Book Review: Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot by Isaac Rudansky

Short Description

Georgie Summers spends his days tending to his ill father, braving the horrors of school bullies and shooting his slingshot. However, his father's health is deteriorating, and strange things are happening to others around him. When a mysterious voice speaks of a peculiar object and a horrifying tear stretches across the sky, Georgie knows his life will never be the same. Now, Georgie's father has been taken by what came from beyond the tear and it's up to Georgie and his friends, Apurva and Roscoe, to get him back. However, they must journey to Scatterplot and uncover the mystical Aetherquill to have any chance at success. They must join the scribes of Scatterplot to stop evil forces from destroying their worlds as they know them.

(Read the official synopsis on Amazon or Goodreads)

Review

Disclosure: I received this book from the author. However, this is not a paid review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

First thoughts

I've loved reading middle-grade books for as long as I can remember, and fantasy is one of my favorite genres. So, when I was contacted about reviewing this book I couldn't say no. Also, I love the wintry cover so much!

Plot

I enjoyed every minute I spent reading Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot. It is a wondrous tale of adventure, friendship, love, family, whimsy, belonging, discovery, and memory. One of my favorite themes explored in this book is the importance of memories and how they connect so many people. I was blown away by how Isaac Rudansky gave such wonder and whimsy to the more dry and theoretical concept of memories and their recollection. I loved how the pain, sorrow, and resilience of living with an ill family member was depicted. Georgie's love and support for his father were so endearing that I instantly grew attached to him. The concern and deep fear he would feel when his father's condition seemed to worsen filled me with dread too.

I love the importance this book gave to more serious topics like memory loss while still keeping it light enough to interest a younger readership. Georgie's quest to save his father was exhilarating and harrowing, to say the least. I love everything about Scatterplot, though I can't wait to discover more about it, but my favorite part has to be how the scribes perform their everyday duties. Such a unique magic system, yet there's a sense of familiarity that makes everything seem more magical. 

We embark on a dark, unsettling road riddled with complications, yet friendship, love, and teamwork make the journey fun. I have to say, I am impressed by the originality of the plot. I've read many middle-grades yet I was at the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. This book had a darker feel than the middle grades I usually read, so if you're looking for something a little different you'll love this book.

I've seen other readers compare this book to Harry Potter, but it reminds me more of a mix between The Mysterious Benedict Society and Inkheart, two favorites of mine. At times, it also feels like a Ghibli movie. However, this story doesn't need any comparison. It is a wonderful and unique fantastical adventure.  The ending left me stunned. I wasn't expecting such a huge cliffhanger, and now I'm busy yearning for the next book to find out what happens next. 

Characters

Georgie - When Georgie was introduced, I knew he'd be a character I'd love. He is kind, caring, resourceful, and a slingshot prodigy. He lives every day in a rundown house caring for his sickly father while trying to juggle the many unpleasantries of school life. His compassion and deep affection for his father stole the show for me. He encountered many difficult decisions, yet he dealt with them admirably. He's a wonderful lead to follow, and I can't wait to see what he'll do next.

Apurva - Another character that I was instantly attached to was Apurva. I always seem to gravitate towards book-smart characters like Hermione Granger, so Apurva immediately caught my attention. Despite being clever, she is empathetic, ambitious, resilient and brave. It was her bravery that drew me in rather than her intellect. Also, she dreams of exploring the many mysteries of outer space. This was a unique dream, and I can't wait to see how far she'll go in making that dream come true. Like Georgie, Apurva also has a sickly parent to care for. Her care, diligence, and deep yearning to save her mother warmed my heart.

Roscoe - In the beginning, Roscoe didn't make a great impression on me. I thought he was pretty annoying, but my opinion quickly changed, and he became one of my favorite characters. From a whiney, cowardly boy, he transforms into a character that instills confidence in everyone around him. I can go on and on about how Roscoe is an amazing character, but then I would spoil the book, and I never want to do that. Roscoe's character development is a wonder to behold, and I can't wait to read more. 

Eldritch - So, I'm going to be honest. I'm never too sure what to expect from villains in middle-grade books. They should be evil yet not horrific enough to deter young readers from reading about them. However, Eldritch was a surprise for me. He was unsettling in many ways, and his henchmen were by far the most frightening I've seen in a middle grade. His goals are vague and confusing at times while seeming demented at other times. He is an enigma, especially when you learn of his origin. He is not only cruel, but he is clever, conniving, and manipulative. So, all in all, a great villain.

Rollie D -  Rollie is my absolute favorite character in this book. Think of a fierce, red-headed warrior, and Rollie comes to mind immediately. She is strong, intimidating, emotional, domineering, swift, and a great leader. Her arrows move faster than light, but it is her heart that made me love her. She reminds me of a fiercer, more savage Merida from Brave, which is always a plus.

Things I Didn't Like

After racking my brain trying to remember something I didn't like in this book, I realized that there was only one thing I didn't like, and that was that now I have to wait to find out what happens next!

In Summation

As a lifelong middle-grade fantasy addict, I can confidently assert that I loved Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot. It had all my favorite tropes - a unique magic system, found family, interdimensional travel, and an epic quest. The book was also pretty fast-paced compared to some of the other middle grades I read, so if you're in the mood for a fast-paced adventure, you'll love this book. If you love books with compelling characters and amazing character development, you should give this book a try. Needless to say, if middle grades aren't your thing, you probably won't like it. However, if you have children who love fantasy this could be a great addition to their reading list! I can't wait to read more about Georgie's magical adventures.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐

Emoji depiction: 📖🐛🧠

Thanks for reading, if you haven't read my review of Eunoia by Hannah Campbell yet, you can do so here.