Brad About Books: Professor Gargoyle by Charles Gilman

Read on March 25, 2013

PROFESSOR GARGOYLE
Published: September 25, 2012
Publisher: Quirk
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 168 pages
Source: RAK
Series: Lovecraft Middle School, #1

Strange things are happening at Lovecraft Middle School. Rats are leaping from lockers. Students are disappearing. The school library is a labyrinth of secret corridors. And the science teacher is acting very, very peculiar. Robert Arthurt knew that seventh grade was going to be weird, but this is ridiculous!

With the help of some unlikely new friends, Robert discovers there's more to Lovecraft Middle School than meets the eye. Can he uncover the secrets of the school before it's too late?

Fun and creepy, Professor Gargoyle is a mad, morbid, and hilarious tale! This book will delight readers of all ages.

This novel is such a fast-read. I will admit that the exposition of the book is pretty slow, simply because it's setting up the characters, the background, and Lovecraft Middle School itself. But after awhile, the story began to flow seamlessly, and I really connected to Professor Gargoyle. Middle grade is always a fun and enduring genre; this one was no exception. And believe me when I say that fun is packed between these pages. It may be a bit twisted at sometimes, but fun nonetheless.

Robert was an awesome character - I felt bad for him at times, but he grew a backbone and stood up for himself. That's what redeemed his character for me. And of course, you can't forget Glenn. I really disliked him in the first half {for obvious reasons}, but Charles Gilman took a turn I didn't expect. He knows how to put a spin on characters!

And wow, this book is creepy. Towards the end, a certain character transforms, and the way it's described made my skin crawl. But that's thing, it wasn't only described - it was illustrated too. Wonderful illustrations can be found throughout the Lovecraft Middle School series, and towards the end, they got so eerie and frightening. Gilman took a terrifying turn within the final 30 pages, and I loved it so much. It was fantastic!

Overall, Professor Gargoyle started off slow in the beginning but quickly worked it's way up to a mystic and scary conclusion. Want monsters and two-headed rats in your school? Look no further, because Professor Gargoyle will wholly satisfy you!

MY RATING