Disclaimer: I received this book from the publishing company. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: August 13, 2019

Genre: MG Fantasy

Recommended Age: 10+ (little violence, werepenguins)

Publisher: Viking/Penguin Random House

Pages: 334

Amazon Link

Synopsis: All orphan Bolt Wattle has ever wanted was to find his true family. When a mysterious baron in far-off Brugaria sends for Bolt, he wonders if he's getting closer to finding his long-lost parents. But Baron Chordata appears to be a twelve-year-old boy who wears tuxedos all the time, shouts at everyone, and forbids Bolt from asking questions. Things couldn't get any worse . . . until midnight, when the Baron bites Bolt and turns him into a half boy, half penguin. Then things really couldn't get worse-- nope, wait, they get a lot worse. With the help and hindrance of a plucky girl who just might be the world's greatest bandit, a whale cult led by a man whose weapon is a stale loaf of French bread, and a sinister but friendly fortune-teller who can't stop cackling, Bolt's on a quest to reverse the curse, return to human form, and stop the Baron from taking over the country of Brugaria with his army of mind-controlled penguins in what might be the weirdest--and funniest--middle-grade novel you've ever read.

Review: Let me admit something. I did not think this was a serious book until I got it in the mail. The title was just so weird and I’d never heard of a werepenguin! But as I read the book I thought it was a perfect book for young readers. The characters were charming, the mystery and the back stories were well done, the writing is phenomenal, and the world building is amazing!

However, the book didn’t really grab my attention until about 100 pages in. That’s not a bad thing, I remember that this book isn’t geared for people like me, but it was a bit weird to get into. However, I do see where any younger kid would be instantly drawn into this amazing book!

Verdict: Funny, weird, and charming!