Book Reviews and More: DustinBrady

Showing posts with label DustinBrady. Show all posts

Wednesday, 19 July 2023

World's Worst Time Machine - Dustin Brady and Dave Bardin - World's Worst Time Machine Book 1

World's Worst Time Machine

World's Worst Time Machine Book 1

Dustin Brady
Dave Bardin (Illustrator)
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN 9781524877088

eISBN 9781524886905

ASIN B0BTS2XRC2

My son and I had read the Trapped in a Video Game Books a few year back. We were both pretty excited about this new series when we found out about it. We had plans to read it together, but after reading the description I just couldn’t wait for my son to finish his current read. I jumped in and read the book over 2 days during my lunch at work. I could hardly put this book down. And look forward to rereading it with my son in a few weeks.

This story is another solid 5/5 stars. The description of this volume is:

“Liam Chapman cannot believe his good fortune. He just bought a real, working time machine at a garage sale for $3. Sure, it’s labeled “World’s Worst Time Machine,” but how bad could it be?

The time machine, as it turns out, is so much worse than Liam could have imagined. First, it summons Thomas Edison, but not that Thomas Edison. This Thomas Edison is a 10-year-old aspiring gangster from 1933 who demands to be called “Tommy Twinkles” and is also very interested in robbing a bank of the future. Liam could use some help from his parents here, but unfortunately, the time machine has kidnapped them both.

To set things right, Liam and his friend Elsa must embark on an adventure full of sci-fi gadgets, real-life gangsters, and a whole lot of Cheetos.

Bestselling author Dustin Brady has made a career out of crafting fast-paced, hilarious, and wholesome adventures that parents can feel good about sharing with even the most reluctant readers. Short chapters provide a sense of accomplishment for struggling readers, while the propulsive action keeps them invested to the final page. This new series adds real-life history to the formula, making it a fun, fresh way to teach history.”

The chapters in the volume are:

Race Against Time

The Mad Scientist Down the Street

Garage Sale of the Century

BYOC

World's Worst Time Machine

Tommy Twinkles

Cheetos

Chaos

Thomas Edison Robs a Bank

Plan D

Liam the Liar

Creepy Karpis and the Barker Boys

Home Alone

Frankenstein Santa

No Funny Business

Sweet Dreams

The Button

The Pit

Abnormal, Paranormal, Supernormal

Cats Are Spies

End of Days

Man of Genius

Creepier Karpis

Midnight

Farkas Fracas

Christmas Day

Meet the Cast

After-credits Scene

This is an excellent story. It is a real page turner. I could hardly put it down. It was a fun read from beginning to end, and the After-credits Scene sets up the next volume, or at least we can hope. The characters are masterfully written. The pace is breakneck. And the story just so much fun. This is definitely a volume reluctant readers will be attracted to. They will love reading it and, in the process, learn a bit of history at the same time. And I need to encourage you stick around for the extra credits scene like it was a marvel movie in theatres.

Another awesome read from the pen of Dustin Brady. A great book for home or school library. A story guaranteed to entertain and in this case teach a little at the same time.

Books by Dustin Brady:
Superhero for a Day
…

Trapped in a Video Game Series:
Trapped in a Video Game
The Invisible Invasion
Robots Revolt
Return to Doom Island
The Final Boss
…

Leila & Nugget Series:
Who Stole Mr. T?
Bark at the Park
The Case with no Clues
…

Life Lessons Series:
A Marathon Is Really Long When You Have to Pee
Black Friday Is for Suckers
Dogs Ain't Dumb
How to Tell Off a Telemarketer
…

Escape from a Video Game Series:
The Secret of Phantom Island

Mystery on the Starship Crusader

The Endgame

…

World's Worst Time Machine Series:

World's Worst Time Machine

Treasure in the White City

…

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

The Final Boss - Dustin Brady - Trapped in a Video Game Book 5

The Final Boss
Trapped in a Video Game Book 5
Dustin Brady
Jesse Brady (Illustrator)
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN 9781449495732

eISBN 9781524852238

ASIN B07MFNP7S3

The end of the line! This story and series has run it’s course. Dustin Brady has wrapped it up in this fifth and final book. And what a fitting title for a series of books about video games. These books were an interesting exploration of video games, fads, trends, and styles of play. There was also a volume that focused on retro style games and game play. And yet the books were great fun to read. My son read the 5 of them to me over a few months. We had picked up the first book in this series, Trapped in a Video Game, after my son started reading it with his cousins. They read every night before bed and he was hooked after the first few chapters. We picked up the eBook as soon as we were home, and my son devoured it. And now we have finished the whole serries. It has left my son at a bit of a loss for what to read next. And I have a feeling we might end up returning to this series soon and rereading it.

This is the fifth and final installment in this series. And there has been no indications that the series will expand beyond the five books, unlike Adam’s Hitchhiker Trilogy. We were late to the game, in that the whole series has already been released before we started it. That just meant we can read them all back to back. Without having to wait for the next volume to release.

