The Empire of Gut and Bone is the third YA sci-fi/fantasy novel in M. T. Anderson's Norumbegan Quartet.
Let me just say: this series is awesome! And if you haven't read both The Game of Sunken Places and The Suburb Beyond the Stars then you should NOT read The Empire of Gut and Bone. This story is too amazing and intricate to spoil, not to mention I think you'd be pretty darn confused. So just hop over to my review of The Game of Sunken Places here, or if you've read that book you can read my review of The Suburb Beyond the Stars here... but until then - avoid this review!!!
Now I am left with the fans of Norumbegan Quartet. You already love the series. How could you not? Okay, I'm sure there are a couple of you who didn't think it was so great - but the majority of you must have been as flabbergasted as me! You don't really need any persuading to read the third book - The Empire of Gut and Bone. So, in order to avoid any spoilers, I'm just going to give a little recap of where we left off in the series and what I thought of this third book. No plot details on this new one, okay?
So last we saw - best friends Gregory and Brian along with the automation troll Kalgrash (whom I heart!) were going to find the Norumbegans to let them know that the Thusser, their enemies, were no longer waiting for the outcome of the Game of Sunken Places to decide who gets to reside on Earth. The Thusser, last we saw them, were taking over a suburb, messing up the time and space of it, slowly sucking the people who lived there into the walls, making it habitable for them. Since this is in direct violation of the Rules, the trio went to inform the Norumbegans and get their help. But back in the suburb, time is moving much faster... will they be too late?
Like I said, no details on the plot of The Empire of Gut and Bone really - which I think you will thank me for once you read this third book without any preconceived ideas about what will happen!!!
I was SO EXCITED to read it, I am not even kidding! I think the Norumbegan Quartet is becoming one of my absolute favorite series - it grows more beloved the more often I think of it. It is a mind-bending, brilliant series that that takes an awesome pair of characters, and their out-of-this-world (literally) sidekicks and presents a hilarious, awesome, witty, clever, yet easy to invest in novel - wow!
The Empire of Gut and Bone, and the rest of the Norumbegan Quartet, is so extremely different from anything I've ever read - it pleases me both intellectually and entertainment-wise. M. T. Anderson riddles the book with fantastic twists and turns, but keeps a grounded quality that makes all the characters seem even more real - creating a thrilling adventure saga!
There seems to be no end to the creativity M. T. Anderson brings to the table. I am astounded by it as I read each smart, fun, unique page - honestly a must-read for any fan of sci-fi or fantasy! There are no age limits to this book - it is just plain awesome. Have I said that already? Oh well. ;)
The Empire of Gut and Bone is an excellent, laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes poignant, endlessly inventive, phenomenal read!!! Read it, and spread the word!!! More people need to know about the Norumbegan Quartet!
I absolutely cannot wait for the fourth and final novel!!!
***BIBLIOPHILE ALERT! I have been reading like an even crazier book addict than usual this year, and apparently three reviews a week can't keep up pace with me! Because of this, for the entire month of July I will be having FIVE reviews a week! That's right! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! So, please remember to check back here more often during July - and come August I'm planning on returning to three reviews a week. Keep the schedule change in mind, and don't miss any reviews! :)
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