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The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea #1
Malamander
Nobody visits Eerie-on-Sea in the winter. Especially not when darkness falls and the wind howls around Maw Rocks and the wreck of the battleship Leviathan, where even now some swear they have seen the unctuous Malamander creep…
Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, knows that returning lost things to their rightful owners is not easy – especially when the lost thing is not a thing at all, but a girl. No one knows what happened to Violet Parma’s parents twelve years ago, and when she engages Herbie to help her find them, the pair discover that their disappearance might have something to do with the legendary sea-monster, the Malamander. Eerie-on-Sea has always been a mysteriously chilling place, where strange stories seem to wash up. And it just got stranger...
Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, knows that returning lost things to their rightful owners is not easy – especially when the lost thing is not a thing at all, but a girl. No one knows what happened to Violet Parma’s parents twelve years ago, and when she engages Herbie to help her find them, the pair discover that their disappearance might have something to do with the legendary sea-monster, the Malamander. Eerie-on-Sea has always been a mysteriously chilling place, where strange stories seem to wash up. And it just got stranger...
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2019
330 people are currently reading
9141 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Taylor
33 books273 followersThomas Henry Taylor is a British children's writer and illustrator.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_...
Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Thomas^^^^^Taylor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_...
Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Thomas^^^^^Taylor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,472 reviews
September 29, 2021
3.5 cuuute
February 18, 2019
"If the impossible is possible anywhere, it’ll be possible in Eerie-on-the-Sea."
In a small seaside town that you will not have heard of, Herbert Lemon is the Lost-and-Founder of the Great Nautilus Hotel. If anyone at the hotel loses something, Herbie will find it and keep it safe for them in his Lost-and-Foundery that has existed for many a century and houses a miraculous collection of things long left behind.
When Violet Parma stumbles into the Hotel, closely followed by a mysterious and scary man with a hook for a hand, she asks Herbie to help her find her parents who went missing in a long and wintery night many years ago.
Herbie and Violet are going to uncover one secret or another that has been hiding in Eerie-on-the-Sea, and for some reason, they all seem connected to the legend of a sea-monster. And Herbert and Parma should hope that this monster stays a legend, too.
I do not read a lot of Middle-Grade books, but ever since I first heard of Malamander, I knew I could not miss out on this one. Everything about it grabbed my attention: the atmospheric seaside setting, the dreamy old small town with its odd but adorable inhabitants, and the promise of a fantastic adventure.
Malamander held that promise. It’s a compelling book told in a funny and magical fashion. Thomas Taylor created a beautiful little universe with Eerie-on-the-Sea that has everything a bookworm could wish for: A set of original characters ranging from the formidable hotel owner to the collector of shiny pebbles and other mysteries that can be found on beaches, fascinating objects like the so-called Cameraluna and a glowing pink egg, and, of course, there is a library that will get you exactly the book you need, whether you want it or not.
I enjoyed every single page of this book and I probably won’t stop talking about it for a while. It has a beautiful cover, a lovely map (I’m a sucker for a good map), and main characters that will steal your heart in an instant.
If you are a pirate or detective at heart, this is your book. And if something that once belonged to you went missing and you have yet been unable to find it, Eerie-on-the-Sea might be the place to look. Just watch out for the Malamander when you step off the boat. It might bite if you get too close…
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In a small seaside town that you will not have heard of, Herbert Lemon is the Lost-and-Founder of the Great Nautilus Hotel. If anyone at the hotel loses something, Herbie will find it and keep it safe for them in his Lost-and-Foundery that has existed for many a century and houses a miraculous collection of things long left behind.
When Violet Parma stumbles into the Hotel, closely followed by a mysterious and scary man with a hook for a hand, she asks Herbie to help her find her parents who went missing in a long and wintery night many years ago.
Herbie and Violet are going to uncover one secret or another that has been hiding in Eerie-on-the-Sea, and for some reason, they all seem connected to the legend of a sea-monster. And Herbert and Parma should hope that this monster stays a legend, too.
I do not read a lot of Middle-Grade books, but ever since I first heard of Malamander, I knew I could not miss out on this one. Everything about it grabbed my attention: the atmospheric seaside setting, the dreamy old small town with its odd but adorable inhabitants, and the promise of a fantastic adventure.
Malamander held that promise. It’s a compelling book told in a funny and magical fashion. Thomas Taylor created a beautiful little universe with Eerie-on-the-Sea that has everything a bookworm could wish for: A set of original characters ranging from the formidable hotel owner to the collector of shiny pebbles and other mysteries that can be found on beaches, fascinating objects like the so-called Cameraluna and a glowing pink egg, and, of course, there is a library that will get you exactly the book you need, whether you want it or not.
I enjoyed every single page of this book and I probably won’t stop talking about it for a while. It has a beautiful cover, a lovely map (I’m a sucker for a good map), and main characters that will steal your heart in an instant.
If you are a pirate or detective at heart, this is your book. And if something that once belonged to you went missing and you have yet been unable to find it, Eerie-on-the-Sea might be the place to look. Just watch out for the Malamander when you step off the boat. It might bite if you get too close…
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May 27, 2019
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Violet Parma stumbles through the window of the lost and found department at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-On-Sea where Herbert Lemon is working. She tells Herbert he needs to hide her and fast. Soon afterward the manager of the hotel, Mr. Mollusc arrives with an old man who has a boat hook for a hand. He wants to know where Violet is, but Herbert tells them he hasn’t seen any girl.
