The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless

by Ahmet Zappa

Beware! Only those who are McFearlessly brave may read from the pages of these monstrous memoirs. Minerva McFearless is an eleven-year-old monsterminator. Her family has been hunting down and destroying monsters for thousands of generations. But now the monsters have taken their revenge. The dreaded Zarmaglorg, the king of evil himself, has kidnapped Minerva's father. She and her little brother Max must set off to rescue him. They are armed only with the Monstranomicon - a living book that holds every secret about every bloodthirsty beast known to mankind...

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile, Middle Grade, Audiobook

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS Ah, I'm not quite sure how to review this one... I listened to the audibook and Katherine Kellegren is an excellent narrator, as ever. I even enjoyed the little musical interludes between chapters--music composed by the author himself! Truth be told, I probably would never have picked this book up off the shelf if it weren't for the audibook version, so perhaps I am not the most fair person to judge the book. In terms of the story, it's amusing and good fun but I find myself wanting to pull out the label "it's a kid's book" as a warning to my fellow adult readers... and I rarely label books "kid's books" even if they technically are (i.e., Harry Potter) because I don't see any reason in limiting the age group for good literature. I guess perhaps I ought to say that this book will probably be most enjoyed by kids, or those who are still enough of a kid at heart to get a big kick out of characters projectile vomiting at the sight of a monster getting blown up and who find it easy to relate to sibling bickering and a surprisingly frequent use of the word "boogers" Indeed, the castle of the most fearful monster is called Doominstinkinfart--now, I would have thought that was darn funny when I was a kid, and I still had to kind of chuckle over it, but really these are not the sort of things I find terribly absorbing at this point in my life. (Sorry, I probably sound like a lame grown-up snob here...!) That said, this book is pretty well written--I really appreciated the excellent use of alliteration and the creativity and imagination it took to think up all the cooky, creepy, gross and hilarious monsters. Our heroine is a spunky eleven-year-old and, predictably, her bad relationship with her "annoying" nine-year-old brother begins to improve when they are forced to work together to rescue their father from the monsters. And I admit that one of the big "twists" at the end is not something I saw coming so three cheers for unpredictability! Too, there are actually some really beautiful passages--I especially loved the chapter where the girl talked about watching her mother paint the stars across their house on the eve before her mother's (presumed) death. So touching! So, bottom line, there are some really bright moments amidst all the boogers and farts--kind of like life with kids, after all! ;-)

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two opinions on this book. The first is that it's super amazing and is probably one of the best books ever. THe second is that it's not as great as I thought because I grew out of it. I think I read this book for the first time in fourth grade, but I don't remember for sure when it was. I read it once and loved it; then I read it again the next year. THe year after that I read it about once every three or four months, so in order to keep from getting sick of it, I didn't read it for a while. In January I randomly had the urge to read it again, so I got it from the library as soon as I could(I have the exact location of it memorized). To be honest, I just wasn't all that into it. I could still see what I liked about it (the cover, the pages about the monsters, the pictures on the sides of the pages, ect.) , but the stuff I thought was lame in a funny way before I now just see as silly. I still am giving it a five star rating because I think that perhaps I just wasn't in the mood for it then. I definitely still count it as one of my favorite books, but I don't plan on reading it again anytime soon.

[Michelle Graf]

I only just remembered loving this as a kid. Forgot it existed. Might try to track down a copy to reread.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unless you are under 10, I would recommend reading this book as opposed to listening to it. The reader is extremely dramatic, the monster voices are way over the top - to the point where I couldn't understand a lot of it - and the author is overly fond of alliteration which gets pretty annoying at times. Not a bad story-line - about a motherless brother and sister (whose sibling rivalry borders on the sadistic) from a monster-fighting family who must set off to continue in the family tradition in order to rescue their father. I think kids may get a kick out of it but with all the recipes for fighting monsters, and distracting music, and stereophonic monster slurping noises in the audio, I'd definitely recommend reading the book. Evidently, it is the first in a series. I, however, will not be joining the fray again anytime soon.

[jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

sadly, I am wayy too old for this book, but it doesn’t change the fact that it was awesome for the 8-year-old me. and I’m still waiting for the sequel.

