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Terravenum Chronicles #2
Thugwallop
Sometimes adventure knocks. Other times, it hurls woodland creatures at your airship.
After Ozzie and Alex rescue their grandfather from the clutches of warrior librarians, they discover their adventures in Terravenum are only beginning. Stone Hunting isn’t easy—especially when petulant Dark Lords, curmudgeonly hermits, and a Hack Tech gladiator sport stand in the way.
Meanwhile, their father Humboldt has problems of his own. After seven years in captivity, he’s sent on a mission with the worst partner Skhaar the Annihilator, the brute who stole his freedom. Failure means death, but success spells disaster.
Ancient prophecies, skulking perils, and monstrous denizens of the deep await the Forsythes. Good thing Grandfather brought his cricket bat.
After Ozzie and Alex rescue their grandfather from the clutches of warrior librarians, they discover their adventures in Terravenum are only beginning. Stone Hunting isn’t easy—especially when petulant Dark Lords, curmudgeonly hermits, and a Hack Tech gladiator sport stand in the way.
Meanwhile, their father Humboldt has problems of his own. After seven years in captivity, he’s sent on a mission with the worst partner Skhaar the Annihilator, the brute who stole his freedom. Failure means death, but success spells disaster.
Ancient prophecies, skulking perils, and monstrous denizens of the deep await the Forsythes. Good thing Grandfather brought his cricket bat.
- GenresFantasy
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2025
About the author
Dito Abbott
3 books44 followersDito (rhymes with “Cheetoh”) Abbott was born in Puerto Rico, grew up in Saudi Arabia, and sailed around the world with his family by the age of twenty-seven.
His debut YA Fantasy novel, Debunked, draws on his love for adventure, googly-eyed slime beasts, and sarcastic swords of legend.
Dito lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with his wife, two daughters, and an invisible dragon named Clyde.
His debut YA Fantasy novel, Debunked, draws on his love for adventure, googly-eyed slime beasts, and sarcastic swords of legend.
Dito lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with his wife, two daughters, and an invisible dragon named Clyde.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 20, 2025
I had a blast reading Debunked (Book 1 of the series) a couple of years ago and wondered how Thugwallop would hold up. To my relief and great joy, Thugwallop meets the fun and adventure of Debunked and possibly even surpasses. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite worlds to travel to and will be a series I read many times in my lifetime. If you’ve never read this series before, take a second to rethink every life decision and then immediately start reading Debunked!
October 12, 2026
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MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.25/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been in the world of Terravenum, four years to be exact, and it felt like I never even left. I have a love for these YA/middle-grade fantasy books like Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and I think Terravenum Chronicles fits directly in that category with them. It’s light, it’s fun, it’s just good for the soul and I should’ve picked it up months ago. This read and review is long overdue because Thugwallop was released in November of ‘25 and here we are nearly a year later! Because of some personal things going on in life, I put ARC reads on the back burner, but we are back on track now. Anyways, I remember reading Debunked in 2022 and felt fascinated by Abbott’s world, him adding a “story so far” section was the perfect thing I needed to dip my toe back into the world with Thugwallop.
One of the coolest things to discover in Thugwallop is that the title of the book is named after the sport found within the story itself. The game is absolute chaos, but incredibly fun, it is like a demolition derby fought entirely in mech suits. For visuals, I’d say it’s a brilliant high-octane mashup where Gladiator meets Edge of Tomorrow meets Robot Wars. At first I was thinking Real Steel, but Thugwallop sets itself apart by putting the character directly inside a heavily customized “hack tech” suit, battling it out in an arena surrounded by fans wanting to see someone lose. Tell me that doesn’t sound exciting, it takes up a good part of the book, but I honestly wanted even more! I would not have been mad if this section took up more of the book.
Abbott does a great job with the development of the characters in this book from where they were in Debunked. Ozzie’s reserved and awkward personality, while still there some, has changed out of necessity. He showed it some in Debunked and even more-so now. He can no longer just sit back, he is stepping up and growing into a bit more of a leader. Alex was already outgoing and adventurous, but now she’s learning when to channel that energy and when to dial it back, rather than always going headfirst into every situation. Instead of being polar opposites, they are now balancing each other out with their intelligence and strategy. With the addition of their grandfather, Sir Quidby, to the crew, it adds an extra layer and meaning to their change. Pascal and Layla continue to bring that needed camaraderie that adds in extra laughs and worries throughout the story. No addition is bigger than Humboldt, the father of Ozzie and Alex, who gets his own POV. His perspective adds a sense of mystery and tension to the story as we get to explore deeper into Terravenum after he is forced into a life-or-death mission with the worst person possible, Skhaar the annihilator.
Dito again uses footnotes to help explain deeper into certain things, I like this, but as I mentioned last time, I’d like to see those formed within the story rather than footnoted. Aside from that one thing, Thugwallop is a worthy successor to Debunked and never had a dull moment where it felt like filler to give the book more pages, everything was earned. Abbott’s wild imagination has created something so fundamentally strange that even Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Journey to the Center of the Earth would scoff at. Great characters, deep lore in a weird world, plentiful action and great tension to boot.
