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!

Ransom Riggs, author of the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series has delivered another unforgettable oddball who will need to choose himself, proving once and for all that heroes are made, not born.

Leopold “Larry” Berry is a “remarkably unremarkable” boy who is trying to find his way. Things just haven’t been the same since Leopold’s mother died. Forced to live with his father and his new family, he feels he is nothing but a disappointment. Larry took comfort retreating into a make believe world inspired by some old VHS tapes of a short-lived series, Max’s Adventures in Sunderworld, which were among the few possessions that remained of his mother. That is until he begins seeing characters from Sunder popping up in his everyday life. At the time, his therapist convinced him that these were simply manifestations of his grief. Years later, when strange things start happening again, Leopold can’t decide if he is losing it, or whether Sunder has chosen to reveal itself to him. He enlists the help of his best friend Emmet to uncover the real truth behind the videos and gain entry into Sunderworld.

I delighted in the imaginative city within a recognizable city world building, unique magic system, the quirky main and support characters, steadfast friendships, and found family themes. Read this if you need a fast paced light hearted urban fantasy with an unlikely hero. I’m excited for whatever future adventures Ransom has in store for Leopold and his trusty friends.


Many thanks to the author @RansomRiggs, @DuttonBooks and @NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was very unimpressed with the Miss Peregrine series, so I was hesitant to give this book a chance, but the description reeled me in. I'm glad I did because it was a strange weird book but I really enjoyed the adventure. I'm not sure if I can commit to the series, but I will definitely be buying this for my high school library and getting it into kids' hands!

Another great story from Riggs. Loved the world building here. Looking forward to the rest of this series

WOW! Sunderworld The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs was absolutely fantastic! I went into this thinking it would end up being another interesting, but not overwhelming incredibly intriguing young adult book. Was I ever wrong! I finished over half of it in a day.

The portrayal of Leopold. also known as Larry, was so well done, I found myself rooting for him. Not only is he misunderstood, but he hasn't really found his place in life yet. Adding to this is a father who wants him to pick a career path that he is entirely unsuited for and is not the least bit interested in. While his best friend, Emmett, tries to support him, he also thinks Leopold is going a bit off the deep end. Along with everything else, Leopold has a tendency to just mess things up.Therefore, he ends up being an incredibly likeable character that you can't help but root for and hope that things finally go his way.

I loved this so much. I plan to pick up more books by this author.

Leopold Berry thinks he’s lost his mind. He keeps strange things happening that he can’t explain. Everything he sees reminds him of a 1990s sitcom show, Max’s adventure in Sunderworld. He discovers the show on a VHS tape, following his mother’s death, buried amongst her things. But somehow the things he watches in the show sooth him in a way. But he feels he’s loosing his mind. So he enlists the help of his best friend Emmet to uncover the real truth behind the video and the very surreal world of Sunder.

Boy oh Boy does Ransom Riggs write some stories. He has such an imagination that I’d love to feel dive into. The surrealism the story holds and the mystery behind it was something of imagination. (Truthfully I can’t wait for this to be made on tv to see what they do). The characters were likable and I felt Leopold sort of comes into his own of self discovery.

The ending was a bit open-ended and I felt maybe it was for the next book.. or so I hope.. because you have this big build of a story to be like whomp at the end. But all in all, I really loved the world that was given to us and the whole memories of the 90s and VHS. Reminded me of my childhood and I think that’s why I connected a lot to the memories of how it was back then.

What a joy to be back in another fantastical world from the mind of Ransom Riggs.

Following the passing of his mother, 12 year old Leopold Berry became obsessed with the 90’s tv show, Sunderworld. His life revolved around the fictional world and his overactive imagination had him convinced he was going to be whisked away to Sunder. Now at 17, Leopold begins having strange visions related to the old tv show that might not be so fictional after all.

I really enjoyed the world building in this book! It was fun to experience Leopold explore the real Sunder and comparing it to the tv show.

This was such a strong start to the series and I can’t wait to see where it goes. I was left with so many questions!!! I’ll be over here trying to piece things together under the next book comes out.