Sea Monsters and Other Delicacies

An Awfully Beastly Business #2

by Matthew Morgan

Ulf is an orphaned werewolf who has lived his whole life at Farraway Hall, the headquarters of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts. When an injured sea monster arrives, Ulf uncovers a mystery & a world of beast poaching in which sea beasts are eaten as delicacies.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile

184 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This chapter book is funny and cute. The idea of an RSPCA for monsters was really great. There isn't much depth, but the humor makes up for that. I do wish the female characters had done a bit more, but this is one of a series so that could simply be just for this book.

Still a fun read.

[ITry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing is even better than the first one and i love how they make the creatures feel real. Just slightly disappointed that it's the same plot as the last one.
But i have hope that it won't be too similar with future book and the character development seems to be happening gradually.
Now you might say, why do i expect so much when it's a childrens books? Well i personally believe that just because it's for children, doesn't excuse poor writing.
This does remind me a lot about a series of unfortunaye events though what with marackai constantly disguising himself and no one figuring it out.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second part of this series about beasts and variations of many fantasy themes, is somewhat interesting if something that you have read before, in probably a way that was better, not terrible, but pretty average all the same.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luv. It. It was however a little to be expected, but hey, who cares, I love it anyway😂🙈

[Thijs Werkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een leuk kinderboek om te lezen, fantasierijk maar ook zeker een boek met een boodschap.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

What an intriguing story SEA MONSTERS AND OTHER DELICACIES turned out to be. This is the second story in the AN AWFULLY BEASTLY BUSINESS series.

The story starts out with Baron Marackai and his minions dropping grenades over the side of their boat. They are attempting to rouse sea monsters from the deep. Baron Marackai has evil plans to get as many sea monsters as he can and then eat them: for they are delicious. His minions fear that the RSPCB (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts) will seek retaliation against them.

Later, the bizarre Captain Crab brings his fishing boat to Farraway Hall, the headquarters for the RSPCB. He is hauling an injured sea monster. And it's not just any sea monster; it's a Redback, the most deadly sea monster! But Dr. Fielding at the RSPCB can't figure out how it sustained a skull injury. It normally dwells on the bottom of the sea, far from people.

Dr. Fielding is aided by Ulf, a werewolf, and together, they figure out a way to save the Redback. But their good deeds quickly get overshadowed by the return of the long-lost son of the founder of Farraway Hall. And he's up to no good!

SEA MONSTERS AND OTHER DELICACIES is a book that is sure to please boys. Filled with venomous sea monsters and other gory details, the pages will fly by. The story had a similar feel to the Lemony Snicket A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS books. The evil Baron is made to be ridiculously bad and the heroes are everyday folks just out to do what is right.

With entertaining illustrations and amusing situations, this is one story that will be a treat for all who open its pages.

[Clearwater Public Library System · Rating 4 out of 5]

The evil Baron Marackai returns! This time he is hunting for rare sea monsters that he can turn into delicious meals for his conniving and evil associates. Ulf, Dr. Fielding, Tiana the fairy and Orson the giant of the RSPCB (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts) have their hands full trying to help an injured sea monster that narrowly escaped Marackai's clutches. As with the last book, there is an instructional and scientific element to this book. As Dr. Fielding is operating on the wounded sea monster she explains what the various functions of it's brain are, she also discusses how it lives and hunts in the wild. Yes the animal is fictitious, but discussing the animal in biological terms offers an interesting educational aside. As with the first book Dr. Fielding and Orson are again hoodwinked and taken captive by Marackai and it is up to Ulf and Tiana to save them. Dive into this enjoyable adventure.

-Miss Jessica

This title is available from PPLC in print format HERE

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhys really likes Ulf the werewolf at the RSPCB. He finished book two - after reading himself to sleep - and insisted that I read it immediately. The second book involves the same evil villian in a new Scooby Dooish disguise. Ulf saves the day but only after being tied up and placed in an oven. Druce the gargoyle is also featured again.

[Brigitte · Rating 3 out of 5]

NL: Zeemonsters en andere lekkernijen. Dit is een boek uit de serie Monsterlijk beestachtige zaken.
Dit boek bevat alle elementen van een aanrader voor jongens: hoofdpersoon is een stoere jongen (af en toe zelfs een weerwolf), enge beesten, een slechterik, een flinke dosis spanning en humor.
Helaas is het boek niet geschikt voor bangerikken.
Geschikt voor kinderen vanaf ca. 8 jaar.

[Cathlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably should have started with the first one in this series. I think I missed a little bit of back story there, but it can be read by itself. Very cute and innovative. The main villain totally reminded me of Count Olaf from Series of Unfortunate Events. Will definitely recommend to my students and try to pick up the other books in the series.

[Jackie Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult reading this I kind of had to force myself to keep going.

However, had I read this when I was younger it would have kept me turning the pages well after bed time.

There is mystery and danger and good friendships. It keeps wanting to keep reading the stories to see what twisted plot our hero will thwart next.

[Shoshana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, silly fun. (That's definitely all, but that can be plenty.)

[Ryley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sea monster.

[Lettervreter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het was vrij voorspelbaar.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing, whimsical and well-written middle grade fantasy. Great for killing a few hours. [Listened to the audiobook.]

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was totally over the top and awesome. One of the best books I've ever read.

[Ola · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the series I knew what to expect...
More of the same, and perhaps not the best book for an adult reader, but not as awful as I remember the first book.

[Yuiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright sorta boring