[Hv2go · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minerva McFearless is eleven and a monsterminator, set out to save her father from the dreaded Zarmaglorg (king of evil). Travelling to the Castle Doominstinkinfart. etc. etc. etc.
This is a children's book, yes. Did I enjoy reading it? Yes. For more than one reason.
The copy I have (hardback) feels great, printed on very nice paper, with great illustrations, there's lots to see. None of this has anything to do with the story but adds definitely to the pleasure of reading. The story itself is as simple as described in the first line here above. The monster are really monsters, they all have tremendous names, Ahmet invents loads of new words/names which befits the characters very well. Story is good and in between there are small subchapters with information about the monsters and usefull recepices to defend yourselve against them (this type of information is hard to come by). So much fun. I love the (zany) fantasy
So no 5 stars? Why? Well there is only one! thing missing. A young person to read the book to (this is not Ahmet's fault). I would love to read this book aloud and live the adventure together with a young person. !! recommended !!
(b.t.w. who is that person in the picture on page 192?)

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Storiella carina per giovanissimi lettori. Fantasiose le idee usate per i mostri e le loro schede tecniche corredate da tanto di identikit e ricetta per tenerli lontani.
Carino anche il finale col cliffhanger che premette una nuova avventura.
Purtroppo però ad uno sguardo più adulto balzano subito all'occhio gli errori dell'autore. Innanzitutto una bambina di 11 anni non racconterebbe mai la propria storia usando termini come goffrato, ritroso, chiurlare, atteggiamento supplice, apprestai, reclinato... suvvia, usiamo coerenza.
Il testo inoltre è pieno zeppo di aggettivi per qualsiasi cosa, che inficiano così sul ritmo che perde fluidità. Senza contare poi che c'è una preponderanza di descrizioni che richiamano sempre alla puzza, quasi che sia quella l'unica caratteristica di un mostro.
Finiamo poi col dire che questi sono gli unici mostri che io abbia mai incontrato che preferiscono parlare al proprio cibo, anziché avventarglisi contro e sbranarlo.

P.S. Bella l'edizione Fabbri con schizzi, foto e ritagli colorati disseminati per tutto il libro.

[Uku · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firs thing I would want to do would be to find the person who translated this book to Finnish and spank him or give the prize of most stupid translation ever made. =.=' Translator has succeed to ruin the whole book. Story might be ok, but some words that the bozo who translated it are wrong and shouldn't never even used unless person isn't talking that way and using those words. >.<' Translator has used slang and sorta childish word trough entire story from monsters in it, making them sound cute and huggable while they will crush your bones and eat you and stitch clothes off your skin... (04.05.2008 )

[Mr Bramley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay this one was a /chore/.

I’m sorry but I didn’t enjoy this at all. I liked the concept, I loved the excerpts from the Monstranomicon with its gross spells and charms, I even didn’t hate the main characters!

But the actually story for me was predictable, even for a children’s novel. The plot felt dragged out, and the ending felt dragggggggged out even more! (I skim read the last 10 pages because I just wanted to put it down).

This story could have been much better put into a fully illustrated shorter novel or even picture book, and I think I would have much preferred it.

[Juels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this to my son (9). He loved the story and the monster repellant recipes. It is whimsical and so bizarre in certain pages that I had a hard time staying in character because I was laughing. It is full of wonderful, fun to say words. I thoroughly enjoyed making up all the voices for the monsters. Definitely a creative read to a child.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was very young, or rather, listened to it, and it holds a special place in my heart. I’m no longer a child, but I still find myself lost in the story and sad we’ve yet to find out what happens to Minerva and Max’s father. I love the quirky family in these pages, from the gum ball loving little brother to his enduring older sister and every character in between. Sometimes it’s good to look back on your childhood.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of alliteration and tongue twisting phrases made for a fun read. Gross and humorous recipes for spells and potions but some parts of the story might actually be too gory and violent for the young readers it sets out to entertain.

[Kathryn Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything to me when I was 12. Disgusting, scary and impossible to stop reading.
Was so frightened by the pictures I used to have to read it under the covers with a flashlight and I would turn the flashlight off and hide if I heard even the smallest noise.
So fun and so yucky. blegh.

[Gunjan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a kid and I remember being fascinated by all the weird creatures the author came up with.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It is weird, gross, and the perfect book for my son. Going to share it with him now.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for the kids - gross, funny, creative - and there's even a song

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story but I really could have done without the fat jokes.

[Spinch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with my son. He loved it, I thought it was meh but I'm not the target audience. Broke his heart when I told him the sequel was never written.