When the pair leave Herbert wants to know who Violet is and why she crashed into his lost and found department. She tells him she needs his help as she is lost. Her parents vanished twelve years ago leaving her in one of the rooms of the hotel. All that was left of them were their shoes on the harbour wall and she has come back to find them.
It is believed they went looking for the mysterious and legendary Malamander, a vicious sea monster that is said to swim in the sea and lay a magical egg that can make your wishes come true. What actually happened that fateful night, no-one knows.
Malamander is an exciting middle-grade/YA book that is filled to the brim with adventure. When I first began reading the book I thought that it was set back in time, somewhere around the Victorian era, it’s only when Herbert mentions Pokemon cards that I suddenly realised that it was actually set in the present.
Each of the characters has been given a great name and they all are unique and bring so much to the plot from the not-quite-so-nice Mr. Eels, to Mrs. Hanniver who runs the Eerie Book Dispensary where you don’t choose the books, they choose you via the help of the mechanical mermonkey.
The whole town has the perfect name as it is so eerie, the place is freezing and the mist is so thick most of the time you can’t even see your own hand in front of your face, never mind a sea monster coming towards you!
I can see this book being a big hit this year as there is so much happening throughout and the plot and the characters are exceptionally enjoyable to spend your time with. It is also the first in a planned series so I now can’t wait to see what adventures Violet and Herbert get up to in the next two books.
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Violet Parma stumbles through the window of the lost and found department at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-On-Sea where Herbert Lemon is working. She tells Herbert he needs to hide her and fast. Soon afterward the manager of the hotel, Mr. Mollusc arrives with an old man who has a boat hook for a hand. He wants to know where Violet is, but Herbert tells them he hasn’t seen any girl.
When the pair leave Herbert wants to know who Violet is and why she crashed into his lost and found department. She tells him she needs his help as she is lost. Her parents vanished twelve years ago leaving her in one of the rooms of the hotel. All that was left of them were their shoes on the harbour wall and she has come back to find them.
It is believed they went looking for the mysterious and legendary Malamander, a vicious sea monster that is said to swim in the sea and lay a magical egg that can make your wishes come true. What actually happened that fateful night, no-one knows.
Malamander is an exciting middle-grade/YA book that is filled to the brim with adventure. When I first began reading the book I thought that it was set back in time, somewhere around the Victorian era, it’s only when Herbert mentions Pokemon cards that I suddenly realised that it was actually set in the present.
Each of the characters has been given a great name and they all are unique and bring so much to the plot from the not-quite-so-nice Mr. Eels, to Mrs. Hanniver who runs the Eerie Book Dispensary where you don’t choose the books, they choose you via the help of the mechanical mermonkey.
The whole town has the perfect name as it is so eerie, the place is freezing and the mist is so thick most of the time you can’t even see your own hand in front of your face, never mind a sea monster coming towards you!
I can see this book being a big hit this year as there is so much happening throughout and the plot and the characters are exceptionally enjoyable to spend your time with. It is also the first in a planned series so I now can’t wait to see what adventures Violet and Herbert get up to in the next two books.
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April 5, 2020
“If the impossible is possible anywhere, it'll be possible in Eerie-on-the-Sea.”
representation: black main character
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★
THIS WAS SO CUTE AND FUN!!!! Highly recommend & also highly recommend the audiobook!
extra cool things that this book has:
- a talking cat
- a book dispensary store (you go in and everyone gets a book - kind of like the wand chooses the wizard, but in this case, it's a book).
- a magical creature's egg that makes you live forever
SUCH FUN
trigger warnings: being orphaned as a baby, guns, creepy fish man lol.
representation: black main character
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★
THIS WAS SO CUTE AND FUN!!!! Highly recommend & also highly recommend the audiobook!
extra cool things that this book has:
- a talking cat
- a book dispensary store (you go in and everyone gets a book - kind of like the wand chooses the wizard, but in this case, it's a book).
- a magical creature's egg that makes you live forever
SUCH FUN
trigger warnings: being orphaned as a baby, guns, creepy fish man lol.
September 25, 2019
Why you should read children’s books even though you are so old and wise?!?! Because from time to time you will pick a book like this one and all the happiness and innocence and magic that surrounded you as a child will be back in a second! You will be so eager to find out what happens next?! You will be free again! Happy Reading
April 12, 2020
A seaside town in the dead of winter, forgotten by the tourists who frequent it in the summer, Eerie-on-sea is home to Herbert Lemon. Keeper of lost luggage, his life mainly consists of reuniting lost items with their owners while simultaneously winding up hotel manager Mr Mollusc. Until the day a girl shows up on his lost luggage room. A lost girl, who wants Herbert's help to find her missing parents.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this. It feels spooky and dark, with vivid descriptions of the seaside town and its kooky inhabitants. I particularly loved the rather uppity cat and mermonkey, who both live in the library that's not really a library, where the books are prescribed rather than bought. All of the secondary characters feel like funny caricatures, with fun nautical names. Herbert and Violet, our main duo are also a decent enough pairing. They're well enough developed to carry the story, with Violet's mysterious past helping to propel the mystery of the plot forward. Their friendship also feels genuine and well thought out. However, I did find the villain of the story a little one dimensional.