Follow me on X: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.25/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been in the world of Terravenum, four years to be exact, and it felt like I never even left. I have a love for these YA/middle-grade fantasy books like Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and I think Terravenum Chronicles fits directly in that category with them. It’s light, it’s fun, it’s just good for the soul and I should’ve picked it up months ago. This read and review is long overdue because Thugwallop was released in November of ‘25 and here we are nearly a year later! Because of some personal things going on in life, I put ARC reads on the back burner, but we are back on track now. Anyways, I remember reading Debunked in 2022 and felt fascinated by Abbott’s world, him adding a “story so far” section was the perfect thing I needed to dip my toe back into the world with Thugwallop.
One of the coolest things to discover in Thugwallop is that the title of the book is named after the sport found within the story itself. The game is absolute chaos, but incredibly fun, it is like a demolition derby fought entirely in mech suits. For visuals, I’d say it’s a brilliant high-octane mashup where Gladiator meets Edge of Tomorrow meets Robot Wars. At first I was thinking Real Steel, but Thugwallop sets itself apart by putting the character directly inside a heavily customized “hack tech” suit, battling it out in an arena surrounded by fans wanting to see someone lose. Tell me that doesn’t sound exciting, it takes up a good part of the book, but I honestly wanted even more! I would not have been mad if this section took up more of the book.
Abbott does a great job with the development of the characters in this book from where they were in Debunked. Ozzie’s reserved and awkward personality, while still there some, has changed out of necessity. He showed it some in Debunked and even more-so now. He can no longer just sit back, he is stepping up and growing into a bit more of a leader. Alex was already outgoing and adventurous, but now she’s learning when to channel that energy and when to dial it back, rather than always going headfirst into every situation. Instead of being polar opposites, they are now balancing each other out with their intelligence and strategy. With the addition of their grandfather, Sir Quidby, to the crew, it adds an extra layer and meaning to their change. Pascal and Layla continue to bring that needed camaraderie that adds in extra laughs and worries throughout the story. No addition is bigger than Humboldt, the father of Ozzie and Alex, who gets his own POV. His perspective adds a sense of mystery and tension to the story as we get to explore deeper into Terravenum after he is forced into a life-or-death mission with the worst person possible, Skhaar the annihilator.
Dito again uses footnotes to help explain deeper into certain things, I like this, but as I mentioned last time, I’d like to see those formed within the story rather than footnoted. Aside from that one thing, Thugwallop is a worthy successor to Debunked and never had a dull moment where it felt like filler to give the book more pages, everything was earned. Abbott’s wild imagination has created something so fundamentally strange that even Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Journey to the Center of the Earth would scoff at. Great characters, deep lore in a weird world, plentiful action and great tension to boot.
June 4, 2026
Thugwallop: Volume Two, Terravenum Chronicles
The Wild Ride Continues
Ozzie and Alex Forsythe, their cricket bat-wielding grandfather and the rest of Angelus Crew continue searching for the teens' father while seeing to prevent the magical Borealis Stones from being discovered.
I can't begin to give an in-depth plot synopsis because, without all of Abbott's twists, turns, tongue-twisters, and krubskunk attacks, I'd miss something in the translation.
With equal parts non-stop action and rib-cracking hilarity, Abbott's second installment of the Terravenum Chronicles is, at its heart, a story about, well, family heart.
In the tradition of "Lemony Snicket" and "Harry Potter," "Thugwhallop is a treasure for the whole family...especially families that must cross The Divide to reunite.
The Wild Ride Continues
Ozzie and Alex Forsythe, their cricket bat-wielding grandfather and the rest of Angelus Crew continue searching for the teens' father while seeing to prevent the magical Borealis Stones from being discovered.
I can't begin to give an in-depth plot synopsis because, without all of Abbott's twists, turns, tongue-twisters, and krubskunk attacks, I'd miss something in the translation.
With equal parts non-stop action and rib-cracking hilarity, Abbott's second installment of the Terravenum Chronicles is, at its heart, a story about, well, family heart.
In the tradition of "Lemony Snicket" and "Harry Potter," "Thugwhallop is a treasure for the whole family...especially families that must cross The Divide to reunite.
November 27, 2025
This is the sequel of Debunked, the first novel in the Terravenum Chronicles. I've waited eagerly for it and I'm not disappointed. The Forsythe twins and their grandfather are looking for Humboldt, their father and Sir Quidby's son. Seems he'd been held captive for the past seven years but now he's been sent on a search for some special stones. The story proceeds all across Terravenum, filled with wild imagination, strange characters (most of them want to attack our heroes), and hilarious footnotes. Never a dull moment. The book ends in an abrupt cliffhanger, but the writer has promised that part 3 is coming soon. Can't wait.
