What do you think?
Dante N. Ferno #2
Camp Catastrophe
Dante is back in Camp Catastrophe, the second in this hilarious, highly illustrated series for children aged 7+, by author/illustrator Brian Gordon. Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
After winning their school quiz, Dante and Virgil are ready for a rest. But when Virgil suggests they go to Camp Sulphur Springs, Dante reluctantly agrees. What could possibly go wrong?
A LOT! Endless rain, sharing a cabin with his nemesis and being hit in the butt by a stray arrow are only the beginning of Dante's woes. With an outrageously annoying heartthrob camp counsellor and whisperings of a monster lurking in the woods, Dante’s problems are about to get MUCH worse!
Follow more of Dante's adventures in Dante N. Ferno is NOT a Loser.
After winning their school quiz, Dante and Virgil are ready for a rest. But when Virgil suggests they go to Camp Sulphur Springs, Dante reluctantly agrees. What could possibly go wrong?
A LOT! Endless rain, sharing a cabin with his nemesis and being hit in the butt by a stray arrow are only the beginning of Dante's woes. With an outrageously annoying heartthrob camp counsellor and whisperings of a monster lurking in the woods, Dante’s problems are about to get MUCH worse!
Follow more of Dante's adventures in Dante N. Ferno is NOT a Loser.
- GenresHumor
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 15, 2026
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
I love this series and we’re only on book two! I’m a sucker for any genre that takes place at camp, so this was always going to catch my attention, but having already read and enjoyed the first book made me even more excited to dive in.
While this absolutely works as a standalone if you missed book one, I’d still recommend picking up the first installment for your middle grade readers because this series is shaping up to be such a fun one. I really appreciated how this book tied back to the source material for the title, both through direct references and through the character archetypes it plays with throughout the story.
Like the first book, I read this on audio and had such a great time with it. Nezar Alderazi brings so much energy to the narration with age-appropriate character voices and an enthusiastic delivery that perfectly matches the tone of the story. The comparison to Diary of a Wimpy Kid is honestly spot on. It has that same entertaining, accessible feel that keeps younger readers engaged while still sneaking in meaningful lessons along the way.
This series continues to prove that middle grade books can be hilarious, heartfelt, and educational all at once, and I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next.
I love this series and we’re only on book two! I’m a sucker for any genre that takes place at camp, so this was always going to catch my attention, but having already read and enjoyed the first book made me even more excited to dive in.
While this absolutely works as a standalone if you missed book one, I’d still recommend picking up the first installment for your middle grade readers because this series is shaping up to be such a fun one. I really appreciated how this book tied back to the source material for the title, both through direct references and through the character archetypes it plays with throughout the story.
Like the first book, I read this on audio and had such a great time with it. Nezar Alderazi brings so much energy to the narration with age-appropriate character voices and an enthusiastic delivery that perfectly matches the tone of the story. The comparison to Diary of a Wimpy Kid is honestly spot on. It has that same entertaining, accessible feel that keeps younger readers engaged while still sneaking in meaningful lessons along the way.
This series continues to prove that middle grade books can be hilarious, heartfelt, and educational all at once, and I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next.
August 10, 2026
3.5 stars.
This Diary Of A Wimpy Kid-Inferno mashup is back, as our hapless middle school demon hero takes on a new challenge: sleepaway camp!
Now that Dante has a best friend, he's willing to do practically anything to keep their relationship strong, including going to summer camp in the woods. Angelic Virgil insists that Camp Sulphur Springs is the absolute best, and is really looking forward to going back after having had to miss it the year before. Dante just wants to hang out with the first real friend he's ever made. Fleeing his annoying siblings is just a bonus.
Camp Sulphur Springs turns out to be very different from what Dante expected tho. While the perpetually good-natured Virgil tries to make light of things, it's obvious that the place has fallen into disrepair. The new sasquatch owners, Donny and Alma, are doing their best, and have hired the super-charismatic Wolf to lead the camper activities. Dante, ofc, instinctively hates the guy.
His animosity is only heightened by the amount of time and attention that both Virgil and Bea -- Dante's first ever female friend -- are lavishing on the counselor. His supposed friends don't even have time to help him practice the magic tricks that he wants to perform for the camp's Talent Show. But when Dante finds Wolf acting suspiciously, will anyone believe him or will they all think he's just being jealous?
