Darren PillsburyReseñas

Not a book, rather a serial advertised as a book and not a very good one at that. Will avoid author in the future.

Now, the synopsis is a bit misleading. This is actually not a book but a collection of the first four “Peter and the Monsters” serial. This contains four stories, Peter and the Dead Men, Peter and the Vampires, Peter and the Changling, Peter and the Swamp Monster. As with normal serials, each piece is a story into and of itself, but there is a larger overarching story that slowly reveals itself during the course of the serial.

Like ‘Serpent in the Glass’, Peter and the Vampires is young adult fare – but don’t let that detour you. This is my first review of a serial, so bear with me. To make this easier I’m going to write a little mini-review for each story:

Peter and the Dead Men - Story #1- This story introduces the main characters – Peter – who has just been moved by his mother from CA to the small town of Duskerville. They are moving in with Peter’s grandfather, who Peter has never met. Things are not as peaceful as they seem, as Peter finds out when he and the neighbor boy, Dill, find charred dead men wandering Peter’s backyard.

While I didn’t exactly dislike this story, it didn’t really hook me in or make me want to keep reading. In fact, I struggled to finish it. The story does have a good mystery, but at the end left too many things unexplained.

Peter and the Vampires -Story #2- This story starts with Peter falling ill and missing a week of school. The night before he returns, he sees a girl who he knows from the bus, standing in the yard in the middle of the night. The next day he finds out that girl died the week before, the day after Peter fell ill. Other children disappear, and Peter takes it upon himself to stop the vampire menace before its too late.

This is the story that really hooked me. Several parts are laugh out loud funny – like when Dill and Peter go to the church to steal vampire hunting supplies. their interactions with the priests are perfect. The ending is a bit mushy/happy for a vampire story, but it works with the young adult themes and setting.

Peter and the Changling -Story #3 – While hanging out at home, Peter’s mom ropes him and Dill into babysitting Peter’s little sister Beth. Things quickly go wrong when Beth grows fangs and starts munching on the furniture. Peter and Dill must fight off the changling while searching for the truth about what happened to the real Beth.

Anyone who has ever babysat a little terror can relate to this story. The antics of the Changling Beth as she terrorizes Dill and Peter are perfectly over-the-top funny. And you’ll be dying at the end, when Changling Beth meets her nemesis – real Beth!

Peter and the Swamp Monster -Story #4 – Peter and Dill decide to enjoy one of the last nice days of summer by inter-tubing down the river to the lake. Unfortunately, their peaceful day is interrupted by a monster attack. Two kids are taken, with Peter and Dill as the only witnesses. But when the adults don’t believe them, its up to Peter and Dill to save their classmates.

This story was my favorite of the collection. Peter and Dill are outside their element in the forest, and I loved it. I also really liked how Peter and Dill’s interactions have evolved over the course of the stories. This story also sets off how the two characters have grown. Although the overall arc of this story reminds of the Korean monster movie ‘The Host,’ the authors unique take still make this an original and engaging tale. I won’t spoil the ending, but its absolutely hilarious how the boys end up defeating the monster.

Overall Serial Arc - I’m trying to avoid spoilers, but Peter’s Grandfather has some dark secrets – some of which tie into their family. Its hinted that even perhaps Peter is fated to draw dark forces to him, which is why he runs into so many monsters. I’m intrigued to say the least.

Peter and the Mannequins - Story #5- In order to pay off the damage the boys caused, they are assigned community service dusting the plants in the mall. This is something I love about these books – they saved those two kids from the swamp monster, but they have to face the negative consequences of their actions. Anyway, Peter swears he sees a mannequin in a window move but of course Dill doesn’t believe him. After seeing a movie at the mall they end up trapped by the mannequins and taken to see the leader, who thinks Peter is the destroyer. With the help of his grandfather they manage to escape.

I really liked this story. Full of action, the fate of the mannequins was also a little sad. We also learn a little more about the history of Peter’s family.

Peter and the Psycho Trick-Or-Treaters - Story #6- Halloween. Unable to trick-or-treat at the mall event, Peter and Dill go to the annual downtown event. A group of younger kids attack them and steal Peter’s bag of goodies, although Dill manages to fight them off and keep his haul. Back at home, Melissa, Peter’s mom, is admonishing Peter, when there is a knock on the door. The psycho’s are back, but the really scary part is that Peter’s mom recognizes them from her childhood. The psycho’s manage to get into the house and terrorize Peter, Dill, Beth, and Melissa until grandfather gets home and scares them away. They leave a cryptic warning about one more year before escaping in to the woods.

