To the ones who've always wanted to journey into their favorite fantasy lands, but secretly know they'd get their butts kicked, this is the book for you. The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry is a perfect mix of a depressingly ordinary "hero," a fantasy realm right under your nose, and a tantalizing mystery that will leave readers satisfied with this installment, yet eager for more. Leopold stumbles through life in a way that will capture any teen in at least one way. Whether it's clinging to a beloved junker car, floundering with the idea of choosing a future career path, struggling with a suffocating parent or the loss of one, or coming to terms with their own limitations, Leopold takes hit after hit, but at least he doesn't say "forget it." The world of Sunder has so many interesting paths to be explored in future installments - what's causing the Aether shortage? Who created the show based on it? And what's going on with the big reveal at the end? I'm eager for more, yet felt fully content with the story given to us here.

4.5 stars

I was so excited to see that Ransom Riggs was coming out with a new series. I was absolutely obsessed with the miss peregrine's home for peculiar children series. I was a bit worried that this one wouldn't live up to the hype of that one, but though it is different it is still very enjoyable. There are no found images like in Miss peregrine's which I do miss, but they wouldn't work for this story. Ransom Riggs does a fantastic job of building a world alongside our own as well as characters that fit well for this type of story.
This book was very much a set up for the rest of the series. We get only a small glimpse into Sunderworld and I can't wait to see more of Sunderworld and the characters that are inhabiting it.
Overall a great start to a new and unique series. Check it out.

Content warning: emotional abuse, grief, past death of parent, cliffhanger

What a fun new world to explore! The world of Sunder was supposed to be just a fictional world of a tv show. One that a 12 year Leopold Berry became obsessed with after finding the VHS tapes after his mother’s death. Now, age 17, Leopold is seeing and experiencing some weird things. He never thought Sunder was real - until it suddenly was.

I liked the world building of the novel. Sunder is made up mysterious magical places through out LA. Leopold sets out on somewhat of a scavenger hunt and it takes him to real life places in the city and some fantastical places.

I am a magic lover and I will read anything if you tell me there’s magic. In Sunder, magic needs Aether. Basically Aether is described as the “fuel” needed for spells and magical objects. An Aether Focuser is a like a techy kind of wand to cast the spells. They literally sell Aether boosting snacks and drinks in Sunder convenience stores. I loved this and the tech aspect of the magic. I feel like I’m nerding out on this magic but it was 👍🏻👍🏻 for me.

I feel like Volume 1 was just an introduction and a lead up to what’s to come next for Leopold in Sunder. Like just the tip of the iceberg that is Leopold Berry’s story. There is so much more to explore and so much unresolved business. I have theories and I need to know if I’m right or in the right direction. So I’ll take Volume 2 now thanks. 😊


⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Sunderworld Vol 1: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry is the first book in a new series following Leopold, an incredibly ordinary guy just trying to figure out what the next steps in his life are going to be. He has no plan, is completely mediocre in every way and sometimes sees things that aren't there, like that burning racoon outside his interview.

"The Executive called me 'remarkably unremarkable'," Leopold said dryly. "Average absolutely to the decimal point. Unspecial by every magical metric,' If we're going to insult my abilities, let's quote an expert."

I was really excited to see something new from Ransom Riggs. He has a really interesting imagination and I was excited to see what the author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children came up with for a new story. Well we are off to a good start. Leopold takes us on a journey though a very different LA were certain people can cross over to Sunderworld. He has been seeing this alternate version of LA off and on since he watched some very old VHS videos he found of this place that was supposed to be made up, but might just be real, if you have the right kind of magic.

Leopold is an easy kid to like. He seems a bit broken and is hanging on to anything that he has left from before his mother died. Including a old beat up Volvo. He is a little on the unusual side and doesn't have a lot of friends, but he is completely loyal to his best friend Emmet. You can tell there is going to be so much more to him once he figures out what is going on in his life and why he is seeing some of the characters that were in those VHS tapes in his waking life.

After Leopold finds a book he and his mom used to draw treasure hunts and maps in he is on a brand new adventure that takes him and his best friend, Emmet, in and out of this alternate LA, through dangerous battles and explorations of new magic. It was a fun ride and I had a lot of fun in it. There are discoveries to be made, like is that guy saying he is Leopold's father, really his father or is something more sinister going on there. Who was Leopold's mom really? That treasure map seems extremely magical for something a regular person was supposed to put together. And this girl he found in Sunderworld, well, she seems pretty cool and might even be someone who could have some romantic potential at some point. We will probably get answers to those and many more questions in the next Vol. But what I do know is that our 'remarkably unremarkable' character, well there is a lot of potential there and I'm looking forward to exploring that in next books.

