I appreciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

Alien, second in Mysterious Monster book series that started right from the end of first book Bigfoot, in which Mattigan kids got involved in conspiracy that did lot of damage to their dad’s image but it also changed their mind, now they believed in Mysterious monsters. In this book Mattigan kids wanted to help their father in solving the mystery of Alien rumors in Las Vegas and prove it all fake but with their own plan.

Characters-
Mattigan kids- Maddie (12), Max (10), Theo (8) – were again so smart, brilliant, more mature and different from other kids of their age. It was proved more than once during their hotel stay in Las Vegas. Their father, Marcus Mattigan was big skeptic who was hosting a show ‘Monstrous Lies with Marcus Mattigan’ proving that all fantasies and monsters are fake. I loved this adorable kids and their father. This was most fascinating family I ever read.

What I liked-
Book was narrated again in third person mesmerizing story teller voice. The beginning, introductory chapter, was great with overview of Mattigans and their next adventure. I loved Mattigans’ illustration throughout the book. Max was great with putting puzzle together and was true spy in the book. Theo was such cute and innocent boy, this little guy was so charming and made me smile. Maddie’s motherly care for her siblings didn’t go unnoticed and again she was such impressive big sister and daughter. Their understanding regarding their father’s skeptic nature and that he is not ready for facing the real monsters and accepting the truth of it was remarkable.

I loved Mattigans’ research on the aliens and rumors around it. Till the end of the book it kept me wondering whether Alien story was a real or not and what will happen if they found real Alien. This book had less twist and turns compared to first one, kid’s plan of capturing alien was unpredictable but who was the alien at the end, I could see it coming. Author did great with suspense and the twist just before alien’s mask was uncovered at the end was surprising.

Walkie talkie, spy kit, spy tips, teachable moments, and aliens will definitely pique interest of young readers. One of the moment that I truly love which was teachable moment for children and also showed maturity of Mattigan kids was gambling at casino and how Maddie and max phrased people playing there as ‘Zombies’.

End was great and this line so fits the end of the book,

“What happened in Vegas got out of Vegas.”

There is some family mystery as well which I’m sure will be uncovered in future books of the series and I’m looking forward to read more about Mattigan family and their monstrous adventure. I have a feeling by the end of the series Mattigans’ basement is going to be flooded with monsters. 😉

Overall, it was fun entertaining alien mystery that all kids would love to read.

🛸 The Truth is in Here! 👽

The Mattigan kids (Maddie - 12, Max - 10 and Theo - 8) accidentally disproved their sceptic father’s belief that Mysterious Monsters aren’t real in Mysterious Monsters: Bigfoot. Bigfoot now lives in the basement of the family’s mansion and their father is none the wiser. Unfortunately a video of the three children hunting Bigfoot went viral and put their father’s show in jeopardy, so in order to salvage both his reputation and television show the four Mattigans are on a family road trip to Las Vegas.

Rumour has it that the government have had an alien at Area 51 helping them understand alien technology and the Grey alien, J-Pod, has now escaped. The race is on to find J-Pod, with alien hunters coming out of the woodwork and taking over the desert in their search. Combine that with an extraterrestrial convention and Las Vegas is now overrun with people dressed up as Little Green Men and all of the other alien races.

While their father conducts his own investigation to disprove once and for all the existence of aliens, kids Maddie, Max and Theo are determined to find J-Pod themselves.

I enjoyed Alien almost as much as the first book in the series. There’s something special about a first book that’s difficult to recapture as the characters are all strangers to the reader and you’re not quite sure what’s in store for you story wise. Theo was the stand out character in this book but I still think Max will be my favourite of the series. How can I not favour the bookish sibling?!

This book felt more like I was an invisible fifth wheel with a family I’ve known for years but for some reason doesn’t acknowledge my presence. Perhaps it’s my invisibility? I didn’t see Mulder or Scully while I was in Vegas but it’s highly probable they were wearing alien costumes and blending in at the convention.

Besides too many aliens to count the Mattigan children also come across some zombies in Vegas, but not the type you’re thinking of. I thought the social commentary regarding the zombies was quite clever and dealt with in a child appropriate way.

I had to giggle each time the kids would encounter a new situation and Maddie pondered if that’s what is meant by ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’. Naturally I expect (well, hope) this would go straight over the heads of kids reading this book but if your kid is reading it you may want to have an answer ready if you’re asked what it really means.

The family’s catchphrases that I’d been concerned would be nauseating by the end of this book were still cute and funny. While they were all still used in this book they don’t appear as frequently so they blend more into the rest of the conversations. There was the same sort of cringeworthy but fun dad humour as the first book and some good funny bits throughout; my favourite being the sign at the gas station.

Easter Egg 🥚: For those of you old enough to remember the movie Harry and the Hendersons, I found its inclusion in this book to be a lovely nod to the first book in this series. I won’t tell you how old I was when that movie was released but I adored it!

Once again I was in awe of Mauro Sorghienti’s incredible illustrations. I don’t have a favourite in this book but they’re all wonderful and match the feel of the story so well. I’m keen to see more of this artist’s work.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Incorgnito Publishing Press imprint Corgi Bits and Smith Publicity for the opportunity to read this book.

I’m looking forward to the third book (publication date and name currently unknown), possibly featuring 🧛‍♀️ 🧛‍♂️.

Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title.
The Mattigan family is off on another adventure! This time to debunk the existence of J-Rod, an escaped alien from Area 51. While Marcus Mattigan is off to Area 51 to meet Colonel Michael Blanchard to prove the disappearance of the base’s missing alien is false, the children head off on their adventure to rescue J-Rod themselves. With big sister Maddie acting as group leader, the twins Max and Theo go on an adventure that includes a Las Vegas casino, an alien convention, and a fifth-wheel camper.
There is just enough sibling squabbling to keep the dialogue real and just enough suspended belief to allow the story to work. Kids running loose in a Vegas casino? A child hiding out in the camper while Dad drives to the secret military base? It’s just kooky enough to keep kids interested. The interactions between the siblings were just right-not too sweet and not too snarky. This was a fun read for kids who are just starting out with chapter books and doesn’t contain any offensive language or violence.