Peter and the Carnival of Evil -Story #7 – Peter and Dill head to the carnival. Peter manages to have fun, despite the carnival being eerily similar to a dream he had a few days before. All that changes in the Hall of Mirrors, where Peter is haunted by the faces of children looking out at him from inside the glass. Then, during one of the rides, a classmate sitting one boat behind him disappears. The police are called, but they are unable to find anything and declare that the girl must be playing a prank, so its up to Peter to save the day with the help of his grandfather.

So far I like how this volume manages to tie back into the larger storyline, and also present a list of less traditional monsters to terrorize Peter.

Peter and the Werewolves - Story #8- Thanksgiving day, Melissa gets a call into work from her boss. Grandfather refuses to babysit, so she is forced to bring Peter and Beth with her into work, with Dill along for the ride. The collage intern offers to take Peter and Dill with him to the frat house for dinner. Only Peter and Dill don’t realize they are the ones on the menu.

The author does an amazing job of keeping Dill and Peter sounding and acting like 10 year old boys, caught up in situations beyond their control. The fights, especially with the werewolves, are very believable. At first I wondered how the boys could realistically fight off a pack of werewolves by themselves, but I was not disappointed at the end.

I also continue to enjoy the contrast and interplay between Dill and Peter. Dill is the latchkey kid, into late night monster movies, but who is the first to run when confronted with a real monster, and Peter, the typically well behaved kid with a deep sense of loyalty to friends and family.

I am also impressed with the way the author presents the monsters. Not everything is black-and-white good versus evil. A few of the monsters are obviously and terrifyingly evil, but several of the encounters are shaded heavily into the grey area, with Peter taking on the role of monster and destroyer.

When we last saw Dill, Peter, and his grandfather, Dill was in a bit of trouble (I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil anything).

Peter and the Frankenstein – Story #9

In order to solve Dill’s little problem (see Vol. 2), Peter’s grandfather calls a friend of his, one Dr. Veedermeier. However, Peter soon discovers the good doctor has secrets of his own. This story starts out on a light note, but turns dark very quickly. I loved the variation on the frankenstein’s monsters that we see in this story, although they are very disturbing. Dr. V is a fun character, I hope we see more of him in the future.

Peter and the Gingerbread Men – Story #10

A few weeks after the Frankenstein incident, the baker is murdered. Dill wants to see a CSI team at work and drags Peter to the crime scene. But what they find instead is an army of cute little Gingerbread men, who attack Dill and Peter. The boys barely manage to escape. They return in the morning with their grandfather in tow and discover that someone set the baker up with a magic formula for creating golems. Unfortunately, before they do anything about it, grandfather is arrested by the police for disturbing the scene of a crime. The boys are again attacked, and are only saved by the intervention of a few old friends. I’ll do my best to avoid spoilers, but at the end of this story Peter and Dill make a new friend.

Peter and the Dark Side – Story #11

After a bad day at school, Peter wishes he were bad so he could get back at his mean teacher and the bullies at school. The next day, it seems his wish comes true. The majority of this story is told from Dill’s POV, and I really enjoyed being as his head (as opposed to Peter’s) as he reacts to evil-Peter’s school-day shenanigans. In fact, I hope we get more stories from Dill’s POV in the future. The whole gang must team up to stop Evil-Peter before he ruins the Christmas parade – and Peter’s reputation!

Peter and the Yeti – Story #12

Peter and the gang head to Mount Woccaminoa for a school ski-trip (although Dill hilariously referes to the Mountain as Mt. Wocca Wocca for the entire book – and the Yeti as the Wocca-wocca). At first Peter’s grandfather refuses to let Peter go because Woccaminoa means ‘Snow demon’ in the native Indian tongue. However, Peter’s mom over-rules grandfather (because of course they don’t tell her about Peter’s monster problems or about the name of the mountain) and insists that Peter can go on the trip.

The first night Peter sees the monster from afar. The next day, things go wrong and Peter and Dill end up captured by the monster. Now they face death by monster or hypothermia unless they can escape an entire family of Yeti!

Peter and the Morgue – Story #13

After their brush with death on Mount Woccaminoa, Peter and Dill are taken to the local hospital. Dill is totally unharmed, but Peter has frostbite and must stay overnight in the hospital – alone. Now the bodies in the morgue on the 2nd floor have come back from the grave to kill Peter. He must escape with his life – without the help of his friends he has come to rely on so much.

