Risk-averse Greg Belmont is content with being ordinary. He's has a single friend and a father that tries to make ends meat. The problem is, Greg isn't ordinary he's actually a Dwarf. He discovers the truth the day his dad brings home a gross new tea, that awakens bizarre abilities in Greg. ( )

This was such a fun read, I was so enthralled by it that I didnt want to put it down.
I loved how the fantasy was written into the story and how Greg kept realizing that a lot of the issues at hand were by his own doing. Although The Dwarf and Elf hating each other bit is a little redundant in the world of fantasy. I felt the characters were all pretty fleshed out. I do feel bad for the direction the friendship of Greg and Edwin is heading towards but I can hold out hope that they can rise above and everything will be alright.
Overall, well thought out world building, characters and story, I can see kids really enjoying this series. ( )

This review made it into the rotation, double booked just under the wire of my move. I'm so glad it did. Greg is a regular (sort of introverted) Chicago kid. He has one friend, he loves his Dad, he loves food, all is pretty okay in his world. I know the city pretty well and this story is spot on geographically correct- in fact, I could even venture to guess which schools may have inspired the descriptions in the book. I won't for fear of taking away the fun that Chicago kids will have narrowing it down on their own. So, winning on the atmosphere front.

The plot? Sublime. Turns out, Greg is a dwarf. Yeah, like LOTR dwarves (only not really, cause that movie uses racial stereotyping ) Not only are there dwarves in Chicago, but there are Elves too. Many, many famous people you may know are either Dwarves or Elves. Once you read this and know, it explains so much. As you might have already guessed the world building is fantastic. I don't want to spoil any of it by saying too much more.

The first in a new series there is already a movie being made of this book and it's been for sale for less than a week. I read a copy provided to me from the Kid Lit Exchange but purchased our own copy only a few chapters in and then used our Audible credit to listen on our road trip. It's that good.

Verdict- Buy (duh!) For fans of magic, LOTR, Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, Arlo Finch

Please note that I received a free advance ARC of this book from the Kid Lit Exchange without a review requirement or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that, I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book. ( )

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Greg who was MUCH MORE THAN WHAT HE SEEMED, as aptly pointed out by Froggy who basically muttered (mostly) to himself in random fragments, but was also more than what HE seemed, but that's a story for another time. Greg's father was a holistic health professional of sorts, and from time to time, his son was the guinea pig. Whether it was a new organic soap or a new brew, he was there for it all...after all, it's his dad, and he loved the guy, so yeah...bring on the stink or possible unsavory taste! That is until one day, the taste wasn't exactly unsavory...nor was it meant for him...and things in their carefully constructed world begin to fall faster than a house of cards. Secrets are reveled, destinies uncovered, and the magical war that's been at bay for thousands of years is possibly maybe about to get a GIANT SIZE kick in the pants.

Along the way, we'll make friends with Dwarves of all sizes, shapes, and backgrounds, learn that not every one or every thing can be fully trusted, and that most "people" have just as much capacity for love as hatred, revenge as peace, and murderous intent as mercy. Greg will grow in many ways (size, personality, ability, etc) and become more like himself than he's been his whole life...but he's not the only one of note here. Whatever group you identify with most, be it punks, outcasts, populars, nerds, ecetera, there's someone here for you to get behind and root for. From Glam and her questionable hair choices (not judging!) yet penchant for slamming things to Ari and her kick-butt-but-with-peace-if-possible attitude and stunning smithing techniques, Froggy and his unusual nature but kind spirit to Eagen and his awesome storytelling abilities....even Edwin had his pluses and minuses, popular kid with a seemingly genuine kindness (too bad things are the way they are). There's a wide cast of characters to loath and love as this exciting adventure unfolds.

All in all, LOVE IT! Can I just say that I'm SO GLAD it ended the way it ended and left us hanging yet not? Good because I'm saying it. You'll understand when you read it, but trust me, this is only the beginning in SO MANY ways.


**copy received for review ( )

Greg Belmont is a normal 13-year-old kid, and he’s okay with that. His BFF Edwin is the most popular kid in school (and the richest), and the two share an appreciation for something that most middle schoolers don’t get―chess. Then one day, everything changes. After his dad is kidnapped, Greg is led underground where he learns he is not quite as ordinary as he thought. He’s a dwarf. Oh, and there’s an entire world of dwarves living under Chicago. Oh, and now that dwarven magic is returning, a war is brewing between them and their long-time enemies, the elves. And it’s up to Greg to stop it.

What I liked: the two main characters are fabulous, and their friendship evolves throughout the story. There’s also quite a bit of action and humor which keep the story moving at a good pace.

What I did not like: I did not get a good sense of what this underground world of dwarves was like. World-building is so important in fantasy and I just couldn’t visualize the new world Greg was thrown into.

Still, the plot was solid and interesting and the characters were fun.

4 out of 5 stars ( )