I never really request children’s books and I’m glad I did! My son loves to read and asked if there was anything on here he might like so I requested the first one I saw to make sure it was okay for him to read.

I was thoroughly surprised at how much I enjoyed the read! The characters were great and they made some very interesting decisions throughout the story.

I will be buying this for my son! Thank you to the publisher and the author for allowing me to listen!

A whimsical middle grade fantasy adventure, The Curiosities, follows human siblings, Marlow and Zach, and neighborhood cat, Leo, as they independently try to figure out what’s happening to the wild animals in their town. I won’t get too into the plot since it’s fun to see how everything unfolds, and it’s honestly a little all over the place in a very imagination forward way. But this story really hits home for the little kiddo in me with some of the story from the cat’s perspective and the wild twists that made me smile.

All three main characters are worth rooting for. Marlow is a great big sister, even when she struggles to make decisions. Zach is a smart animal lover who is trying to fit in with his autism diagnosis. And Leo is a cat who always tries to resist his natural curiosity. I loved switching between their perspectives throughout as it moved the plot along at a good clip. This is a fun read for the kid in your life or the kid in your heart.

What an odd story! Rogue zombies. A pirate ship in the woods. A completely blue house. The mystery itself is interesting and winds itself through the book, creating a page-turning atmosphere. The quirkiness is unique and unexpected. However, as an audiobook, it was sometimes hard to follow. There are two different stories which coexist and occasionally overlap, but the audiobook doesn’t provide any distinction between the two, making it very confusing. As a listener, having a different narrator for the siblings and the cats would make it a better story overall.

A whimsical and imaginative adventure of curious siblings Marlow and Zach, and some magical cats- whom they will try to solve the mysteries that is happening in their town, fight zombies and a possible alien invasion.

This was a very enjoyable middle-grade mystery. The cats and kids were all wonderful characters.

The narrator did an amazing job in narrating the book.

Thank you for ARC -audio NetGalley and Southbound Films.

Marlow and Zach are siblings that have completely different personality types. Zach is on the spectrum. He is bright and quirky. I actually really like his character. The two are always looking out for the next mystery which comes in the form of a possible alien invasion. As all the birds, insects and their favorite teacher disappear, they begin their quest to find the answers.
An added bit of fun is the boring neighborhood care, Leo, who doesn’t find fun in anything. But, as he realizes that real danger may be on the forefront, he aligns with his cat buddies assist Marlow and Zach to find the truth.
The story comes from two perspectives, the kids and the cats. Switching between them is flawless. The book was engaging and I enjoyed the characters and the plot line.
An added bonus, along with the book, I listened to the audible. Kudos to the narrator for doing a fabulous job with all the characters, even the animals. I will be recommending this book to my students and teachers

This book takes the reader on an adventure full of giant cats, devious aliens, zombie humans (don't worry, it's reversible using anti-histamines!), talking animals, and dangerous meteorite fragments that contribute to chaos in a small town.

Marlow and Zach Metzler move with their scientist mother to their new home, where Zach - is on the autism spectrum - quickly finds a focus for his interest in animals and curiosity is, but is less successful in fitting in at school. Luckily, his older sister Marlow helps him out most of the time, but even she sometimes finds it draining.

This is a really original and creative piece of story telling which consistently entertains and excites the reader's imagination. Tullio the cat, aka Leo, is a delight, as are his feline companions. It's a difficult story to describe, so I'm just going to say: read it!

The Curiosities by W.H. Eatons
adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5 ⭐

A middle grade read that was a delight to listen to.
I've found middle grade reads to be really hit and miss for me lately. I feel like a lot of modern middle grade books talk down to their readers. Either written far too simplistically or over explaining concepts rather than letting the story naturally reveal them.
It was a breathe of fresh air to listen to The Curiosities and find myself totally immersed in the story. The characters and world were well fleshed out, and it was refreshing to read a realistic autistic character who could be both a hero and a real kid who struggles.
Additionally I really enjoyed having the duel perspective of the kids and the cats, and what each is battling through in the story and how it ultimately comes together.

Would recommend for any middle grade reader who loves a little bit of adventure, or any adult who would like a little palate cleanser.

The Curiosities is an absolute gem of a read. With an imaginative plot and characters that span the full spectrum of quirky, smart, autistic, and brave, this book hits all the right notes for both kids and adults.

Siblings Marlow and Zach are so curious, always chasing after the next big mystery—and Leo is the hilariously determined to not to be curious cat because we all know what curisosity did to the cat! The adventure that unfolds is fast-paced, clever, and full of surprises, from disappearing teachers to zombie showdowns and aliens? The story strikes a great balance between action and humor, with just enough heart to make you care deeply about what happens next.