This volume fixes one of the problems I had with volume 2 by really jump starting the over-arcing plot narrative. We find out more about the curse on Peter, more history of the family, and a lot more information about Peter’s grandfather. The mysterious phrase uttered by the Psycho trick-or-treaters, ‘the boss says one more year,’ is explained.

On the whole, this volume is also darker than the proceeding narrative, which I like. I also like that not every monster is of the traditional variety. The story Peter and the Dark Side is my favorite out of this collection for this very reason. Peter and the Morgue is the weakest story in this collection by far, but it is also a freebie (every other collection only had 4 stories, but the inclusion of Peter and the Morgue clocks this bunch in at 5 stories, so I can’t really complain.)

Picking up where ‘Peter and the Morgue’ left off, Peter is stuck at home recovering from frostbite. Since he can’t leave the house, and without a TV to entertain them, the boys decide to explore the mansion. On the 2nd floor they find a mysterious room that seems to bend space and time.

Something from the room follows them home, although the boys don’t realize it at first. Peter doesn’t notice anything strange until the next morning, when he wakes up to find all his homework done, the house cleaned, and a massive breakfast laid out on the table. A few days of this and grandfather confirms they have been invaded by fairies – specifically brownies.

Brownies aren’t dangerous, unless you don’t follow the rules, which grandfather forgets to tell Dill and Peter. Now the fairies are on the attack and its up to Peter and Dill to save grandfather.

I really enjoyed this one. Dill hams it up as always, and I loved the brownies. Grandfather plays a bigger role in this story than normal, giving Peter and Dill a history of the room as he knows it as well as the story of his first and only venture into fairyland.

This story has plenty of action, despite take place mostly in Peter’s house. My only complaint is that so far we haven’t seen much of Gwen in the stories lately, although she does at least play a small part in this story.

With Peter’s troubles, Dill thinks a field trip to a museum housing an ancient Egyptian mummy is a bad idea. However, grandfather overrules him, and off the group go on the field trip. At first, it seems like Grandfather is right and nothing will happen. Until events conspire to keep Gwen, Dill, and Peter in the museum until after dark.

This one starts out a little slow, but the action ratchets up fast. This story also has a few moments so funny I actually had to put the book down because I was laughing too hard to continue reading. And their discussion about how to beat the mummy, using monster movies as their reference points for weaknesses had me doubled over in hysterics.

This is the first time the group has fought together since the Dark Side episode. And the fight was as epic one, all the better for the anticipation. As strong female characters go, Gwen is the perfect blend of feminine, capable, confident and strong – so it was nice to have her back again as one of the main characters.

But this story has a serious side, too. The mummy is a tough foe. I’ve expressed this in other reviews for the Peter and the Monsters series, but I’m glad to see that there are serious consequences in regards to some of Peter and the gangs actions. For example, smashing up millions of dollars in displays while trying to kill an undead mummy. Or getting hurt and injured while fighting said mummy.

I love the idea behind this episode in the series. So far Peter, and Dill, and sometimes Gwen, have caused a lot of destruction and mayhem in their fights against various monsters. And although they’ve already done some community service for their actions saving the kids from the swamp monster, this time they did millions in dollars in damage to a display from the Smithsonian, and destroyed a priceless mummy. A trial is the natural response to this kind of situation.

However, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Most of this episode takes place from Grandfather, Seamus Flannagon’s, POV. Which makes sense because he is the one hiring the lawyer, going around bribing people to look the other way, and doing other stuff to keep the gang out of trouble.

I liked it at first, I’d hoped that being in his head would make Seamus more likable, let use see the other side of his character. Except, it didn’t help. Those bits made me actually like him less, if possible.

Most of the story is dry as sand. Parts are riveting, for example when the three kids are on the stand. There is also an interesting twist at the end, but its not quite enough to save the story.

This is the first story in the series where I’ve skimmed the text. I’d say skip this one, except it actually has a huge bearing on the overall plot arc. Two stars.

This book veers off course of the other stories in this series, taking place mostly from the POV of Scott. Who is Scott, you ask? That is a good question, because this is the first time we’ve ever met him. I found it odd, and a bit jarring, to be thrown into the head of a new character.

The POV switch would have been easier to deal with if Peter and Dill featured in the story, but they don’t, at all, until the very end. The entire story revolves around Scott. Nothing against Scott, but he is not nearly as entertaining as Dill and Peter.

