What do you think?
Tales from Adventureland #1
The Keymaster's Quest
Andy Stanley has never met his famous grandfather, renowned archaeologist and explorer Ned Lostmore. Then Ned goes missing on the search for a hidden temple deep in the Amazonian jungle, and everyone assumes he’s dead. But when Andy receives a mysterious letter and key from his grandfather, he is drawn into a quest to stop several lost, magical artifacts from falling into the wrong hands. His adventure takes him deep into the worlds of the attractions featured at Disney’s Adventureland―the Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, and more!
262 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 24, 2023
The book was written as a Disneyland tie-in but it’s not necessary to know anything about Disney to read it. But it does explain why the book spends so much time in the Tiki Room.
The puzzles in the book were fun, but most of the characters were too over the top. It was a bit too absurd for my taste, and I am usually okay with absurdity. So it’s definitely aimed at a younger audience, more elementary school than middle school.
Andy Stanley was a good kid character — he’s clumsy and has a love of fountain pens — and quite relatable. He moves from adventure to adventure at a near-dizzying pace but actually grows as a character.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild; bad guys are implied killed in action
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
The puzzles in the book were fun, but most of the characters were too over the top. It was a bit too absurd for my taste, and I am usually okay with absurdity. So it’s definitely aimed at a younger audience, more elementary school than middle school.
Andy Stanley was a good kid character — he’s clumsy and has a love of fountain pens — and quite relatable. He moves from adventure to adventure at a near-dizzying pace but actually grows as a character.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild; bad guys are implied killed in action
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
June 7, 2026
Good plot. Liked that it had Hawaiian mythology. But it had magic (not powers)and spells. So unhaul for me.
March 4, 2024
This is the first book of this series! I enjoyed it very much! I love all the things adventureland! Getting to feel like it could be a real for real place and time made me so happy. I recommend this book to anyone of any age who loves Disney! Kungaloosh!
November 22, 2017
Almost five stars :)
If you love visiting Disney parks, especially Adventureland and the Enchanted Tiki Room, and your heart is eager to go on a little adventure, then this is the book for you!
1. The Keymaster’s Quest is a fast-paced adventure that grabs you from the very start. I’m really glad that there wasn’t a whole lot of downtime in between chase scenes and fight scenes and escape scenes. That meant that I didn’t skim quickly through any particular part: I was riveted to the story the whole way through. From a mansion in Oregon to the waters of the Pacific Ocean (literally) and onto the Hawaiian islands, readers journey alongside Andy Stanley as he fulfills his grandfather’s mission.
2. I love how awkward and clumsy Andy is. These qualities make him someone you really want to root for. It also makes for an excellent protagonist in a story that is so quintessentially a bildungsroman. Not that that is what my students will pay attention to. They’ll just love how awkward Andy is and how funny he can be … and maybe how there’s a little bit of him in all of them.
3. I wasn’t all that pleased that Andy leaves for his adventure without personally talking to his parents. I know it’s important for the main parental figures to get out of the way so that the adventures can truly start, but I still would’ve liked to see him make a phone call or something to let his mom know he’s okay.
4. What a great location for a story – the Polynesian islands! There’s so much natural beauty and, of course, potential traps put into place by ancient magic. Maybe it’s just because I’ve always loved stories based in Hawaii, but it was really hard not to lap up every detail of the islands that Lethcoe offers. I loved reading about Pele, Kapu, the menehune, and all the other magical island dwellers in the story.
5. Ned Lostmore’s friends are a hoot! I so want to know more about them and how they came to be part of the Explorers’ Society. I’m particularly enamoured with Madame Wiki. She seems like she’s got quite a story to tell.
6. This is the first book in a series, but I’m not entirely sure how long the series will last. On his website, Lethcoe alludes to the idea of a trilogy, but three books really aren’t enough! I really hope there are way more stories based on the various rides and lands in the Disney Parks. I think a Jungle-Cruise-themed adventure is up next (or soon), and I’m so ready for that!
7. I really wanted some Dole Whip while I was reading this story. I can’t wait for more Disney adventures.
8. Teachers/parents, this is an excellent story to add to your shelves. Even if your kids are not as Disnerdy as I am, they’ll still love Andy’s adventures. What really drives this story is Andy himself whom Lethcoe brilliantly colours as sweet and smart and sensitive. He’s exactly what many kids are at his age, and his lack of certainty mixed with his stalwart desire to be brave is both heartwarming and encouraging. I’m sure many kids will find a kindred spirit in Andy.
If you love visiting Disney parks, especially Adventureland and the Enchanted Tiki Room, and your heart is eager to go on a little adventure, then this is the book for you!
1. The Keymaster’s Quest is a fast-paced adventure that grabs you from the very start. I’m really glad that there wasn’t a whole lot of downtime in between chase scenes and fight scenes and escape scenes. That meant that I didn’t skim quickly through any particular part: I was riveted to the story the whole way through. From a mansion in Oregon to the waters of the Pacific Ocean (literally) and onto the Hawaiian islands, readers journey alongside Andy Stanley as he fulfills his grandfather’s mission.
2. I love how awkward and clumsy Andy is. These qualities make him someone you really want to root for. It also makes for an excellent protagonist in a story that is so quintessentially a bildungsroman. Not that that is what my students will pay attention to. They’ll just love how awkward Andy is and how funny he can be … and maybe how there’s a little bit of him in all of them.
3. I wasn’t all that pleased that Andy leaves for his adventure without personally talking to his parents. I know it’s important for the main parental figures to get out of the way so that the adventures can truly start, but I still would’ve liked to see him make a phone call or something to let his mom know he’s okay.