The plot itself is fast paced and action packed, if a little predictable. The Malamander story was interesting, and I liked the overall world building and lore that's examined within. However I just didn't find the story all that original, and felt that it has a very typical children's story feel, with friends and a search for something lost. My interest did start to wain towards the end, and I think if this had been any longer I probably wouldn't have finished it.
A cute and kooky children's story with some interesting characters, however I found the plot a little too predictable for me.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this. It feels spooky and dark, with vivid descriptions of the seaside town and its kooky inhabitants. I particularly loved the rather uppity cat and mermonkey, who both live in the library that's not really a library, where the books are prescribed rather than bought. All of the secondary characters feel like funny caricatures, with fun nautical names. Herbert and Violet, our main duo are also a decent enough pairing. They're well enough developed to carry the story, with Violet's mysterious past helping to propel the mystery of the plot forward. Their friendship also feels genuine and well thought out. However, I did find the villain of the story a little one dimensional.
The plot itself is fast paced and action packed, if a little predictable. The Malamander story was interesting, and I liked the overall world building and lore that's examined within. However I just didn't find the story all that original, and felt that it has a very typical children's story feel, with friends and a search for something lost. My interest did start to wain towards the end, and I think if this had been any longer I probably wouldn't have finished it.
A cute and kooky children's story with some interesting characters, however I found the plot a little too predictable for me.
August 23, 2023
The eerie coastal atmosphere was exquisite but the breakneck speed of the plot jeopardised the quieter character moments needed to properly flesh out Herbet & Violet.
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Violet (mc) is Black.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Violet (mc) is Black.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
October 19, 2019
Eerie-On-Sea is a seaside town where folklore and legends are just part of every day life. Herbie Lemon at the Great Nautilus Hotel is the local Lost and Founder. He gathers items he finds and keeps them in his Lost and Foundery until owners come to claim them. When a girl slips in a hotel window and begs to be kept hidden from an old man with a hook hand, she asks Herbie to find her missing parents. They went missing on a cold winter's night years before and their disappearance might be related to a local monster tale. And so begins a very magical and awesome children's story!
I read middle grade books all the time as palate cleansers in between heavier adult fiction. This book was a total joy to read! The characters are charming....the story engrossing and entertaining....and the tale just sucked me in from the start! Fun read!
My favorite part of the story is the fact that during the tourist season the town is Cheerie-on-Sea....but when winter rolls around the first two letters on the town sign disappear -- Eerie-On-Sea! Made me laugh! :)
The front cover art is awesome! That monstrous eye peering out at me is what made me want to read this book!!
Wonderful story! I can't wait to read more by this author!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Candlewick Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I read middle grade books all the time as palate cleansers in between heavier adult fiction. This book was a total joy to read! The characters are charming....the story engrossing and entertaining....and the tale just sucked me in from the start! Fun read!
My favorite part of the story is the fact that during the tourist season the town is Cheerie-on-Sea....but when winter rolls around the first two letters on the town sign disappear -- Eerie-On-Sea! Made me laugh! :)
The front cover art is awesome! That monstrous eye peering out at me is what made me want to read this book!!
Wonderful story! I can't wait to read more by this author!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Candlewick Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
March 14, 2022
у цій книжці є морське чудовисько, невпокоєний привид і механічна мавпорусалка, але найогиднішим, найнебезпечнішим і наймоторошнішим усе одно виявляється гомо сапієнс. у принципі, все сходиться.
February 11, 2023
Ein ganz ausgezeichneter und wirklich spannender Jugendkrimi mit ganz viel Atmosphäre. Dieses Buch werde ich definitiv mit einer Klasse in der 5. oder 6. Schulstufe ausprobieren, denn ich denke, dass die Geschichte vielen Kindern gefallen wird, denn sie ist spannend, nicht zu komplex, fantasievoll und mitreißend.
Der einzige kleine Kritikpunkt ist, dass es gegen Ende (wie so oft) eine "finale" Kampfszene gibt, und diese war für meinen Geschmack viel zu lange und detailreich erzählt, das hätte man definitiv straffen können/sollen.
Der einzige kleine Kritikpunkt ist, dass es gegen Ende (wie so oft) eine "finale" Kampfszene gibt, und diese war für meinen Geschmack viel zu lange und detailreich erzählt, das hätte man definitiv straffen können/sollen.
October 6, 2025
"In a place like Eerie-on-the-Sea, legends can have a little more...bite."
3,75 stars. What a fun, wild monster-quest! Give me a misty sea-side town, a ghost looking for revenge, and two kids trying to solve a mystery, and I am game. 😈
The book takes place in Eerie-on-the-Sea, and I adored how Taylor vividly brought that strange town to life. From the shops - the Eerie Book Dispensary with its Sea Monkey – to its characters - Mrs. Fossil looking for washed-up treasures on the beach: they all are colourful and enchanting. Everything in this town tells a story.
The mystery itself wasn’t particularly difficult (for 26-year old me), and I sadly found our main guy Sherbie lacking personality, but that didn’t take away the joy of the adventure. It was quite tense and scary too, especially the ‘final battle’ aboard a sunken ship. The sea is rising, a bad guy is shooting harpoons, and a sea monster slowly crawls closer? My heart was in my throat!
An atmospheric, original, and dangerous adventure that any 10+ kid will love.
