Leopold Berry’s Extraordinary Disappointments: Sunderworld, Book 1 Book Review

Parents need to know: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry The first in a new series by best-selling author Ransom Riggs (the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series). Leopold is a 17-year-old who has long fantasized about living in the world of his favorite old TV show about the fictional Sunderworld. The violence takes place in a fantasy world, mostly using magical abilities, devices, and spells against scary, dangerous fantasy creatures and human enemies. Pain and blood are mentioned but not described in detail. A fantasy creature vomits up stinging insects. A parent frequently verbally bullies and berates his teenager. Vulgar language includes “s–t,” “f–k,” and variations of both, “d–khead,” “a–hole,” “goddamn,” and more. A teenager says “unpres,” and once vaporizes something that smells like apricots. The teenagers are seen smoking outside a nightclub. An adult in the fantasy world is seen smoking three cigarettes at once. Leopold’s mother died of cancer five years ago, so parental loss is a strong theme and a major part of the plot. Isabel is a role model who stands out for her compassion and willingness to help others, even those she doesn’t know very well.