'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Review: Puzzle Palace


Title: Puzzle Palace

Author: Leanne Davidson

Illustrator: N/A

Publisher: LJD Books, $14.95 RRP

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780980724103

For ages: 8+

Type: Novel

About: The third in the series, this book sees Brain Davis take on another quiz challenge. In Quizzical we saw him in a quiz show against the unbeatable elite school, and then find himself filling in for his best friend in the next instalment, Money Bags.

In Puzzle Palace, Brain is invited to a grand new development to face his greatest challenge yet: a race to solve the puzzles and clues, only to reach an unexpected conclusion.

Acting as a modern-day Charlie against Henry Daram’s Willy Wonka, Brain wins the coveted ticket and enters the quiz-lovers’ theme park amongst much clandestine activity. He and the rest of the group must prove themselves worthy of their final prize, or face the consequences if they fail to do so.

All the characters are familiar to us by this third book in the series, and they do not disappoint as we learn more and more about each of them. Ted is still learning to handle girls, there are more mysteries to be solved by Brain and, of course, it wouldn’t be a Quizzical book without Mischief the dog.

As with all the books in the series, Puzzle Palace is a fun read, jam-packed with action and interesting facts. Davidson manages to write in just the tone you would hear from a boy Brain’s age, with sarcasm and humour throughout.

This is a great read for primary school aged children, particularly boys who are after an excitement-filled, action-packed, interesting story.

Buy this book online

Author website