Read here my other reviews of The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea books: #2 Gargantis | #3 Shadowghast | #4 Festergrimm | #5 Mermedusa
3,75 stars. What a fun, wild monster-quest! Give me a misty sea-side town, a ghost looking for revenge, and two kids trying to solve a mystery, and I am game. 😈
The book takes place in Eerie-on-the-Sea, and I adored how Taylor vividly brought that strange town to life. From the shops - the Eerie Book Dispensary with its Sea Monkey – to its characters - Mrs. Fossil looking for washed-up treasures on the beach: they all are colourful and enchanting. Everything in this town tells a story.
The mystery itself wasn’t particularly difficult (for 26-year old me), and I sadly found our main guy Sherbie lacking personality, but that didn’t take away the joy of the adventure. It was quite tense and scary too, especially the ‘final battle’ aboard a sunken ship. The sea is rising, a bad guy is shooting harpoons, and a sea monster slowly crawls closer? My heart was in my throat!
An atmospheric, original, and dangerous adventure that any 10+ kid will love.
Read here my other reviews of The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea books: #2 Gargantis | #3 Shadowghast | #4 Festergrimm | #5 Mermedusa
August 8, 2023
"Kerrotaan, että hotelliin hylättiin vauva, että vanhemmat katosivat tietymättömiin, että rannassa nähtiin outoja valoja, että tienoo parveili poliiseja, jotka tarkistivat joka paikan. Että kaksi kenkäparia, miehen ja naisen, löydettiin jätettyinä siististi aallonmurtajalle. Että löydettiin myös jalanjälkiä hiekasta, ja että ne johtivat aallonmurtajalta mereen. [...] Hiekassa oli muitakin jälkiä - hassun muotoisia jälkiä, ikään kuin joku räpylällinen olisi raahautunut merestä rantaan. Mutta vesi nousi ennen kuin niistä saatiin kunnollista valokuvaa, eikä kertomuksen sitä osaa kirjattu rapotteihin." (s. 22-23)
Hei, mitä ihmettä! Mikä tämä on? Jatkoa H.P. Lovecraftin Varjo Innsmouthin yllä -kertomukselle? Ei sentään, vaan Thomas Taylorin "Malamanteri" (WSOY, 2020). Se aloittaa uuden lapsille suunnatun fantasiatrilogian, jossa seikkaillaan Aaverannan (oivallisesti nimetty Eerie-on-Sea) merkillisessä merenrantakaupungissa.
Herbert Sitrus -niminen kaksitoistavuotias kaveri toimii Hotelli Nautilluksen löytötavaratoimiston hoitajana, jonka ikkunasta kömpii eräänä päivänä samanikäinen Orvokki. "Piilota minut, ole kiltti", toteaa yllätysvieras - eikä syyttä, sillä tämän kannoilla on kammottava merimies, jonka toisen käden paikalla on puoshaka*.
Ja siitäpä sitten käynnistyy melkoinen seikkailu. Orvokki tarvitsee apua löytääkseen kadonneet vanhempansa, joiden elämäntyönä on ollut tutkia malamanteriksi kutsuttua kammottavaa merihirviötä. Legendan mukaan hirviön munalla on maagisia ominaisuuksia, ja sellaisen omistava ihminen voi toteuttaa minkä tahansa toiveen. Lapsille käy ilmi, että malamanterista ovat kiinnostuneita monet muutkin tahot (edellämainittu merimies mukaan luettuna), eivätkä nämä myöskään kaihda keinoja saadakseen sellaisen käsiinsä...
Kaiken kaikkiaan "Malamanteri" oli ihan mainio fantasiaromaani. Nopeatempoisessa tarinassa riitti vauhtia ja vaarallisia tilanteita heti alkumetreiltä lähtien, eli tylsistymään ei pääse. Sivuhahmot olivat kiinnostavia ja niiden joukosta löytyi muun muassa puhuva kissa, mikä on aina plussaa. Pidin itse kovasti vähän talvisesta merenrantakaupungin miljööstä. Voisin kuvitella kirjan uppoavan nelos-kuutosluokkalaisiin yhtä hyvin kuin harppuunan kirjankanteen.
* Luulen, että sanan merkitystä saa selvittää vinkkauksissa muksuille.
Hei, mitä ihmettä! Mikä tämä on? Jatkoa H.P. Lovecraftin Varjo Innsmouthin yllä -kertomukselle? Ei sentään, vaan Thomas Taylorin "Malamanteri" (WSOY, 2020). Se aloittaa uuden lapsille suunnatun fantasiatrilogian, jossa seikkaillaan Aaverannan (oivallisesti nimetty Eerie-on-Sea) merkillisessä merenrantakaupungissa.
Herbert Sitrus -niminen kaksitoistavuotias kaveri toimii Hotelli Nautilluksen löytötavaratoimiston hoitajana, jonka ikkunasta kömpii eräänä päivänä samanikäinen Orvokki. "Piilota minut, ole kiltti", toteaa yllätysvieras - eikä syyttä, sillä tämän kannoilla on kammottava merimies, jonka toisen käden paikalla on puoshaka*.
