Review: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken

The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding
(The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding #1)
Alexandra Bracken
Release: September 5, 2017
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"I would say it's a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness."

Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history — that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper's great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made — and then broke — a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, four-thousand-year-old Alastor isn't exactly the forgiving type.

The fiend has reawakened with one purpose — to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his future without a side of eternal servitude, thanks.

Little does Prosper know, the malefactor's control over his body grows stronger with each passing night, and there's a lot Alastor isn't telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host.

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a tale of betrayal and revenge, of old hurts passed down from generation to generation. Can you ever fully right a wrong, ever truly escape your history? Or will Prosper and Alastor be doomed to repeat it?

Review:
I'm always on the lookout for fun middle grade books I can read to my godkids over Skype and The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding was everything me and my godkids wanted it to be. It was equal parts charming and creepy and it would make an awesome Halloween read! I kind of got an old school Disney Halloweentown vibe from it which made it even better! This was my first Alexandra Bracken book and can't wait to read her backlist now.

Prosper is a funny and extremely likable main character and the rest of the cast is equally as interesting. I particularly loved Nell! Alastor provides both the creepy factor and the comedic relief which made me love his character more than I thought I would. Prosper and Alastor's relationship is compelling and I really liked how they team up on occasion and never become buddies. The world building is really great but it's the characters with their distinct personalities that made this book so much fun!

Ultimately, The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding is a story about family, legacy, and revenge while trying to escape a history that technically has nothing to do with you. Prosper has to deal with the many consequences of his ancestors' actions as well as those of his immediate family. I was engrossed in his struggles immediately and me and my godkids couldn't help but root for him. That ending though has us all sorts of anxious to get our hands on the sequel. This book has a good balance of humor and creepy, making this a perfect fall read. I would highly recommend picking it up in time for Halloween!

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

    

  4 / 5 Stars