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Deadman's Castle
For most of his life, Igor and his family have been on the run. Danger lurks around every corner--or so he's always been told. . . .
When Igor was five, his father witnessed a terrible crime--and ever since, his whole family has been hunted by a foreboding figure bent on revenge, known only as the Lizard Man. They've lived in so many places, with so many identities, that Igor can't even remember his real name.
But now he's twelve years old, and he longs for a normal life. He wants to go to school. Make friends. Stop worrying about how long it will be before his father hears someone prowling around their new house and uproots everything yet again. He's even starting to wonder--what if the Lizard Man only exists in his father's frightened mind?
Slowly, Igor starts bending the rules he's lived by all his life--making friends for the first time, testing the boundaries of where he's allowed to go in town. But soon, he begins noticing strange things around them--is it in his imagination? Or could the Lizard Man be real after all?
Iain Lawrence is a winner of Canada's Governor General's Children's Literature Prize and the California Young Reader Medal. In Deadman's Castle , he brings readers a mystery filled with intrigue and moments of heart-stopping danger.
When Igor was five, his father witnessed a terrible crime--and ever since, his whole family has been hunted by a foreboding figure bent on revenge, known only as the Lizard Man. They've lived in so many places, with so many identities, that Igor can't even remember his real name.
But now he's twelve years old, and he longs for a normal life. He wants to go to school. Make friends. Stop worrying about how long it will be before his father hears someone prowling around their new house and uproots everything yet again. He's even starting to wonder--what if the Lizard Man only exists in his father's frightened mind?
Slowly, Igor starts bending the rules he's lived by all his life--making friends for the first time, testing the boundaries of where he's allowed to go in town. But soon, he begins noticing strange things around them--is it in his imagination? Or could the Lizard Man be real after all?
Iain Lawrence is a winner of Canada's Governor General's Children's Literature Prize and the California Young Reader Medal. In Deadman's Castle , he brings readers a mystery filled with intrigue and moments of heart-stopping danger.
256 pages, Paperback
Published August 9, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 10, 2022
A Maine Student Book Award Nominee for 2022|2023
Igor has never been to school, and has lived in so many places, he doesn’t even remember where he’s from. His family has no pictures of themselves, and Igor must be ready to leave at a moments notice.
When they move to a new place and Igor sees the school near his house, he fights to be able to go to school. He is willing to go against all of his fathers strict rules to be a normal kid.
This book was so full of twists and turns-I literally couldn’t put it down! I know many of my students will love it!!
Igor has never been to school, and has lived in so many places, he doesn’t even remember where he’s from. His family has no pictures of themselves, and Igor must be ready to leave at a moments notice.
When they move to a new place and Igor sees the school near his house, he fights to be able to go to school. He is willing to go against all of his fathers strict rules to be a normal kid.
This book was so full of twists and turns-I literally couldn’t put it down! I know many of my students will love it!!
December 25, 2024
I love this book. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. W book.
September 4, 2022
This was a fun, quick read. I really liked Igor who was an engaging, quirky character. I was convinced that Dad was paranoid and the Lizard Man was a figment of his imagination. It was a surprise when he turned out to be real and hunting Igor. Luckily, Smasher came to the rescue. Middle schoolers should love this one.
April 21, 2023
Another fun, fast read!
I thought it’d be predictable but then ended up unsure. Is it real? Made up? Is it twist A? Twist B?
Luckily the kids aren’t annoying.
I can’t imagine life on the run and how frustrating it would be.
This horror is cozy and I really enjoy it
I thought it’d be predictable but then ended up unsure. Is it real? Made up? Is it twist A? Twist B?
Luckily the kids aren’t annoying.
I can’t imagine life on the run and how frustrating it would be.
This horror is cozy and I really enjoy it
June 15, 2022
Best book ever the was kind of sad and gave you a scary feeling but the whole book was Amazing
December 22, 2022
this was a weird book I’m not sure how I feel about it. The story started with one thing and then went in different directions.
