I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham Narrator: Fiona Hardingham
Length: 8 Hours 24 Minutes
Series: The Luck Uglies #1
Published by Harper Collins on April 29th 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy & Magic, Action & Adventure, General
Pages: 416
Format: Audiobook, eARC, Hardcover
Source: Library, Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
The first in a series with the makings of a modern classic, The Luck Uglies is an irresistible cross between Joseph Delaney's The Last Apprentice and Chris Colfer's Land of Stories series, overflowing with adventure, secrets, friendship, and magic.
Rye O'Chanter has seen a lot of strange things happen in Village Drowning: children are chased through the streets. Families are fined for breaking laws that don't even exist. Girls aren't allowed to read anymore, and certain books—books that hold secrets about Drowning's past—have been outlawed altogether.
Now a terrifying encounter has eleven-year-old Rye convinced that the monstrous, supposedly extinct Bog Noblins have returned. Before the monsters disappeared, there was only one way to defeat them—the Luck Uglies. But the Luck Uglies have long since been exiled, and there's nobody left who can protect the village.
As Rye dives into Drowning's maze of secrets, rules, and lies, she begins to question everything she's been told about the village's legend of outlaws and beasts . . . and what she'll discover is that it may take a villain to save them from the monsters.
This critically acclaimed debut middle grade novel was named an ALA Notable Book and a New York Public Library Title for Reading and Sharing and won the Cybil Award for Middle Grade Speculative Fiction.
Why Did I Listen To The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham?
The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham has such a great cover. I am really into the blue-green color palette of the cover. Of all the books on my Hoopla TBR, The Luck Uglies happened to be the shortest. It is a bit of a shallow reason to listen to an audiobook, but in all honesty that’s what gets me through my queue the quickest.
What’s The Story Here?
Paul Durham’s The Luck Uglies is about this girl named Rye O’Chanter who has this scary experience. So, because of her experience, she believes these monsters called the Bog Noblins are back. Rye wants to turn to a secret society called The Luck Uglies, hence the book title. The Earl Longchance rules Rye’s home, Village Drowning. He has all these awful rules, so Rye breaks them along with her friends. Alas, the Luck Uglies are Village Drowning’s last chance against the Bog Noblins.
How Did I Like The Luck Uglies?
So, I gave Paul Durham’s book three stars and I don’t know that I will continue on with the series. While I did think the story was quite imaginative, I just never felt invested in the story. Rye is a pretty awesome character and I do have a soft spot for rule breakers. On the whole though, I just wasn’t engaged by this book. I kind of feel like the black sheep on this book. I can attribute that feeling to one characteristic though.
How’s The Narration?
Maybe if I had read The Luck Uglies physically instead of listen to the audiobook, I would have been more in tuned with the story. As it stands, the audiobook is narrated by Fiona Hardingham. I’ve listened to other books by her before. I think this is a case of it’s not you, it’s me. She’s a great narrator, but I just sort of tune out as she narrates. That’s so awful to say. However, I think that you should still give this a shot if the story strikes your fancy.
Other reviews of The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham:
- Fantasy Book Critic – “unique, fast-paced, and filled with fantasy-adventure“
- Kid Lit Frenzy – “will draw in readers“
- Waking Brain Cells – “a fabulous fantasy“
Click here to support Good Books & Good Wine with your purchase of The Luck Uglies:
Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)
- The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth | Audiobook Review - May 12, 2025
- Stay Awake by Megan Goldin | Audiobook Review - May 10, 2025
- Mapping The Interior by Stephen Graham Jones | Novella Review - May 4, 2025