Aside from that, the story features quite an entertaining monster. We also get to learn a bit more about Peter’s family history.

It was just an odd narrative choice to have 80% of the story about a new character who has never shown up before, and doesn’t show up again afterwards. Another unfortunate thing is that this story comes right on the heels of another mediocre story, but at least this one features an actual monster.

This story goes back to having Peter as the narrator, which is nice after having to put with grandfather and Scott for the last two stories. As this story warms up, Dill and Peter are headed to their therapy appointment with Dr. Prescott. However, unbeknownst to them Dr. Prescott has plans for a group therapy session, at the Shadow Hills Institute for the Criminally Insane.

Happily, this story made up for the disappointments that were Story #16 and 17. As an added bonus, Gwen is along for the ride. Another old friend makes an appearance, when their therapist takes them to see Dr. Veedermeier, the man who made the Frankensteins.

Things quickly go wrong, and the prisoners are set free with Dill, Peter, and Gwen still trapped in the asylum. On top of that, Dr. Prescott has gone through some, um, changes, and is now try to kill them. I love the moral dilemma Peter is put through at the asylum, where Peter is faced with the choice of helping Dr. Veedermeier escape and saving themselves in the process, or trying to stop him and putting all their lives in peril.

This story is quite a bit darker than a lot of them, and has a couple of very disturbing scenes, although I don’t think its quite as bad as ‘Peter and the Frankenstein.’ However, I can see younger kids not being able to handle it.

It was also nice to see how Peter reacted to mortal danger of the human variety. I also enjoyed seeing Peter’s logic as he thinks through the morally grey choices that are his only options this time around.

The boys have a new substitute teacher, and they are are heads over heels in love with her. Gwen is the only one who notices how strange things are getting, but they boys won’t listen to her, as Ms. Valinda’s hold is too strong. I love how Peter and Dill act like lovesick fan girls. This easily could have gone too far, but I think he hit a good balance.

Gwen ends up with a new substitute teacher too, Enid, and strange things start happening around the school. First she notices that its not just Peter and Dill fawning over Ms. Valinda. And Gwen notices that she is losing blocks of her memory during class.

They find out the answer during Peter’s birthday party, when Ms. Valinda informs the Seamus and the boys that the witches are after Peter. Luckily, Peter’s grandfather has some magical defenses.

This one has some really great imagery in it. I love the descriptions of the spells effects, as seen from Peter and Dill’s POVs. There are few very fun twists in this story as well. But the climax of this story is my absolute favorite. Frank makes an appearance here, and so does Dill’s little problem.

At the end an epic battle goes down between the witch and Peter’s gang. Its totally awesome. This one gets a full five stars and a thumbs up.

Yes, another one. I’m probably beginning to sound like a love-sick fan-girl but… I, wait, I AM a love-sick fan-girl. I just cannot get enough of this series.

This adventure focuses on Dill, and the first half of the story is told from his POV. I loved this, and want to get more episodes from inside his head. Even after 20 episodes I still find Dill hilarious.

Anyway, Dill is facing the prospect of failing the 4th grade. Too embarrassed to tell Peter and with no support at home, Dill turns to his new invisible friend for help. However things quickly spiral out of control.

Dark Peter makes a cameo appearance, and from the looks of things we will end up seeing more of him in future episodes.

Again, Darren nails the ending perfectly. Dill learns a hard lesson and Peter learns how much Dill’s friendship really means to him.

I thought this episode was a lot of fun. I always enjoy Peter and Dill’s dynamic, and this one was no exception. I also enjoyed the pure silliness of this episode – which is a nice change of pace from the slew of more serious episodes leading up this one.

Several times I had to put down my kindle because I was laughing too hard to continue reading. Even after 21 episodes, Darren continues to be fresh and fun.

Gwen plays a big role here, as does someone else who I missed seeing (I won’t spoil who). I love Gwen’s character and want to see more of her!

Overall, this is probably one of my favorites. Five Stars and a big thumbs up!

This one starts out a bit slow, with not much happening in the first quarter of the book. But it picks up when we get to Peter and Dill’s last day of school.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one. The other stories have involved monsters of various shapes and sizes. However, this story is different, with Peter and Dill witnessing the deaths of real, actual human beings. They seem awfully calm about it, even after everything else that has happened.

Dill is a riot, as usual, although I think he was a bit over the top in a couple of places.

The fight scene at the end is very fun. I like that the author isn’t afraid to venture outside the realm of European monsters.