March 31, 2021
This one is a 3.5 for me. It held my attention all the way through and kept me guessing as to whether the protagonist's father really was running from the Lizard Man and being protected by a witness protection plan or if he was deluded and had made it all up. The plot focuses on twelve-year-old Igor Watson. For most of his life, Igor has not been able to attend school or make any friends because the family keeps pulling up roots and because of his father's restrictions intended to keep the family safe. But Igor [not his real name but one he chose for himself] is tired of changing names, pulling up stakes, and never being able to go past the boundaries his father has set. While he knows they are for his own good, he chafes at these limits and decides to attend school anyway. At first, his classmates make fun of him because of his name, his clothing, and his demeanor, but eventually he makes two friends in Zoe, a Goth girl, and Angelo, a boy who seemed at first to be a bully. The boys' friendship flourishes as they play games and hang out with Angelo's devoted dog, Smasher. Finally, life starts to seem normal, and Igor begins to let down his guard. But maybe, just maybe, his father's caution has been necessary all along. The slow build-up to a dramatic conclusion makes readers care about Igor while holding their breaths in case he is facing a very real danger. I was on the edge of my seat and turning those pages as quickly as possible once the narrative reached those ruins alluded to in the title.
October 25, 2022
Deadman's Castle is full of mystery. The book is by Iain Lawrence. Iain Lawrence grew up moving all over Canada as a child just like in this book, by the time he was in high school he had lived in 11 different houses, and gone to 9 different schools. Iain Lawrence and the main character along with his family experienced this as well. The main character Igor has been constantly moving from town to town and from name to name. Igor was not allowed to go to school after what happened. Now they have the Lizard man chasing after them. This mystery will leave you always curious about what happens next.
This book takes place in a time like today, but a little earlier than now. This was the time when cell phones were starting to come out and more and more kids had them. Although Igor was not allowed to have one because his parents thought that he would be traced or found. Deadman's Castle is told from the eyes of Igor how all of the changes throughout his life have affected him, and how his life is almost in another world with everyone right here with him, but no one has any idea what is going on. Sometimes Igor does keep some things from his parents just like how he thinks that they are keeping something from him. Igor's curiosity gets the better of him and says yes to going to Deadman's castle but made a new friend as he went on. His parents have tried to keep something a secret for his whole life and throughout the story, he tried to find out. When he was little he got a small piece of it and it changed him forever now he is constantly being watched or chased by someone whom he is not even sure exists, he is not even sure if Igor is his name. This story was more of a creepy suspense book than a fairy tale. Even though it does end in a good ending it was a rollercoaster of happiness, sadness, suspense, and fear.
Some of the main characters of Deadman’s Castle include Igor, Bumble, Mom, Dad, Zoey, and Angelo. Igor loves his parents a lot but he is very curious to see what secret his mom and dad are hiding. Mom, Dad, and Bumble ( Igor’s Family ) all play very important roles in Igor's life and how he changes throughout the story. As well as Angelo. Angelo started to bully Igor but Angelo decided to become friends with Igor. By the middle and at the end Angelo and Igor are best friends and are more alike as they go on. One of the main mysteries that Igor is trying to solve is who is the lizardman and who and why are they chasing them. Igor ends up spilling their secret to his best friend Angelo and together they try to find out who is chasing Igor and his family. The lizard man also plays a huge role in how Igor develops as a person throughout the story. If the lizard man had never come then the story would be entirely different. Igor would be just a normal kid with a normal life but, not even until the end does Igor experience that. 1 time he just wished that the lizard man had found them just for it to be over, one way or another.
The plot of this story is that when Igor was just a little child living in a little white house his parents changed his life forever by saying that some man was chasing them because his dad had called the police when something went wrong. His dad had witnessed a terrible crime but reported it to the police and they are close to being found. Now they are constantly being chased from town to town, and from country to country. They end up moving to this bright greenhouse that would bring back more memories than expected. Although they had moved to many different places since their first house Igor remembers something about this place specifically. Even though his parents think that he is just being crazy Igor tries to find out. When Igor and his family moved into the new house Igor was given very specific rules limiting how far he could go. Something that made Igor even more suspicious is when these rules were much more specific and gave him a lot less freedom than the others. Igor convinced his dad to finally let him go to school although the rules are even worse. Igor started to dislike school because he is being bullied by 2 kids Trevis, and Angelo. On 1 group project, he turned those bullies into friends with 1 other. They convince Igor to go to Deadman's Castle with them, and that broke several of his rules but he did it anyway. When he came out he made one of his bullies his best friend when they both stood up to the 2nd one. Now Igor and Angelo met every day to go to school. Igor and Angelo would do everything together, and very often they had sleepovers. One day when Igor could not hold it back any longer he spilled his secret about the lizard man to Angelo. Angelo from then on knew everything. At one of their sleepovers, it took an unexpecting turn. The lizard man came. He ended up grabbing the wrong boy and took Angelo to Deadman's castle and locked him up. Igor and Zoey along with Angelo's dog Smasher saved Angelo but at the cost of his dog. The lizard man does end up falling into a pit 100+ feet deep and he was never seen again. Igor finally got to live his normal life just as he wanted.
