⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

This was one of the WEIRDEST books I have read in such a long time but oh my god it got me out of my slump in such a good way

This book is everything I hoped that Riggs would bring to a slightly older YA series, and even though its been YEARS since I've read the Miss Peregrine's books Riggs brings that nostalgic whimsy of a mid 2000s modern YA fantasy back in full fucking force.

I love the descriptions of Sunderland, and I love how Riggs takes the 'chosen boy' trope and just turns it on its head with Leopold Berry and makes him SO likeable and SO ordinary that you just can't really help but just root for the guy.

This book is honestly so fun and such a light palette cleanser that I 100% recommend it ESPECIALLY if you're feeling nostalgic for the awe and wonder you felt when reading books like Inkspell, Percy Jackson, Miss Peregrine, Narnia or even Artemis Fowl for the first time, and I absolutely will be picking up the next book!

Remember your favorite childhood fantasy world? What if it’s real, & your 17-year-old self has a chance to save it, but then completely blows it?

Leopold Berry has been having flashbacks to an old show he watched over & over on VHS tapes called Max’s Adventures in Sunderworld - it’s been five years since he lost himself in that fantasy world in the aftermath of his mother’s death, but now Sunder is bleeding into the real L.A. & Leopold needs the help of his friend Emmett to avoid his extremely overbearing father & figure out how exactly he can fix this latest onslaught of unfortunateness…

I love the VHS cover for this book! I very much enjoyed the Miss Peregrine’s series & am excited to report that I am equally entranced by this first book in Ransom Riggs’s new saga. The ‘90’s vibes you get from Leopold’s obsession with the set of VHS tapes & his mom’s old station wagon are nostalgic & amazing, & I loved that there’s an Iowa reference sprinkled into the world-building. You can also feel the everyday grittiness of what it’s like to live in Los Angeles as a teenager (albeit a privileged one that was still dealing with the usual litany of high school problems), which was an interesting change from other stories I’ve read that focus on the glamour of Hollywood. I can’t wait to read the next installment!

Thank you very much to NetGalley & Dutton Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Larry Berry is surprisingly and absurdly average in every way. Even all the tests done on his aptitude show that. What isn't average about Larry is that he is seeing things from a place called Sunderworld, which is a tv show he found old VHS tapes of after his mom died. Unfortunately, as far as Larry knows, Sunderworld is fictional, which means his visions are concerning. His best friend Emmet confirms this.
That is until the teens end up in Sunderworld... Sunderworld ties into a puzzle that Larry's deceased mother set him to find. Only he has no clue why, or what, this is all supposed to lead to.
I really enjoyed this novel! It's a very different world from Ransom Riggs' earlier series, but there is enough overlap in writing style and design elements that if you enjoyed the Miss Peregrine series, then you'll likely enjoy this one. I'm already excited for the next book in the series.

Sunderworld: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs is book one in the Sunderworld series. I enjoyed this book so much!!

Leopold Berry is 17yo, his mom passed away 5 years ago and he is still struggling. His father seems to think and lets Larry know he is a disappointment and Larry does is good enough. He is broken and just trying to figure out his place in the world. Trying to hold onto the memory of his mom he finds some VHS tapes of a 1990s fantasy TV show called Max's Adventures in Sunderworld and watches them obsessively. While awake he starts seeing characters from the show. But not everyone around him is seeing what he sees.

I feel like the plot and storyline were so well done. The world building and magic had me hooked I could see it playing like a movie in my head. I felt like all of the characters they were so well written. I enjoyed the mystery and finding the clues Larry’s mom left for him. I loved watching Larry learn more about himself and that he was not the disappointment. This is my first book by Ransom Riggs and I cannot only wait to read more of his books, but I cannot wait for book two in the Sunderland series. Thank you to Ransom Riggs, Penguin Group and Dutton Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for letting me read the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinion.

This was definitely not what I was exciting, but I did enjoy it. The only downside was that I felt like it was just starting to pick up when the book ended.

I loved the peregrine book and was excited to read this one. It was not what I expected but still an enjoyable read. Ransom Riggs does not disappoint and I’m excited to see what comes next!

Random Riggs delivers another inventive, retro adventure that feels wholly unique, building a fascinating world, and setting up what is sure to be a fun and expansive series!

This ended too soon. Just as it was getting really good. Now have to wait a year to find out what happens next. A lot of world building goes on but feels there is still more to come. Interesting reveal in the epilogue. I like the characters and can't wait to see how the adventure unravels.

