fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviewsThe Monster’s Ring by Bruce Coville children's fantasy book reviewsThe Monster’s Ring by Bruce Coville

Note: This book is titled Russell Troy, Monster Boy in some markets.

For kids that are too young for the complexity of the HARRY POTTER series, and yet still interested in fantasy stories, Bruce Coville‘s MAGIC SHOP books might be the thing to hook them up with. Five in total, each one revolves around a simple premise: a young child with the usual kid problems (home trouble, bullies, crushes, angry teachers, etc) stumble across Mr Elives’ Magic Shop, and leaves with an unusual purchase which initially creates more trouble for them, but ultimately teaches them important lessons.

They’ve recently been reissued with new cover art by Tony DiTerlizzi (best known as the illustrator of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES) and according to the author’s afterword, he took the opportunity to make a few revisions in the text itself, creating more continuity between each story. His goal with this particular book was to write “the perfect Halloween story”, with plenty of “fright and fun, horror and humour.”

Russell is a big fan of Halloween and all its assorted monsters, but spends most of his days trying to avoid the school bully. One evening he escapes Eddie by ducking into a Magic Shop filled with strange paraphernalia. Its owner Mr Elives presents him with something called “The Monster’s Ring.” According to the piece of paper that comes with it:

Twist it once, you’re horned and haired;
Twist it twice and fangs are bared;
Twist it thrice? No one has dared!

Soon he’s having great fun transforming himself into a hideous monster and terrorizing teachers and bullies alike. But all gifts come with a price, and soon Russell has to confront the consequences of his actions. Coville focuses on Russell’s relationship with his parents, provides a more sympathetic view of Eddie (most bullies are bullied themselves) and examines the advantages and disadvantages of turning into a monster. There’s a lot of stuff packed into an otherwise slender little book, with plenty of jokes and moments of poignancy along the way.

Magic Shop Books — (1982-2003) Ages 9-12. Publisher: Mr Elives’ Magic Shop seems to appear from nowhere — and disappears again just as fast! Never in the same place twice, it sells only the most exclusive wares… A talking toad, anyone? A dragon’s egg? There’s plenty to choose from… When Russell buys a magic ring from weird Mr Elives, he’s told it will turn him into a monster. Just the thing for school! Russell’s sure it’s all a stupid trick — until he whispers the chant, twists the ring and begins to sprout horns… At first it’s fun changing from boy to monster and back again, but Russell hasn’t paid proper attention to the instructions — and now he’s gone too far…

fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviewsBruce Coville Magic Shop Books 1. The Monster's Ring 2. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher 3. Jennifer Murdley's Toad 4. The Skull of Truth ( Charlie Eggleston's Talking Skull) 6. Juliet Dove, Queen of Love Bruce Coville Magic Shop Books 1. The Monster's Ring 2. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher 3. Jennifer Murdley's Toad 4. The Skull of Truth ( Charlie Eggleston's Talking Skull) 6. Juliet Dove, Queen of Love Bruce Coville Magic Shop Books 1. The Monster's Ring 2. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher 3. Jennifer Murdley's Toad 4. The Skull of Truth ( Charlie Eggleston's Talking Skull) 6. Juliet Dove, Queen of Love

Outside the US, The Monster’s Ring may be published as Russell Troy, Monster Boy and The Skull of Truth may be published as Charlie Eggleston’s Talking Skull.

Author

  • Rebecca Fisher

    REBECCA FISHER, with us since January 2008, earned a Masters degree in literature at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Her thesis included a comparison of how C.S. Lewis and Philip Pullman each use the idea of mankind’s Fall from Grace to structure the worldviews presented in their fantasy series. Rebecca is a firm believer that fantasy books written for children can be just as meaningful, well-written and enjoyable as those for adults, and in some cases, even more so. Rebecca lives in New Zealand. She is the winner of the 2015 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best SFF Fan Writer.