone leaking the Ministry telegraph list to the other side? Ben and his friend Becky have noticed something sinister happening at school, and Ben is also dealing with his Mum’s new boyfriend. His gift to Ben of a rare cactus smells odd, and it’s not until Ben is really sick, does he realise it is poisoning him and taking away his ‘gifts’ that he uses to fight evil. His mum is in the clutches of Luther Vileheart. Ben and his friends at the Ministry have to fight to save her and many other souls on the train of evil leaving their city.
A fabulous follow up to one of my favourite reads last year. It grips the reader from the first page and holds on to the shocking finale. Already looking forward to the next in the series!
June 14, 2021
I've stumbled upon the first book in this series in a book sale. Finding out the second book is already out there, I wasted no time to get it. And it was such a great journey. This is the kind of book I never knew I needed in my life. Sure, there're pros and cons of this book, but it's a ride I enjoyed nonetheless.
At one point the book strikes me as a children book. (I don't even know where that came from. Or did I read it on the back cover?) But the way the author describes the fight, all the blood, and showing the ugly (and beautiful) side of humanity, it seems more fitting for adult audience. It is a fantasy book but the world, the people inside it felt real. It's like, once you see past the fantasy, the good vs evil, you can appreciate the people living in it. Both the main and those side characters, the passers-by, so to speak. There were times when how Ben act makes me go bald, but when you look at the situation he was in, it just clicked.
And the ending! Such cliffhanger! I might have cheated by reading some reviews, knowing it ended in what seemingly an incomplete state. And judging from how long these books has been on the market, there probably won't be a third. But it was not as incomplete as others made me think. Sure, there's a huge opening for a third. But the way it was written, it was giving a chance for the readers to end it the way they want. (Or I think too much, and there was supposed to be a third.) And the way Becky seems to accept her situation.
All in all it was a read I totally did not regret. It was not perfect, but it is refreshing (in a way, not that I've spent my break with torturing nor killing things).
At one point the book strikes me as a children book. (I don't even know where that came from. Or did I read it on the back cover?) But the way the author describes the fight, all the blood, and showing the ugly (and beautiful) side of humanity, it seems more fitting for adult audience. It is a fantasy book but the world, the people inside it felt real. It's like, once you see past the fantasy, the good vs evil, you can appreciate the people living in it. Both the main and those side characters, the passers-by, so to speak. There were times when how Ben act makes me go bald, but when you look at the situation he was in, it just clicked.
And the ending! Such cliffhanger! I might have cheated by reading some reviews, knowing it ended in what seemingly an incomplete state. And judging from how long these books has been on the market, there probably won't be a third. But it was not as incomplete as others made me think. Sure, there's a huge opening for a third. But the way it was written, it was giving a chance for the readers to end it the way they want. (Or I think too much, and there was supposed to be a third.) And the way Becky seems to accept her situation.
All in all it was a read I totally did not regret. It was not perfect, but it is refreshing (in a way, not that I've spent my break with torturing nor killing things).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2020
"Ketakutan hanya akan membuatmu melakukan kesalahan"
selang beberapa bulan setelah peristiwa di buku pertama, Ministry sudah mulai berjalan normal dan London tampak damai... Sampai ditemukan adanya pengkhianat diantara para agen Ministry, dan tidak hanya itu, para siswa di sekolah Ben juga bertingkah aneh, bisakah Ben menyibakkan misteri tersebut ?
hal yang paling kusuka dari buku - buku beginian adalah karena plotnya yang simpel dan gampang dicerna tapi masih menarik untuk dibaca. Yaa mungkin karena dasarnya aku orang yang seneng rebahan jadinya sukanya sama buku - buku beginian.
Disini baru ditampilkan ada tempat di dunia kegelapan bernama Abhorrant, mungkin bagi yang pernah baca karya - karya Rick Riordan bakalan merasa familiar dengan tempat ini.
sayangnya, bagiku karakternya tampak stagnan, ga ada perubahan dari volume 1. Untungnya, kita diperlihatkan ( secara sekilas ) jajaran tertinggi organisasi Lord Sundown.
overall, cocok buat orang yang pingin baca buku tapi males pake otak yang istilah kerennya mager. Walaupun simpel tapi ceritanya masih dapet.
selang beberapa bulan setelah peristiwa di buku pertama, Ministry sudah mulai berjalan normal dan London tampak damai... Sampai ditemukan adanya pengkhianat diantara para agen Ministry, dan tidak hanya itu, para siswa di sekolah Ben juga bertingkah aneh, bisakah Ben menyibakkan misteri tersebut ?
hal yang paling kusuka dari buku - buku beginian adalah karena plotnya yang simpel dan gampang dicerna tapi masih menarik untuk dibaca. Yaa mungkin karena dasarnya aku orang yang seneng rebahan jadinya sukanya sama buku - buku beginian.
