Review: #356
Title: Wicked!
Series: Wicked! - all six books
Author: Paul Jennings and Morris Gleitzman
Read Before: yes
My Comments:
The Slobberers – The book gets into the thick of things right from the start, which is a good thing. We’re presented with an intriguing mystery; these mutated worms have started attacking the two protagonists. However, since the book is so short (and that it’s a six part series), it doesn’t truly go anywhere meaningful. We haven’t gotten to the point where the protagonists start investigating, it’s just running away. The book is also ruined at times when the writing was great, and the atmosphere is good, then suddenly the authors use some more ‘kiddy’ words. It’s distracting when they suddenly pop up and it sounds as if the characters are 8 year olds (I’m not sure what age they are but I would have thought they’ll be around 13 or so), 6/10.
Battering Rams – The mystery continues, but that’s all it does. Just like the first book, we see things happening, but not the mastermind behind it or any reason why they’re happening, it’s too early for that to be revealed. There are some small hints if you read carefully but all we know for sure is that it’s something to do with Rory’s father. The events in this book are as interesting as the first, although now we’ve gone from worms to sheep. The frogs just got introduced and you know they’ll be the stars in the next book. It kept your attention, 6/10.
Croaked – The first part covers the frog’s attack on the house. The two protagonists are united again, which is good coz now we get to start seeing them team up together to solve the mystery. The plot moves forward along slowly but it’s enough to make it worthwhile. I liked the second part where they finally be proactive and go off to find the root of this problem. The ending is a cliffhanger and it’s quite a surprise. The writing has gotten better (although there are still the awkward moments of childishness) and the story is picking up pace, 6/10.
Dead Ringer – The book starts off well enough, we get an explanation on the Rory lookalike. Then the group of four goes on their merry way to the next destination until they are stopped by a mutant plant. The last section actually drags on a little bit with the group being forced to stay there. Sure, it’s a tense moment but when nothing meaningful truly happens, it can feel like a waste of time. The random pigs that appeared were weird and random, it had seemed like the authors didn’t know how to get the characters out of there and thus put them in for the mean time. Not as interesting as the previous books but still interesting, 6/10.
The Creeper – You are still kept in the dark throughout this book. I wouldn’t say things progressed quickly but at least they progressed. The group had split off again, and some of the characters’ actions will annoy you. The mystery of Dawn’s mum is getting closer and closer to being resolved (it’s all in the last book…). The fate of the apple man is also creepy, 6/10.
Till Death Us Do Part – Yes, this is the one where everything is going to be explained… well, nearly everything. While the major plot points are tied up, we are never treated an explanation on how come Dawn’s mum’s shoes got special powers and that the virus contaminating the animals are weak to it. At least we got a decent explanation on what’s causing the whole thing, and while the resolution isn’t as good as you would have hoped for, it was still satisfying. The climax is one of the freakiest you will ever read, it will send shivers up your spine. It’s scary and you wouldn’t want to be in the protagonists’ shoes during it, 6/10.
Overall – There is a really good mystery buried in this series, however, the resolution isn’t truly satisfying and there are a few elements in which the authors never explained. It’s annoying in that you would be eager to learn about some things yet they never delivered or touched upon it. It felt like a cheap way for the authors to get out of certain situations in the book. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile and has a good plot.
Rating: 6/10