Perfect for readers who are interesting in a trippy Alice in Wonderland type of vibe, with a secret world that seems a little bit on the crazy side, that might also include 'the chosen one' trope. We will see.

I went into this book with no set expectations and ended up having such a fun time. This book took me back to a certain oeuvre of YA books I loved growing up, Percy Jackson, Narnia and all those chosen one books about an ordinary kid stepping into a world of magic and powers and quests. What distinguishes Leopold Berry from other chosen one stories, however, is that Leopold has had a lifetime of being extraordinarily average and has prepared himself to enter this other world his entire life. So when he gets the chance and finds out that maybe he is just as average in this magical world as outside of it, it really shakes his (and the reader's) expectations.

I so related to Leopold. Who among us hasn't wished for more? To be suddenly powerful or for a life different than the one they have. Reading this book really took me back to the experience of reading those books I loved as a kid but through the yes of an adult. I couldn't put the book down, particularly at the part when Leopold begins to follow a quest laid out for him by his dead mother.

If I had any complaints its that I wanted more answers. There is a fair amount of world building here but the book mostly felt like set up for what is sure to be a lengthy series. We get almost no answers, in fact I kept waiting for some sort of twist or answer and we really get nothing. I had 15 minutes left in the book and it felt like the characters were on a meandering side quest. That being said, I am extremely seated for the rest of Leopold's story, even if he doesn't end up being the hero.

Thank you So much to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the early copies in exchange for an

You know when you open a book and you’re immediately drawn into a new magical world? That’s not how Sunderworld begins. This book takes place in Los Angeles—magic as LA may be, it is not the kind of magical place I’m talking about. But by the end of the opening paragraph, we know this isn’t any kind of LA anyone is familiar with!

Anyone who loves to read about the hidden magical world within our own will fall in love with this book! Think about the first time you read [insert hidden magical world within our world book here] and how following the heretofore mundane who discovers they are actually more part of that world than the one in which they were raised made you feel how easily that could be you—tomorrow you could walk through a wall or descend into what you thought was the sewer or cross a border that was actually a magical boundary. Sunderworld reawakened those magical feelings in me that I mostly only felt as a child, and that now only really special books ignite.

Following Leopold Berry on his unconventional hero’s journey was such a joy and pleasure, it was hard for me to put this book down! I can’t recommend this book enough to those seeking that magical feeling as if for the first time. I cannot wait to find out what’s in store for Leopold next!

I was very excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint. The world building in this urban fantasy novel was so well done that I'm ready to start looking for my own local Sunder enclave. And Leopold (Larry), the most ordinary of ordinary boys, is fairly easy to relate to and root for.

My only complaint is that it is very much a volume 1. A lot of questions are asked and not answered and now we've all got to wait for volume 2.

Sunderworld is Vol. I in The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs.
My goodness Riggs writing sucked me in and held me captive till the very end.
A very exciting adventure with an intriguing mystery and the best characters.
This urban fantasy story will hold you hostage till the very end.

Thank You NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I was so excited to see another series by Ransom Riggs start since I loved Miss Peregrine. This book and his writing style did not disappoint. Leopold (Larry) Berry is a teenager trying to figure out his life. His mom passed away a few years ago and he lives with his father who he has never gotten along with. He sees things that are not there. His friend thinks he needs therapy. The beginning may seem a little slow at first, but it sets everything up for an action packed fantasy book. Reminds me of Harry Potter in a way, but no spells and no wands. Five stars from me!

Sunderworld, Vol. I reads like a Harry Potter story set in an Alice in Wonderland world. I mean that in the best possible way. I absolutely adored this tale. It is empowering for any reader with low self esteem but it is also just pure fun!

Larry is a seventeen-year-old loser. He can’t seem to get anything in his life right. However, he does have his memories of his mother and the fantasy world of Sunder to escape to when his real life gets overwhelming. But what if Sunder is not just a cheesy old television show but instead a real hidden land nestled somewhere in Los Angeles? Will Larry be the hero he feels he should be there? Or is he just going to be disappointed again?

I truly loved Sunderworld, Vol. I. I both couldn’t stop reading it and didn’t want it to end. I can’t recommend it highly enough to both children and adults who want a little magic in their life. Hopeful Volume II will come out soon. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for providing me with an advanced review copy.

