Book #Review: "Tales from Lovecraft Middle School" by Charles Gilman

Substitute Creature review
Author: Charles Gilman
5 out of 5 stars

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Recommended for: fans of the series, fans of Lovecraft, middle grade on up.
Book Available: September 24, 2013 in hardcover and Kindle editions
Trigger Warnings:

My Thoughts: This is the first book in this series in which I have noticed any typos or mistakes. There were only maybe two typos, but it is said repeatedly that Glenn and Robert were on a fourth-story ledge, but all the pictures of the school in this book show only three stories.

I was really amused by this conversation:

Glenn turned to Robert. “What's more important?” he asked. “A stupid Valentine's Day concert of saving the world from an army of ancient monsters?”

When Glenn put the question that way, Robert felt as though he had no choice. “I guess saving the world.”

“I'll save your seats,” Karina offered. “Have fun.”

What amused me about that? Robert's extreme enthusiasm about saving the world... “I guess...”

It wouldn't be a Lovecraftian series without the mention of Miskatonic University and/or Old Ones, and to my delight we have both here. Of course, these Old Ones are a bit different than the reptilian forms we normally see, being more tiny little fluffy things, but that's okay. I'm sure there will be reptiles at some point, and we have already had the snake sisters in the second book anyway.

At any rate, I am enjoying these stories immensely. There are some major changes by the end of this book, and things are really starting to hit the fan, so I'm very excited to see there things will go from here. Unfortunately, there is no word about what comes next, what the next book will be, or what is going to happen. The Lovecraft Middle School website only has information about the first two books. So, I guess it'll be a game of wait and see. Still, I heartily recommend these books for middle grade on up. They're a lot of fun.

Series Information: Tales from Lovecraft Middle School .
Book 1: Professor Gargoyle, reviewed October, 2012, linked here where formatting allowed
Book 2: The Slither Sisters, reviewed January, 2013, linked here where formatting allowed
Book 3: Teacher's Pest, reviewed March, 2013, linked here where formatting allowed.
Book 4: Substitute Creature, scheduled for release in September 24, 2013.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: When a giant nor’easter dumps a blanket of snow on the village of Dunwich, Massachussetts, Robert Arthur and his friends find themselves marooned inside Lovecraft Middle School. The kids have no choice but to spend the night—while snacking on cafeteria food, sleeping on classroom floors, and facing off against a mysterious substitute teacher who may have a sinister secret.