This was a very cute installment of an illustrated series that I feel is really beginning to hit its stride. While the first book in the series felt occasionally wobbly -- and I say this despite it overall being an excellent read -- this follow up feels far more confidently told. This is likely due to less need to establish the setting, as well as less localization for British readers.
My Kindle version made a bit of a hash of some of the drawings, but overall, they continue to add so much to the humorous story. I really enjoyed this fun take on the legends -- classical and urban -- and am looking forward to seeing where the author takes these characters next.
Camp Catastrophe (Dante N Ferno #2) by Brian Gordon was published May 26 2026 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This Diary Of A Wimpy Kid-Inferno mashup is back, as our hapless middle school demon hero takes on a new challenge: sleepaway camp!
Now that Dante has a best friend, he's willing to do practically anything to keep their relationship strong, including going to summer camp in the woods. Angelic Virgil insists that Camp Sulphur Springs is the absolute best, and is really looking forward to going back after having had to miss it the year before. Dante just wants to hang out with the first real friend he's ever made. Fleeing his annoying siblings is just a bonus.
Camp Sulphur Springs turns out to be very different from what Dante expected tho. While the perpetually good-natured Virgil tries to make light of things, it's obvious that the place has fallen into disrepair. The new sasquatch owners, Donny and Alma, are doing their best, and have hired the super-charismatic Wolf to lead the camper activities. Dante, ofc, instinctively hates the guy.
His animosity is only heightened by the amount of time and attention that both Virgil and Bea -- Dante's first ever female friend -- are lavishing on the counselor. His supposed friends don't even have time to help him practice the magic tricks that he wants to perform for the camp's Talent Show. But when Dante finds Wolf acting suspiciously, will anyone believe him or will they all think he's just being jealous?
This was a very cute installment of an illustrated series that I feel is really beginning to hit its stride. While the first book in the series felt occasionally wobbly -- and I say this despite it overall being an excellent read -- this follow up feels far more confidently told. This is likely due to less need to establish the setting, as well as less localization for British readers.
My Kindle version made a bit of a hash of some of the drawings, but overall, they continue to add so much to the humorous story. I really enjoyed this fun take on the legends -- classical and urban -- and am looking forward to seeing where the author takes these characters next.
Camp Catastrophe (Dante N Ferno #2) by Brian Gordon was published May 26 2026 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
September 8, 2026
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Camp Catastrophe is the second book featuring Dante N. Ferno written and illustrated by Brian Gordon. Released 26th May 2026 by Macmillan on their Farrar, Straus, & Giroux imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first book in the series is also currently available on KU.
This is a fun, very humorous camp adventure for middle grade readers ( ~8-12 years). This summer, Dante and Virgil are headed off to camp, hijinks ensue. It's one thing after another, and the excruciating embarrassment of being a 12 year old and trying to be cool (and trying to be a good friend, and trying to not die of actual embarrassment) are something everyone can relate to.
The illustrations are funny and full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look. The author also has a well regarded webcomic, but this book is aimed toward kids (although it works very well as an all-ages read).
Four strong stars. It's the second book, but there's not a lot of continuity and they can certainly be read as standalones. It would be an excellent choice for public or home library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Camp Catastrophe is the second book featuring Dante N. Ferno written and illustrated by Brian Gordon. Released 26th May 2026 by Macmillan on their Farrar, Straus, & Giroux imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first book in the series is also currently available on KU.
This is a fun, very humorous camp adventure for middle grade readers ( ~8-12 years). This summer, Dante and Virgil are headed off to camp, hijinks ensue. It's one thing after another, and the excruciating embarrassment of being a 12 year old and trying to be cool (and trying to be a good friend, and trying to not die of actual embarrassment) are something everyone can relate to.
The illustrations are funny and full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look. The author also has a well regarded webcomic, but this book is aimed toward kids (although it works very well as an all-ages read).
Four strong stars. It's the second book, but there's not a lot of continuity and they can certainly be read as standalones. It would be an excellent choice for public or home library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
April 10, 2026
This book was such a fun read that somehow appealed to both my niche interests as well as my elementary-school-aged son.
