The Tell-Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine Book Review

January 10th 2013

The Tell-Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine Book Review

The Tell-Tale Start (The Midadventures of Edgar and Allan Poe #1)
Gordon McAlpine
Illustrations by: Sam Zuppardi
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: January 10, 2013
Pages: 224
Buy the Book: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Rating: 4 stars

Meet Edgar and Allan Poe — twelve-year-old identical twins, the great-great-great-great-grandnephews of Edgar Allan Poe. They look and act so much alike that they’re almost one mischievous, prank-playing boy in two bodies. When their beloved black cat, Roderick Usher, is kidnapped and transported to the Midwest, Edgar and Allan convince their guardians that it’s time for a road trip. Along the way, mayhem and mystery ensue, as well as deeper questions: What is the boys’ telepathic connection? Is Edgar Allan Poe himself reaching out to them from the Great Beyond? And why has a mad scientist been spying on the Poe family for years?

With a mix of literary humor, mystery, a little quantum physics, and fun extras like fortune cookie messages, letters in code, license plate clues – and playful illustrations thoughout – this series opener is a perfect choice for smart, funny tweens who love the Time Warp Trio, Roald Dahl, and Lemony Snicket.

I love me a good middle grade and The Tell-Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine is as good as they come. It was quirky, fun, and one heck of a tale. I had so much fun reading The Tell-Tale Start!

The adventures of Edgar and Allan were too awesome. I loved the wit they brought with every page. They made every day occurrences into an adventure, which made The Tell-Tale Start that much more enjoyable.

The characters were pretty awesome as well. I loved how big of a role Edgar and Allan’s cat played in the book – it was like he was an actual person. Aunt Judith and Uncle Jack were complete hoots – I would love to have them as an aunt and uncle!

The illustrations in the book were awesome - they served as such a nice guide and companion to the story line, enhancing it with every appearance. They were so fun!

Reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, this fun new series will sweep you off your feet. It’s fun and it’s charming. I read straight through this one in one sitting, just loving every page.

2 Comment + Yours?

Categories: 4 stars, Book Review, middle grade

2 Responses to: The Tell-Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine Book Review

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On 1/10/2013

We Heart YA said:

Ooo, sounds awesome! Might have to pick this one up for our kids! (Suuuuure, only our kids… ;))
We Heart YA recently posted..Almost Human
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On 1/11/2013

Dazzling Mage said:

I love this! And it’s so interesting that it’s linked to the writer/poet. =D