Deadman's Castle was an amazing book and it caught my interest. This book had many strengths but not many weaknesses. It was a thrill ride, full of mystery and suspense. You can learn that sometimes when all things are going well then life will take unexpected turns. The main character Igor experienced so many moments like this. I would gladly recommend this book to others. It was very interesting and it was very good. I hope to read more from this author.
This book takes place in a time like today, but a little earlier than now. This was the time when cell phones were starting to come out and more and more kids had them. Although Igor was not allowed to have one because his parents thought that he would be traced or found. Deadman's Castle is told from the eyes of Igor how all of the changes throughout his life have affected him, and how his life is almost in another world with everyone right here with him, but no one has any idea what is going on. Sometimes Igor does keep some things from his parents just like how he thinks that they are keeping something from him. Igor's curiosity gets the better of him and says yes to going to Deadman's castle but made a new friend as he went on. His parents have tried to keep something a secret for his whole life and throughout the story, he tried to find out. When he was little he got a small piece of it and it changed him forever now he is constantly being watched or chased by someone whom he is not even sure exists, he is not even sure if Igor is his name. This story was more of a creepy suspense book than a fairy tale. Even though it does end in a good ending it was a rollercoaster of happiness, sadness, suspense, and fear.
Some of the main characters of Deadman’s Castle include Igor, Bumble, Mom, Dad, Zoey, and Angelo. Igor loves his parents a lot but he is very curious to see what secret his mom and dad are hiding. Mom, Dad, and Bumble ( Igor’s Family ) all play very important roles in Igor's life and how he changes throughout the story. As well as Angelo. Angelo started to bully Igor but Angelo decided to become friends with Igor. By the middle and at the end Angelo and Igor are best friends and are more alike as they go on. One of the main mysteries that Igor is trying to solve is who is the lizardman and who and why are they chasing them. Igor ends up spilling their secret to his best friend Angelo and together they try to find out who is chasing Igor and his family. The lizard man also plays a huge role in how Igor develops as a person throughout the story. If the lizard man had never come then the story would be entirely different. Igor would be just a normal kid with a normal life but, not even until the end does Igor experience that. 1 time he just wished that the lizard man had found them just for it to be over, one way or another.
The plot of this story is that when Igor was just a little child living in a little white house his parents changed his life forever by saying that some man was chasing them because his dad had called the police when something went wrong. His dad had witnessed a terrible crime but reported it to the police and they are close to being found. Now they are constantly being chased from town to town, and from country to country. They end up moving to this bright greenhouse that would bring back more memories than expected. Although they had moved to many different places since their first house Igor remembers something about this place specifically. Even though his parents think that he is just being crazy Igor tries to find out. When Igor and his family moved into the new house Igor was given very specific rules limiting how far he could go. Something that made Igor even more suspicious is when these rules were much more specific and gave him a lot less freedom than the others. Igor convinced his dad to finally let him go to school although the rules are even worse. Igor started to dislike school because he is being bullied by 2 kids Trevis, and Angelo. On 1 group project, he turned those bullies into friends with 1 other. They convince Igor to go to Deadman's Castle with them, and that broke several of his rules but he did it anyway. When he came out he made one of his bullies his best friend when they both stood up to the 2nd one. Now Igor and Angelo met every day to go to school. Igor and Angelo would do everything together, and very often they had sleepovers. One day when Igor could not hold it back any longer he spilled his secret about the lizard man to Angelo. Angelo from then on knew everything. At one of their sleepovers, it took an unexpecting turn. The lizard man came. He ended up grabbing the wrong boy and took Angelo to Deadman's castle and locked him up. Igor and Zoey along with Angelo's dog Smasher saved Angelo but at the cost of his dog. The lizard man does end up falling into a pit 100+ feet deep and he was never seen again. Igor finally got to live his normal life just as he wanted.