Ja siitäpä sitten käynnistyy melkoinen seikkailu. Orvokki tarvitsee apua löytääkseen kadonneet vanhempansa, joiden elämäntyönä on ollut tutkia malamanteriksi kutsuttua kammottavaa merihirviötä. Legendan mukaan hirviön munalla on maagisia ominaisuuksia, ja sellaisen omistava ihminen voi toteuttaa minkä tahansa toiveen. Lapsille käy ilmi, että malamanterista ovat kiinnostuneita monet muutkin tahot (edellämainittu merimies mukaan luettuna), eivätkä nämä myöskään kaihda keinoja saadakseen sellaisen käsiinsä...
Kaiken kaikkiaan "Malamanteri" oli ihan mainio fantasiaromaani. Nopeatempoisessa tarinassa riitti vauhtia ja vaarallisia tilanteita heti alkumetreiltä lähtien, eli tylsistymään ei pääse. Sivuhahmot olivat kiinnostavia ja niiden joukosta löytyi muun muassa puhuva kissa, mikä on aina plussaa. Pidin itse kovasti vähän talvisesta merenrantakaupungin miljööstä. Voisin kuvitella kirjan uppoavan nelos-kuutosluokkalaisiin yhtä hyvin kuin harppuunan kirjankanteen.
* Luulen, että sanan merkitystä saa selvittää vinkkauksissa muksuille.
August 2, 2019
Listened to as an audiobook via Scribd!
I loved the narrator, he really bought the story-line and characters to life in my earbuds as I listened along. The ending itself holy heck was crazy and scary and thrilling all at the same time. Set in the town of Eerie-On-Sea, young boy Herbert is working in a hotel's lost and found department. He's busy working until the day a girl walks in looking for help. Her name is Violet Parma and one, needs hiding away from a strange man with a metal hook for a hand and two, to solve the mystery surrounding her parents vanishing over a decade ago. There is a sea monster known as the Malamander that may or may not be involved with Violet's past. Together, both of them must evade danger and find out the truth before time runs out. A fun adventure, with good world-building and easy to visualize. I look forward to the second book!
I loved the narrator, he really bought the story-line and characters to life in my earbuds as I listened along. The ending itself holy heck was crazy and scary and thrilling all at the same time. Set in the town of Eerie-On-Sea, young boy Herbert is working in a hotel's lost and found department. He's busy working until the day a girl walks in looking for help. Her name is Violet Parma and one, needs hiding away from a strange man with a metal hook for a hand and two, to solve the mystery surrounding her parents vanishing over a decade ago. There is a sea monster known as the Malamander that may or may not be involved with Violet's past. Together, both of them must evade danger and find out the truth before time runs out. A fun adventure, with good world-building and easy to visualize. I look forward to the second book!
March 3, 2021
Fun mystery set in a sea-side town in the midst of winter. It includes a creepy-ish sea monster, suspicious towns people, delightful illustrations, and a kid duo out to find the answers. Great first read for Middle Grade March.
May 26, 2021
A misty seaside town, a monster hunting quest and a disgruntled hook-handed ghost.
This felt like an episode of Scooby Doo and therefore I LOVED this.
I hope this has been optioned for film; this would make such an excellent kids movie.
This felt like an episode of Scooby Doo and therefore I LOVED this.
I hope this has been optioned for film; this would make such an excellent kids movie.
May 8, 2019
Very enjoyable modern Fantasy YA by the illustrator of Harry Potter. Quick read. Fun read. Thank you, Mr. Taylor!
June 24, 2019
As winter approaches the seaside town of Cheerie On Sea, the summer warmth begins to evaporate, the bustle of tourists has disappeared and the first two letters on the welcome sign disintegrate and the harbour side town becomes Eerie On Sea, a township thriving on folklore and intrigue. Herbert Lemon is the lost and founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, a centuries old tradition of returning lost items to their owners and finding objects that have been lost. When a wild eyed young girl stumbles into Herbert's cellar of lost treasures, adventure awaits.
Violet Parma has returned to the Grand Nautilus Hotel to uncover the mystery of the disappearance of her parents, infant Violet found in the family hotel suite while all that remained of her parents were their shoes left upon the beach for the tide to claim. Technically Violet is a lost child searching for her parents and if anyone could solve the decade long disappearance, it's Herbert Lemon, lost and founder extraordinaire.
Herbert Lemon is a fantastically entertaining, endearing young man and prestigious lost and founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel. Herbert Lemon arrived at the hotel as a child under the care of Lady Kracken and hotel manager, the petulant Mister Mollusc, found washed upon the sandy shore with no knowledge of his name. Residing in the hotel cellar, Herbert is surrounded by centuries of hotel memorabilia including clues which will perhaps provide answers for young Violet.
Violet Parma has returned to Eerie On Sea to discover the final moments of her parents. Although raised by her aunt, Violet has travelled alone with only the clothes she's currently wearing and a tattered postcard around her neck that was found in her abandoned bassinet. Violet is a sprightly girl and daring adventurer but under her inquisitive facade is a young girl grieving and searching for the parents she barely knew. She may not remember the community of Eerie On Sea but her reputation proceeds her. Following in the footsteps of her parents, visiting the Eerie Book Depository where books choose their reader, the fish and chippery at the end of the pier where the lonely man awaits the song of the siren or the local physician who has a museum of artefacts and curios but those of Eerie On Sea will tell you they were taken by the Malamander, a mythical creature from the ocean depths.