This is a story about friendship, about video games, and about survival. In this one the video game elements have changed. The friends have been sucked back into a computer world, the Rubenverse, and it is truly a battle of life and death for all humans. That is a lot to put on some young guys shoulders. And soon the two are fighting their way through world after world. Some fun and some very much not so. They must learn and adapt in each new environment. And soon the two are at odds with each other about how to proceed. And there might be a very high price to pay for their conflict. Can friendship survive when you are trying to do whatever it takes to win.

The story draws you in and really keeps your attention. It is interesting seeing the mix of cutting-edge technology and how both kids and adults interact with it. The story is very well written. The characters after 4 stories is like visiting old friends. And it ends with a surprising twist after finally meeting the real Final Boss and not just holograms of him.

It is a great read in an excellent conclusion to the series. Our family gives it top marks and highly recommends the whole series!

Mystery on the Starship Crusader

The Endgame

…

World's Worst Time Machine Series:

World's Worst Time Machine

Treasure in the White City

…

Tuesday, 27 October 2020

Return to Doom Island - Dustin Brady - Trapped in a Video Game Book 4

Return to Doom Island
Trapped in a Video Game Book 4
Dustin Brady
Jesse Brady (Illustrator)
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN 9781449495183

eISBN 9781449498757

ASIN B07FKFGGDR

We have now read four of the five books in this excellent series. And with each volume the series gets better. We picked up the first book in this series, Trapped in a Video Game, after my son started reading it with his cousins. They read every night before bed and he was hooked after the first few chapters. We picked up the eBook as soon as we were home, and my son devoured it. My son was enjoying them so much we picked up the whole series. He reads to me from his iPod and I follow on my iPhone. My son read this to me as part of his daily reading. He often reads well beyond the minimum 20 minutes a day, when reading this series, because he wants to finish the chapter, or find out what happens next. We are well into book four. Any book that inspires my son to keep reading when the timer goes off is a big winner in my opinion. And because of that it got a solid 5/5 stars from both of us.

This is the fourth installment in a five-book series. We are a late to the game, in that the whole series has already been released. It just means we can read them back to back. Without having to wait for the next volume.

This is a story about friendship, about video games, and about survival. And in this one the video game elements have changed. And there is more action outside the game. This time they are in an old 8bit 2D game. And through their friend knows the game, Jesse and Eric have never even heard of it. This time instead of having the help of Mr. Gregory helping and guiding them, they are trying to find out where he is and how to rescue him. And they know that every move they make is being watched. Both in the real world and once they are inside the game.

The story draws you in and keeps your attention. It is interesting seeing the mix of cutting edge and retro technology and how both kids and adults interact with it. The story is well written. The characters after 4 stories is like visiting old friends. And it ends on a cliff hanger leaving you desperate to find out what will happen with The Final Boss.

It is a great read in an excellent series. Our family gives it top marks and highly recommends the series and this specific book!

Mystery on the Starship Crusader

The Endgame

…

World's Worst Time Machine Series:

World's Worst Time Machine

Treasure in the White City

…

Thursday, 24 September 2020

Robots Revolt - Dustin Brady - Trapped in a Video Game Book 3

Robots Revolt

Trapped in a Video Game Book 3
Dustin Brady
Jesse Brady (Illustrator)
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN 9781449494896
eISBN 9781449496128
ASIN B07B8CMRQL

We have now read three books in this excellent series. And with each volume the series gets better. We picked up the first book in this series, Trapped in a Video Game, after my son started reading it with his cousins. They read every night before bed and he was hooked after the first few chapters. We picked up the eBook as soon as we were home, and my son devoured it. My son was enjoying them so much we picked up the whole series. He reads to me from his iPod and I follow on my iPhone. My son read this to me as part of his daily reading. He often reads well beyond the minimum 20 minutes a day, when reading this series, because he wants to finish the chapter, or find out what happens next. We are well into book four. Any book that inspires my son to keep reading when the timer goes off is a big winner in my opinion. And because of that it got a solid 5/5 stars from both of us.

This is the third installment in a five-book series. We are a little late to the game, in that the whole series has already been released. It just means we can read them back to back. The story was first self published in 2016, then picked up and published in 2018 by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

This is a story about friendship, about video games, and about survival. But in this one instead of being inside the video games, the video game has escaped into the real world. Jesse Rigsby really does not like video games. His best friend is Eric Conrad loves games and cannot wait to play the latest and greatest. They have rescued their friend Mark from a game, and possible death. And their new friend Sam a gamer from down under. In this volume Eric is the one needing rescue. He has been captured by Robots and though Jesse intends to go after him alone, Mark and Sam follow him into the fray. And soon they are working through the game that Sam had been plying. But they soon find out that because she played on the hardest level she had not finished it. They need to find a way to do some research to figure out what the Robots are up to and try and figure out where they will do it.

In this story there will be a crazy rollercoaster like tide ion an underground mine. A hot air balloon, a Rocketship. And Robots, robots, robots. Including a giant Goliatron.