Disini baru ditampilkan ada tempat di dunia kegelapan bernama Abhorrant, mungkin bagi yang pernah baca karya - karya Rick Riordan bakalan merasa familiar dengan tempat ini.
sayangnya, bagiku karakternya tampak stagnan, ga ada perubahan dari volume 1. Untungnya, kita diperlihatkan ( secara sekilas ) jajaran tertinggi organisasi Lord Sundown.
overall, cocok buat orang yang pingin baca buku tapi males pake otak yang istilah kerennya mager. Walaupun simpel tapi ceritanya masih dapet.
March 22, 2021
Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The first thing I noticed was that this story wasn't as good as the first one. It felt slower at the beginning and to fast at the end. In this book, I got the impression that Ben had built up some sort of superiority complex after saving the day. This story ends with a huge cliffhanger. However, I am not able to find any news on the third book in this series.
The first thing I noticed was that this story wasn't as good as the first one. It felt slower at the beginning and to fast at the end. In this book, I got the impression that Ben had built up some sort of superiority complex after saving the day. This story ends with a huge cliffhanger. However, I am not able to find any news on the third book in this series.
May 15, 2018
Book one was okay. I actually got both books out of the library at the same time. As it was only these two I decided to finish it off. If there had been more I most likely wouldn't have bothered!
I guess I was kind of hoping that book two might give me a bit more but it didn't particularly. It was pretty much in the same vein. The end was okay and predictable enough. I still didn't give a crap enough to care what happened to any of the characters mind and only finished it out of curiosity but I guess I hadn't needed to bother really.
Definitely not for me and overall a mediocre and very forgettable set.
I guess I was kind of hoping that book two might give me a bit more but it didn't particularly. It was pretty much in the same vein. The end was okay and predictable enough. I still didn't give a crap enough to care what happened to any of the characters mind and only finished it out of curiosity but I guess I hadn't needed to bother really.
Definitely not for me and overall a mediocre and very forgettable set.
May 26, 2019
it is slow paced, and then gains speed, ended with a cliffhanger, and will definitely be amazing if adopted as a comic.
May 31, 2019
10/10 Want to give more stars but I'm not physically able to
June 21, 2013
In the previous book, Ben Harvester has discovered his secret ability to see spirits and how his artistic skills can help. He's befriended by Mr October and is offered a job in The Ministry of Pandemonium, where people who have his abilities work together to help souls reach their final resting place. Ben's made some pretty bad decisions in the previous book whose consequences (such as the disappearance and assumed death of Mr October) he has to live with. I really liked the first book and resolved to read The Great and Dangerous as soon as possible. This series is predominantly for children, though I found in the Young Adults section.
Needless to say, Westwood didn't disappoint with this installment. We get to learn more about Ben's abilities and how he hasn't quite yet mastered them, more about the secondary characters such as Lu and how the battle for souls is continuing between the Ministry and the Lords of Sundown. Ben's shown to have grown up from the previous book, now fighting to rein in his temper and to be a good son to his mother.
The tale in The Great and Dangerous is quite simple, in that the Lords of Sundown are attempting to sabotage Ben after he chose to work for the Ministry instead of the Lords. They do this through isolating Ben and Becky in school and in targeting their families. I liked how Westwood has allowed his characters autonomy and the message that the book sends to its intended readers about how the decision between right and wrong lies in our hands and how our choices have repercussions on those around us. (However I have a minor quibble about why Ben is bestowed all this power and why he's so special.)
The Great and Dangerous is a fun read for kids in the summer, with a strong message about the individual's autonomy and family's importance.
Needless to say, Westwood didn't disappoint with this installment. We get to learn more about Ben's abilities and how he hasn't quite yet mastered them, more about the secondary characters such as Lu and how the battle for souls is continuing between the Ministry and the Lords of Sundown. Ben's shown to have grown up from the previous book, now fighting to rein in his temper and to be a good son to his mother.
The tale in The Great and Dangerous is quite simple, in that the Lords of Sundown are attempting to sabotage Ben after he chose to work for the Ministry instead of the Lords. They do this through isolating Ben and Becky in school and in targeting their families. I liked how Westwood has allowed his characters autonomy and the message that the book sends to its intended readers about how the decision between right and wrong lies in our hands and how our choices have repercussions on those around us. (However I have a minor quibble about why Ben is bestowed all this power and why he's so special.)
The Great and Dangerous is a fun read for kids in the summer, with a strong message about the individual's autonomy and family's importance.
