Book Review: Bad Boy Wizard #1: The Astral Gatecrashers

The Astral Gatecrashers: Bad Boy Wizard Book 1 by Annabelle Franklin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlie’s just your average kid living in a boring village (there’s no way a village called Upper Bottom could be exciting), struggling with school and putting up with the most insufferable mom on the planet. And then he finds out he’s a wizard! He can do magic! Sounds fun, doesn’t it? What a great way to liven up his village, maybe get some respect from his mom, breeze through his classes, make some great toys! Hah! Think again!

Readers aged 7-10 will love the gross and creepy characters that are suddenly a part of Charlie’s life, and will boo and hiss at his mother every time she shows up. Poor Charlie hasn’t a clue how to deal with the muddled mess his life has become, but there’s got to be a way to fix everything… right? Er, or maybe not? Uh oh!

This crazy thrill ride of a story is ideal for the middle grade crowd, and doesn’t even try to be appealing to dumb old grown ups! So if you’re a teenager or older, just put the book down… or better yet, give it to a kid.

I love a story that doesn’t make compromises to try to please everyone. The Astral Gatecrashers appeals to kid’s love of crazy chaos, seeing teachers get what’s coming to them, gross humor, and poking fun at everyone who grew up. It will NOT appeal to grownups. But let the kids have their fun! You had yours, back in your day, come on, admit it.

This is the first book in a series, so if your kid loves it, there will be more to look forward to.

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