Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to see that Ransom Riggs was doing what looks to be a new series that is steeped in a fictional children's show that begins to cross over into reality through hallucinations the main character has. However, I felt that this was a fairly meandering story. I'm assuming it's set up for a continued series, but by the time I finished it I just felt like I was left wondering what the real point was. There were enough mysteries that make the reader want to keep reading, but despite that I was left not really caring a lot for the next installment.

I was very excited to read this book as I loved Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series by Riggs. This first in the Sunderworld series did not disappoint.! Leopold is a lovable character that is mostly overlooked by his family and lives in his own world with magical happenings. His best friend helps him through the challenges of his real life and keeps him grounded when he observes fantastical occurrences. Leopold's closest ally is his mother, who has passed away and left him adrift. Riggs expertly weaves Leopold's hopes of a magical purpose with his fears of inadequacy and loss. The magical aspects of the story are very visual and intricate, and eerily follow the storyline of an old series that Leopold's mother enjoyed. Leopold's life becomes more exciting and dangerous when he decides that Sunderland is real and begins to see and follow messages he is convinced are from his mother. Riggs masterfully combines the mundane with the peculiar to achieve an extraordinary quest for identity and an adventure foreshadowed by an old television series. This tale is full of the fantastical. But, just because it is unbelievable, does not mean it is not true! Even Leopold waffles between his conviction that Sunderland is real and his worry that he is delusional. This story is so creative and exciting, and I wasn't done come the book's end. It was quite literally like running down a hall and smacking into a wall at the end: What just happened? Where do we go now? What's next? I can't wait for the next in the series, but, alas, I must. Although geared toward a teen or young adult audience, I enjoyed it immensely as an older adult!

Ransom Riggs, you are one of my childhood authors that just continue to improve.

This story lives up to Riggs's other work, particular in the whimsical and fantastical nature of the writing. Is it made for children? Yes. Does the book entertain even the most pessimistic and cynical adults? Also yes. I devoured this book the same way I did Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I will be buying copies for all the teens in my life to read because it's just that good (okay maybe not all the teens in my life, but definitely my siblings).

4.5 stars
This was such a fun read! I enjoyed the nostalgia it gave me and I really loved the descriptions of some of the places Leopold visited. I want to visit the diner where he gets the token for the Angels Flight Railway. The ending was action packed. I will be on the lookout for the next installment.

It's not just the world building. It's not only Riggs' ability to fashion fantasy that extends way beyond the usual borders. It's not merely the whimsical, almost lyrical parts of the narrative. The thing that puts this book way ahead of so many other books that initially appear to be similar in plot is that Riggs creates characters with presence, personality and heft. In this sort of book, the more fantastical the premise and the action, the more real the characters have to be to keep the reader invested. That was certainly true for the Miss Peregrine series, and it works the same way here. Both Riggs fans and those new to his style should be pleased with this effort.

Leopold, still reeling from his mother's death and struggling with feelings of inadequacy imposed by his overbearing father, finds solace and escape in the obscure TV show, but when bizarre elements from the show start manifesting in real life, Leopold realizes something is wrong. He and his friend Emmet soon discover that the TV show "Max's Adventures in Sunderworld" is not make-believe but real. He is driven by his feelings of inadequacy and his father's constant belittling to change his life and be the hero he knows he can be.

I devoured this book. It was so action-packed, and I love a zero-to-hero kind of story. I loved how this story allowed Leopold to relive cherished moments with his mom. Leopold is impulsive, and the guy who, if he did not have bad luck, wouldn't have any luck. This fact creates a lovable character you are rooting for throughout the book.

The world-building is so off the wall, and anything is possible. I have never read anything like this book before. It is strange and whimsy, but it also takes a deep look at self-doubt and personal insecurities and how that can affect our internal and external battles. The book was skillfully executed and will take you on a wild ride. I can't wait for the next book.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Dutton Books for Young Readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC of this novel.

