Leo's Map of Monsters: The Spitfang Lizard

Leo's Map Of Monsters #2

by Kris Humphrey

It's Leo's job as the Guardian's apprentice to protect the village from the monsters that lurk in the surrounding forest. Whenever a monster gets too close to the village walls Leo must venture out, using his magical map to first find the monster and then do battle with it.In this book, Leo must track down a deadly Spitfang Lizard before it reaches the village. He is given one piece of advice-first they spit, then they bite. If a Spitfang's throat swells up . . . run!

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Kris Humphrey is the author of the Guardians of the Wild fantasy series for young readers.

Hailing from a medium-sized city in the far south-west of England, Kris grew up with the sea on one side and the beautiful bleakness of Dartmoor on the other. Despite moving around the country and doing his fair share of interesting jobs (cinema projectionist, blood factory technician, bookseller...) he has always been writing - or at least thinking about writing - or at least pretending to be thinking about writing. In 2012 Kris graduated from the MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University, winning the award for Most Promising Writer. He now lives in south-east London.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to combine The Armored Goretusk and Spit Fang Lizard into a duo review. These are super quick reads, and the illustrations of the monsters are especially done well. The chapter books are very similar in length and have a repetitive theme of Leo going out on a mission to save his village from the encroaching monsters, who are not always what they initially seem. Leo is a fun protagonist who uses a lot of trial and error to accomplish his tasks and isn't as fazed by how terrifying the monsters are, or as scared as I thought he would be. I'd say this series fits well for an elementary kid, 7+ who enjoys stories about fighting monsters. I'd say the first two books are more adventurous than Leo facing gripping dangers, although the monsters do seem formidable. I'm curious about the addition of the two new forest people and what direction the stories will head in the future. Overall, this is a fun new to me series that would make for an exciting read-aloud. Included at the back of the stories are a detail of each monster's strength, size, intelligence, etc. which has a sort of feel of a Pokémon trading card. **A huge thank you to Lynn Kelley from Kane Miller Publishing for the E-books **

[Keren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo's called out to deter a pair of monsters from reaching the village, and these monsters are angry and dangerous! What has happened to so upset them and drive them away from their nesting ground? Leo and Starla aren't sure, but they know they have to figure it out fast. They come upon two girls who live in the forest, a group of people Starla says are "not good." But when the spitfang lizards target these girls, Leo knows they're important to his mission somehow and that he has to protect them. Will he succeed?

I agree with another reviewer that I like Leo's character. My 7-year-old son is particularly impressed at all Leo can do at age 9, but I'm more excited about Leo's persistence, critical thinking, loyalty, friendliness, and thoughtfulness. I'm particularly concerned about how his apprentice guardianship will impact his future. He seems to value his friendships and family, but he has to lie to them to keep them safe, he's told. I wonder if this is true or if we'll find that Gilda, the village chief, has underestimated the villagers this whole time.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the series and this time the monster is a Spitfang Lizard! Be warned of their spit and teeth!


I was kind of waiting for maybe one of the libraries adding this one in English… but I am just giving up on that. Haha. It is taking so long. So I finally picked up the Dutch book! Which means that I will be using the Dutch names as I have no clue about the English one. Yes, the MC, but I am also going to use his Dutch name because of the Starla thing. XD

The monster? The Spitfang Lizard (thanks title in English, in Dutch it is Spuugtandhagedis which is pretty much the same). I had an early suspicion on why two left the group. I mean, I have read enough biology book to see where this is going and I was eager for Liam to also discover it and make sure that people know about it. The spitfang lizard was just amazing. I really love the design of the monster but I also love seeing what the monster could do. That spitting was awesome! Wouldn’t want to get glued stuck to something though, not with those teeth.

I also still love that Liam is learning so many things and he is getting better. Though his slingshot skill still very much sucks. XD But I am sure with enough training, maybe some real life situations, he will get there. Plus, I am still so very happy that they are leaving these monsters mostly to be. Even when they are forming a danger they try to lure them away or try to use the stones to calm the monsters down or something else. There are just too many books featuring monster hunting that this one is a relief and a delight. Not all monsters are bad!

Really loved seeing other people! We meet two girls named Eva and her sister Anemoon. I am still a bit unsure about them because of Starla’s warnings + how they acted towards Liam, but I am also very eager and happy and hope that Liam will visit the town these two are from and we get to meet more people living here. See how they survive with monsters around them. I mean, Liam’s town at least got walls. Given everything I don’t think the girls’ town has one.

I am also curious how Liam is going to be keeping the secret about the town/what is outside to his friend. Given that he already suspects something and Liam has to be real careful about things.

Starla. LORD, can she just be eaten already? She is just way too much like Navi and we all know my feelings on Navi (and I am sure others are with me on this). Liam Wilder this and Liam Wilder that. Interrupting whenever she can. Making rude comments. LIAM WILDER LIAM WILDER LIAM WILDER. I just wanted to yeet her into a monster many times. I hope that we see less of her in the next books.

But despite the annoying Starla I had tons and tons of fun! New monster! New people! Exciting ending! Friendship! YAS!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Efox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been casually on the look out for a copy of this sequel to The Armoured Goretusk for three years and I finally found one. My series is now complete! Of course, both my kids remembered 90% of everything that happened in the first book, but we had to re-read it anyway so I could remember the details that lead Leo out in to the woods to discover the monsters and become friends with Starla. In this installment, Leo is out trying to protect the village from two crazy lizards whose spit is super sticky and super angry.

Really enjoying this series with my kids. It's imaginative, and Leo's care for the monsters, his interest in protecting them and really everyone he comes across, is great. It was also fun to learn more about Starla's history and I'm excited to finally finish this series.

[Jessica Partlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accidentally read book 3 first, so this is now the 3rd book in the series I’ve read. I must say, I really enjoy Leo as a character. Selfless, encouraging, hard-working, responsible, and creative in his problem-solving. I can’t wait to introduce these books to the kids at a book fair I have coming up and then for the school library! I can think of several young elementary students who will be drawn to this series.

[AD · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting. This was my first "Leo's Map" book

It was similar to Beast Quest because there was a monster causing trouble. But I liked Beast Quest more because there was more action than this book.

Leo was the main character and he had one helper friend. I liked them.

Mom here.. I preferred reading this to Beast Quest because it felt more developed and interesting. I'm curious about the new characters.

[Fritz Saludar · Rating 4 out of 5]

super quick read! even when I'm on the line for the mall bathroom I was still reading LOL.

taught me to cherish and care for the things u have—be grateful for them, and don't be afraid to risk yourself for the sake of others.

[Samantha Zurbrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review by Abraham “I thought it was fun, it kinda reminded me of Wizard of Oz. I would give it 5 stars.”

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud with Rowan. Feb. '24

[Rae Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very partial to preteen reads. They’re fun to read aloud. My son really enjoyed this book as well as myself.