Welcome to Sunderworld.
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Leopold Berry would consider himself average at best, but one that is makes him stand out is that he keeps seeing magical images around his city of Los Angeles. These visions are from a TV show in the 1990s called Max’s Adventures in Sunderworld. The show was a way for Leopold to escape from a world where his mother is dead and his overbearing father doesn’t care about him. When Leopold realizes he can actually access this fantasy world, he believes he was chosen to be the hero of his own story. Unfortunately everything goes wrong the second he gets to Sunderworld and Leopold wonders if anyone can count on him, even himself.
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I didn’t like it. To be fair I don’t like epic fantasy books most of the time, particularly YA ones. I was hoping since this was described as more magical realism I would enjoy it, but alas, not for me. Many readers will love Leopold and champion his underdog status. The Stranger Things vibe will also appeal to young adult readers. There is a hint of a romance towards the end of the book and since its volume one, we know there’s going to be a sequel. This title released this week.

CW: parental death (off page), grief, violence, hospitalization, emotional abuse, cancer, fire, police brutality, mental illness

Not gonna lie, I went into this blind and it honestly sucked me in from the beginning.

First off, I did not read the other series, so this writer is new to me.

Second off, I love Leopold. And I enjoyed Isabel and Emmet.

Third off, that scene before the epilogue was the best. I was all into it.

Fourth off, why did it have to end on that cliffhanger???

I did love that Emmet just solved it, no big deal.

I just finished Sunderworld, Vol. 1: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs, and wow, what a ride! I wasn’t sure what to expect at first—maybe something typical of YA fantasy—but this story really surprised me. Leopold (or Larry, as he’s often called) is such a relatable character. He’s awkward, a bit lost, dealing with the grief of losing his mom, and trying to figure out where he fits in the world. His strained relationship with his dad only adds to the complexity, but it’s his strange visions that make you wonder—has Sunderworld chosen him, or is he just losing it?

The world-building is pretty good, blending a familiar city with something imaginative, magical one. The characters, from Leopold to his best friend Emmet, feel real and grounded, despite the fantastical setting. I loved the humor, fast-paced action, and the deep dive into grief and friendship. The

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book, what follows is my objective opinion. I liked this one so much, it was not my usual read but I heartily enjoyed it. Leopold is a young man with visions of what he calls "Sunder," which started after his mother died when he was twelve years old. The visions are based off of an old fantasy TV show, and he and the adults around him (especially his over-bearing father Richter) attributed them to grief and an overactive imagination. After a lengthy gap, he suddenly starts to experience the visions again, and the story follows Leopold on his quest to make sense of what these "visions" mean. Leopold created fan-made continuing episodes with his friend Emmet, which was a way of coping after his mother died. Thinks they're hallucinations, thankfully has a staunch ally in Emmet. I will say that even though this is geared towards teens and YA (neither of which I've been in a very long time), I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was exactly what I would have enjoyed reading then, but it's mature enough that older readers can enjoy it as well. It's imaginatively written, and there's a nice amount of dry humor, which balances the tension. On a visual note, I love the cover. Please note that this is the start of a series, and this story ends on a cliffhanger. I was invested enough that I will definitely read the next in the series!

From start to finish, The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry is an exhilarating rollercoaster that I really enjoyed. Both the premise and the execution of the story is wonderfully bizarre and have a nostalgia-like charm that echoes the vintage vibes of the 90s. Following Leopold’s journey was an absolute delight; his character is both engaging and deeply relatable. The way his ongoing struggle with his mother’s death and his strained relationship with his father are woven into the narrative adds a poignant layer of emotion that makes the adventure - and stakes - even more gripping.

Just as Ransom Riggs excelled with his setting in his Miss Peregrine's series - one of my favourites from my early teenage years - the magical world-building in The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry was nothing short of spectacular. The book’s retro and - particularly - its nonsensical elements were also slightly reminiscent of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, which I appreciated. Unlike Alice, though, there was an intriguing plot with mysteries and clues left by Larry’s mom; this provided a thrilling quest for both Larry and the reader that enhanced the book as a whole, making me even more invested in uncovering the secrets of Sunderworld.

As much as I enjoyed the twists and turn, I do have to say that the ending left much to be desired. As the title implies, I'm aware that this is Volume 1 of the Sunderworld series; however, the conclusion did leave me with an intense craving for the next installment, and not necessarily a good craving. I do hope that the wait for Volume 2 won’t be too long. Ultimately, though, if you’re looking for a young-adult book with a captivating blend of magic, adventure, and 1990s nostalgia, this book is an absolute must-read teens and adults alike.

Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Sunderworld, Vol. I: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced by any third parties.

Man, do I love the mind of Ransom Riggs.

I first came across this author when Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children first came out, which is one of my all time favorite series ever. Honestly, I was really waiting to see him write something else - as much as I loved that world, we did not need 6 books and multiple companion guides (even though, hypocritically, I loved them all).

I think I actually squealed when I got approved for this one on Netgalley! I was so excited to see a new story from this mans mind, but I did have concerns it was set in the same universe. Fear not, this is a completely new story with a new cast in a new world. He does not even include photographs in this story!

But still, I enjoyed it. Riggs is so creative, not only in his writing but his storytelling capabilities. He equally balances world building with character creation, and it has me excited to see where he takes this world from here. While the world of Sunder is similar to the loops in theMiss Peregrine series, he brings new life to it - so it feels more like Narnia than a hideout for kids who are "different." I cannot wait to see who the 'big bad' of this series will be, and I would love to see some more magical development for Larry along the way.

This is definitely book one in a series! While there is some good action, we just barely get a glimpse into Sunder and the magic within. Leopold tried testing to be "the one" and was told he was exceedingly ordinary, but then went on to do some un-ordinary things. He's kicked out but keeps coming back for more, and I have a sneaking suspicion that he really is "the one." The 'big bad' has yet to be introduced, but I have my guesses! The book ends on a decent cliffhanger, but considering this is a Ransom Riggs original - I would buy the sequel whether I loved this one or not.

Overall, I am happy to see Riggs has moved on from the Miss Peregrine series (as much as I loved it), and I am excited to dive into this new world. This book barely scratches the surface of Wonder and the magical objects/abilities within, and I am so ready to see where the story goes from here. This book piqued my interest! Ransom Riggs is easily one of my auto buy authors, and I look forward to seeing where he goes from here.
Content warnings: loss of a loved one, grief, violence, emotional abuse, mental illness, abandonment, terminal illness/cancer, child abuse

This was an experience to say the least. I used to read Ransom Riggs when I was a lot younger, and this book did make me nostalgic about my childhood. The atmosphere is just great and the idea that went behind is super creative. I don't think I have read anything quite like this book before. Highly recommend to readers of all ages!

This book was just so much fun to read. It really brought back that 90s nostalgia and I was living for it!

I loved the Peculiar Children series by Ransom Riggs so I was so excited to read this one and it definitely lived up to the anticipation.

I found myself so transported into the story and I felt like I was right beside Leopold in Sunder. I was rooting for him the entire time. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series because I have to know what happens next!

The world, the characters, their relationships and story were a pleasant surprise. The unusual world of Leopold was captivating from the beginning of the story to the end. The story progressed with adventure, intrigue and mysteries for its heroine.

Leopold and Emmet are embarking on an epic journey, and this book begins the fun world we get to join them in. Look forward to then next installment.

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Dutton Books for Young Readers

I am very interested to see where this story will go. The first fourth of the book I thought Riggs was going to disappoint me with a classic story outline but he never follows the complete standard! If you enjoyed Riggs writing style (note style and not genre) in his previous series certainly give this one a try. His world building is always great and the main reason to stick around. Not a lot actually happens but you feel everything that does.

Being the world's biggest fan of Ransom Riggs' other series, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, I was over the moon when I got accepted for this ARC. It was a fairly easy read. The world was easy to grasp, and the characters were enjoyable. However, I felt that there was a lot of information being crammed into this book, without a whole lot happening. In fact, I felt like I kept waiting for 'The Action' to begin. That being said, this does a great job of setting up a sequel (or multiple sequels) and the world was interesting enough that I'll probably read them. I guess this one just kinda missed the mark for me, which is fair because I had really high expectations. By no means was it a bad read, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have read it. I know someone out there will love it!

Leopold’s nearly eighteen and has been a huge fan of a niche TV show that he discovered when his mom passed away six years ago. After many years of trying to adhere to his dad’s strict rules, his Sunderworld obsession is becoming a problem. He’s seeing scenes from the show, getting pulled in and wondering what’s real and what’s fiction. Could everything Sunderworld actually be a reality?

This is definitely a book by Ransom Riggs. I got all the same adventure type vibes as I did with his Miss Peregrine series. Think that mixed with Stranger Things and then toss it in Los Angeles. It’s a great mix and a good read! The novel really just introduces you to your protagonists and lays the groundwork for the mystery of Sunderworld and what I expect to be some solid adventures in the next novel. A sound start to an interesting world. 4 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by Penguin Teen - Dutton and NetGalley. Thank you!