[Paola · Rating 3 out of 5]

La historia está contada por Minerva, una niña de 11 años que creía tener una vida normal, hasta que un día, por casualidad, estando junto a su hermano en la biblioteca, descubren una entrada secreta a una habitación lleno de extraños objetos, entre éstos estaba un libro (que en realidad es un monstruo llamado Monstranomicon), el cual muerde a Minerva. Si ella no fuera una McFearless esa mordida la habría matado pero a ella, por el contrario, le dio el poder de leer en sus páginas todo sobre los monstruos y como destruirlos.
Es desde ese momento cuando comienza toda una aventura. Minerva y su hermano pequeño Max descubren que su padre es un cazador de monstruos, por ende los monstruos existen y son criaturas horribles. Un día llega a la puerta de la casa una arqueta arcana que en su interior escondía una piedra preciosa llamada Arteplam. Justo en ese momento vienen unos monstruos y secuestran al padre y a la caja.
Max y Minerva deben enfrentar horribles monstruos en el camino hacia la cueva del rey de los monstruos llamado Zarmaglorg. Pero no están solos ya que los acompaña un coyote muy valiente que esconde un gran secreto.

El libro es visualmente hermoso, Ahmet Zappa se esforzó mucho en eso, ya que él aparece en varias fotos, representando al padre McFearless.

Otra cosa que cabe señalar es que hay que tomar bien en serio la advertencia de la portada porque hubo varios momentos en que sufrí terribles nauseas por culpa de lo asqueroso que eran los monstruos. Creo que el libro no está hecho para una niña de estomago débil como el mío.

Lo que más me gustó fueron los hechizos, son fáciles de hacer y los ingredientes están en todas las casas. Tengo 25 años pero igual sería feliz revolviendo un caldero y diciendo cosas como "lagartijo, libidijo, lugoplujo, somormujo, tematé, mateté, anda , lugo, muérete"

Desde un principio supe quien era el coyote, pero igual me sorprendió no haber notado que Arteplam al revés es Malpetra!! Y me traumé un poco cuando se lo devoraron cruelmente :|

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trouble (or beauty, depending on your perspective) of this book is that Zappa gets so gleefully caught up in the details of his monsters that everything else--a coherent plot, good character development, etc. takes a backseat. What this means is that the reader finds themselves wanting to flip forward a few pages to the next Monsternomicon "page" for the next creature profile and skip past all that stuff involving annoying people running around to no purpose. The squirrely plot relies far too much on bloated passages of expository fact-dumping to explain the twists. The main characters, the sister and brother duo of Max and Minerva, aren't all that compelling. Of the two, only Max is at least assigned a few quirks and personality, but nfortunately, it's Minerva who has the role of chief storyteller. Considering the nature of the weaknesses, but the strength of the undeniably cool photo-like illustrations (in several places the "blood" spatters look almost indistinguishable from the real thing)and the wonderful detail in the monster profiles, this would probably be wonderful as a field guide but perhaps the publisher felt that if that were the case the similarities between this the Spiderwick series and Candlewick Press's fanciful book/kit "ologies" would be too marked. Unfortunately, judging from the cliffhanger ending, a follow-up to the story must be in the works. If Zappa would only give as much attention to his plot and human characters as he does his monsters, there would be hope for this yet. Failing that, writing the sequel from Max's perspective might give this already boy-friendly book just the boost it would need, but it looks like readers will just have to wait and see.

[Natasha Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Para finalizar el Especial de Halloween, les traigo la reseña de Monstruos y otras especies de Ahmet Zappa, una novela fantástica y de terror para los lectores más jóvenes.
Narrada en primera persona por parte de una de las protagonistas, Minerva McFearless, una niña que aprenderá a ser cazadora de monstuos a la fuerza.
La novela comienza con la escena más dramática y peligrosa para luego retroceder en el tiempo para narrarnos cómo llegaron los McFearless a esa situación. A medida que la historia avanza y empiezan a aparecer los monstruos, el libro anexa fichas con información sobre qué son esos seres, cuáles son sus puntos débiles y fuertes, a qué se dedican y cómo vencerlos. Incluso añade recetas mágicas muy graciosas.
La calidad del ejemplar de tapa dura, con imágenes, dibujos y fotografías que parecen viejas pero que tienen (algunas) al escritor como personaje, son increíbles.
La historia es muy graciosa en todo momento, y a pesar de que algunas escenas con los monstruos son espeluznantes, logra ser muy divertida. Con juegos de palabras, nombres locos y dos hermanos que se llevan mal pero se quieren mucho, los lectores más jóvenes disfrutarán muchísimo leyendo esta simpática novela.
Si bien desde el 2009 se rumoreaba con una segunda parte de esta fantástica historia, hasta el momento no se tienen noticias. También se esperaba la producción de una película, pero quedó en silencio el asunto.
La aventura que vivirán los hermanos McFearless, con tintes de humor y terror, es ideal como primeras lecturas para los más jóvenes. Yo me divertí mucho leyéndolo, pero porque soy la versión femenina de Peter Pan; recomiendo esta lectura a partir de los 8 años y hasta los 15 años como muuucho.