But to find out if the trio can rescue Eric, or if the story continues into volume four you will need to read this fast-paced action-packed story. The story is fun. The action almost non-stop. And the characters after three volumes are becoming like old friends. And you will want to have book 4 on hand to keep reading the series. The story is so good my youngest daughter has started listening to her brother read me the stories.

Another great read in an excellent series. Our family gives it top marks and highly recommends the book and the series!

Mystery on the Starship Crusader

The Endgame

…

World's Worst Time Machine Series:

World's Worst Time Machine

Treasure in the White City

…

Thursday, 27 August 2020

The Invisible Invasion - Dustin Brady - Trapped in a Video Game Book 2

The Invisible Invasion

Trapped in a Video Game Book 2
Dustin Brady
Jesse Brady (Illustrator)
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN 9781449494896
eISBN 9781449496128
ASIN B07B8CMRQL

We picked up the first book in this series, Trapped in a Video Game, after my son started reading it with his cousins. They read every night before bed and he was hooked after the first few chapters. We picked up the eBook as soon as we were home, and my son devoured it. My son read it to me as part of his daily reading. He often reads well beyond the minimum 20 minutes a day. And we are already well into book three. Any book that inspires my son to keep reading when the timer goes off is a big winner in my books. And because of that it got a solid 5/5 stars from both of us.

This is the second installment in a five-book series. We are a little late to the game, in that the whole series has already been released. It just means we can read them back to back. The story was first self published in 2016, then picked up and published in 2018 by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

This is again a story about friendship, about video games, and about survival. Jesse Rigsby who hates video games. His best friend is Eric Conrad loves games and can’t wait to play the latest and greatest. And Mark who sacrificed himself in order o help them escape from Full Blast. So, when Jesse has what he thinks is a dream about a toy telling him there is a way to save Mark he jumps at the opportunity. And this lands him back in a video game, this time a mobile app. He is in a game called Go Wild It is like a cross between Pokemon Go and My Singing Monsters.

Soon Jessy is teamed up with Mister Gregory, the father of one of the kids in his class, and employee at a game development company. He needs to get Eric’s attention, and help in order to use a combination of the features of Go Wild, and their cunning to free Mark from the video game company’s servers.

In this story the risks are higher, the dangers more intense, and the ploy races along from beginning to end. And it ends on a cliff hanger. You will need to read to see all that Jessy, Eric and Mr. Gregory go through to try and save Mark. Far less gun, but a lot more monsters in this installment of the Trapped In A Video Game Series.

This is another great read in what is proving to be an excellent series. This family gives it top marks and highly recommends the book and the series!

Mystery on the Starship Crusader

The Endgame

…

World's Worst Time Machine Series:

World's Worst Time Machine

Treasure in the White City

…

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Trapped in a Video Game Book 1 - Dustin Brady

Trapped in a Video Game
Trapped in a Video Game Book 1
Dustin Brady
Jesse Brady (Illustrator)
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN 9781449494865
eISBN 9781449496104
ASIN B07B88KJSR

We picked up this book after my son started reading it with his cousins. They read every night before bed and he was hooked after the first few chapters. We picked up the eBook as soon as we were home. My son read it to me as part of his daily reading. A few times he even read well beyond the minimum 20 minutes a day. And we are already halfway through the next volume. Any book that inspires my son to keep reading when the timer goes off is a big winner in my books. And because of that it got a solid 5/5 stars from both of us.

This is the first installment in a five book series. We are a little late to the game, in that the whole series has already been released. It just means we can read them back to back. The story was first self published in 2016, then picked up and published in 2018 by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

This is a story about friendship, about video games, and about survival. Jesse Rigsby who hates video games. His best friend is Eric Conrad loves games and can’t wait to play the latest and greatest. Eric sends a text to Jesse and begs him to come over. When Jesse arrives, Eric is no where to be found. He picks up a controller and soon finds himself sucked into the video game under development Full Blast.

Jesse instantly realizes he has been sucked into the game. And his life will never be the same. And hopefully he can figure out the game enough to find his way out and back home.

The book has a definite homage to Heinlien’s Starship Troopers feel to it, or at least the game that they are sucked into. The book is fun and very fast paced. The story is a lot of fun. It is a good clean read. The characters are great. And there are a few twists I did not see coming. My son kept reading and raced through the book, and even asked to order book 2 before we had finished. We both have the eBooks on our readers for the rest of the series.

This is a great beginning to what looks like an excellent series. This family gives it top marks and highly recommend it.

Books by Dustin Brady:
Superhero for a Day
…

Trapped in a Video Game Series:
Trapped in a Video Game
The Invisible Invasion
Robots Revolt
Return to Doom Island
The Final Boss
…

Leila & Nugget Series:
Who Stole Mr. T?
Bark at the Park
The Case with no Clues
…

Life Lessons Series:
A Marathon Is Really Long When You Have to Pee
Black Friday Is for Suckers
Dogs Ain't Dumb
How to Tell Off a Telemarketer
…

Escape from a Video Game Series:
The Secret of Phantom Island

Mystery on the Starship Crusader

The Endgame

…

World's Worst Time Machine Series:

World's Worst Time Machine

Treasure in the White City

…