Dante N. Ferno: Camp Catastrophe gave me exactly what I needed: a way to connect with my second grader over a shared reading experience while also quietly indulging my own love of mythic and religious lore. My son devoured this for the snarky humor, the cartoon illustrations on every page, and the chaotic camp adventure energy. I was right there with him—genuinely entertained—while also appreciating the cleverness of the underlying mythology.
A two-horned demon named Dante? His angelic best friend Virgil? Camp Sulfur Springs? Brian Gordon is clearly having fun with the symbolism, and as someone who loves when kids' books layer in references that reward adult readers without alienating young ones, I was delighted. It's the kind of book that works on multiple levels without ever feeling like it's winking too hard at the grown-ups in the room.
The story itself is exactly what kids this age want: plans going wildly awry, a frustrating counselor, friendship dynamics, and enough chaos to keep pages turning. My son laughed out loud multiple times and immediately asked if there were more books in the series.
Highly recommend for parents looking for a read-together (or read-alone) book that entertains the whole household.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Dante N. Ferno: Camp Catastrophe gave me exactly what I needed: a way to connect with my second grader over a shared reading experience while also quietly indulging my own love of mythic and religious lore. My son devoured this for the snarky humor, the cartoon illustrations on every page, and the chaotic camp adventure energy. I was right there with him—genuinely entertained—while also appreciating the cleverness of the underlying mythology.
A two-horned demon named Dante? His angelic best friend Virgil? Camp Sulfur Springs? Brian Gordon is clearly having fun with the symbolism, and as someone who loves when kids' books layer in references that reward adult readers without alienating young ones, I was delighted. It's the kind of book that works on multiple levels without ever feeling like it's winking too hard at the grown-ups in the room.
The story itself is exactly what kids this age want: plans going wildly awry, a frustrating counselor, friendship dynamics, and enough chaos to keep pages turning. My son laughed out loud multiple times and immediately asked if there were more books in the series.
Highly recommend for parents looking for a read-together (or read-alone) book that entertains the whole household.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2026
Thank you so much to Macmillan Children and Netgalley for the advance review copy! As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
They're back! Dante and Virgil survived their first year of middle school. Surely, they've earned themselves a nice, relaxing fun break, right? Well, Camp Sulfur Springs is supposed to offer them that. Only nothing goes right. From strange food, bully roommates and even a dangerous mystery, this camping experience is unlike any other.
While the first book was focused on each of the character's families and homes (Blisshaven vs Brimstone), this book is a lot more focused on Dante adapting to his new friendship and feeling the need to prove he's the best friend Virgil could ever have. At least, when he's not worried about surviving camp or embarrassing himself at the talent show.
The situations they find themselves are genuinely unique and funny. The characters, friends or foes, are equally memorable and fun. The action moments are engaging and are perfectly paired with fun illustrations that will make any reader chuckle.
All in all, an excellent sequel and I know the kids in my family will love it.
P.S: I had fun reading it, too!
You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)
They're back! Dante and Virgil survived their first year of middle school. Surely, they've earned themselves a nice, relaxing fun break, right? Well, Camp Sulfur Springs is supposed to offer them that. Only nothing goes right. From strange food, bully roommates and even a dangerous mystery, this camping experience is unlike any other.
While the first book was focused on each of the character's families and homes (Blisshaven vs Brimstone), this book is a lot more focused on Dante adapting to his new friendship and feeling the need to prove he's the best friend Virgil could ever have. At least, when he's not worried about surviving camp or embarrassing himself at the talent show.
The situations they find themselves are genuinely unique and funny. The characters, friends or foes, are equally memorable and fun. The action moments are engaging and are perfectly paired with fun illustrations that will make any reader chuckle.
All in all, an excellent sequel and I know the kids in my family will love it.
P.S: I had fun reading it, too!
You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)
June 19, 2026
This is the second book in the series. Dante is a demon, and his best, and only friend is Virgil, who is an angel. In this book, the pair of them go off to summer camp, a camp that Virgil swears up and down was the best place ever.
But, Virgil hasn’t been in a few years, and things have gone downhill for the camp, which has holes in the walls, and in the ground, and things might eat you in the woods. And something strange is happening in the boy’s bathroom that keeps it locked, so that everyone has to do their business in the woods.
As usual, Dante thinks there is something else going on, which in this case, there is, but Virgil thinks everything, though rather muddy and strange, is fine.
