Spooky Reads Day 22: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken

Title: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Page Count: 362
Rating: B+
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: Middle Grade 
Keywords: Misfits, Family, Demons
Kid Appropriate: Yes

Synopsis from Goodreads:

I would say it's a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness.

Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history — that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper's great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made — and then broke — a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, four-thousand-year-old Alastor isn't exactly the forgiving type.

The fiend has reawakened with one purpose — to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his future without a side of eternal servitude, thanks.

Little does Prosper know, the malefactor's control over his body grows stronger with each passing night, and there's a lot Alastor isn't telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host.

My Review:

This cute middle grade novel was great fun and perfect for the Halloween season! Demons (called fiends), witches, and family curses populate this novel following the stereotypical misfit boy with floppy dark hair. The setting of Redford and Salem, Massachusetts offer a great landscape for the supernatural elements of this book.

Prosper is a relatable misfit and this middle school environment was fairly realistic from what I can remember as a student. Kids will definitely like his antics while parents will like the message of loyalty to family and always doing what is right.

My favorite aspects of this novel was the goofiness reminiscent of Rick Riordan as well as the sidekick characters. Toad, a bat cat fiend, made me smile as did the hob. They add a fun element similar to animal companions, which is easily one of my favorite book tropes.

I will say that if this is being given to a child beware that some of the horror scenes would be a bit much for very young children or kids that are not fond of supernatural horror.

I enjoyed this one and highly recommend it!