While I still enjoyed this one, I would have enjoyed it more if it had been ‘Peter and the Oni’ or ‘Peter and the Yomi’ or something.

I love the first line of this book ‘Being a Ninja SUCKED.’ Kids, the fact that anything might be hard work is a foreign concept to them. Despite the first part of the book being about Peter’s ninja training, the author does a great job of keeping things interesting.

But its once we meet Lydia, the ghost, that things really start to pick up. The ghost is truly terrifying, and because she doesn’t have a physical form to harm Peter’s new ninja training can only help him so much.

At least this time Grandfather volunteers information to help Dill and Peter, and even plays a significant role in defeating the wandering spirit. Overall this is a very solid and fun entry into the Peter and the Monsters series.

This entry in the Peter and the Monsters series starts out with a new POV – Mandy, one of the girls from Peter’s class. Her mom buys her a doll from the new antique store proprietor. But the doll has other plans in mind.

This is another solid entry in the Peter and the Monsters series. There are several sections from Mandy’s POV, but the bulk of the story is told from Peter’s POV.

I found this story especially creepy, and the ending was very thrilling. I give it 5 stars.

After trying to pick up the pieces following a family tragedy, Toy Designer Jeff Tanner begins to realize that his hasty glue job is in fact coming apart at the seams. Friendless and adrift, now even the world of imaginary friends has turned on him, sparking a descent into madness that may cost him the few relationships he has left. His only chance is to let go of the past and accept the future - a future that may well be full of nightmares.

A good read that moved along briskly and had plenty of heart. Jeff seemed to do an awful lot of screaming and he seemed a rather pathetic, passive hero at times, but it had some great moments.

When ten-year-old Peter moves into his grandfather’s creepy old mansion in a small town, bad, baaaaad things start to happen.

A family of charred boogeymen who haunt the garden decide they don't like trespassers...

A classmate with a crush comes back from the grave and decides to make Peter her Undead Prince Charming...

A creature from Fairieland changes place with Peter's two-year-old sister, leading to a VERY strange babysitting job...

A prehistoric predator snatches children from the town lake, forcing Peter to literally dive into the belly of the beast...

With his troublemaking neighbor Dill, his grumpy grandfather, and only his courage and wit to guide him, Peter has to survive all these things, plus the Greatest Horror Of All:

Fourth grade.

Volume One includes the following stories:

Peter And The Dead Men (Story #1)
Peter And The Vampires (Story #2)
Peter And The Changeling (Story #3)
Peter And The Swamp Monster (Story #4)

This is my 'FIND" for the year. Stumbled upon this series quite by accident. Wow, so much FUN! I love Peter's Friend DILL. He is a riot. The dialogue rings very true. The stories are SCARY, but filled with humor and heart.
Clearly I will be giving this series my full attention.
Highly Recommended for Kids {Over 10-their is some pretty gory/scary stuff here} and Adults under 85!½

I was not sure what to expect by this book so I opened it with an open mind. I was hooked by page 2! Peter and the Vampires is truly a delightful book with lovable young boys as our main characters. Add to that a creepy grandfather, a huge house where strange things happen and a two year old little sister who wears a bathing suit every day OVER her clothes! Dill and our hero Peter find adventures and is some circumstances adventures find them. I loved this book. It was creepy, mysterious and laugh out loud funny. I enjoyed Peter but his buddy Dill was hands down my favorite. When Dill gets scared he "maybe" pees his pants, "just a little" and while most of us would keep that tidbit to ourselves, Dill always tells Peter. The exchanges that follow that are hilarious! I was very curious about the grandfather. He has his own story that unfolds slowly and made me read as fast as I could and turn the pages so I could find out. Dill is scared to death of grandfather and grandfather is none to fond of him either since there was an incident with Dill blowing up some watermelons in the grandfather's garden. The interaction between those two is a lot of fun.My favorite part of the book besides Dill was the vampire schoolgirl with a crush on Peter. I felt sorry for her at times and wanted to kick her butt at other times. There was nothing funny about her to Peter who had to fend her off but since he's such a nice guy really didn't want to hurt her. Good thing he has back-up in Dill and grandfather!Peter and the Vampires is a quick, easy read and truly a lot of fun. I will surely look for the other books in the series and I hope my friend Dill shows up in them too.This is a Young Adult book but trust me, adults will enjoy it just as much, maybe even more. Normally I don't read or enjoy YA but I devoured this and want more! Highly recommended.