High jinks abound, of course.
This is a really cute middle grade humorous book about all the bad things that could happen at a summer camp. It is a fairly quick read, and just has the right amount of potty humor, and adventure to keep readers engaged. There will, apparently, be more books in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book came out in May 2026 and so is available where books are sold.
But, Virgil hasn’t been in a few years, and things have gone downhill for the camp, which has holes in the walls, and in the ground, and things might eat you in the woods. And something strange is happening in the boy’s bathroom that keeps it locked, so that everyone has to do their business in the woods.
As usual, Dante thinks there is something else going on, which in this case, there is, but Virgil thinks everything, though rather muddy and strange, is fine.
High jinks abound, of course.
This is a really cute middle grade humorous book about all the bad things that could happen at a summer camp. It is a fairly quick read, and just has the right amount of potty humor, and adventure to keep readers engaged. There will, apparently, be more books in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book came out in May 2026 and so is available where books are sold.
March 31, 2026
You see enough patterns when reviewing books for decades that you can formulate theories and Rules about such things. One Rule I found was that when a juvenile series begins to run out of ideas, it will base a book at a summer camp – or, failing that, have everything lead to a talent contest. This, just the second book in this series, has our Dante and the saintly Virgil at a summer camp, where everything is capped off by a talent show. I mean, Rules are there to be broken…
Last time (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) I found a slightly slow, but bizarrely Greek-myth-and-Dante-and-Milton-riffing drama of a kid wanting to prove himself. This seemed quite a different beast. For one thing, if there were references to the actual Divine Comedy stories, and Paradises Lost and Regained, they went over my head. I mean there is eventually a touch of the underground, and someone packs a lute all the time, but there's nothing like the unusual Easter egg-styled quips of before.
And really, what there is is a pretty self-contained story, which is fun, but actually nothing at all to refer to the characters being a devilish scamp (Dante) and a heavenly dweeb (Virgil). I mean it's implied by their behaviour, and it's certainly there in the art, but there's nothing in the actual script to include those details. Meaning this could almost fit into any franchise where a monster-threatened, badly-bogged, dodgily-run summer camp was called for.
Still, don't get me wrong. For all that might have made this distinctive the book has gained a smarter zip, and enough about it to make it practically a four star read, so a step up from the near-adult-proof debut. Things here are pleasantly familiar, and returning readers might well not miss the peculiar lore of the franchise at all. Cerberus and dog-washing seems to be the focus of the third book, when it arrives, suggesting a swing back the other way. So perhaps I've just missed each and every allusion here. But I welcomed the improvement, so roll on Book Three.
Last time (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) I found a slightly slow, but bizarrely Greek-myth-and-Dante-and-Milton-riffing drama of a kid wanting to prove himself. This seemed quite a different beast. For one thing, if there were references to the actual Divine Comedy stories, and Paradises Lost and Regained, they went over my head. I mean there is eventually a touch of the underground, and someone packs a lute all the time, but there's nothing like the unusual Easter egg-styled quips of before.
And really, what there is is a pretty self-contained story, which is fun, but actually nothing at all to refer to the characters being a devilish scamp (Dante) and a heavenly dweeb (Virgil). I mean it's implied by their behaviour, and it's certainly there in the art, but there's nothing in the actual script to include those details. Meaning this could almost fit into any franchise where a monster-threatened, badly-bogged, dodgily-run summer camp was called for.
Still, don't get me wrong. For all that might have made this distinctive the book has gained a smarter zip, and enough about it to make it practically a four star read, so a step up from the near-adult-proof debut. Things here are pleasantly familiar, and returning readers might well not miss the peculiar lore of the franchise at all. Cerberus and dog-washing seems to be the focus of the third book, when it arrives, suggesting a swing back the other way. So perhaps I've just missed each and every allusion here. But I welcomed the improvement, so roll on Book Three.
June 14, 2026
Dante has been talked into going to summer camp by his friend Virgil. He is not sure I he will fit in. Will he? Ferno has hopes of making a splash in summer camp. This second novel is is filled with loads of laughing humor and black-and-white illustrations in every chapter. It is a funny, highly illustrated series. It gives a look at the problem of friendship and bullying. It’s a great book to read during summer or for any time of the year. It was fun for me to read this story as the illustrations were great and had me laughing as I read the story.