Deadman's Castle was an amazing book and it caught my interest. This book had many strengths but not many weaknesses. It was a thrill ride, full of mystery and suspense. You can learn that sometimes when all things are going well then life will take unexpected turns. The main character Igor experienced so many moments like this. I would gladly recommend this book to others. It was very interesting and it was very good. I hope to read more from this author.
May 8, 2022
Fantastic read. Great twists. Very suspenseful. Great for middle school age.
November 25, 2020
Copy provided by Edelweiss.
When Igor was five his dad saw something really, truly, bad. His family has been on the run ever since. In something resembling Witness Protection, Igor's family has finally landed in a place where things seem to feel right. Igor has a lot of rules his dad has created that he needs to follow to ensure they're all safe, but Igor is sick of them. Instead, he wants to be a normal 12 year old kid, going to school and making friends.
Deciding this, Igor walks to the school one day and tells the principal that he would like to be enrolled. After a talk with his parents, Igor gets to start school, and after a few difficult days, even makes friends and has fun. Except his dad is still convinced that there is a crazy, evil man coming after them and Igor has to follow the rules.
Lawrence does a truly great job of amping up the father's paranoia. For most of the novel I was convinced that this was going to be a giant Folie à deux scenario. Especially because of the way the Witness Protection is told, they're The Protectors, instead of U.S. Marshalls. It's not very clear on that until you read the author's note, so knowing some information about Witness Protection, I couldn't understand how the dad could behave the way he did.
Either way, this would definitely be a great choice for a middle schooler interested in mystery and adventure, but maybe a little less paranoia would have improved it.
When Igor was five his dad saw something really, truly, bad. His family has been on the run ever since. In something resembling Witness Protection, Igor's family has finally landed in a place where things seem to feel right. Igor has a lot of rules his dad has created that he needs to follow to ensure they're all safe, but Igor is sick of them. Instead, he wants to be a normal 12 year old kid, going to school and making friends.
Deciding this, Igor walks to the school one day and tells the principal that he would like to be enrolled. After a talk with his parents, Igor gets to start school, and after a few difficult days, even makes friends and has fun. Except his dad is still convinced that there is a crazy, evil man coming after them and Igor has to follow the rules.
Lawrence does a truly great job of amping up the father's paranoia. For most of the novel I was convinced that this was going to be a giant Folie à deux scenario. Especially because of the way the Witness Protection is told, they're The Protectors, instead of U.S. Marshalls. It's not very clear on that until you read the author's note, so knowing some information about Witness Protection, I couldn't understand how the dad could behave the way he did.
Either way, this would definitely be a great choice for a middle schooler interested in mystery and adventure, but maybe a little less paranoia would have improved it.
July 29, 2020
trigger warning
He's been on the run with his family for a long time, and had to change his name so often he forgot with which one he started. As he gets to chose his own name for the first time, he picks Igor - and he wants to go to school.
This one is about being a child in the witness protection programm, being so young your memories of the thing that made you run only vague, wanting to live a normal life, but also wanting to stay safe.
Sadly, I did not like this book. The characters felt flat, and the main part was boring until it got more exciting but then it was already over.
I am sure you'd think differently about this book if you're in the target audience, if school and your friends is what dominates your life and you can relate to Igor. This one just is not for me.
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
He's been on the run with his family for a long time, and had to change his name so often he forgot with which one he started. As he gets to chose his own name for the first time, he picks Igor - and he wants to go to school.
This one is about being a child in the witness protection programm, being so young your memories of the thing that made you run only vague, wanting to live a normal life, but also wanting to stay safe.
Sadly, I did not like this book. The characters felt flat, and the main part was boring until it got more exciting but then it was already over.
I am sure you'd think differently about this book if you're in the target audience, if school and your friends is what dominates your life and you can relate to Igor. This one just is not for me.
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
March 9, 2021
Twelve-year-old Igor and his family are constantly on the run, moving from house to house to escape from a frightening criminal out for revenge. Many years ago, Igor's dad was witness to a terrible crime, and since then the family has been on the move. They are helped along the way by protectors who shift them around to ensure their safety.
But now, after settling into yet another home, it seems as though the family is settling down for awhile, and Igor wants to attend a real school and learn how to make friends for a change. Just as things are starting to go right for Igor, their stalker appears to be skulking around again.
This is a genuinely spooky middle grade novel, fast-paced with solid storytelling.