The narration is pitch-perfect, bringing every character to life in a way that makes the story easy to follow and hard to put down. Whether you're reading aloud to a child, sneaking in a few chapters yourself, or listening as a family, this book is a blast from beginning to end.

Highly recommended for curious kids, adventurous grownups, and anyone who’s ever wondered what their cat is really thinking.

I want to start off by saying that the narrator did such a good job making the voices of the characters distinct and match the characters' personalities. The voice effects that were done for animal noises were very cute and immersive. Listening to it at 1x speed or 2x speed is both fitting, the pronunciation, pacing and flow of sentences is fun to listen to.

Now for the story itself: A perfect combination of whimsical, fantastical, heartwarming and adventurous. The pacing isn't too quick nor too slow yet it feels like the pacing was perfectly realistic and matching the events that are taking place. I can see children reading this and absolutely finding a furry friend or a normal character to relate to. The family dynamic and having a character with autism was very well written and represented. The names of characters and the plot of the book itself is so fun, creative and outside the box that this will for sure be a memorable book to anyone who reads it. So many morals, lessons and laughts can be taken from this read. Rated it 3,75 on StoryGraph.

Thank you to the author, publisher, narrator and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio ALC of this title in exchange for my review.

This was such a fun book to listen to! There are so many children's books available, some last through generations, others are temporary due to their writing style. This one feels like it will be one that lasts the generations. For someone who grew up wanting to be Trixie Belden (didn't enjoy Nancy Drew as much), this was just what I wanted.

Two siblings with their own quirks get together to solve a mysterious new problem. Add a bunch of interesting cats, and we're off for an adventure!

5 stars - loved it and would recommend it to anyone with younger readers, or any adult looking for a stroll down memory lane.

My son and I listened to this title together. It kept us guessing and entertained.

This would be an excellent read of the middle school age especially for children that love the idea of adventure.

The characters were engaging and I love the spectrum representation. Hopefully it will encourage the reader to become more accepting of those with differences from themselves.

If your child or your students enjoy adventure books, Marlow and Zach's tale will be for them!

A Wildly Imaginative, Heartfelt Sci-Fi Adventure for Young Readers!

The Curiosities by W.H. Eatons is an absolute delight from start to finish! This story bursts with adventure, heart, and just the right amount of weird—and I mean that in the best way possible. Siblings Marlow and Zach Metzler are endlessly curious, and their thirst for discovery launches them (and readers) into a fast-paced mystery full of disappearing animals , creepy spores, secret hideouts, and—yes—possible alien invasions.

What really sets this book apart is its perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling. It gave me the whimsical curiosity of The Magic School Bus, the wonder and sibling bond of E.T., and a dash of The Walking Dead’s eerie suspense—all crafted for middle grade readers!

Zach, who is autistic, completely stole my heart. His nickname, “Cheetah Brain,” is so fitting—he’s quick-thinking and shines brightest during emergencies. The way the story highlights how he and his sister manage overstimulation is both thoughtful and empowering. Autism isn’t treated as a hurdle here—it’s a unique strength, and I loved seeing that kind of representation in such a fun, action-packed setting.

And let’s not forget Leo the cat and his fellow feline commandos! Their POV chapters added humor, insight, and an unexpected layer of heroism. Watching the neighborhood cats band together to “fight off zombies” and mind-altering mushrooms? Purrfection.

This book is a middle grade sci-fi gem that I’ll be recommending to every young reader I know. It’s clever, inclusive, and full of heart—and I hope it becomes a series, because I’m already craving the next adventure with this quirky crew!

What an amazing book! I will leave thoughts about possible social, moral and/or political commentary to more scholarly minded readers. What I found most compelling was its mental health representation! It is so important for people of all ages to read about this subject, but by presenting it so eloquently, it spans the generations. I also think the message of acceptance and forgiveness of not only others, but of ourselves, is unparalleled in any other book I’ve read. Well done!

I listened to this one with my kids and they loved it. One of my daughters loves cats, so a story with talking cats had her hooked. We enjoyed the world this story created and the characters connections.

The story follows Zach and Marlow Metzler, brother - sister duo who are curious about everything and the recent mysterious and strange happenings are adding to their curiosity. The neighborhood cat knows better than to be curious. He tends to stay far away from the very term.

One day, their neighbourhood suddenly goes haywire when all the birds , insects disappear and their favourite teacher who is just as curious as them also disappears. With an impending alien invasion and an already most out of hands zombie attack, the trio along with others race against time to eliminate all the mayhem and restore their hometown to its former glory.

An utterly captivating and fascinating story that has science and curiosity while infusing cat humour. The elements of surprises, mystery and twists kept me turning its pages. The author has an incredible writing style, it's propulsive and captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook as the narrator did an amazing job. As an avid reader of middle grade novels, this book was an absolute page-tuner and the adventure is something that you shouldn't miss out on.

