The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry

Ransom Riggs' The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry marks a compelling return to the world of YA fantasy. Fans of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children will find the same mix of whimsy and emotional depth here, though this time Riggs weaves a surreal narrative through a maze of 1990s TV nostalgia and personal grief.

Leopold Berry, the flawed and endearing protagonist, is a teenager grappling with his mother’s death, his father’s disapproval, and increasingly bizarre hallucinations seemingly pulled from an obscure TV show. As his visions intensify, Leopold embarks on an adventure that blends urban fantasy with family secrets, discovering that ‘Sunderworld’—a world he thought existed only on VHS tapes—is terrifyingly real.

Riggs’ world-building is both intricate and inventive, drawing readers into a parallel universe where the lines between reality and fiction blur. While the pacing sometimes stumbles, particularly in some underdeveloped ‘Sunderworld’ sections, the novel’s emotional core keeps readers engaged.

Leopold’s journey—equal parts magical quest and coming-of-age struggle—makes for a fascinating exploration of loss, self-worth, and destiny. With a cliffhanger ending that leaves more questions than answers, Leopold Berry promises to be a thrilling, if slightly uneven, start to a new series sure to capture young imaginations.