Karma Fights a Monster

Karma Tandin is a monster hunter, and he is determined to capitalise on it. With his friend Chimmi’s help, he makes posters advertising his services. Among other things, he hopes to impress pretty Dawa, who, for whatever reason, continually seems disappointed in him.

Unfortunately, the poster does not turn out very well; the photograph of him is awful.

Additionally, his mother (incidentally one of my favourite characters in the story) notices that Karma has put his number wrong. So much for that.

With this promising beginning, Karma embarks on his first adventure — and I loved it. I enjoyed the story so much that I would go as far as to say Karma Fights a Monster is among the best middle-grade books I’ve read this year. The characters, the writing style, the wholly unique plot – everything was lovely.

When I started reading it, I hoped there would be ‘real’ monsters, not allegorical or imagined monsters. I was not disappointed. The monsters in the book startled me, and it was wonderful.

More than once, Evan Purcell’s clever, understated humour surprised a chuckle out of me. A couple of times, I wondered if children would find the same things funny; yet, part of me realised that it doesn’t matter whether or not they do because the story is exciting in itself. The humour is like an added bonus.

I am already waiting for the next book. Among other things, when Karma Tandin’s second adventure is out, I will get the perfect excuse to reread the first one!