Following his beloved mother's death, fourteen-year-old Leopold Berry discovers discarded VHS tapes of a cheesy 1990s fantasy TV show called Max's Adventures in Sunderworld among his mother's effects. No one else seems to have ever heard of the show, but Leopold and his best friend Emmet enjoy creating their own fan episodes of the show. However, once Leopold begins having lifelike hallucinations that Sunder is bleeding into real-life Los Angeles, he and Emmet decide to end their pretend escapes into Sunder.

Now seventeen, Leopold has been deemed to be "remarkably unremarkable" and his academic coach reveals that Leopold is average in every way. However, his very remarkable hallucinations about Sunderworld have returned, and Leopold is convinced that the parallel world might really exist. With Emmet by his side, Leopold embarks on an adventure to uncover the truth behind Sunderworld and its mysterious connection to his mother.

The novel's greatest strength lies in its imaginative world-building. Riggs seamlessly blends the familiar streets of Los Angeles with the fantastical realm of Sunderworld, creating a unique and immersive experience. The city itself becomes a character, imbued with a sense of mystery and wonder.

However, while the setting is captivating, Leopold's character development felt somewhat limited. While his struggles with grief and self-doubt are relatable, his lack of any strong character traits made him difficult for me to connect with and really root for.

Additionally, I found the pacing of the novel to be uneven. The scavenger hunt sequence after the book's mid-point felt disruptive to the overall narrative. The sequence itself provides valuable backstory and further situates the reader to Leopold's LA. Introducing some of that information earlier through flashbacks or subtle hints could have smoothed out the flow.

Despite these shortcomings, Sunderworld offers a thrilling adventure for fans of urban fantasy and parallel worlds. The novel's imaginative setting, combined with its exploration of themes of loss and identity, make it a compelling read.

This review will be posted to Goodreads and Instagram (@goodquietkitty) on August 26, 2024.

This book would have had my younger self screaming! I love secret magic world books, and this one’s was perfect. Leopold “Larry” Berry is your average, run-of-the-mill teenager: “remarkably unremarkable.” In a note to readers, the author says his first book series (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children) was for, well, the peculiar kids. This one, though, is “for the normals, the absolutely average ones, the nothing-specials. The un-chosen.” And this alone had me rooting for Leopold. But then you learn how he lost his mother five years prior, and the pressure and scorn he receives from his father. So Leopold quickly became near and dear to my heart.

I loved that while this book has this secret portal fantasy world, there’s not so much world building that it slows down the pace. And it doesn’t follow the traditional “boy discovers he has secret powers and is going to save their world” narrative. This book was definitely a set-up book for the rest of the series, meaning there may have been a 𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺 cliff-hanger at the end. It definitely left me wanting more and excited to read the rest of the series, but not in an obnoxious way.

There were so many cute quirks in this book, it’s YA and a fast read, and makes LA seem like somewhere that magic is right there in plain view- if you just keep your eyes open. (I’ve never been but now I want to visit!) This is definitely one I’ll be recommending to any YA fantasy lovers, and anyone open to trying out that genre!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ransom Riggs for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Sunderworld, Vol. I: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry coming out August 27, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was definitely surprised to be approved for this book. I was excited to get it! I love his Miss Peregrine series. This was definitely in his usual writing style, but I loved that it was a fresh, new story. It was definitely an adventure of a book. It reminded me of a Wrinkle in Time in that it was a wild ride. I really enjoyed this story. It was weird and different. I loved the 90s feel. I would definitely read more in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys unique stories!

I loved this book and am so excited for the rest of the series. It was reminiscent of childhood fantasy classics like The Chronicles of Narnia, A Wrinkle in Time, James and the Giant Peach, Percy Jackson, or even Harry Potter to some degree. But, unlike those other series, when the protagonist arrives in this fantasy world it seems to be falling apart.

I'm excited to see where it goes next.

Leopold Berry thought he had put and done away with childish things. His mom has passed away. He’s now living with an overbearing and self-important father who wants to map out every step of Leopold’s life. His friends are getting older and looking forward to their happier, brighter futures.

Leopold just spends every day in a daze, wondering if he’s losing his mind and if he’ll ever grow capable of standing up to his father. He just has this itch under his skin and in his hands telling him there’s something missing, or something is missing him, and he can’t go another minute without at least trying to figure out what’s humming inside of him.

