This is a fun book for grades 5-8 (supposedly but I'd say it's more like grades 5 and 6). It is a fun book that is part of a series. From a purist perspective, not terrifically well written but a good story and fun for this age group to read. It involves a mysterious letter, twelve clues and interesting events. The author has a good sense of humor and the plot is strong. The author seems in tune with kids today and my kids enjoyed the story too - even though they are in middle school. This is true YA fiction in its purest form. I recommend this to any young person who enjoys reading and fantasy fiction. ( )

I thought it was interesting because it had a lot about quantum physics and alternate realities. ( )

The unfortunately named 13-year-old Atticus "Tick" Higgenbottom is a self-described nerd who chooses to give in to the schoolyard bullies when they torment him, as they frequently do. He's a straight A student, is on the chess team and loves science. Tick also has a birthmark on his neck that makes him so self-conscious that he covers it, inside and outside, winter and summer, with a long knitted scarf.

One day in November Tick receives a letter postmarked from a small town in Alaska that informs Tick that he's been chosen to be a part of dangerous and possibly deadly events, but first he needs to solve a series of clues, that are also described as dangerous and possibly deadly. Tick, being curious and good is intrigued by the letter and chooses to not burn it because the letter also explains that if he succeeds in solving the clues he'll save many lives.

Throughout the next half-year Tick receives many more clues that he attempts to solve with the help of some other chosen teenagers and a cadre of unlikely otherworldly characters.

This book was surprisingly hard to put down. I was never bored reading it and looked forward to reading it each time I picked it up. It kept my attention -- even when sitting on bleachers in a noisy gym during a wrestling tournament. It even scared me a little, especially when Tick heard noises in his bedroom shortly after receiving the first letter:

"Late that night, after watching the movie Dad had brought home--a creepy sci-fi flick where the hero had to travel between dimensions to fight different versions of the same monster--Tick lay on his bed alone, reading the letter once again. Night had fallen hours earlier and the darkness seemed to creep though the frosted window, devouring the faint light from his small bedside lamp. Everything lay in shadow, and Tick's mind ran wild, imagining all the spooky things that could be hiding in the darkness.

...

A noise from the other side of his room cut him out of his thoughts. He leaned on his elbow to look, a quick shiver running down his spine. It had sounded like the clank of metal against wood, followed by a quick burst of whirring--almost like the hum of a computer fan, but sharper, stronger--and it had lasted only a second or two before stopping."

I think that the storyline in this book is very good and rather unique. It takes the good vs. evil theme and makes it readable, even for a middle-aged grown-up like me. I imagine it would appeal to upper elementary school students, especially if they like science fiction or fantasy stories. The characters are moderately well developed, although everyone but Tick and perhaps his father, seem a little one-dimensional. Sophia, Tick's friend from Italy is a rich smart-alack but we know little else about her. Paul, their friend from California is full of himself and seems to like sports, but what else? Rutger is portly and likes to eat. Mothball is tall and kind. I would have liked the supporting characters to be a little more fleshed out.

My other problem with this book was the author's voice. Voice is usually a good thing in stories, however Mr. Dashner's voice is too strong in this story. It comes through in all the characters. His sense of humor is slightly stilted -- as if he's working to hard to get a laugh out of a group of bored businessmen and has no idea how to do it, but thinks he does. The humor also seems dated. I cringed and had a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach several times in most chapters -- thinking that the characters' words could have been different and the meaning would have come across just as well, or better.

Maybe the voice works for school-aged readers -- perhaps the humor is just right for 5th graders -- but I suspect not. I think that Mr. Dashner has an incredible imagination and for the most part wrote a book that will keep many readers engrossed, however the delivery of the story needs a little refinement. I'm not sure I'll read the next installment of The 13th Reality, although the first volume left me wanting more (which is a good thing with the first book in a series).Perhaps I will read it, though -- perhaps the writing style has changed a little. Maybe I'll read some of his newer books as well, because I think this guy has potential.

Also reviewed at Clutch Cargo Lips ( )

Reviewed by Voracious Reader for TeensReadToo.com

Can you solve the mystery?

James Dashner's first story in his new THE 13TH REALITY series, THE JOURNAL OF CURIOUS LETTERS, revolves mainly around a young boy named Atticus (or "Tick" as he likes to be called).

Tick's adventure begins when he arrives home to find a cryptic letter giving him riddles on something that is supposedly going to save the lives of people around him. Intrigued, he begins his investigation, and, gaining a few friends along the way, tries to dismantle the riddles given to him in a series of thirteen letters.

With quirky characters and an engaging, humorous plot, Mr. Dashner also manages to include a little about Quantum physics that will hopefully cause the reader to question further.

The best thing about the book is that although it is magic, it incorporates reality effectively, which makes it more believable. Which, in turn, makes it easier to lose yourself within the story. ( )

I read this a while back and never did the review. However, this is a nice children's fantasy. While it was a bit too Fantastical for my personal taste, I can say that it is a very popular series at my library with children, teens and some adults. ( )