Saturday Short-Story Review: Alien (Mysterious Monsters #2) by David Michael Slater

Hello book lovers! Today’s short story review is on Alien (Mysterious Monsters #2) by David Michael Slater.

Publication Date: March 12th 2018

Publisher: Corgi Bits (Incorgnito Publishing Press)

Read Date: March 30th 2018

Genre: Children’s Fiction / Mystery

Pages: 108

Stars: 5/5

With Bigfoot safely stashed in their basement, Maddie, Max, and Theo Mattigan are off to Las Vegas with their dad. His plan is to prove there are no aliens on the loose there. But now that his kids know that Mysterious Monsters are real, they’re making plans of their own. 

They’ll need clever disguises, well-hidden walkie-talkies – and more than a few broken eggs – to find out, once and for all, what’s hidden in the notorious Area 51.

Alien, second in Mysterious Monster book series that started right from the end of first book Bigfoot, in which Mattigan kids got involved in conspiracy that did lot of damage to their dad’s image but it also changed their mind, now they believed in Mysterious monsters. In this book Mattigan kids wanted to help their father in solving the mystery of Alien rumors in Las Vegas and prove it all fake but with their own plan.

Mattigan kids- Maddie (12), Max (10), Theo (8) – were again so smart, brilliant, more mature and different from other kids of their age. It was proved more than once during their hotel stay in Las Vegas. Their father, Marcus Mattigan was big skeptic who was hosting a show ‘Monstrous Lies with Marcus Mattigan’ proving that all fantasies and monsters are fake. I loved this adorable kids and their father. This was most fascinating family I ever read.

Book was narrated again in third person mesmerizing story teller voice. The beginning, introductory chapter, was great with overview of Mattigans and their next adventure. I loved Mattigans’ illustration throughout the book. Max was great with putting puzzle together and was true spy in the book. Theo was such cute and innocent boy, this little guy was so charming and made me smile. Maddie’s motherly care for her siblings didn’t go unnoticed and again she was such impressive big sister and daughter. Their understanding  regarding their father’s skeptic nature and that he is not ready for facing the real monsters and accepting the truth of it was remarkable.

I loved Mattigans’ research on the aliens and rumors around it. Till the end of the book it kept me wondering whether Alien story was a real or not and what will happen if they found real Alien. This book had less twist and turns compared to first one, kid’s plan of capturing alien was unpredictable but who was the alien at the end, I could see it coming. Author did great with suspense and the twist just before alien’s mask was uncovered at the end was surprising.

Walkie talkie, spy kit, spy tips, teachable moments, and aliens will definitely pique interest of young readers. One of the moment that I truly love which was teachable moment for children and also showed maturity of Mattigan kids was gambling at casino and how Maddie and max phrased people playing there as ‘Zombies’.

End was great and this line so fits the end of the book,

“What happened in Vegas got out of Vegas.”

There is some family mystery as well which I’m sure will be uncovered in future books of the series and I’m looking forward to read more about Mattigan family and their monstrous adventure. I have a feeling by the end of the series Mattigans’ basement is going to be flooded with monsters. 😉

Overall, it was fun entertaining alien mystery that all kids would love to read.

Author: David Michael Slater

To know more about author click ⇒HERE⇐

Illustrator: Mauro Sorghienti

Buy Link: Amazon.in / Amazon.com

*** Note: I received review copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to publisher, author, and NetGalley. ***

What do you think about the book and my review? Have you read this book already? Have you read something similar to this before? Share your thoughts in comment-box below.