From this point in Sunderworld, Vol. I, it’s an all-out roller coaster of urban fantasy, fantastic whimsy, a terrifically-constructed city layered over another city, great bits of Los Angeles lore, urban exploration, fun and imaginative world building, great pacing, teenagers acting like teenagers, explorations of grief, the beginnings of found family vibes, a fierce friendship, plenty of action, and a whole lot of fun secrets uncovered.

I wasn’t around for Riggs’ Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. Those came out while I was raising my kids, I think, and my kids weren’t readers (still aren’t). So I was only peripherally aware of Riggs as an author and his imaginative worldbuilding skills. This is why I wanted to read Sunderworld even though I knew it was going to skew toward a younger YA audience than I normally read. This book is labeled inside as being marketed towards those 14 and older, but I don’t believe in age-bracket marketing. I’m putting it here because someone reading this review might. I will say though that I think a kid as young as 10 or 12 could read this and be just fine.

I’m definitely sticking around for the next installment. This was a lot of fun to read and there are not enough books with whimsy in them, in my opinion. Give me all the whimsy.

I was provided a copy of this title by Netgalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Book Series/Fantasy Series/First Book in a Fantasy Series/Urban Fantasy/YA Book Series/YA FantasyYA Fiction

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC of this book.

I had read the first couple of books of Miss Peregrine’s Home and really enjoyed them, the only reason I didn’t finish the series was life and my own attention span.

So I was really interested to read this book in a new series by the author.

The pacing was fast and sucked me in right off the bat. I enjoyed the premise and the characters. My only complaint is that it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. This book is definitely more of a world building and setting the stage for the rest of the series. I’d have liked a little more depth to it, but I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next book.

I was drawn in by the 90’s vibe, but wasn’t sure what to expect. Despite being beloved, this was my first book by Ransom Riggs. Though The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry started a bit slow for me, I was fully hooked after a few chapters. After ending on such a cliff hanger, I cannot wait for the next book in the Sunderworld series.

Thanks so much to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me this eARC to read. Wow, I blew through this novel in a matter of days and it's just Volume 1! Bring on Volume 2. Plenty of action, story development from the author of the Miss Peregrine series of young adult novels. So backstory still to unpack. Highly recommended.

This book really surprised me in a lot of ways and I loved it! I loved the character of Leopold and all of the things we learned about him on his journey. I'm a huge fan of the Miss Peregrine series and I'm thrilled to say that Ransom Riggs has hooked me with yet another story.

This book had its ups and downs for me, at some points making me lose sleep to find out what happens next and at other points feeling like nothing was actually happening for several pages at a time. The pacing isn't great, especially for the last several chapters when there are unnecessarily drawn-out scenes and a lot of details that feel like filler.
The story, though, makes all that worth the read. It has been over a week since I finished reading this, and I still have thoughts pop up randomly about it, wondering what the characters are up to or remembering certain parts. The world of Sunder is fascinating and really stuck with me. I never really understood the overlapping world scenario, or what's going on with that, but it's still entertaining to read about. I always love when books are set in L.A. since I live in the area, and I love specifically how this one draws attention to Angels Flight and Bunker Hill. I love that part of Downtown, and the history.
There's a mystery forming in the book, and my mind was racing to try and figure out the web behind the pages, who's responsible for what and how Leopold can ultimately set things right. Some seemingly "good guy" characters came off as a bit shady, and I'm curious about their motivations that I presume are nefarious. I would have enjoyed a book just about a boy discovering Sunder and exploring it, without major tragedy or drama that is going to unfold in this series, but I expect this mystery to be interesting as it's unraveled.
Other than the pacing mentioned already, I also would complain about the lack of magic use by the MC and people on his side. There's way less than I would have expected. I suppose it was this way in order for there to be more "disappointments" for Leopold Berry (per the title!), making it harder to escape predicaments, but I'd rather have seen more magic on his side. I think a lot of books do this, talking up magic and making the reader expect a character to have a lot of it, but not showing it much because it ups the stakes for them when they can't rely on magic. I understand the reasoning behind that way of writing, but I still want to see more magic!
I can't place my finger on the specific aspect that made me really into this story, but whatever it was, it overcame the negative feelings that I had from the inconsistent pacing and disappointing magic limitations. I very much look forward to reading future installments to find out what happens and have the mystery all made clear!

I'm so grateful to have gotten this ARC to read. I was really looking forward to this book, and was thrilled to read it a bit early.