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Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles Review

Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles (Ronan Boyle #1)Title: Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles
Author: Thomas Lennon
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Trigger Warning: 
Rating: 3 Stars
Release Date: March 5, 2019

Synopsis

Fourteen-year-old Ronan Boyle is the youngest and lowliest recruit to the secret Garda, an Irish police force that handles the misdeeds of numerous magical creatures. Ronan’s parents are in jail, but Ronan is convinced that they were framed by the wee people. So, despite his small size, poor eyesight, and social awkwardness, he’s determined to learn all he can in the Garda in order to prove his parents’ innocence. To show he’s got what it takes, he’ll have to confront a fiery leprechaun, a sinister harpy, and a whole world of monsters hidden in plain sight next to real-life Ireland. Fast paced, action packed, and completely hilarious, this is the start to an exciting new middle-grade series by actor and writer Thomas Lennon.

Review

A special thank you to Netgalley and Amulet Books (ABRAMS Kids) for providing a free advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thomas Lennon's Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles explores a world full of magical creatures and as a boy first experiences them. The worldbuilding within this piece was absolutely phenomenal and I loved it. It seems a little confusing at first, but everything is built up to completing this world. Every chapter works within and to define the limits of this world and how everything is therefore able to work. I can see the interaction between worlds very well in my mind, not just within the magical world but also in Ireland, some of which is fictional and some isn't. The worldbuilding is by far is my favorite part of this book.

There were also some amazing backstories to characters, particularly the other trainees that Ronan befriends. The characters were fairly strong and acted realistically within this world. While Ronan kind of annoyed me, I appreciated his viewpoint as he is beginning to discover this brand new world and interact with creatures that had never been a part of his life before. His relationship with his parents was interesting, especially in contrast with how he feels about other characters.

Honestly though, I still have no idea of so many of the plot points. It annoyed me a little the undefined time jumps that seemed to move randomly, but it was even more so irritating that the plot did not always make sense. There is this great world created with some amazing characters, but the plot just fell flat. There seemed to be scenes were nothing happened and scenes that seemed important but I have no idea how they are supposed to interact with the storyline as I know it. I kept on hoping it was going to get better, and it just didn't. What I pieced together as the main plot is really incomplete, and not in a leaving it open ended. No, like as in this book should have more solid material that contributes to the plot.

Still, it is a solid 2.5 or 3 stars for me because I was definitely invested in the characters and this fascinating world that was created. I just wish that the plot was stronger. I really want to enjoy this story because of the parts of it that I do, but there just isn't enough of a basic storyline for me to be able to rate it any higher. Log is by far my favorite character, and I love the rhyming rules and guessing names of the leprechauns. I just can't understand the plot points or the storyline.


Seriously though, the worldbuilding is absolutely fantastic and I adore the world, I just have problems with a few other things. What are some other books that you absolutely adore the worldbuilding in? Let me know in the comments.

This weekend, I'll be starting a Camp Nanowrimo blog series! Starting to work more on the writing part of my blog. I may also be changing my blog name and url.


Thanks for reading!
Alyssa
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