But now, after settling into yet another home, it seems as though the family is settling down for awhile, and Igor wants to attend a real school and learn how to make friends for a change. Just as things are starting to go right for Igor, their stalker appears to be skulking around again.
This is a genuinely spooky middle grade novel, fast-paced with solid storytelling.
October 13, 2022
3.5 stars. A surprisingly slow-burn psychological thriller for middle grade. I liked the themes of friendship and healthy rebellion but it got a little muddy the more the story went on. I think the author had a cool idea but it's tone wasn't distinct enough to truly execute it. . Good adventure, not a great middle-grade horror.
March 25, 2023
The Lizard Man seems so terrible and yet no one sees him but the father? I just can't shake the feeling that the father is suffering from some mental disease and is putting his family through all this heartache because no one knows it's all phantoms.
200 pages of daily life and not knowing who to trust, then 30 pages of utter tension, suspense, and terror, which seems like an awkward ratio.
The daily life section was full of the 12-year-old main character learning to make friends and explore his world and push boundaries, reaching that point where he is no longer a child. And all that is worthwhile, but
200 pages of daily life and not knowing who to trust, then 30 pages of utter tension, suspense, and terror, which seems like an awkward ratio.
The daily life section was full of the 12-year-old main character learning to make friends and explore his world and push boundaries, reaching that point where he is no longer a child. And all that is worthwhile, but
March 23, 2022
As a librarian, kids are always asking for "scary" books. This is a good pick for them, a little scary/mysterious, but not. Igor and his family have always been on the run from "Lizard Man". Igor, now Jr high age, is just sick of it and wants to live a normal life. His father, however, is constantly on the look out for anything suspicious. After their latest move, with the help of his mother, Igor enrolls in school. Not easy being the new kid, especially when Igor's father dresses as a clown for his job. Igor is seriously thinking that his Dad is crazy. As life gets easier at school, Igor starts having flashbacks that may answer the many questions he has.
July 20, 2022
Igor and his family have been on the run for years. Igor is growing tired of the secrets and only having his family, so he starts to push for more "normal" things like going to school, spending time with friends, and just trying to fit in. His over protective dad really struggles with Igor changes. Is Igor's dad the problem or are they really hiding from someone?
Deadman's Castle is a 2+ star book. I think it will satisfy students in about grade 5 that want a "scary" book, but that's about all I can say.
Short listed for the 2023 MYRCA Northern Lights (although in my opinion, should have been a Sundogs nominee).
Deadman's Castle is a 2+ star book. I think it will satisfy students in about grade 5 that want a "scary" book, but that's about all I can say.
Short listed for the 2023 MYRCA Northern Lights (although in my opinion, should have been a Sundogs nominee).
March 7, 2022
Igor has moved several times since age 5 (and changed his name several times as well). When Igor was five, his father witnessed a crime and reported it to the police. A person involved with the crime vowed revenge on Igor’s family and they’ve been on the run ever since. Things seem different with their latest move, almost like they’ve found a place to stay, a home, this time. Igor makes friends at school and is allowed to explore the town. When he starts to confide in his friend, he begins to question how much his father has shared is true. Is someone really after his family?
November 30, 2022
Igor has been running his whole life with his family, afraid that the Lizard Man will get them. As he gets older and wants a more stable life, he starts to wonder if his dad is delusional or if there really is a danger. As he starts to break his dad's rules and starts to make friends for the first time ever, Igor makes some choices that may put him in danger. Did I get a little scared at the end? Yes I did, thanks for asking. Did I love the three legged dog? Also yes. The story moves at a good pace. I was annoyed with the dad until the end. Some violence. 5th grade and up.
October 26, 2023
This middle grades novel has a lively and well constructive plot. Based on the premise of a family in a witness protection plan, the story follows a 12 year old boy who no longer remembers his real name because he has moved so often. In a new town, his father relaxes some rules, and now he is allowed to go to school. With school comes freedom and relationships and challenges with being truthful to both his friends and his family. Because the ending is quite intense, this is a better book club or choice book.
May 11, 2021
It was an okay book. I think younger kids that are the target audience would really enjoy it. The premise was good except the witness protection factor didn't make sense. I am not really sure the family would even have been put in witness protection in the first place and it didn't make sense that they would be moved so often just because the dad thought he saw something. Just because a car with tinted windows drives by their house, he's ready to pack up?