I loved it so much! Cute, witty, funny, and mysterious. Held my attention the whole book. My kids will love it! Clean, no agendas. Discussed topics such as autism, bullies, friendship and family.

3.5 Stars.

This Curiosities is a cute, albiet zany, middle grade standalone novel, with clean content (no profanity or sex) and appropriate for any age. It is genre-defying with threads of magical realism (talking cats), science fiction (aliens and zombies), and adventure (kids trying to save the day.) It feels like a science-centric version The Goonies mashed up with The Warriors book series about wild talking cats,

My Impressions: The overall tone of the book is upbeat and positive, without being scary. The message of the book was that being curious is a good attribute and should be encouraged. I appreciated how scientists and science in general was included and described in the book, and I loved that the main boy character had autism. His sister and friends were considerate to his needs, and it was a great example for readers to see.

I think my kids would enjoy this book, but for me as an adult, it was a little too silly to truly enjoy. I've seen a lot of reviews saying this book is whimsical, but I would use the words zany and silly instead. I tried to land in the middle of what my kids would rate it (4 stars) and I would rate it (3 stars.) I personally had a hard time following the plot of this book, but I think my kids would just enjoy the ride and the silly happenings along the way.

Notes on the audiobook: The audiobook narrator did an excellent job of altering the voices of the humans, and had a pleasant voice. However, I felt like the transitions from the human characters and the talking cats was hard to decipher. It kept confusing me who was talking.

Thank you to Southbound Films and NetGalley for the complementary copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. My review is my honest opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.

Book review: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: middle grade
Themes: nature advocates, zombies, cats
📖 Read if you like: Wonder

Curiosity can kill the cat, so Leo has tried to maintain a life without it. When the neighbourhood cat seer prophesies that an earth shattering event will occur, and only Leo will be able to save the day, his life is thrown asunder.

Now we meet the humans. Siblings Marlow and Zach are children of a space scientist. Well versed in meteorology, these children are curious about absolutely everything. Enamoured with the world around them, and especially the natural world, they are keen observers and fearless investigators.

When an earthquake sets off a chain reaction that leads to a missing teacher on the human side, and an observation of missing birds on the cat side something very curious will happen. With an apocalypse in the making, both human and cat crews will be needed for what comes next. In a story that features a blue alien, zombie inducing spores, real science mixed into the fantastical, a a Shakespeare playing cat I promise there will be something unexpected and curious in this tale for readers of any age.

It has been a while since I have read a middle grade book, but I am once again astounded by the creativity in this genre. The story was outlandish, and yet it was rooted in the real world representing real issues society and the environment face. It was nice to have a neurodivergent main character and a rag tag band of oddballs. While it did change the dynamics between the siblings, it also showed why Zach made a great hero for this story, and why Marlow’s compassion extended far beyond her brother. I like when all the kids are weird, because most kids are just that. It can be cool to be curious and smart and wanting to save the world!

🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Southbound Films for a chance to review this audiobook. I had a riot on this adventure that made me smile and worry at the same time. There were a few surprises and I like that the focus was on an environmental issue. The sections with the kids were faster in narration, but it really made me feel like I was in the room with these excited and anxious children. Overall a very engaging story with wonderful narration by Annalee Scott.

Thank youuu! I am so happy this was an option as Listen Now! I was able to get the ebook as well and I am so excited to listen with my daughter. She has just started her reading journey, and reading this before bed was great. Now I am able to have her reread any time she wants with this amazing audio! Very well read and easy to listen to.

My Rating: 4.5*

Middle grade children adventure books are some I am often drawn to for a light read with low-ish stakes and cute characters. Within this story, we have older sister Marlow and younger brother Zach, each with their own unique personalities and perspectives. Marlow has an online video channel about bees and herbs and the like while Zach is curious about everything and often “experiments” with what cats are curious about with the neighborhood cats, as well as having a great mind for leadership under-pressure. The author does a phenomenal job of addressing Zach’s autism by making it more like his superpower rather than a hindrance. The author also shows how some characters such as other school kids do not understand autism and thus see it as a weakness or see Zach as just “being different”.

Marlow and Zach are sucked into a whirlwind adventure when they are visiting a teacher’s house (pirate ship) with a group of other kids to watch a termite structure collapse. However, an earthquake hits the area around the same time and the teacher runs off to check on the bee hives located in the mountainous terrain. Marlow and Zach also notice the local wildlife is not acting normally, however, the cats of the neighborhood also seem to be on the case, especially Leo who is looking for where the birds have gone since his brother Cowfuzzi seems to be distraught by their absence.

Such a cute story and I was fully invested in the friends who banded together to solve the mystery. Very much a Goonies style mystery with kids on bikes off to save the day.