“Mister Worthington,” Leopold said evenly. “I’m of the opinion that it would be completely irresponsible of us to leave here tonight without first doing some magic.” Emmet nodded seriously. “Stupid, even.” Kaye arrived with the check. “You guys have a coupon, is that right?”

If Ransom knows how to do anything it is write a fantastic modern reality bending fantasy novel series. And this novel is nothing different. We start off this novel meeting Leopold/Larry a devastatingly average person. He is having strange visions of another world that coincides with one a show called Sunderworld that is seemingly lost media. We soon find out that what Leopold is seeing may actually not just hallucinations but he is actually seeing into the magical fantasy world of sunder. With help from his best friend Emmet he starts to unravel the mystery.

Miss Peregrines is one of my all time favorite series of all times so when I saw the announcement that Ransom was releasing this new series I was ready to unhinge my jaw and devour it whole. From the beginning of the novel I could tell this was gonna be a high rated read for me. Ransom just has a way to pull you into the characters story and make you invested into what is happening. This was a fast passed novel that felt high stakes and wanting to continue reading. I wanted to know where the story was heading and couldn't turn the page fast enough. He amazingly sets up for the rest of the series.

The only problem I have with it is that the book is not even published and I am needing the rest now

From the author of the Mrs Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children series, comes a brand new enthralling fantasy series. Sunderworld more than exceeded my expectations! With a unique storyline and even more extraordinary world, Sunderworld felt like I was watching a movie unfold. The details put into it were so creative and I love how everything comes together so perfectly to build the world. Leopold is an ordinary yet extraordinary Boy who get’s swept into a world he once thought to be fictional. It’s a story that has found family, self discovery, and entertaining witty banter to keep you hooked to every word! Ransom Riggs has such a wonderful talent for transporting readers into the books he writes. This book felt like the beginning to an even bigger complex story and I’m so excited to see where it goes!

Sunderworld, Vol.1: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs is a wildly imaginative roller coaster ride that evokes Stranger Things and Ready Player One for me. Leopold, Larry to everyone in his life, is seeing some weird things in real life from a fictional TV series from the 1990s called Sunderworld. He finds out it’s a real place with really scary monsters. His mother who passed away several years ago left him a treasure map that sends him to the heart of Sunderworld and an adventure of epic proportions.

I would recommend this book for young adults and adults young at heart. If you loved Stranger Things, you will enjoy the thrill of riding into the unknown and staring down a scary creature. It’s a touching story about grief and a mother’s love, friendship, and finding the courage to be who you are. I would like to point out that this is Volume 1 and I’m already needing the second book ASAP, please.

Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for my arc!

Friends! this was fantastic. I laughed, I cried. The ending left me screaming. Ransom Riggs books have become so special to me, I associate them with someone who recently passed away in my life. I read Miss Peregrine the last time i saw them and now I just finished Sunderworld after they've been gone for almost 3 months. This was a very therapeutic read for me especially reading the scenes where Leopold talks about losing his mom. I just really loved this, the story is a classic coming of age with a main character who has been told he's not good enough for most of his life and you really get to see him grow and change those circumstances. I loved the side characters as well. I won't name them though because i want you to be as surprised as I was.

Highly Recommend Sunderworld Volume I

In this start to a new YA fantasy series, Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children’s author Ransom Riggs blends the real world and a magical world in this story about grief, a chosen family, and finding one’s power.

After his mother’s death, our protagonist Leopold (or Larry) discovers a VHS of a 1990s fantasy TV show, Max's Adventures in Sunderworld, among her things. Amidst battling with his dad, surviving high school, feeling lost, and grieving his mother, teen Leopold and his best friend Emmet immerse themselves in this tv series.

When he starts to see impossible things, he realizes that Sunderworld is real. Leopold and Emmet discover Sunder is hidden in plain sight in LA, but the city is in trouble. Leopold jumps into action and tries to follow the clues his mother left him and perhaps fulfill his destiny.