4. What a great location for a story – the Polynesian islands! There’s so much natural beauty and, of course, potential traps put into place by ancient magic. Maybe it’s just because I’ve always loved stories based in Hawaii, but it was really hard not to lap up every detail of the islands that Lethcoe offers. I loved reading about Pele, Kapu, the menehune, and all the other magical island dwellers in the story.
5. Ned Lostmore’s friends are a hoot! I so want to know more about them and how they came to be part of the Explorers’ Society. I’m particularly enamoured with Madame Wiki. She seems like she’s got quite a story to tell.
6. This is the first book in a series, but I’m not entirely sure how long the series will last. On his website, Lethcoe alludes to the idea of a trilogy, but three books really aren’t enough! I really hope there are way more stories based on the various rides and lands in the Disney Parks. I think a Jungle-Cruise-themed adventure is up next (or soon), and I’m so ready for that!
7. I really wanted some Dole Whip while I was reading this story. I can’t wait for more Disney adventures.
8. Teachers/parents, this is an excellent story to add to your shelves. Even if your kids are not as Disnerdy as I am, they’ll still love Andy’s adventures. What really drives this story is Andy himself whom Lethcoe brilliantly colours as sweet and smart and sensitive. He’s exactly what many kids are at his age, and his lack of certainty mixed with his stalwart desire to be brave is both heartwarming and encouraging. I’m sure many kids will find a kindred spirit in Andy.
August 30, 2019
Look, I know it’s a book for tweens, okay? But I’ve had about half an idea for some Jungle Cruise fanfic bumping around in my head for a while, and I needed to see what sort of things were already canon.
I’m not saying it was bad, I’m just saying that I feel I can safely ignore all of this in my stories. If you have kids, they’ll probably like it fine. I’m a huge Adventureland fan (thanks, autocorrect, for suggesting ‘asshole’. How would you like it if I forgot to set you on the charger tonight, huh?)(bastard.), so I found myself rolling my eyes a lot at some of the cutesy things in the book that were used to tie some of the attractions together, but there were a few things I actually really enjoyed (like the Wally Boag call-out. That was nice.).
In any case...yeah, it’s fine for your 10 year old. Lots of magic. Nice tidy little happy ending that leads directly into a cliff hanger for the next book.
I’m not saying it was bad, I’m just saying that I feel I can safely ignore all of this in my stories. If you have kids, they’ll probably like it fine. I’m a huge Adventureland fan (thanks, autocorrect, for suggesting ‘asshole’. How would you like it if I forgot to set you on the charger tonight, huh?)(bastard.), so I found myself rolling my eyes a lot at some of the cutesy things in the book that were used to tie some of the attractions together, but there were a few things I actually really enjoyed (like the Wally Boag call-out. That was nice.).
In any case...yeah, it’s fine for your 10 year old. Lots of magic. Nice tidy little happy ending that leads directly into a cliff hanger for the next book.
March 16, 2018
I love the Adventureland sections of the Disney Parks, so I was immediately drawn to this first book in a new series. It features a young boy drawn into a world of exotic adventure, with more than a few moments that will be familiar to fans of Disney attractions like the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise. The story is fast-paced, and full of colorful characters, vivid action sequences, twists and turns, and puzzles to solve. While the characters could stand to be fleshed out a bit more, this was a quick, entertaining read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.
February 17, 2020
Purchased for my 4th grade Disney obsessed daughter but I read it first. Quick read, very lose ties to Disney such as The Explorer's Club, some very loose references from The Jungle Cruise and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Fun adventure that a non-Disney person could read very easily- I doubt my daughter will catch any of the Disney references. Even with my big pile of "adult" TBR books I jumped right into the second book in the series!
June 10, 2017
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Even though Andy Stanley is facinated with adventure he lives a quiet "normal" life- until he attends his grandfather's funeral. As he embarks on a quest he meets a quirky cast of characters and enough danger to push him out of his comfort zone. It was fun to go on this journey with Andy and watch him find his inner strength.
The references to the Disney Parks' Adventureland never seem forced and I especially loved the talking birds. A good read for kids who like action and excitement.
Even though Andy Stanley is facinated with adventure he lives a quiet "normal" life- until he attends his grandfather's funeral. As he embarks on a quest he meets a quirky cast of characters and enough danger to push him out of his comfort zone. It was fun to go on this journey with Andy and watch him find his inner strength.
The references to the Disney Parks' Adventureland never seem forced and I especially loved the talking birds. A good read for kids who like action and excitement.
January 17, 2020
Fun read! This book felt like a caricature of adventure novels, but it was a fun little story and I enjoyed the ride. I will most likely not be continuing in the series, but I enjoyed my stay while it lasted!
January 28, 2024
Andy must go to the funeral of his grandfather that he has only read about. But all of his grandfather's friends talk as they know him and have watched him grow up. His grandfather has left him a key and a note but why and where is this going to lead him.
July 14, 2017
The young reader will probably like this book.
September 30, 2017
My 8 year old son is SUPER into this book, so it's a win for me! Love books that engage and draw him in to encourage his growing independent reading skills. Fun book to read as a family too!
October 1, 2017
me no liked this book! it very hard keep up what they talk about!
October 11, 2017
Cute book....good for grades 1-5. I'm hoping there are more stories to Andy's adventures. Happy Reading :)
February 24, 2019
If you are a Adventureland fan you will enjoy this short middle grade book. Everyone is in the mix, the tiki birds, Trader Sam and the Society of Adventurers and Explorers. Very fun.
July 7, 2019
Kids would probably like it. Hard for me to rate as an adult.
February 16, 2020
Takes a bit for this one to make sense so stick with it :)
August 13, 2023
An interesting and enjoyable tropical adventure to the Enchanted Tiki room and the mystical jungles and magic of Hawaii.
Want to Read
June 12, 2017Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Want to Read
May 15, 2018I received a copy of this book from Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews