James Munkers: Super Freak

by Lindsey Little

James Munkers' world is changing. New town. New school. New hallucinations of bright blue animals wreaking havoc. And when you add a leather-clad maniac who haunts the back garden, the loopy girl at school with her messages of doom, a cryptic prophecy and a bunch of shadowy strangers intent on murder, it looks as though James won't even make it to Christmas. The sensible thing to do would be to run. To hide. To generally escape. But James Munkers can't hide. He can't escape. Because James Munkers is different. James Munkers has a destiny. But James Munkers would rather forget all that and go back to playing God of War.

260 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2014

About the author

Lindsey Little is a writer of fantasy adventures for young adults. Her first series is the James Munkers books, a tetralogy about a young man struggling with newly discovered magical powers. Lindsey lives in Tasmania, runs a ballroom dancing business with her childhood sweetheart, and lives next door to her evil twin.

Reviews

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punchy little YA urban fantasy about mainstream teenage boy coming to terms with his extra human-dimensional powers and destiny to save the world, and possibly the universe. Reads well. Leaves you smiling (loved the main dood, James). Makes you want more.

[R.J. Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A YA romp. Lots of fun, magic, family, and highschool goings on. I enjoyed the idea of the dimensions and the energies and the ending has left me wanting more. Highly recommended.

[Chrissy Garwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting the author at a book fair and purchased all three paperbacks for the series. (There's going to be at least another one, and I can't wait!)
I LOVED the central character, James Munkers. Everything about him makes him the most unlikely superhero. His family is less than encouraging and even his best friend is constantly reminding him of his failings. The whole cast of characters has depth with strengths and weaknesses that make them alive on the page.
The book is set in the UK. The setting is contemporary. The situation James finds himself in is every teenager's nightmare. The new friends he encounters during his introduction to his adventure change his life. And the enemies he didn't imagine could exist are seemingly relentless in pursuing him. At the conclusion of the story, it would seem that everything is now right with the world...
Highly recommended for readers who like to cheer for the underdog, to see an unlikely hero struggle with the burdens placed on him by those who think they know better, and to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced story with more than a few twists and turns.

[Merridy Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific read; I found it hard to put down. It was funny, exciting, and very well written. Shades of other fantasy YA series that I've loved, like Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising and of course, Harry Potter! – but individual enough to feel fresh and enticing. I enjoyed the characters, especially James, whose turn of phrase made me laugh. Fabulous to find yet another accomplished author in my home town of Hobart, Tasmania!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

James is funny, and smart, and engaging, and perhaps just a bit mad, exactly as a 15 year old reluctant hero should be. The writing is excellent, and James’s voice is very engaging. I read the whole thing in one day, I wanted to really savor it but once I started it several hours passed very quickly and I’d suddenly run out of story to read. I guess I shall just have to savor it the next time. It’s rivetingly-un-put-downably-can’t-wait-for-the-sequel good. Ok, almost un-put-downable, on the second read through I stopped for a cup of tea and put the book down to watch some whales for a bit.