Malamander is outrageously entertaining and wildly imaginative. Thomas Taylor has created a fantastically atmospheric narrative of unforgettable and beautifully written characters, of adventure and shenanigans. Simply brilliant.
Violet Parma has returned to the Grand Nautilus Hotel to uncover the mystery of the disappearance of her parents, infant Violet found in the family hotel suite while all that remained of her parents were their shoes left upon the beach for the tide to claim. Technically Violet is a lost child searching for her parents and if anyone could solve the decade long disappearance, it's Herbert Lemon, lost and founder extraordinaire.
Herbert Lemon is a fantastically entertaining, endearing young man and prestigious lost and founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel. Herbert Lemon arrived at the hotel as a child under the care of Lady Kracken and hotel manager, the petulant Mister Mollusc, found washed upon the sandy shore with no knowledge of his name. Residing in the hotel cellar, Herbert is surrounded by centuries of hotel memorabilia including clues which will perhaps provide answers for young Violet.
Violet Parma has returned to Eerie On Sea to discover the final moments of her parents. Although raised by her aunt, Violet has travelled alone with only the clothes she's currently wearing and a tattered postcard around her neck that was found in her abandoned bassinet. Violet is a sprightly girl and daring adventurer but under her inquisitive facade is a young girl grieving and searching for the parents she barely knew. She may not remember the community of Eerie On Sea but her reputation proceeds her. Following in the footsteps of her parents, visiting the Eerie Book Depository where books choose their reader, the fish and chippery at the end of the pier where the lonely man awaits the song of the siren or the local physician who has a museum of artefacts and curios but those of Eerie On Sea will tell you they were taken by the Malamander, a mythical creature from the ocean depths.
Malamander is outrageously entertaining and wildly imaginative. Thomas Taylor has created a fantastically atmospheric narrative of unforgettable and beautifully written characters, of adventure and shenanigans. Simply brilliant.
September 17, 2019
Filled with interesting characters and set in a town where folklore comes to life, Malamander is the perfect choice when you need a middle grade fantasy book that is different than wizards and magic.
Thoughts:
I was in need of a fun fantasy middle grade book when I happened upon this one through the recommendation of another book blogger. I knew I didn’t necessarily have time to ‘read’ it so I picked up the audio version instead. What I found was a delightful story in a quirky little town full of folklore and interesting characters. From Lady Kraken who never leaves her room in the hotel, to Fishhook man – who has a hook for a hand, to a cat that talks…or does he?
The main story revolves around Herbie Lemon who has been hired by Violet Parma to find her parents, who were lost 12 years ago. Herbie has a job a the Grand Nautilus Hotel and he has found, returned, or kept various lost items, but never been asked to find parents who have been missing for years. Incidentally, Herbie gets paid, not by money, by being able to keep items that have been lost for over 100 years and have not been claimed by anyone. The themes in the book are similar to others you might find within middle grade – friendships, discovery of what is out there in the world as well as discovery of what is important to you and the content of your character.
Audio Book Review:
Another terrific audio book find. Narrated by Will E. Watt, we are shown not only a variety of voices and accents, but a range of emotions as he goes through the story. While listening I was able to feel the anxiety during intense dramatic or action scenes, but also able to sense the main character’s pain during one scene when he feels he might have been played the fool by Violet. A couple of the voices quite amazed me too as they sounded so different than his regular speaking voice that I took the time to listen to how he carefully changed his voice to best fit those specific characters. Will E. Watt really sells the story and was a excellent choice to portray Herbie Lemon. Through the narration, I almost felt like I was actually at the quirky town of Eerie-on-Sea and could see the mist as it rolled in. In addition to the spot-on narration, the quality of the audio production as a whole by Candlewick on Brilliance Audio was almost crystal clear.
All in all a delightful book to read and comes with an eye-catching cover that includes a few of the whimsical elements from the book. The only negative being that the book apparently has a few illustrations in it that I am not able to see when listening to it via audio.
Thoughts:
I was in need of a fun fantasy middle grade book when I happened upon this one through the recommendation of another book blogger. I knew I didn’t necessarily have time to ‘read’ it so I picked up the audio version instead. What I found was a delightful story in a quirky little town full of folklore and interesting characters. From Lady Kraken who never leaves her room in the hotel, to Fishhook man – who has a hook for a hand, to a cat that talks…or does he?
The main story revolves around Herbie Lemon who has been hired by Violet Parma to find her parents, who were lost 12 years ago. Herbie has a job a the Grand Nautilus Hotel and he has found, returned, or kept various lost items, but never been asked to find parents who have been missing for years. Incidentally, Herbie gets paid, not by money, by being able to keep items that have been lost for over 100 years and have not been claimed by anyone. The themes in the book are similar to others you might find within middle grade – friendships, discovery of what is out there in the world as well as discovery of what is important to you and the content of your character.
Audio Book Review:
Another terrific audio book find. Narrated by Will E. Watt, we are shown not only a variety of voices and accents, but a range of emotions as he goes through the story. While listening I was able to feel the anxiety during intense dramatic or action scenes, but also able to sense the main character’s pain during one scene when he feels he might have been played the fool by Violet. A couple of the voices quite amazed me too as they sounded so different than his regular speaking voice that I took the time to listen to how he carefully changed his voice to best fit those specific characters. Will E. Watt really sells the story and was a excellent choice to portray Herbie Lemon. Through the narration, I almost felt like I was actually at the quirky town of Eerie-on-Sea and could see the mist as it rolled in. In addition to the spot-on narration, the quality of the audio production as a whole by Candlewick on Brilliance Audio was almost crystal clear.
