Published: September 5, 2017
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Series: Prosper Redding #1
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Pages: 362 (Hardcover)
My Rating: 4.0/5.0
Synopsis:
I would say it’s a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness.
Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history — that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper’s great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made — and then broke — a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, four-thousand-year-old Alastor isn’t exactly the forgiving type.
The fiend has reawakened with one purpose — to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his future without a side of eternal servitude, thanks.
Little does Prosper know, the malefactor’s control over his body grows stronger with each passing night, and there’s a lot Alastor isn’t telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host.
I’ve had this book lingering on my Audible wishlist for over a year now and I finally got around to it (go me!). I will also clarify that this is in fact a middle grade book, which I somehow did not realize until I picked it up. Now, middle grade is often too obviously for younger kids for me to really enjoy it, but this was cute! I thought the story was fun, a bit morbid, and also laugh out loud hilarious at some moments.
As the title points out, this is the dreadful tale of Prosper Redding. Prosper and his twin sister are the youngest members of the obscenely wealthy Redding family in Massachusetts. Their parents (who seem to be the only decent members of the family) run a non-profit and their grandmother may actually be the devil. Speaking of devils – the family is apparently cursed for breaking a deal with a demon and in a failed attempt to kill the demon, it gets stuck in Prosper. He’s got a brand new friend in his head! He’s also on the run with his estranged cousin and uncle because his family is trying to kill him.
It’s a perfectly grim tale, while still going through the paces of middle grade issues like a new school, family drama/trauma, and fitting in. It’s also the perfect autumn or Halloween read, since it’s set right at Halloween in Salem, MA! I’d highly recommend this for folks who might want to buddy read with a middle-grade aged reader. I think it’s a fun read for a wide age range. There is a sequel and I’m not sure I’ll continue on with it because I was fairly happy with how the book ended. Fortunately, this is only a duology and not a lengthy series.
Powder & Page 
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