The Legend of Greg

April 15, 2018
In the debut volume of An Epic Series of Failures, 13-year-old Greg Belmont embarks on an adventure he never could have imagined.When Greg's father, who runs the Earthen Goods and Organic Harmony Shop, returns from a trip to Norway with a mysterious new tea, Greg sips some and has his first taste of magic. Turns out, he's a Dwarf, and his best friend, Edwin, is an Elf--and when Greg's father is kidnapped, ancient strife between Dwarves and Elves is resumed. In his first-person, dialogue-rich narrative, Rylander creates a world where humans unknowingly coexist with Dwarves, Elves, Mountain Trolls, Werewolves, and Goblins. Greg teams up with a band of new friends--including Ari, a "pretty Dwarven girl" with punk-styled purple hair--to battle the Elves and find his father. The fight signals the return of magic to the world, an event that may well end the Technological Age: no more internet, TVs, planes, and electricity, an idea sure to intrigue young readers. The tale, rich in Dwarven and Elven lore and ancient magic, is, at its heart, a tale of a young boy coming into his own. Physical descriptions are scanty, with the book assuming a white default.A potent blend of magic, adventure, and humor. (Fantasy. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2018

Gr 4-6-Greg has always thought of himself as an ordinary kid. Sure, he has a preternatural appetite for meat-based snacks and a dad who is perpetually traveling in search of esoteric ingredients for the all-natural soaps he makes and sells. But aside from a family history of bad luck, Greg has never encountered anything too peculiar. That is, until the day a larger-than-life man attacks Greg's family store and kidnaps his father. Greg finds out that he and his father are dwarves and the attacker was a troll, most likely summoned by the dwarves' natural enemies, elves. Apparently, there are countless dwarves and elves living mainstream lives in the world, many of whom do not even know they are not human. Greg is taken to the underground headquarters of the Chicago contingent of dwarves and begins combat and magic training for the seemingly inevitable war with the elves. Complicating matters is the revelation that Greg's best (and only) friend Edwin is the child of the political head of the elves. The dwarven world-building is charming; for instance, Greg is surprised to discover that the female dwarves considered the most attractive are the ones with the fullest facial hair. The story, however, is lacking in substance, and the cliff-hanger ending feels like the conclusion of a chapter, not the conclusion of a complete book. VERDICT Purchase only where middle grade fantasy is in high demand.-Shira Pilarski, Farmington Community Library, MI

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 4, 2018
In this humorous, heartfelt novel, eighth-grader Greg Belmont discovers the true reason for his family’s long history of failure and bad luck: they’re Dwarves, part of a secret, supernatural community that (literally) went underground ages ago. Now, like their ancient enemies, the Elves, they hide in plain sight while waiting for the long-prophesied return of magic. But just as Greg learns about his heritage and his ability to perform magical feats, his father is kidnapped, an event that heralds the start of a new conflict between Dwarves and Elves. As Greg and his Dwarf allies train for battle, he rallies them to rescue his father and avert tragedy, but his efforts may cost him his best friend. In this start to a new series, An Epic Series of Failures, Rylander conjures up an engaging world, filled with hidden magical beings and a rich history. (Famous Elves and Dwarves include Bill Gates, Picasso, both Roosevelt presidents, and Tom Brady.) The premise and entertaining narrative, with its combination of dry humor and supernatural action, should appeal to Rick Riordan fans, while the cliffhanger ending leaves the story poised to proceed in unexpected directions. Ages 8–12. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.