The Next Best Read For All- The Extradionay Disappointments of Leopold Berry- Took Me to a Place, as a Reader, I Haven’t Been to Since the Creation of Harry Potter
By Jeneane Vanderhoof
If you haven't read Ransom Rigg’s newest release, the first in a series set in a magical place called Sunderworld, you may want to start your weekend out with The Extraordinary Disappointments Of Leopold Berry- because even as a Dutton release for young readers, as an adult, I found myself emerged in a world much like Leopold Berry found himself in (as he is the main character in the book and I, the reader) and like him, I didn't want to leave. The best, I think, to come out of Ransom Rigg and series writing though, is that while the books do go on (after this first book ends), the author doesn't leave a reader dangling terribly from a cliff like some authors do (when ending the first book in a series)- because even while I felt there was much more to come in the series when this particular book ended, I felt I had been satisfied enough by this first book, that I could bear waiting (of only for just a bit ;). I will admit though, the book does end at a very adventurous point though.
Hoeever it begins with readers being introduced to the world of Leopold Berry, not all that extraordinary- (yet)- as he is a young man living in Los Angeles who, after his mother having died when he was 12 years old (which was a few years ago), had found old VHS tapes that Berry assumes were hers and, in watching them, becomes obsessed with the magical world of Sunderworld, that these VHS tapes first show the first season of. Even Leopold's best friend Emmet loves the show, so much so the boys find themselves, over the years as they grow up, redoing scenes and playing the characters in the show themselves.
Very much like the VHS show he watched for so long and also, very much not like it, Leopold finds an entry into this magical world. Even when getting there, Leopold finds so many things and places just like the show but then so many differences- one of which is that the magical place lacks “aether”- a substance necessary, it seems, for a magical realm to sustain itself. Aether is, of course, on that VHS taped show, but when the emergency warning system goes off while the boys are there (in Sunderworld), and they proceed “to the nearest refugee point to await further instructions”- while they discover that this is “only a test”, as the boys think of what to do next, they hear Executive Angela Ramirez's new conference. Ramirez, a high ranking of Sunderworld, explains that while there isn't a large problem with Sunderworld’s lack of aether (which, like me, many readers may get the sneaking suspicion that, like the real world, politicians lie in Sunderworld too, and they are about the real issue with aether), the search for a channeler continues, as this type of “magical” person will be able to take their extremely rare spark of once in a generation, magical talent, and work to solve the aether shortages that have been prevalent around Sunderworld.
When the boys hear this, both think that this may be the reason that Sunderworld has opened up and accepted them in (something that has never happened before, in the many years they have been “play-acting” Sunderworld). Since it is Leopold who is the real obsessive, and also oddly able to grasp and wield magical objects with ease since their moment of entry- we see they both suspect Berry may be here for this reason, and both suspect he could be a channeler. After all, why would they have gained entry into Sunderworld, if not for a reason? Oddly too, in this magical realm you can easily get a hold of a high ranking official (what a shocker)- and moments after a call is made to Angela Ramirez, they find themselves on their way to her, where Leopold finds he has to go through a test, (oddly similar to the main character on the show he so lovely recreated for so many years).
What ensues is something Leopold Berry certainly wasn't prepared for, and when he fails, magical officials choose to wipe the boys minds and return them back to their own world. But what the magical officials were unprepared for, is that while Leopold easily remembers everything (which shouldn't be possible), it seems since Emmett has known about Sunderworld much longer than the officials were aware (like when the boys first watched the show that had been made, based on a real world, it seems), the mind wipe takes Emmett back much further, creating disastrous issues for the young man (and all around him). Unable to comprehend the age his mind has become, and the world around him, Emmett, in the end, seemingly seems not himself at all- and terribly out of control (which is very much not like the Emmett readers grow to adore).
Upon his return from Sunderworld (after his failure), Leopold finds something left behind for him by his mother. A magical object that begins a large hunt for something he needs- leads Leopold directly to a girl who he has seen several times, watching him, Isabel and her uncle. Here Riggs additions of two more comprehensively fun and funny characters, with creatively unique magical powers and spells they use and show Leopold how to work, to get out of the terribly situations as he the cast is hunted by his father, the Los Angeles police and worst of all- the Sunderworld police (who will do anything now, it seems, to capture Leopold and anyone else who helps him), the characters in the book are ones that have already captured my interest, mind and heart- I can't remember the last time I was so engaged in a book like this.
Full of adventure, fun, a uniquely old, obsessively addictive show (at least to Emmett and Leopold) found on VHS tapes, a magical realm that I thoroughly enjoyed delving into (somewhat like the magical world of Harry Potter but with its own unique qualities that makes it separate, unique and memorable), Sunderworld is a series I have been waiting for, really, since Rawling’s magnificent creation. If anything can come close to touching the entertainment readers found within the Harry Potter books (and the creation of the movies, games and everything else after), it is Ransom Riggs and Sunderworld. While I certainly would never want to compare the two (as both have a quality and charm all it's own), I felt I was finally able to capture that same sense of wonderment that I felt when first reading the Harry Potter books again- within the first book in this series, The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry- and that there was this great fantasy realm in a book that I was really excited about (again), with a character on a great quest. However I think Riggs did a sublimely superb job of creating a totally unique set of objectives, experiences and it was really the back story I liked best about Sunderworld- as facts about Leopold's mother begin to come out- however it's that old VHS show that's got me overly curious- wanting to know the how and why of it being made, how it got on VHS tapes- because it doesn't seem that it had ever been shown on television (or has it).
Full of mystery, magic, adventure, with a distinct, unique quality of its own- Sunderworld (at least for me) is this generation’s “realm of wonder” for young readers. Wishing I could appreciate it in my youth, I can only feel great joy in the fact I still get to read it as an adult (or at all). I highly recommend It for the young and old alike- it’s just too good to miss and a must read for all!