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing that really stood out to me about this book is that on every page is a monster drawn by the writer, Ahmet Zappa. They are fun and young readers will love them. Another thing that I enjoyed about The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless is that the paper used in the book is glossy and thick, so the book can take a lot of abuse without being damaged. And instead of having pictures drawn in the book that shows what is going on, they have actually photographs that have been digitally enhanced.

All of these are good reasons why you should read this book. But if that isn't enough for you, then the quality of the story should do the trick. Ahmet Zappa has created a unique bit of storytelling in The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless. The pace of the story is quick and young readers will gobble up the pages like they are a Clawbsterdon or a Swoggler.

So, if your child is looking for a new and fun book, make sure they get their claws on this one and be prepared for a monstrously fun bit of reading.

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of the father will likely enjoy this first novel by the younger son, if they haven't gone and let themselves grow up too much.

It is delightfully graphic both textually and visually, illustrated in part with mock-up photographs of Ahmet as the father of the two children in the story, and some of Frank as their great-great-great-grandfather, as well as marginalia drawings and designs by the author and other illustrators. These are interspersed with "facsimile" pages from the "Monstranomicon" to familiarise the reader as well as the characters with the creatures they encounter.

Intentionally juvenile and therefore appealing to its real target audience (children around 11, the age of the narrator/protagonist), this silly monster-, booger-, and stench-infested romp has just enough Conceptual Continuity to keep older Zappa-philes laughing and looking for the next tidbit.

[J.Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It should come as no surprise when I tell you that Ahmet Zappa really likes alliteration. Case in point: the title. The theme continues through-out the book as well. This is aimed at grades 4-6 and I suspect they would enjoy it far more than me, especially if they fail to see that the Monstranomicon (a large book of everything Monster) a little too closely resembles the book of Monsters assigned by Hagrid in Harry Potter. Minerva (age 11) and her younger brother, Max, find out that their father is a "monster hunter". He forbids them to have anything to do with it and then is promptly captured by the worst of the lot. Minerva and Max find themselves on a monster-filled adventure to save him. The book ends with a promise of a sequel.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great attempt by this first time author in young adult (more middle school I think) fiction. I quite enjoyed the humorous monster descriptions and recipes for protecting yourself against them. Definitely more fun for the intended young audience than for an adult to read, although I didn't care for the two children in the book as role models. The sister was always complaining about her annoying younger brother, which isn't so far fetched, but many times she actually gets pleasure out of his pain and at one point talks about having actually pushed him down the stairs for fun. To me there's a big difference between being annoyed with your bratty sibling and wishing him "harm" and actually going out of your way to harm him/her! Still, a fun, quick read.

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are books written for children that cross that barrier and appeal to adults and children alike. This is not one of them. It is definitely written for children, especially if you are a kid that enjoys big, stinky, gross monsters, and fighting them. It's a fun adventure of a brother and sister that have to rescue their father from an evil monster. The photos in the book are great, and it also includes some detailed recipes using ingredients you can find around the house of concoctions that repel monsters. If you have a child that likes to experiment and they read this book, I'd keep an eye on them or you might just find a masterpiece in your kitchen or somewhere else.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

We read this book last year and didn't like it too much. The book was hard to read with all the different words that you would have to think about or sound out before reading it. It might have been okay to read to yourself, but when reading out loud to a child that has a hard time sitting still in the first place, it was difficult. She was having a hard time visualizing the story line and visualizing the characters... In the book you had to read recipes for different monster-repelling potions and it was a little hard to do...

[Tami · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a mixture of styles that is vaguely unsatisfying overall. It definitely has some fun, exciting moments; however the monsters are mean & disgusting. It’s really one long monster battle: younger version Riordan’s RED PYRAMID-ish tales. Squeamish or easily frightened readers will be frightened/grossed out by descriptions. It has a loosely plotted feel to me—lots of empty space between moments that move the story forward. I don’t think the excerpts from the Monstramonicon add anything to the story.

[Angie crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Can't wait until the next in the series comes out.

shortly after Minerva McFearless and her brother Max find out they and their ancestors before them are monsterminators, their father is kidnapped. With the help of a strange coyote they set out to find their father before it is too late.

I love the bits of the Monstrnomicon throughout the book telling about each monster and a spell to protect against it.

[Kelly RAley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick read that focuses on the two McFearless children who are out to rescue their father from an evil monster. I listened to this on audiobook and the illiteration got to be a little much for me. It was like the author heard about it and then couldn't use any other literary devices. BLEH! The title demonstrates this. I also don't care for books that use the words, fart, barf, etc. I felt it to be a juvenile, predictable story that young boys might enjoy, but I did not.