September 12, 2012
This picks up shortly after Ministry of Pandemonium finishes. Mr October is on the mend and Ben's mum has gone on that much needed holiday. Sounds terribly lovely doesn't it? It's a shame things don't run smoothly for Ben Harvester.
This a great sequel. Lu, Sukie and Becky are all back with Ben and Mr October, helping the newly departed but there are some new characters popping up as well (the Shuffleheads and Kirk are my favourites!). This one is just as well written as the first book. The visual writing that Chris Westwood does so well. Once I opened the book the pages didn't stop turning... I had to know what happens.
A warning though: Cliffhanger ending... OMG! I can't believe it!
sidebar: As per Chris's website, these books are to be a series of 3 and due to a changes over at Frances Lincoln Publishing, they have scrapped their YA fiction list - ergo no third book (which by the way has the tentative title of As Above, So Below (awesome title right?)). However, he says (again according to his website) that he is going to continue writing book 3 sans publisher.
Hopefully, a publisher will have enough sense to pick up book 3 and push this through cause I am sure there are lots of folks out here wanting to know how the whole thing ends.
"There's a little madness in us all" Mr October said
This a great sequel. Lu, Sukie and Becky are all back with Ben and Mr October, helping the newly departed but there are some new characters popping up as well (the Shuffleheads and Kirk are my favourites!). This one is just as well written as the first book. The visual writing that Chris Westwood does so well. Once I opened the book the pages didn't stop turning... I had to know what happens.
A warning though: Cliffhanger ending... OMG! I can't believe it!
sidebar: As per Chris's website, these books are to be a series of 3 and due to a changes over at Frances Lincoln Publishing, they have scrapped their YA fiction list - ergo no third book (which by the way has the tentative title of As Above, So Below (awesome title right?)). However, he says (again according to his website) that he is going to continue writing book 3 sans publisher.
Hopefully, a publisher will have enough sense to pick up book 3 and push this through cause I am sure there are lots of folks out here wanting to know how the whole thing ends.
"There's a little madness in us all" Mr October said
June 24, 2014
The Great and the Dangerous is the sequel to Ministry of Pandemonium. It is even better book than the first.
Everything seems to be going wrong for Ben Harvester. The kids and even the teachers at school shun both Ben and Becky he is suspended from the Ministry, Becky's house was obliterated by a freak tornado and his mother just met a new guy, so soon after they bid goodbye to Ben's father (not necessarily in that order). Is it just had luck or is everything orchestrated by the Lords of Sundown? It is about to get very personal for Ben.
This book has much more suspense elements than the previous one, with several twists and the cumulation of events both in the previous book and this one, ending with the final showdown. It ends with a cliffhanger and I still don't know what's wrong with his mother's right arm. You can see in this book that Ben isn't flawless. He makes several mistakes and isn't always the helper that Mr October calls him, especially when faxed with an emotional turmoil and drugged.
Overall, a good read. I can't wait for the third book to be published, if it ever will. The publisher has apparently decided to end at this book.
Everything seems to be going wrong for Ben Harvester. The kids and even the teachers at school shun both Ben and Becky he is suspended from the Ministry, Becky's house was obliterated by a freak tornado and his mother just met a new guy, so soon after they bid goodbye to Ben's father (not necessarily in that order). Is it just had luck or is everything orchestrated by the Lords of Sundown? It is about to get very personal for Ben.
This book has much more suspense elements than the previous one, with several twists and the cumulation of events both in the previous book and this one, ending with the final showdown. It ends with a cliffhanger and I still don't know what's wrong with his mother's right arm. You can see in this book that Ben isn't flawless. He makes several mistakes and isn't always the helper that Mr October calls him, especially when faxed with an emotional turmoil and drugged.
Overall, a good read. I can't wait for the third book to be published, if it ever will. The publisher has apparently decided to end at this book.
August 25, 2014
This could be either a 3 or 4 rating. I just had a little trouble getting into it. The last third, of course, was fantastic because that's when everything came to a head but the rest of the book felt a bit... heavy. It's great to have a continuation of these characters and this story, of course, but I think this novel runs into the standard sequel "so what" sort of feeling, since the concept isn't new anymore.
I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's read the first book, if only to find out what happens. But, based solely on this novel, I'm not sure I'd recommend the series. Although maybe that's a bit harsh. Bah.
I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's read the first book, if only to find out what happens. But, based solely on this novel, I'm not sure I'd recommend the series. Although maybe that's a bit harsh. Bah.
July 16, 2013
Stronger than the first! Though I did manage to read several chapters believing that it was first in the series before wising up, so I'm not sure what that says. About me.
January 27, 2015
really loved this sequel!
hope there will be another one, i need to know what happens!
hope there will be another one, i need to know what happens!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews