Recent Reads: Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket by Chris Grabenstein

Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket by Chris Grabenstein

Series: Mr. Lemoncello's Library #5
Publisher: Listening Library (Audiobook edition)
Publication Date:  August 25th 2020  

 

Format: Audible Audiobook
Source:  Bought/ Pre-ordered :)

Rating: 

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Welcome! For the first time, you are invited INSIDE Mr. Lemoncello's one-of-a-kind Gameworks Factory in book five of the fun-filled, action-packed bestselling series from the much-loved coauthor of the I Funny and Max Einstein series!

Now with a brand-new look packed with shelf and kid appeal!

Far away from his magical library, everyone's favorite game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, is building something new. Something SECRET. And he's about to let the world see it. He'll reveal that hidden deep within the Lemoncello-tastic new building is a single ticket. A titanium ticket.

Four lucky boys and girls are about to win the chance to go inside the building on a spectacular scavenger hunt that will take them through bigger-than-life live-action games--towering, skyscraper-size Jenga; dizzying real-life Chutes and Ladders; death-defying games of Rush Hour; plus ball pit moats and more! Each game will get the players closer to the titanium ticket. But the real secret? Mr. Lemoncello is thinking about his legacy, and whichever player finds the ticket will be the first to win a spot in an elite group of kids who will compete in the next books to win Mr. Lemoncello's ENTIRE EMPIRE!

Review: 

I adore the Mr. Lemoncello series by Chris Grabenstein, it is so much fun and has books, libraries, puzzles, and games, all things that I love. This installment was a little bit different though. In book five, we follow new characters and the chance to win an even more spectacular prize than ever before. 

I really enjoyed the puzzles again, and I liked the introduction of new characters, however it was written as a continuation in the series but also didn't really tie in the older characters as much as I think they could have. While other books in the series have been very creative and newer concepts, this one had a very Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory vibe... winner gets it all, the entire Lemoncello empire because he has no heirs. Don't get me wrong I love Willy Wonka, but I just expected a bit more from the creative mind that Grabenstein has been through this series thus far.

All that said, I do enjoy this as another book in the series, even though it seems forced. The book featured wonderful glimpses of old and new games and trivia about games that were new to me and really enjoyed. I love board games, word puzzles, actual puzzles, and books, so this book really hits all those things for me and I think that middle grade readers that are just starting this series will love it too.

I recommend the series as a whole, and this is a decent book in the series. The first books are the best though. 

Reviews for Books 1-4