My only disappointment with Sunderworld, Vol. I: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry is that I must wait for Volume 2.

This book was great. Magic, urban world, time travel elements. Really well written and packed with twists and turns. Can’t wait for the next volume. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This is my first time reading anything from this author but it will not be the last.

I am struggling to write this review because I don't want to give any spoilers. The world of Sunderworld essentially a world within a world is absolutely amazing!

After the death of his mother Leopold "Larry" Berry has these visions of things that can't possibly be real. Family and friends are chalking it up to basically grief psychosis and suggest that he see a professional but something in Larry tells him that what he is seeing is real.

Larry knows a lot about Sunderworld through recorded episodes of the canceled popular television show, he even went on to create extra episodes to continue the story for himself.

This book is absolutely building for book 2. I for one will be waiting on it to be released!

a new ransom riggs book was the most exciting news to hear and when i saw this on netgalley after growing up with the miss peregrine series, i had to request it for nostalgia’s sake. that being said, this is a far leap from that sort of dark atmospheric fantasy. riggs succeeds at creating the perfect male lead go through adventures that enthrall you. can’t wait to read the rest!

A new book from Ransom Riggs!
Leopold Berry is extremely average in every way...except that sometimes...he sees things. Like a racoon spontaneously catching on fire, or a man putting a tooth in a parking meter and going through a hole in the ground. He's 17 and trying to figure out what to do next with his life. He's got a strained relationship with his dad, his mom died when he was young, and his best friend thinks he might be crazy.
This book is an adventure that takes us into Sunder Hill, a place that I do not want to give too much away about. Once the action got moving, I couldn't put it down. This was a book that I stayed up late to finish. I am looking forward to ,ore in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group for an early copy for review.

I really loved the Miss Peregrine series by Ransom Riggs and so was so excited to read this book, and I was not disappointed! He hit it out of the ballpark with this one! A great story about a boy ,Leopold, who retreated into a world he discovered from VHS tapes of an old series that he found after his mother died. He is once again having visions or hallucinations that are right out of that old TV series, Sunderworld. His best friend, Emmet, has always been there for Leopold and still is after Leopold tells him about the new visions. This story is filled with adventure, quirky characters and a lot of fun. I enjoyed this sooo much and look forward to the next book in the series.

** Rounding up from 4.5 stars **

I absolutely adored this book! Ransom Riggs has done it again and I am already anxiously awaiting a sequel! The world of Sunder drew me in immediately and is one I want to hop into the book to see! Leopold (Larry) may be my new favorite stereotypical awkward 18 year old. This is absolutely a book I could reread and Ransom Riggs could write anything and I'd be hooked.

I was sent a free digital ARC of Sunderworld, Vol. 1: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs thru NetGalley. Before I was sent this copy I had already preordered this book and after reading this I am happy I already preordered the book. It gives if The Magicians by Lev Grossman was written for teens vibes without actually being The Magicians written for a younger audience. It is nothing like The Magicians that's just the closest thing I can think of to describe it. This book is part one of a series so it does end with unanswered questions. Being that part of the plot involves a show the main character has watched on VHS parts of this book have a cinematic feel, there were also parts that felt a little unfinished but that might have more to do with the fact I read the ARC and not the actual set book or maybe those unfinished feeling parts are things that will be explained later in the series. Overall its a good read. I don't want to give away any plot points but if you are looking for a quick "chosen one" read then this is the book to go to. I am hoping a Sunderworld Guide comes out of this series because the premise of the show within this book feels familiar but I cannot place why. Overall good book, enjoyable read.

A love letter to corners to look around and imagination. A start to a series I can’t wait to continue. I appreciated the conversation about what is real and what is imagined and how doubt lives in all of us.

Great thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an arc!

I have loved his pervious work. So of course I had to dive in this one and loved it just the same! The way he developed the characters and stories make it feel like you are right there.