Holomonsters
by Lee Newbery, illustrated by Alessandro D'Urso
Interest age: 9 to 14
Reading age: 9+
Published by Puffin
About this book
Newt Hawkin is obsessed with Holomonsters, a game where holograms of fantastical creatures battle, using their unique powers and skills. When he wins a local tournament, he’s invited to Holomonsters HQ to test out a levelled-up version of the game. The enhanced tech has Newt and his new friends super-excited and amazed – the monsters seem so real. But could something more sinister be happening? And can Newt stop it before anything dangerous happens?
This action-packed adventure contains much to enthral a reader – thrills, fierce competition between teams, and wildly fantastical monsters. There’s a delightful familiarity for anyone who’s played Digimon or with Pokémon cards, but with added peril. There’s a mystery at the heart of it – what did happen to Newt’s mother? – and the themes of bullying, friendship and doing what’s right are explored in a sensitive manner. To complete the appealing package, there are energetic black-and-white illustrations throughout.
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