All in all a delightful book to read and comes with an eye-catching cover that includes a few of the whimsical elements from the book. The only negative being that the book apparently has a few illustrations in it that I am not able to see when listening to it via audio.
December 21, 2020
***Re-Read December 2020!
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"A Series of Unfortunate Events meets Winterhouse in this fun, whimsical, and heartfelt read! Malamander has easily become one of my favorites of 2019." - 📚🐙🏨✨
From the first page you're warned to put this book down and by the next chapter you're thrown right into this peculiar tale of a young hotel Lost-and-Founder and a runaway orphan looking for her long lost parents. I don't want to say too much, but know that this is one of my favorites of 2019!
I think of the main reasons I enjoyed this so much, aside from the story, is the audio book narrator Will M. Watt who literally turned this book into a movie via audio! He's an amazing voice actor and now I'm wondering if I should leave the sequel that was kindly sent to me by Walker Books alone until the U.S. audio book comes out lol I want to enjoy the second book with him narrating it so bad. I suppose we will see what I do because I also really want to read book 2 now haha
If you're looking for a book full to the brim with mystery, thrills, magic, friendship, and sea monsters... you're going to love this one! - R.C.
________________________
"A Series of Unfortunate Events meets Winterhouse in this fun, whimsical, and heartfelt read! Malamander has easily become one of my favorites of 2019." - 📚🐙🏨✨
From the first page you're warned to put this book down and by the next chapter you're thrown right into this peculiar tale of a young hotel Lost-and-Founder and a runaway orphan looking for her long lost parents. I don't want to say too much, but know that this is one of my favorites of 2019!
I think of the main reasons I enjoyed this so much, aside from the story, is the audio book narrator Will M. Watt who literally turned this book into a movie via audio! He's an amazing voice actor and now I'm wondering if I should leave the sequel that was kindly sent to me by Walker Books alone until the U.S. audio book comes out lol I want to enjoy the second book with him narrating it so bad. I suppose we will see what I do because I also really want to read book 2 now haha
If you're looking for a book full to the brim with mystery, thrills, magic, friendship, and sea monsters... you're going to love this one! - R.C.
June 1, 2019
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.
That's all.
That's all.
May 21, 2020
If this book was out when I was younger I would have loved it. It was really cute and really fun!
July 13, 2022
Przesłodka rzecz, idealna na wakacje 🐠
(Nawet dla mnie, chociaż nie lubię motywów wodnych)
(Nawet dla mnie, chociaż nie lubię motywów wodnych)
August 6, 2020
This book was such an absolute delight :) I listened to the audiobook version and have to say that Alfie Allan really brought it to life :) but the story itself was wonderful… whimsical and atmospheric, the writing style kept me wanting to read just one more chapter each time I picked it up :) set in a small town along the coast, full of eccentric characters, we follow along Herbie and Violet as they try to find out what happened to Violet’s parents who disappeared twelve years ago… there’s mystery and humor, alongside with some supernatural elements… and all of it is done extremely well ;) I had the best time reading this book and can highly recommend it for all of you to try, even if you think you might be too old to enjoy it :) speaking from the perspective of someone who recently celebrated her 34th birthday, there is something utterly magical about reading middle grade as an adult :) definitely give it a try if you haven’t yet, and what better to start with, than this beautiful gem of a story :)
XOXO
A
XOXO
A
April 26, 2019
This book is so clever and funny and creepy (in the best possible way) that when I read it out loud, it kept my two kids enthralled (and not fighting!) all throughout a cramped, 3-hour-long car trip. Really, that says it all! (Except I should add: I enjoyed it too.)
May 29, 2022
Superba aventura cu Violet si Herbie in cautarea adevarului. Ambii copii isi cauta parintii si ei cred ca afland legenda oului de Malamander vor afla detalii despre familiile lor. Doar ca nu sunt singurii care doresc oul magic.
Gasesti de toate in aceasta carte: iubire, mister, actiune, aventura iar stilul scriitorului este frumos.
Gasesti de toate in aceasta carte: iubire, mister, actiune, aventura iar stilul scriitorului este frumos.
March 23, 2023
Kaybolan ailesini aramak için yolu Tuhaf Deniz Kasabasına düşen Violet Parma ve bu kasabanın otelinde kayıp eşyalar bürosundan sorumlu olan Herbert Limon'un bu gizemi çözerken başlarına gelenleri okuyoruz.
Güzel ve renkli bir kitaptı. Akıcı ve olayları boldu. Üzülerek belirtmek isterim ki YA zar zor dayanan ben çocuk kitabına nasıl bulaştım bilemem ama katlanılabilir bir unsurdu. On iki yaşında ki iki yavrucak ve yaşadıkları maceralar bende yer yer endişelere sebep oldu. Ve büyüdüğümü fark ettim. Maceradan çok mantığına takıldım 😅 Fantastik bir evren değil ama bariz fantasy unsurları vardı. Günümüz teknolojisi/zamanı yansıtılsa da bazen eskiye yönelik bir okuma hissiyatı içinde buldum kendimi. Bir de bu yavrular nasıl başıboş dolaşıyor ben onu çözemedim 🤣 onlarda akşam ezanı saati eve girme zorunluluğu yok galiba 😁 hoş bunu belirtecek bir yetişkin de yok başlarında.
