Author: Paul Durham
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: April 29, 2014
ISBN: 0062271504
The Luck Uglies is the first in a tween fantasy-adventure trilogy brimming with legends come to life, a charming wit, and a fantastic cast of characters-and is imbued throughout with the magic of storytelling.
Strange things are happening in Village Drowning, and a terrifying encounter has Rye O'Chanter convinced that the monstrous, supposedly extinct Bog Noblins have returned.
Now Rye's only hope is an exiled secret society so notorious its name can't be spoken aloud: the Luck Uglies. As Rye dives into Village Drowning's maze of secrets, rules, and lies, she'll discover the truth behind the village's legends of outlaws and beasts...and that it may take a villain to save them from the monsters.
The first in a series, The Luck Uglies is an altogether irresistible cross of Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, Stefan Bachmann's The Peculiar, and Chris Healy's The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, overflowing with adventure, secrets, friendship, and magic.
This was a great start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic Middle Grade series. The world was interesting, well developed, and I always wanted more back story.
To tell the truth, I really fell in love with this world. I love Drowning and the mystery of the Bog - the other lands that exist somewhere that Rye has only heard about. It's fantastic and I want more RIGHT NOW.
It was really a story of family, Rye and her family live in a run down part of their city - Drowing. Their ruler is egotistical and not at all concerned with what is best for his people, but yet their family "rules" hold them together even when times are difficult.
It was fun, and parts of it were adorable. Lottie, Rye's little sister was one of my favorite characters because of her cute kid sentences. She often came from no where and stole the show with her cuteness.
Rye O'Chanter was a very likeable protagonist, she was adventurous, curious, and she consistently did what was right rather than what was easy which was something I admired about her.
I feel like there are endless places this series can go, it can discuss the issues with the rulers, go to the far off places, learn the ways of The Luck Uglies... really, there are so many things that can potentially happen. The world feels so well rounded that there are so many things I want to see fleshed out more... and we have two more books to do it!
Overall:
I recommend this to any lover of fantasy and adventure. It's fun, full of magical elements, and is a story of family and friendship that will appeal to all ages. Fantasy is my genre of choice, and this book was a great start to what I'm sure will be a beautiful friendship.
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