January 20, 2026
This is the second book in this series and it took me a bit to get going on it due to all the Holiday stuff going on. It picks up where the last one left off and its was about two years in coming. The twins are with their Grandfather and are searching for a special stone, ( stone hunters thru out). They had many adventures and then the story also reveals the their Father is still alive but in the King Fury's prison. He's having his own adventure in Terravenum. Well I've given you more clues to help you get started, so read and enjoy.
December 2, 2025
A masterpiece of insanity that is surprisingly sane. After reading Debunked I looked forward to this sequel impatiently. I was greatly rewarded. Every character in this book is crazy, mad, and quite insane. I love it. I giggled and guffawed all the way through the book. Pascal cracks me up. I really don’t have words to do justice to this book and series. Imagine Douglas Adams on steroids in a steampunk world that is about as sane as Alice’s Wonderland.
December 2, 2025
A great addition to the word of Terravenum! Dito creates a wonderful world of crazy locations and characters you love. I got the chance to meet Dito in person and have been blessed to be apart of the early release for Thugwallop. Can’t wait for what comes next, the hunt continues!
December 26, 2025
A Great Escape
This story is a great way to escape the madness we are currently living in. An escape into a world where madness is the norm is very uplifting. A trip down the lane of screwiness is so stress relieving. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
This story is a great way to escape the madness we are currently living in. An escape into a world where madness is the norm is very uplifting. A trip down the lane of screwiness is so stress relieving. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
November 12, 2025
Outrageously Hilarious Epic Steampunk Adventure!
Ozzie, Alex, Quidby, and friends are on an unimaginable expedition to find the lost pieces of the Borealis Stone before the Fury King gets his hands on them. All the while, the twins' father, with Skhaar the Annihilator as babysitter, is being forced to locate the pieces of the stone for the Fury King. There are trees that attack trespassers, dangerous creatures and plants that can't be avoided, books with absurd titles, people with even more absurd names, gadgets with deceptively ridiculous instructions, outrageous encounters with hermits, chaos-filled exploits, and a strange sword with a mind of its own. Thugwallop, the second installment to the Terravenum Chronicles, is a book lovers of science-fiction, fantasy, world travel, steampunk, Lemony Snicket, and Indiana Jones won't want to miss.
Ozzie, Alex, Quidby, and friends are on an unimaginable expedition to find the lost pieces of the Borealis Stone before the Fury King gets his hands on them. All the while, the twins' father, with Skhaar the Annihilator as babysitter, is being forced to locate the pieces of the stone for the Fury King. There are trees that attack trespassers, dangerous creatures and plants that can't be avoided, books with absurd titles, people with even more absurd names, gadgets with deceptively ridiculous instructions, outrageous encounters with hermits, chaos-filled exploits, and a strange sword with a mind of its own. Thugwallop, the second installment to the Terravenum Chronicles, is a book lovers of science-fiction, fantasy, world travel, steampunk, Lemony Snicket, and Indiana Jones won't want to miss.
November 18, 2025
I love adventure! And this book fit the bill. I traveled all around Terravenium. I cared about the characters and I held my breath at the end of each chapter. To me, that's a great book
January 5, 2026
This hilarious book continues the adventures of Ozzie and Alex. The world is amazing, and the story kept me laughing. Such great writing!
February 13, 2026
Great story. Really expands the world. Can't wait for the next installment
September 30, 2026
3 1/2 stars
November 15, 2025
The continuing adventures of Ozzie and Alex.
They find themselves once again in Terravenum, this time looking for their lost father.
Mr. Abbott continues to spin a story of just pure fun adventure.
Digging deeper into the hidden realm that they are exploring, they meet new characters, strange, librarians, and the sentient octopus that is dead set on killing them.
This is an enjoyable book that appeals to a large range of readers.
Readers of all ages will enjoy what he describes as Indiana Jones meets hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
Though he did pull a Lord of the rings on us, the book doesn’t end so much as it just stops.
At least we know how volume three is going to begin.
If you enjoy the first volume, you will enjoy this one just as much.
They find themselves once again in Terravenum, this time looking for their lost father.
Mr. Abbott continues to spin a story of just pure fun adventure.
Digging deeper into the hidden realm that they are exploring, they meet new characters, strange, librarians, and the sentient octopus that is dead set on killing them.
This is an enjoyable book that appeals to a large range of readers.
Readers of all ages will enjoy what he describes as Indiana Jones meets hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
Though he did pull a Lord of the rings on us, the book doesn’t end so much as it just stops.
At least we know how volume three is going to begin.
If you enjoy the first volume, you will enjoy this one just as much.
November 25, 2025
What a rousing continuation of the Terravenum Chronicles! I adore the main characters and am already begging for book 3. This series has a stupendous amount of wit and creativity crafted into each page which makes an awesome storyline. And, that story kept me up very late two nights in a row! What better recommendation, right?
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews