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Ronan Boyle #1
Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles
Fourteen-year-old Ronan Boyle is the youngest and lowliest recruit to the secret Garda, an Irish police force that handles the misdeeds of numerous magical creatures. Ronan’s parents are in jail, but Ronan is convinced that they were framed by the wee people. So, despite his small size, poor eyesight, and social awkwardness, he’s determined to learn all he can in the Garda in order to prove his parents’ innocence. To show he’s got what it takes, he’ll have to confront a fiery leprechaun, a sinister harpy, and a whole world of monsters hidden in plain sight next to real-life Ireland. Fast paced, action packed, and completely hilarious, this is the start to an exciting new middle-grade series by actor and writer Thomas Lennon.
Narrated by the author.
Narrated by the author.
5 pages, Audiobook
First published February 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
Want to read
March 25, 2019Omg. I saw the Good Mythical Morning episode promoting this book and Lennon was hilarious!
Now I definitely want to check it out (and try some vegan sausage) !
Now I definitely want to check it out (and try some vegan sausage) !
January 15, 2023
This was a super fun middle grade fantasy novel. I thought there was a great thread of humor in the story. I really liked that it takes place in Ireland there were footnotes with definitions of some of the Irish terms. I do think the story leapt pretty quickly, but it was trying to both set the stage for the series and be the first adventure of Ronan Boyle, unlikely hero. Ronan is a boy with a mission to prove his parents innocent even though they were convicted. He decides to join the Garda (Irish police) as an intern and because his boss feels bad for him he starts before he was probably technically old enough. But one case needed his specific skill set and he impressed the Captain and was transferred to the supernatural division. I love the more realistic versions of the mythical creatures. This was a fun adventure and one I’d definitely be open to continuing.
Shelved as 'never-reading-andor-finishing'
September 16, 2019DNF 62%: So Not My Cup Of Tea
The start of the book didn’t lay the ground for the rest of the book as I expected it to, rather it leaps right into the action, and the characters started to blur and didn’t stand out as individuals.
The book started ok but the writing didn’t weave a spell that had me falling into the world the author had created. There are books marketed for children/YA that I adore, and like to read but this just didn’t work and picking it up again felt like an unwanted chore.
Copy provided by Amazon.
The start of the book didn’t lay the ground for the rest of the book as I expected it to, rather it leaps right into the action, and the characters started to blur and didn’t stand out as individuals.
The book started ok but the writing didn’t weave a spell that had me falling into the world the author had created. There are books marketed for children/YA that I adore, and like to read but this just didn’t work and picking it up again felt like an unwanted chore.
Copy provided by Amazon.
March 7, 2019
Leprechauns, unicorns, merrows, and illustrations by that “Stone. Cold. Genius” John Hendrix—what more could you want? A hilarious story that was a constant delight to read.
December 8, 2019
Laughed out loud the whole time I read this I got this from the library so funny and couldn't put it down
March 6, 2019
Copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is absolutely a "gross humor" type of middle grade novel, which surprises me more than it probably should. I didn't realize that books for pre-teens could still have fart jokes in it and be enjoyable at the same time, but this first Ronan Boyle book ended up being good. And yet, I'm not giving this book four stars because of the gross humor-- there was just way too much of it, which took away from the character development that could have happened instead.
The strongest part of this book was the section that actually had to do with the Bridge of Riddles, around the two-thirds mark or so. The jokes were funnier and there was more action than the beginning of the novel. That's not really saying much, though, because the beginning was weird in the sense that it jumped right into the action and didn't contain a solid, well, beginning for the book. I had no idea what I was reading, but it all made sense at the end-- but it took until the end for me to consider this a good novel.
I would have liked a lot more character development from this book. All I learned about Ronan throughout the story was that he's awkward and Irish (which are both mentioned at least ten times each). But that's what the rest of the books in the series are for, right? I liked Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles because of its unique setting and action scenes, but I would have liked a tone-down on the rude humor and repetitiveness.
Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is absolutely a "gross humor" type of middle grade novel, which surprises me more than it probably should. I didn't realize that books for pre-teens could still have fart jokes in it and be enjoyable at the same time, but this first Ronan Boyle book ended up being good. And yet, I'm not giving this book four stars because of the gross humor-- there was just way too much of it, which took away from the character development that could have happened instead.
The strongest part of this book was the section that actually had to do with the Bridge of Riddles, around the two-thirds mark or so. The jokes were funnier and there was more action than the beginning of the novel. That's not really saying much, though, because the beginning was weird in the sense that it jumped right into the action and didn't contain a solid, well, beginning for the book. I had no idea what I was reading, but it all made sense at the end-- but it took until the end for me to consider this a good novel.
I would have liked a lot more character development from this book. All I learned about Ronan throughout the story was that he's awkward and Irish (which are both mentioned at least ten times each). But that's what the rest of the books in the series are for, right? I liked Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles because of its unique setting and action scenes, but I would have liked a tone-down on the rude humor and repetitiveness.
January 16, 2019
The story: Ronan Boyle joins the Garda--the Irish police force that deals with faerie folk--when his parents go to jail after being framed. His mission: prove his parents are innocent, and avoid falling in love with a gancanagh (it could happen). On the way, he learns that leprechauns are NOT cute, and like nothing more than to drink beer, eat pickles, and pass gas...and that you'd better wear knee guards if you want to survive a direct hit with a shillelagh. Can Ronan learn fast enough to survive all the dangers of Tir Na Nog? Or will he just end up like Brian Bean, the rapping ghost?
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG-13 (mostly leprechuns drinking and smoking); Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; overall rating PG (but best for grades 5-8....younger kids just won't get it).
Liz's comments: I thought this story was hilarious--sly, and full of both understated English humor and loveable naievete. Ronan is a geeky charmer, and my only hesitation about this one is that American MS readers might not get all the jokes because many are really quite nuanced, and understanding them depends on a higher level of reading. But never mind! I thought this was terrific, even though this volume was really nothing more than an extended backstory and first round of world building before the main story resumes in book 2. May it be soon!
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG-13 (mostly leprechuns drinking and smoking); Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; overall rating PG (but best for grades 5-8....younger kids just won't get it).
Liz's comments: I thought this story was hilarious--sly, and full of both understated English humor and loveable naievete. Ronan is a geeky charmer, and my only hesitation about this one is that American MS readers might not get all the jokes because many are really quite nuanced, and understanding them depends on a higher level of reading. But never mind! I thought this was terrific, even though this volume was really nothing more than an extended backstory and first round of world building before the main story resumes in book 2. May it be soon!
February 25, 2019
I loved it!!! Kept me hooked the whole time! Very entertaining!
June 26, 2022
***SPOILER ALERT***
I must admit, whilst choosing this book, I did have high hopes regarding the storyline and… not all of the things I was expecting from this book were present in the plot. Whilst reading, I did have a few queries and thoughts:
1) Why was this book titled ‘Ronan Boyle and The Bridge of Riddles’ when there wasn’t much significance of the Bridge of Riddles as compared to the significance of Tir Na Nog?
2) How did a ‘socially awkward’ average teenage boy with ‘horrible eyesight’ know how to become a Garda recruit when he was living with his flatmate in the normal world that we live in?
3) How can a 12 year old boy join the police?
Also, I was not overwhelmingly impressed with the ending; I felt as though it was quite abrupt and not much thought was put into how the whole story ended. Everything happens a bit too quickly- suddenly Captain de Valera and Lily disappear, suddenly Ronan Boyle gets promoted, suddenly we are randomly told on the last page that he saw the Bog Man in the carriage, not Lord Desmond Dooley!
Additionally, the character development was unsatisfactory- I actually preferred the other characters in the book with minor roles, such as Log, who actually had some sort of a personality, unlike Ronan who was just an average teenage boy who somehow joined the police and even became a detective at the end!
There were also quite a few loopholes in the storyline and in between I would occasionally lose track of what was going on due to unnecessary jokes and descriptions of random things. In the blurb, it mentioned that Ronan Boyle was trying to prove that his parents were wrongly imprisoned and made it seem as though a chunk of the plot would link to that, however, I still completely fail to comprehend his relationship with his parents and do not understand what he even did to help them get out of prison. Every time he would go to meet his parents, he, as the narrator, would simply start rambling on about how he disapproved of their decision to be part of gangs.
Nevertheless, I still love how Thomas Lennon has weaved together a whole new magical land, with mystical creatures and features that you wouldn’t find in other fantasy stories. Also, I must admit, I did laugh at some of the jokes in the book- a few of them were so ridiculous that they actually came across as funny! Having said, that the character development was unsatisfactory, I did really enjoy Log’s character- I had heard that this book was supposed to be like Harry Potter, and being a MASSIVE POTTERHEAD and an ardent fan of Harry Potter, I disagree. However, Log’s character did remind me of Luna Lovegood at times, which was pleasant. Ronan Boyle and Harry Potter did have some similarities in their personalities but, I feel that Log and Luna had more common attributes and… I will never be able to say that any character in any other book is like Harry Potter😄
Hence, I rated this book 3 out of 5 stars!
I must admit, whilst choosing this book, I did have high hopes regarding the storyline and… not all of the things I was expecting from this book were present in the plot. Whilst reading, I did have a few queries and thoughts:
1) Why was this book titled ‘Ronan Boyle and The Bridge of Riddles’ when there wasn’t much significance of the Bridge of Riddles as compared to the significance of Tir Na Nog?
2) How did a ‘socially awkward’ average teenage boy with ‘horrible eyesight’ know how to become a Garda recruit when he was living with his flatmate in the normal world that we live in?
3) How can a 12 year old boy join the police?
Also, I was not overwhelmingly impressed with the ending; I felt as though it was quite abrupt and not much thought was put into how the whole story ended. Everything happens a bit too quickly- suddenly Captain de Valera and Lily disappear, suddenly Ronan Boyle gets promoted, suddenly we are randomly told on the last page that he saw the Bog Man in the carriage, not Lord Desmond Dooley!
Additionally, the character development was unsatisfactory- I actually preferred the other characters in the book with minor roles, such as Log, who actually had some sort of a personality, unlike Ronan who was just an average teenage boy who somehow joined the police and even became a detective at the end!
There were also quite a few loopholes in the storyline and in between I would occasionally lose track of what was going on due to unnecessary jokes and descriptions of random things. In the blurb, it mentioned that Ronan Boyle was trying to prove that his parents were wrongly imprisoned and made it seem as though a chunk of the plot would link to that, however, I still completely fail to comprehend his relationship with his parents and do not understand what he even did to help them get out of prison. Every time he would go to meet his parents, he, as the narrator, would simply start rambling on about how he disapproved of their decision to be part of gangs.
Nevertheless, I still love how Thomas Lennon has weaved together a whole new magical land, with mystical creatures and features that you wouldn’t find in other fantasy stories. Also, I must admit, I did laugh at some of the jokes in the book- a few of them were so ridiculous that they actually came across as funny! Having said, that the character development was unsatisfactory, I did really enjoy Log’s character- I had heard that this book was supposed to be like Harry Potter, and being a MASSIVE POTTERHEAD and an ardent fan of Harry Potter, I disagree. However, Log’s character did remind me of Luna Lovegood at times, which was pleasant. Ronan Boyle and Harry Potter did have some similarities in their personalities but, I feel that Log and Luna had more common attributes and… I will never be able to say that any character in any other book is like Harry Potter😄
Hence, I rated this book 3 out of 5 stars!
April 9, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is a fun, imaginative fantasy that explores the concept of Irish mythology through the adventures of a bumbling young man named Ronan Boyle. I read somewhere that this is an Artemis-Fowl-esque series, and while the fantasy and mythology certain remind me of this series, I love that the main character is a relatable, awkward teen rather than a criminal mastermind.
I really enjoyed this book; the characters are all incredibly quirky and there are moments in here that made me laugh out loud. Lennon does an amazing job in twisting Irish mythology to fit this world he’s created; I have read quite a lot of fantasy based on Irish mythology, and this had a different flavor of fae than I’ve ever experienced.
My only complaint is that not much really happened in this book aside from setting up the world. While that in itself was enjoyable, the plot was rather thin and just when I thought some progress was finally going to be made on the Boyle intrigue, the book ended. Of course, this makes me VERY excited for the next book, I just hope that is actually paid off at some point. Readers who like more action-packed novels might not love this book, but I’m hoping the sequel is more exciting.
This book packs some of my favorite tropes into one book: an awkward teen main character, a boarding-schoolish feel with Boyle training to be a Garda, and a young man in search of redeeming his family. It’s all put together with a wink and a sly smile; this is a book that is pure entertainment and fun that you’re really not supposed to take very seriously. Overall, I enjoyed it, even if I felt it dragged in bits because of the overarching plot not advancing very much.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is a fun, imaginative fantasy that explores the concept of Irish mythology through the adventures of a bumbling young man named Ronan Boyle. I read somewhere that this is an Artemis-Fowl-esque series, and while the fantasy and mythology certain remind me of this series, I love that the main character is a relatable, awkward teen rather than a criminal mastermind.
I really enjoyed this book; the characters are all incredibly quirky and there are moments in here that made me laugh out loud. Lennon does an amazing job in twisting Irish mythology to fit this world he’s created; I have read quite a lot of fantasy based on Irish mythology, and this had a different flavor of fae than I’ve ever experienced.
My only complaint is that not much really happened in this book aside from setting up the world. While that in itself was enjoyable, the plot was rather thin and just when I thought some progress was finally going to be made on the Boyle intrigue, the book ended. Of course, this makes me VERY excited for the next book, I just hope that is actually paid off at some point. Readers who like more action-packed novels might not love this book, but I’m hoping the sequel is more exciting.
This book packs some of my favorite tropes into one book: an awkward teen main character, a boarding-schoolish feel with Boyle training to be a Garda, and a young man in search of redeeming his family. It’s all put together with a wink and a sly smile; this is a book that is pure entertainment and fun that you’re really not supposed to take very seriously. Overall, I enjoyed it, even if I felt it dragged in bits because of the overarching plot not advancing very much.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
March 25, 2019
I just loved this book! If you have kids you read out loud to, read this book to them! I really think my 21 year old son and husband felt like they were kids, because I kept reading passages out loud to them!
There is one point where he is trying to explain that Leprechauns aren't necessarily nice, and he says something like . they don't leave candy in your shoes, they would steal your nose and replace it with a turnip if they thought they could make any money. .. That is not an exact quote I don't have the book in front of me.. but you get the idea!
There is one point where he is trying to explain that Leprechauns aren't necessarily nice, and he says something like . they don't leave candy in your shoes, they would steal your nose and replace it with a turnip if they thought they could make any money. .. That is not an exact quote I don't have the book in front of me.. but you get the idea!
January 28, 2019
Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is an extraordinary feat of invention, gathering and re-imagining Irish lore into a hilarious tale that relentlessly surprises with an ever-expanding world... just when you think shillelaghs and leprechauns have run their course, Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles flips them on their head, and builds a world far deeper and richer than expected... Lennon make Irish folklore into more than the sum of its parts... and made me laugh out loud on almost every page.
Ronan’s adventures in the Garda are surprising and compelling and clip along briskly, full of charming discoveries. You’ll fly through the book. And as the story is told in first person, Ronan is your guide as he trains and then deploys as an officer charged with maintaining the peace among the magical creature of Irish folklore who not only cause trouble in their magical realm of Tir Na Nog, but many of which love to cheat and steal from the the human inhabitants of the Ireland. With each case -- from a robbery of fine wine in a hotel (Leprechauns) or capturing a flock of Harpies (their venom causes enthusiasm for terrible ideas) Ronan gets closer to his goal of proving that his jailed parents are actually innocent of the crime for which they were convicted... but that story ends with an unapologetic cliffhanger to the next installment... but since I can’t wait to read that one as well, I guess that’s as good a problem as you can have.
Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is smart, surprising, and most of all, constant fun.
Ronan’s adventures in the Garda are surprising and compelling and clip along briskly, full of charming discoveries. You’ll fly through the book. And as the story is told in first person, Ronan is your guide as he trains and then deploys as an officer charged with maintaining the peace among the magical creature of Irish folklore who not only cause trouble in their magical realm of Tir Na Nog, but many of which love to cheat and steal from the the human inhabitants of the Ireland. With each case -- from a robbery of fine wine in a hotel (Leprechauns) or capturing a flock of Harpies (their venom causes enthusiasm for terrible ideas) Ronan gets closer to his goal of proving that his jailed parents are actually innocent of the crime for which they were convicted... but that story ends with an unapologetic cliffhanger to the next installment... but since I can’t wait to read that one as well, I guess that’s as good a problem as you can have.
Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is smart, surprising, and most of all, constant fun.
January 18, 2019
I'm not 100% sure which age group this is aimed at. The numerous references to smoking and drinking and some of the vocabulary seem more YA, but the tone and plot and pacing feel much more Middle Grade or, at most, Tween. The words "wee" and "shillelagh" were waaaaay over-used, and not in a way that felt purposeful, for comedic effect. And the ending was a cliffhanger, but one that is as abrupt as an old movie serial or Batman episode. I half expected to read "Who is the mysterious X? Will Ronan ever find Y? Tune in next week. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel."
I wanted to love it and there were some fun, clever moments and Lily the wolfhound is awesome, but it was a little disappointing overall.
I wanted to love it and there were some fun, clever moments and Lily the wolfhound is awesome, but it was a little disappointing overall.
March 20, 2019
This is a Must-read!
I laughed out loud. The writing style is manically perfect. The thoughts and actions of the main character are witty, endearing and downright superb.
The one downside is that it ends as a cliffhanger. And now I must wait for the next book. Impatiently.
I laughed out loud. The writing style is manically perfect. The thoughts and actions of the main character are witty, endearing and downright superb.
The one downside is that it ends as a cliffhanger. And now I must wait for the next book. Impatiently.
March 28, 2019
★ ★ ★ 1/2
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Last year, when Thomas Lennon was a guest on Kevin Pollak's Chat Show #371, they spent some time talking about this book. I knew I had to give it a shot almost immediately. When I got home and found it on Goodreads, I was a little disappointed to find out it was for the MG crowd -- I didn't get that impression at all from his description (I may have missed something while driving). Still, I put it on the "To Read" list and kept an eye out for its publication. It still sounded like a good time.
And boy, oh, boy it was.
Ronan Boyle is a young man who watched his parents get arrested (in the middle of a family game night) and put into prison. They're academics, and were found guilty of selling antiquities that belonged to the Irish government. As noted above, Ronan joined the Irish police as an intern, primarily as a way to . Until one night when he was recruited to help dealing with a leprechaun (he was the only one the right size to get where the leprechaun was keeping something). He did well enough with that assignment that he was immediately recruited for Garda Special Unit of Tir Na Nog -- the supernatural division.
We follow Ronan through his training -- imagine Hogwarts summarized in a hundred pages or so (although this is a shorter course of training) -- what he and his fellow cadets (including a girl who thought she was a log for most of her life, and a medium-sized bear that may or may not have been a fellow cadet) go through is unlike any training program you've seen or read about. Yet it's familiar enough that it feels comfortable. Then we see Ronan and his compatriots begin their garda careers in earnest.
Meanwhile, Ronan makes a little progress with the investigation to clear his parents. He also makes friends -- from multiple species -- and decides that he really likes berets. He's a very unlikely hero -- not terribly coordinated, skinny, as physically un-intimidating as you can possibly imagine with poor eyesight. He also has a strange obsession with Dame Judi Dench (not that Dench isn't worth obsessing over, it's just not someone many teen boys fixate on)
All in all, an entertaining story steeped in Irish lore, myth and culture -- all very well-researched and lovingly told. I'd probably recommend it just on these grounds.
But it's the way that Lennon tells this story that seals the deal. His voice is chatty, whimsical and infectious. The imagery, language, and overall feel is hilarious. Yes, I'd recommend the book just on the characters/plot. But I'd also recommend it for voice and style alone. For example:
If you know Thomas Lennon as a performer, you'll be able to "hear" significant portions in his voice. I think I saw that he does the audiobook,which is good -- because otherwise you'd have to find someone who can do a decent impression of him to really pull of the cadence and rhythms of the text.
Oh, you must read the footnotes. All of them. They're the best use of fictional footnotes since Lutz' The Spellman Files or Bazell's Beat the Reaper -- except these are MG appropriate.
Hendrix' illustrations fit the mood perfectly. Intricate, goofy, and skillful. They're not essential, but they add a very welcome touch to the text.
This is ideal for MG readers who like early Riordan, but wouldn't mind a bit more silliness and an Irish focus. Or for those who liked Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant books. If you don't know what I'm talking about, ignore that (or go read them after you read this). It's just a fun, goofy read with a touch of adventure. Perfect for MG readers or adults who don't mind reading MG if it's well-done. This is. At the end of the day, you need to pick up a copy just so you can read the back cover blurbs by Weird Al and Patton Oswalt, really. Of course, then you'll want to read the thing based on what they say. So just save yourself the effort and get it.
The ending sets up at least one sequel and you can bet that I'll be waiting for it.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
I didn't tell Captain Fearnly that I was joining the garda as part of a plot to exonerate my parents and find a four-thousand-year-old mummy -- and there is no place to enter this type of thing in the online application, so I just kept it to myself.
Last year, when Thomas Lennon was a guest on Kevin Pollak's Chat Show #371, they spent some time talking about this book. I knew I had to give it a shot almost immediately. When I got home and found it on Goodreads, I was a little disappointed to find out it was for the MG crowd -- I didn't get that impression at all from his description (I may have missed something while driving). Still, I put it on the "To Read" list and kept an eye out for its publication. It still sounded like a good time.
And boy, oh, boy it was.
Ronan Boyle is a young man who watched his parents get arrested (in the middle of a family game night) and put into prison. They're academics, and were found guilty of selling antiquities that belonged to the Irish government. As noted above, Ronan joined the Irish police as an intern, primarily as a way to . Until one night when he was recruited to help dealing with a leprechaun (he was the only one the right size to get where the leprechaun was keeping something). He did well enough with that assignment that he was immediately recruited for Garda Special Unit of Tir Na Nog -- the supernatural division.
We follow Ronan through his training -- imagine Hogwarts summarized in a hundred pages or so (although this is a shorter course of training) -- what he and his fellow cadets (including a girl who thought she was a log for most of her life, and a medium-sized bear that may or may not have been a fellow cadet) go through is unlike any training program you've seen or read about. Yet it's familiar enough that it feels comfortable. Then we see Ronan and his compatriots begin their garda careers in earnest.
Meanwhile, Ronan makes a little progress with the investigation to clear his parents. He also makes friends -- from multiple species -- and decides that he really likes berets. He's a very unlikely hero -- not terribly coordinated, skinny, as physically un-intimidating as you can possibly imagine with poor eyesight. He also has a strange obsession with Dame Judi Dench (not that Dench isn't worth obsessing over, it's just not someone many teen boys fixate on)
All in all, an entertaining story steeped in Irish lore, myth and culture -- all very well-researched and lovingly told. I'd probably recommend it just on these grounds.
But it's the way that Lennon tells this story that seals the deal. His voice is chatty, whimsical and infectious. The imagery, language, and overall feel is hilarious. Yes, I'd recommend the book just on the characters/plot. But I'd also recommend it for voice and style alone. For example:
It was a mysterious garda officer named Pat Finch, whose ghoulish face is so crisscrossed with bright red veins that it looks like a map of hell drawn by a monk in a medieval lunatic asylum. Pat Finch looks like what a heart attack would look like if it could walk around eating fish-and-chips and saying terrible things about Roscommon Football Club's starting lineup.
"There's a leprechaun navy?"
"Yes. Probably the least reliable fighting force in the known world," replied the captain. "The leprechaun navy is basically a heavily armed musical-theater troupe with two boats."
If you know Thomas Lennon as a performer, you'll be able to "hear" significant portions in his voice. I think I saw that he does the audiobook,which is good -- because otherwise you'd have to find someone who can do a decent impression of him to really pull of the cadence and rhythms of the text.
Oh, you must read the footnotes. All of them. They're the best use of fictional footnotes since Lutz' The Spellman Files or Bazell's Beat the Reaper -- except these are MG appropriate.
Hendrix' illustrations fit the mood perfectly. Intricate, goofy, and skillful. They're not essential, but they add a very welcome touch to the text.
This is ideal for MG readers who like early Riordan, but wouldn't mind a bit more silliness and an Irish focus. Or for those who liked Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant books. If you don't know what I'm talking about, ignore that (or go read them after you read this). It's just a fun, goofy read with a touch of adventure. Perfect for MG readers or adults who don't mind reading MG if it's well-done. This is. At the end of the day, you need to pick up a copy just so you can read the back cover blurbs by Weird Al and Patton Oswalt, really. Of course, then you'll want to read the thing based on what they say. So just save yourself the effort and get it.
The ending sets up at least one sequel and you can bet that I'll be waiting for it.
March 5, 2019
I received an ARC in exchange for a review but it doesn't affect my thoughts and all comments are completely my own. Thank you so much to Edelweiss and the Publisher for allowing me to have an ARC!
This is the story of the unexpected adventures of an Irish teenager named Ronan Boyle who gets a job as an intern in Galway in the hopes of finding evidence to help free his parents who have been locked up for the crime of not turning in a certain artifact. Ronan is determined to prove they are innocent though it is much easier said than done.
After being pulled into an incident involving a leprechaun incident where a baby was changed out for a log that looks like a baby, Ronan is sent to help free the child simply because he's so small and can get to the awkward spot that the child is at. He manages to secure the baby but makes the mistake of grabbing a cursed harp and then wakes up to find himself without pants and being rescued by one of the Garda. He may have embarrassed himself but he impressed one of the officers and Ronan finds himself getting ready to head off to train to be part of the Garda Special Unit in Killarney.
Shortly after arriving via bus, getting his gear and setting things up on a cot near a stove pipe, he's nearly knocked unconscious by an older trainee but is luckily saved by a tall, rather odd girl that most people are afraid of named Log (her name is actually Lara but she was raised among the fae with the name Log) who becomes an unlikely ally. He also gains an ally in the form of Lily who is a huge Irish wolfhound and whose family has served the Special Unit for several generations. Then there's his partner Captain Siobhan de Valera who accepts Boyle as the awkward teenage boy as he is but also helps toughen him up a bit and always has his back.
Ronan is certainly in over his head as he tries to learn how to be a part of the Special Unit, navigate classes that are full of challenges, visit his parents where they are currently serving time whenever possible, trying to figure out a way to free them and going on on calls with Lily and Captain de Valera which are always interesting and full of surprises. It's a good thing he has some friends and a touch of luck on his side to help him get out of most situations though there was that time with the singed eyebrow and leprechauns having pickle fits. That sentence will make much more sense once you read the book!
Full of humor, Irish slang, Fae, mischievous leprechauns who really to enjoy playing tricks, drinking and some love really hot pickles, one very smart Wolfhound Lily, lots of rain and surprises, it was such a pleasure to read this book. I found myself entertained from beginning to end though that ending was quite the cliffhanger.
I can't wait to see what next is in store for Ronan Boyle and I really hope that his parents can get out of prison before they really have to choose sides. It was the perfect book that I needed to start off this month!
This is the story of the unexpected adventures of an Irish teenager named Ronan Boyle who gets a job as an intern in Galway in the hopes of finding evidence to help free his parents who have been locked up for the crime of not turning in a certain artifact. Ronan is determined to prove they are innocent though it is much easier said than done.
After being pulled into an incident involving a leprechaun incident where a baby was changed out for a log that looks like a baby, Ronan is sent to help free the child simply because he's so small and can get to the awkward spot that the child is at. He manages to secure the baby but makes the mistake of grabbing a cursed harp and then wakes up to find himself without pants and being rescued by one of the Garda. He may have embarrassed himself but he impressed one of the officers and Ronan finds himself getting ready to head off to train to be part of the Garda Special Unit in Killarney.
Shortly after arriving via bus, getting his gear and setting things up on a cot near a stove pipe, he's nearly knocked unconscious by an older trainee but is luckily saved by a tall, rather odd girl that most people are afraid of named Log (her name is actually Lara but she was raised among the fae with the name Log) who becomes an unlikely ally. He also gains an ally in the form of Lily who is a huge Irish wolfhound and whose family has served the Special Unit for several generations. Then there's his partner Captain Siobhan de Valera who accepts Boyle as the awkward teenage boy as he is but also helps toughen him up a bit and always has his back.
Ronan is certainly in over his head as he tries to learn how to be a part of the Special Unit, navigate classes that are full of challenges, visit his parents where they are currently serving time whenever possible, trying to figure out a way to free them and going on on calls with Lily and Captain de Valera which are always interesting and full of surprises. It's a good thing he has some friends and a touch of luck on his side to help him get out of most situations though there was that time with the singed eyebrow and leprechauns having pickle fits. That sentence will make much more sense once you read the book!
Full of humor, Irish slang, Fae, mischievous leprechauns who really to enjoy playing tricks, drinking and some love really hot pickles, one very smart Wolfhound Lily, lots of rain and surprises, it was such a pleasure to read this book. I found myself entertained from beginning to end though that ending was quite the cliffhanger.
I can't wait to see what next is in store for Ronan Boyle and I really hope that his parents can get out of prison before they really have to choose sides. It was the perfect book that I needed to start off this month!
March 23, 2019
Original story, humor that suits the story, and a cliffhanger. Which isn't as bad as it sounds because it is a fun ride. A blend of Mythology, mystery, & unpredictability.
if you have to put it in a category, call it Police Academy meets Irish folklore. Don't expect any cute fairies or whimsical unicorns. It's more like real life with killer pickles.
if anybody tells you it's YA, just shush them and push them out of the way. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
if you have to put it in a category, call it Police Academy meets Irish folklore. Don't expect any cute fairies or whimsical unicorns. It's more like real life with killer pickles.
if anybody tells you it's YA, just shush them and push them out of the way. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
April 17, 2019
Lot of fun
It's like a more fun Irish Harry Potter, pre-movie franchise too so you don't feel like 'have I read this already'? Plus... Thomas Lennon wrote it, so of course buy it ye vast daft eejit.
It's like a more fun Irish Harry Potter, pre-movie franchise too so you don't feel like 'have I read this already'? Plus... Thomas Lennon wrote it, so of course buy it ye vast daft eejit.
April 15, 2019
Highly enjoyable! I laughed out loud so many times. I can't wait to recommend this book to kiddos with a funny sense of humor.
March 3, 2019
15-year-old Ronan Boyle is the youngest member to join the secret Irish Garda Special Unit division assigned to Tir Na Nog - the land of the faeire folk, a place where you’ll find leprechauns, fear gortas (not-quite-dead goblins), unicorns, clurichauns (slightly taller than leprechauns but much nastier), leprepedes, weegees, far darrigs (disgusting-looking little red creatures with snouts and tails) and even more! Ronan joined in order to help free his parents from jail. He’s hoping to learn all he can to prove their innocence but he has no idea how dangerous the journeys are ahead of him.
Lennon has surely kissed the Blarney Stone. The story moves quickly from one hilarious adventure to another and has a very suspenseful ending. It is imaginative and complex, with an amazing number of unusual Irish characters, and footnotes to explain it all. I only wish it had a pronunciation guide as well. There are perhaps a bit too many references to alcoholic drinks but the sophisticated, sometimes gross, humor is laugh out loud funny! Here are a couple of scenes:
Leprechauns love to eat the super-hot pickles at the Pickle Palace because it gives them the “pickle fits”. First the leprechaun turns bright red and smoke blasts from his ears, nose, and behind with a blast that is powerful enough to launch him into the ceiling. It proceeds into giggling and dancing and ends with a burp that often burns off his eyebrows.
All Special Unit vehicles carry a panini press so they can make a sandwich called the Irish Goodbye “a weapons-grade sandwich made with cabbage, spicy Irish mustard, lean corned beef, fear gorta breath, two [CLASSIFIED INGREDIENTS], mayonnaise, and the toenails of woodtrolls on buttered brown bread…The sandwich is basically irresistible. (You can’t even taste the toenails, and yes, there is a vegan version.)”
Middle grade fun with appeal to the gross-humor camp as well as readers with a more sophisticated sense of humor. Thanks to Abrams for the advance proof!
Lennon has surely kissed the Blarney Stone. The story moves quickly from one hilarious adventure to another and has a very suspenseful ending. It is imaginative and complex, with an amazing number of unusual Irish characters, and footnotes to explain it all. I only wish it had a pronunciation guide as well. There are perhaps a bit too many references to alcoholic drinks but the sophisticated, sometimes gross, humor is laugh out loud funny! Here are a couple of scenes:
Leprechauns love to eat the super-hot pickles at the Pickle Palace because it gives them the “pickle fits”. First the leprechaun turns bright red and smoke blasts from his ears, nose, and behind with a blast that is powerful enough to launch him into the ceiling. It proceeds into giggling and dancing and ends with a burp that often burns off his eyebrows.
All Special Unit vehicles carry a panini press so they can make a sandwich called the Irish Goodbye “a weapons-grade sandwich made with cabbage, spicy Irish mustard, lean corned beef, fear gorta breath, two [CLASSIFIED INGREDIENTS], mayonnaise, and the toenails of woodtrolls on buttered brown bread…The sandwich is basically irresistible. (You can’t even taste the toenails, and yes, there is a vegan version.)”
Middle grade fun with appeal to the gross-humor camp as well as readers with a more sophisticated sense of humor. Thanks to Abrams for the advance proof!
April 9, 2019
Ridiculousness at its finest
This book kept me laughing and engaged the entire time. The world makes no sense yet perfect sense.
If you're a fan of Douglas Adams like writing styles then this book is for you.
This book kept me laughing and engaged the entire time. The world makes no sense yet perfect sense.
If you're a fan of Douglas Adams like writing styles then this book is for you.
March 3, 2019
When I found out that Thomas Lennon, the Thomas Lennon, was writing a middle grade novel…I had to get my hands on it. Unfortunately the best I was able to do was get my eyes on it. Had I been able to get a physical copy, my review would consist of a short video of me, new book goofin’ with this amazing new book.
I’ve been a fan of Lennon since 19 blah biddy blah. You get it, the last century. His sense of humor and skills are delightful and Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles lives up to my expectations in every way. Ronan is an awkward kid, as all really great middle grade characters are. The kind of character building associated with not quite fitting in comes in handy when his parents are arrested for a crime they didn’t commit. Taken under the wing of the unintelligible Captain Fearney, Ronan finds himself called in to participate in a special case….because he’s tall and skinny.
Thus begins Ronan’s time in the Garda Special Unit, under the tutelage of Captain Siobhan de Valera and his adventures as a Garda Special Unit Detective with a side mission of setting his parents free. I don’t want to go into too much detail as the journey awaits for you, but be sure to grab a flask of Jamie, or maybe some unicorn and chips to accompany you on this adventure that has enough whimsy to make the Old Fashioned Guy Blush.
I’ve been a fan of Lennon since 19 blah biddy blah. You get it, the last century. His sense of humor and skills are delightful and Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles lives up to my expectations in every way. Ronan is an awkward kid, as all really great middle grade characters are. The kind of character building associated with not quite fitting in comes in handy when his parents are arrested for a crime they didn’t commit. Taken under the wing of the unintelligible Captain Fearney, Ronan finds himself called in to participate in a special case….because he’s tall and skinny.
Thus begins Ronan’s time in the Garda Special Unit, under the tutelage of Captain Siobhan de Valera and his adventures as a Garda Special Unit Detective with a side mission of setting his parents free. I don’t want to go into too much detail as the journey awaits for you, but be sure to grab a flask of Jamie, or maybe some unicorn and chips to accompany you on this adventure that has enough whimsy to make the Old Fashioned Guy Blush.
March 14, 2019
Fun! Didn't get the best reviews but I disagree - worth the read!
March 1, 2019
Janey Mack! Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is pure craic. It has me laughing so much that I could be mistaken for Log.
Odd-ball characters, rude jokes, and wacky action-packed adventures make this a very fun read. Lennon's descriptive turns-of-phrase are absolutely delightful. And Hendrix' illustrations really make the story sparkle. I dare any reader to make it through this book without laughing!
I will definitely recommend this book, that said it does have a bit of that first-in-series quality where the plot could benefit from more definition.
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! That ending left me wanting to read about Ronan & his co-worker's continuing adventures.
**Note, I would love to give this 3.5 stars, it 's a very strong first-in-series entry & a ton of fun to read! **
Odd-ball characters, rude jokes, and wacky action-packed adventures make this a very fun read. Lennon's descriptive turns-of-phrase are absolutely delightful. And Hendrix' illustrations really make the story sparkle. I dare any reader to make it through this book without laughing!
I will definitely recommend this book, that said it does have a bit of that first-in-series quality where the plot could benefit from more definition.
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! That ending left me wanting to read about Ronan & his co-worker's continuing adventures.
**Note, I would love to give this 3.5 stars, it 's a very strong first-in-series entry & a ton of fun to read! **
February 26, 2019
This book definitely has the same type of buzz/early reviews that Harry Potter did when it was barely just breaking out. Having read all the HP books and now Ronan, I wouldn't be surprised if we see Ronan on the silver screen in the next 5 years.
April 17, 2019
This book tells the story of Ronan Boyle as he gets recruited to the Irish secret garda - a police force that fights against the magical folk of Ireland (which includes leprechauns) because "the wee folk are not a friendly pack of elves who will fill your shoes with candy while you sleep. They are small, hard-drinking swindlers who would steal your nose and replace it with a turnip if they thought they could make one single euro from doing it."
Ronan Boyle is summoned for his first mission out of the blue. "I understood now that I had been called into this case simply because I, Ronan Boyle, was the narrowest possible fellow. The only one who would fit into the hole [to] collect the human baby that Rauri, Killer of Unicorns, has stashed down there."
That is his first mission with the book continuing to cover his story as he is transferred "to start as a trainee in the Garda Special Unit of Tir Na Nog, one of the most ancient and enigmatic law enforcement agencies in Europe", through to his first couple of missions - "The Malton Hotel Robbery", where lots of vintage wines are stolen, and "A Harpy in Wexford". The ending, which leaves certain things unfinished, points to Ronan Boyle's adventures continuing in further parts of his personal journals.
Interestingly this book is marketed as a kids book which is part of the reason for some of the lower-star-rated reviews. If it's for kids then it's for older kids as the language is definitely not dumbed down, plus the plot is a riot of surreal twists and turns which might be hard to keep up with for young ones. (Not to mention that the hard-drinking and smoking that the leprechauns do, plus the plentiful fights in the story, and the seedy joints, might not be something little ones would typically read about.) If I was to put it in a genre it would be humour.
There are also a few good, comic book drawings full of little details along the way, with a nice, quirky map of Tir Na Nog, Land of the Faerie Folk at the beginning setting the bar for these.
I read it, laughed along with it and enjoyed it.
Ronan Boyle is summoned for his first mission out of the blue. "I understood now that I had been called into this case simply because I, Ronan Boyle, was the narrowest possible fellow. The only one who would fit into the hole [to] collect the human baby that Rauri, Killer of Unicorns, has stashed down there."
That is his first mission with the book continuing to cover his story as he is transferred "to start as a trainee in the Garda Special Unit of Tir Na Nog, one of the most ancient and enigmatic law enforcement agencies in Europe", through to his first couple of missions - "The Malton Hotel Robbery", where lots of vintage wines are stolen, and "A Harpy in Wexford". The ending, which leaves certain things unfinished, points to Ronan Boyle's adventures continuing in further parts of his personal journals.
Interestingly this book is marketed as a kids book which is part of the reason for some of the lower-star-rated reviews. If it's for kids then it's for older kids as the language is definitely not dumbed down, plus the plot is a riot of surreal twists and turns which might be hard to keep up with for young ones. (Not to mention that the hard-drinking and smoking that the leprechauns do, plus the plentiful fights in the story, and the seedy joints, might not be something little ones would typically read about.) If I was to put it in a genre it would be humour.
There are also a few good, comic book drawings full of little details along the way, with a nice, quirky map of Tir Na Nog, Land of the Faerie Folk at the beginning setting the bar for these.
I read it, laughed along with it and enjoyed it.
July 20, 2019
The audiobook is laugh-out-loud funny, and so adorable! Can't wait for #2!
February 19, 2019
It was a good read.
February 7, 2019
I cannot deny that, compared to the type of books I normally read, this book was very strange, which I liked. For the most part, I enjoyed this book, but there were some things that bothered me. Such as the title; while there was a Bridge of Riddles, it didn't have anything to do with the climax as far as I could tell. And sometimes things were restated that very clearly stated in the first place, making it unnecessary, but seeing as it's an arc chances are it'll be corrected.
I really enjoyed the main character, Ronan Boyle, the captain, Log, and Lilly and I thought the wee folk very interesting to read about. Thomas Lennon's writing style and story were such that I could never guess what was going to happen next, which isn't something that happens very often with me. Usually, when I read a book, no matter how much I enjoy it, I can guess at least one or two of the things that are going to happen. My favorite part of the entire book would have to be the ending. Personally, I don't mind the cliffhanger because of how it came about.
I both can't wait for the book to actually come out so I can compare notes and for the next book to come out.
I really enjoyed the main character, Ronan Boyle, the captain, Log, and Lilly and I thought the wee folk very interesting to read about. Thomas Lennon's writing style and story were such that I could never guess what was going to happen next, which isn't something that happens very often with me. Usually, when I read a book, no matter how much I enjoy it, I can guess at least one or two of the things that are going to happen. My favorite part of the entire book would have to be the ending. Personally, I don't mind the cliffhanger because of how it came about.
I both can't wait for the book to actually come out so I can compare notes and for the next book to come out.
March 11, 2019
This book was a silly mess, confused in terms of intended audience, and most betrayed by advertising comparing it to Harry Potter and Douglas Adams. Spoiler alert: it is not like either. The plot is basically non-existent and poorly strewn together and told in form of a diary of a boy who repeats himself often. There is limited character building and many scenes just happen with no build up or logical fit in the narrative. The content was late elementary at best but there were constant references to smoking, drinking, etc. that lended itself to young adult. This ends on a terrible cliffhanger that I’m not sure I care enough about to attempt to slog through upcoming material.
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