October 14, 2021
This starts off very spooky--family on the run ("bugging out") to escape the vengeful Lizard Man, aided by the "Protectors". The main character has eventually forgotten his own name, and they've moved so many times He WANTS the Lizard man to find them so it can end.
Father is cryptic and paranoid, and so into the jargon that you can't help but wonder whether he's just nuts and making it all up. And neither can his son.
On this latest placement, the kid insists on making up his own name and chooses IGOR. He also insists that he wants to go to school instead of being homeschooled. He ends up signing himself up, and then much of the rest of the book is his tales of making friends without giving away his secret--with a bully, Angelo and his tiny three-legged dog Smasher and Zoe, a Goth sweetie who helps Igor dress from thrift stores--and carefully exploring the town, including the forbidden area across the river and the ruins known as Deadman's Castle. Igor begins to feel that he's been in this place before. What is the deal??
The end gets VERY suspenseful again, with a major plot twist.
Prompted by creepy phone calls author got as kid, only when his dad was out. Weird. (Needed s creepy phone moment.)
Father is cryptic and paranoid, and so into the jargon that you can't help but wonder whether he's just nuts and making it all up. And neither can his son.
On this latest placement, the kid insists on making up his own name and chooses IGOR. He also insists that he wants to go to school instead of being homeschooled. He ends up signing himself up, and then much of the rest of the book is his tales of making friends without giving away his secret--with a bully, Angelo and his tiny three-legged dog Smasher and Zoe, a Goth sweetie who helps Igor dress from thrift stores--and carefully exploring the town, including the forbidden area across the river and the ruins known as Deadman's Castle. Igor begins to feel that he's been in this place before. What is the deal??
The end gets VERY suspenseful again, with a major plot twist.
Prompted by creepy phone calls author got as kid, only when his dad was out. Weird. (Needed s creepy phone moment.)
January 3, 2022
This was a great middle school novel! The setting is inspired by my hometown and real ruins, so I am looking forward to finding them on a winter walk soon! I thought the concept of the story, while simple, drew me in. The voice of the 12-year old protagonist felt authentic, and I think students would be able to connect to the character. Combined with a compelling setting, I really enjoyed this story and would recommend for Grade 6s and up.
January 11, 2024
A juvenile read no doubt, easily aimed at young teenagers to older children, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Igor - our main lead - isn't an annoying character per se, he's a typical child so annoying in that measure by himself. The supporting cast is great, and whilst a little stale halfway through, still a gripping read towards the end.
If or if not the Lizard man is real is something I'll leave for you to learn about...
Igor - our main lead - isn't an annoying character per se, he's a typical child so annoying in that measure by himself. The supporting cast is great, and whilst a little stale halfway through, still a gripping read towards the end.
If or if not the Lizard man is real is something I'll leave for you to learn about...
August 22, 2024
This was a quick listen that was a slow burn until the end. I chose it based off the cover and title, so I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. I found myself getting a bit frustrated that Igor’s dad wouldn’t share any info other than throwing down ridiculous rules that any teen would likely not follow. Overall, it was worth the listen, I just wanted more depth to the story. (I’d give it 3.5 if I could here).
October 22, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It is definitely written for a younger audience, but it shows Igor's slow break away from his parents and the plot was fun and exciting. My biggest critique is that outside of Igor and Angelo the other characters weren't really developed, and honestly Angelo wasn't developed *well*, but the book was a page turner that kept you going with the threat of the Lizard Man.
November 9, 2021
I just saw someone else’s review and agree- this book is a 3.5. I can see some of my student readers enjoying the drama, the thrill and the mystery of this book but I can also see some students abandoning this book as it feels like it’s going nowhere. Students will love the fast-paced ending. It did keep my attention- just not a book that will stay with me for a long time.
June 24, 2025
This was a fun, quick read. I really liked Igor who was an engaging, quirky character. I was convinced that Dad was paranoid and the Lizard Man was a figment of his imagination. It was a surprise when he turned out to be real and hunting Igor. Luckily, Smasher came to the rescue. Middle schoolers should love this one.
February 23, 2021
I have read all of this Canadian author's books and he never disappoints. I'm a 73-year-old grandmother, so not really the target audience, but a well written story is my criteria. This story held me captive to the end and I'm sure my grandson will like it too.
May 12, 2021
The set up was really good. The audience was kept in the dark along with the protagonist. It's a perfect read for a kid. The only reason I'm taking off a star is because the climax ended way too quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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