Karakterlerin isimleri de daha anlaşılır olsun diye türkçeleştirilmiş sanırım. Sirkenaz, Fosil Hanım, Bay Yumuşakça, Doktor Deryadeniz ve daha nicesi...iyi bir renk vermiş hikâyeye. Akıcı ve hızlı bir okuma oldu benim için. Sadece bana hitap etmiyor sanırım. Çabuk okudum ama heyecan duymadım pek 🙈
Güzel ve renkli bir kitaptı. Akıcı ve olayları boldu. Üzülerek belirtmek isterim ki YA zar zor dayanan ben çocuk kitabına nasıl bulaştım bilemem ama katlanılabilir bir unsurdu. On iki yaşında ki iki yavrucak ve yaşadıkları maceralar bende yer yer endişelere sebep oldu. Ve büyüdüğümü fark ettim. Maceradan çok mantığına takıldım 😅 Fantastik bir evren değil ama bariz fantasy unsurları vardı. Günümüz teknolojisi/zamanı yansıtılsa da bazen eskiye yönelik bir okuma hissiyatı içinde buldum kendimi. Bir de bu yavrular nasıl başıboş dolaşıyor ben onu çözemedim 🤣 onlarda akşam ezanı saati eve girme zorunluluğu yok galiba 😁 hoş bunu belirtecek bir yetişkin de yok başlarında.
Karakterlerin isimleri de daha anlaşılır olsun diye türkçeleştirilmiş sanırım. Sirkenaz, Fosil Hanım, Bay Yumuşakça, Doktor Deryadeniz ve daha nicesi...iyi bir renk vermiş hikâyeye. Akıcı ve hızlı bir okuma oldu benim için. Sadece bana hitap etmiyor sanırım. Çabuk okudum ama heyecan duymadım pek 🙈
September 7, 2020
Malamander was an absolute delight from start to finish. The whimsy, adventure and friendship were the exact kind of tone that I adore from middle grade and why I've been gravitating to it more and more; the ultimate escapist reads!
I grew up in an English seaside town so the atmosphere of Malamander was very sentimental for me. Seaside towns in England (especially nowadays) have a weird juxtaposition of being lively, summery and bright during the day and a little bit creepy during the evening because they're all kind of relics of a time gone by and Malamander captured this perfectly.
The mystery was really well done as well. I'm not sure why I always go into middle grade thinking that mystery plots will be less sophisticated and I'll be able to figure them out, but when they're well written I'm just as enchanted by them as mystery plots in other categories.
I'll be picking up Gargantis this month too and I'm really looking forward to going back to Eerie-on-Sea.
I grew up in an English seaside town so the atmosphere of Malamander was very sentimental for me. Seaside towns in England (especially nowadays) have a weird juxtaposition of being lively, summery and bright during the day and a little bit creepy during the evening because they're all kind of relics of a time gone by and Malamander captured this perfectly.
The mystery was really well done as well. I'm not sure why I always go into middle grade thinking that mystery plots will be less sophisticated and I'll be able to figure them out, but when they're well written I'm just as enchanted by them as mystery plots in other categories.
I'll be picking up Gargantis this month too and I'm really looking forward to going back to Eerie-on-Sea.
September 13, 2020
This book was so atmospheric, the creepy feeling of a seaside town in winter has be successfully captured within the pages of this book.
Eerie on sea is such an amazing place in summer fun filled family days but it is winter when this town really gets fun filled. This town has a legend of the Malamander and Herbie and Violet are on a mission to find out if that legend has any truths to it and to help keep the town and its legend safe.
If you have never lived by the sea during winter and want to know what it is like without trying it out this is the book for you. I only wish that the town I lived had a book dispensary in it.
If you are looking for a wintery spooky story full of twists and turns then this book is for you.
One last thing is it me or does Mr Mollusc remind anyone of Mr Moseby from the suite life of Zack and Cody?
Eerie on sea is such an amazing place in summer fun filled family days but it is winter when this town really gets fun filled. This town has a legend of the Malamander and Herbie and Violet are on a mission to find out if that legend has any truths to it and to help keep the town and its legend safe.
If you have never lived by the sea during winter and want to know what it is like without trying it out this is the book for you. I only wish that the town I lived had a book dispensary in it.
If you are looking for a wintery spooky story full of twists and turns then this book is for you.
One last thing is it me or does Mr Mollusc remind anyone of Mr Moseby from the suite life of Zack and Cody?
March 28, 2021
Niezwykle urocza historia dla młodszego odbiorcy, która zachęci go do czytania i wprowadzi zarówno w świat pełen magii, legend i potworów morskich, jak i uruchomi szare komórki, pozwalając mu bawić się w młodego Sherlocka Holmesa. Poleciłabym dla wieku 8-10-12 lat i komuś, kto uwielbia klimaty a'la Scooby-Doo, Enola Holmes czy Seria Niefortunnych Zdarzeń. Dużo akcji, tajemnic i nietypowych postaci, młodsza ja byłaby zachwycona.
Więcej: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr9sI...
April 29, 2023
urocze, takie do przeczytania na szybko.
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