Discard: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Discard: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
March 26, 2026
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
This is the second book in the Dante N. Ferno book series that follows Dante. He is a bit of a loser and gets bullied at school. However, he has a new best friend and things are looking up. They go to a camp and things are not as they seem.
I really enjoy this series! It is like diary of a wimpy kid but with some creatures. It has some funny moments and pictures throughout as well. I liked how Dante was navigating some real-life things like friendship jealousy. It is relatable to kids while also being fantasy.
I think kids will really enjoy this series!
This is the second book in the Dante N. Ferno book series that follows Dante. He is a bit of a loser and gets bullied at school. However, he has a new best friend and things are looking up. They go to a camp and things are not as they seem.
I really enjoy this series! It is like diary of a wimpy kid but with some creatures. It has some funny moments and pictures throughout as well. I liked how Dante was navigating some real-life things like friendship jealousy. It is relatable to kids while also being fantasy.
I think kids will really enjoy this series!
May 17, 2026
Thank you Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this book. Dante is back for another adventure and, as usual, nothing goes according to plan. Written in the same style as the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this highly relatable story for young readers has everything they want: humor, silly antics, friendship, lots of action and adventure, a mystery, and possibly even a monster. Listening to the audio version was a treat as Nezar Alderazi did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Definitely recommend this series and can’t wait to share the newest instalment with my students.
May 31, 2026
Think Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets fantasy! Even though we jumped right into this series at book two, my kids (ages 9 and 7) were totally hooked from start to finish.
The characters are so entertaining, and the audiobook narrator did a fantastic job bringing them to life with distinct voices. Best of all? The humor is right on target for a kid audience, genuinely funny without crossing into inappropriate territory.
If you're looking for your next family road trip listen or a bedtime audiobook, this one gets a big thumbs up from us!
The characters are so entertaining, and the audiobook narrator did a fantastic job bringing them to life with distinct voices. Best of all? The humor is right on target for a kid audience, genuinely funny without crossing into inappropriate territory.
If you're looking for your next family road trip listen or a bedtime audiobook, this one gets a big thumbs up from us!
June 9, 2026
A continuation of book 1 in this series. Dante and Virgil are going to camp, but it’s not a normal camp. They’ve heard rumors of a monster living in the woods, everything is falling apart, the food served is green goo and there’s a suspicious camp counselor. The friendship between Dante and Virgil continues to develop in this second book and the slapstick humor is still there. I read this as an audiobook and the narrator did a great job with the different voices and bringing the illustrations to life. Kids are going to love this.
Recommend for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Recommend for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
May 9, 2026
This is my second Dante N Ferno. My first was an ebook and I loved the humorous illustrations, and this was an exuberant, energetic audiobook.
The story is so funny and recalls so many references, which was fun for me as an adult. Dante is so likeable and relatable and sympathetic, and it's wonderful to watch him learn how to enjoy himself in such a diverse group.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
The story is so funny and recalls so many references, which was fun for me as an adult. Dante is so likeable and relatable and sympathetic, and it's wonderful to watch him learn how to enjoy himself in such a diverse group.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
March 22, 2026
If you love Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you need Dante in your life. This is the second book in the series, and it’s hilarious. Dante ends up at summer camp reluctantly, and everything goes wrong: stray arrows to the butt, annoying counselors, and rumors of a monster in the woods. I was laughing out loud the whole time!
April 5, 2026
This is full of hilarious, silly antics. Dante and his friends go to camp, and what they uncover is horrible food, a criminal mastermind, a potential worm legend and a very soggy bed! The bit with the arrow really made me chuckle! This is a perfect illustrated novel for those looking for something fun!
June 6, 2026
3.5
Dante N. Ferno: Camp Catastrophe is a fun sequel to Dante N. Ferno Is Not a Loser, sending Dante and Virgil to summer camp, where they find themselves in the middle of a mystery. A fun summer read and a great series to follow.
Note: contains very mild language.
Dante N. Ferno: Camp Catastrophe is a fun sequel to Dante N. Ferno Is Not a Loser, sending Dante and Virgil to summer camp, where they find themselves in the middle of a mystery. A fun summer read and a great series to follow.
Note: contains very mild language.
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