Man Made Boy

Boy could be a typical seventeen-year-old geek. He’s happiest holed up in his room, an ingenious hacker, creating code or chatting to his online buddies at all hours. Yet Boy isn’t typical. He’s the son of Frankenstein’s Monster, confined underground in a secret haven for monsters, the internet his only link to the outside world.

When Boy’s dad reveals the secret plan for his future, Boy’s anger and confusion spills into rage. Refusing to accept the life envisaged for him, Boy rebels, running away to live in the city and subsequently embarking on an exciting cross-country adventure with Jekyll and Hyde’s granddaughters. But danger pursues them relentlessly until few options are left.

Boy is a reluctant hero; wracked with doubt and guilt for the devastation he’s unwittingly unleashed, Boy courageously faces up to his responsibility and family.

This is one of the best books I’ve read all year, hilariously funny and incredibly inventive. The author has drawn inspiration from a number of sources including mythological creatures, magically weaving these original threads into a new and marvellous story. But at the heart of this paranormal quest lies a quintessential coming-of-age tale. Highly recommended for ages 14 and up.

Athina Clarke