(Advance Listening Copy (ALC) courtesy of NetGalley.)

A solid 4⭐ middle grade book, great for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a lot of heart, whimsy, and charm.

Given how important good autism representation is to me, I really appreciated the care the author took in weaving it into the narrative. While some aspects leaned a little technical, the portrayal remained grounded in empathy. I came away feeling that this story could genuinely help readers better connect with a loved one or new friend navigating experiences they may not fully understand.

The talking cats were a standout moment; very much a fun and unexpected surprise. That said, I would have preferred a slightly longer buildup before the world opened up to broader concepts like this, as it might have given the earlier sections more space to breathe.

The ending was another highlight. It was deeply satisfying to see each of the main characters have their own hero moments.

In addition, the narrator’s performance was clear, steady, and supported the emotional tone of the story without being distracting.

TL;DR: The Curiosities is a solid, heartfelt read with thoughtful representation and a satisfying conclusion.

Super cute and fun adventure. I listened to this as an audiobook with my cat loving 11yo daughter. We had a blast. There were moments that were jaw-dropping and others that were literal LOL. As an adult who still loves to read books for younger audiences, I would rate this a 4 star book. As I am writing this with my daughter reading behind my shoulder, she would only allow me to rate it 5 stars because she enjoyed it so much!

So wholesome!
This was about Zach and Marlow, brother and sister, and they are curious about EVERYTHING-hence the title. There's also the neighborhood who's as curious as a doormat.

Their teacher, as curious as them, suddenly disappears and they, due to their curiosity, want to uncover this mystery ofcourse.

I really liked the mystery and the cat humour.

Very captivating and fascinating!

The last sentence was perfect! I enjoyed this journey which kept me guessing. I loved the characters both of the four-legged and two-legged variety. Also, it is refreshing to get an inside look and better understanding of people who are autistic. All in all, this was a very good story and a very fun adventure.

The Curiosities by W.H. Eatons is a wonderfully engaging story that blends suspense, mystery, and sibling loyalty in a way that feels both exciting and age-appropriate for young readers. I listened to the audiobook version and was especially impressed by Annalee Scott’s narration, she brought the characters to life with clarity and warmth, making it easy to stay immersed in the story.

The bond between siblings Marlow and Zach was a highlight for me. Their teamwork, curiosity, and care for one another add a heartfelt layer to the unfolding mystery, making it not just a thrilling adventure but an emotional journey as well.

I’ll be adding both the book and audiobook to my elementary school library. I think my students will really enjoy the atmosphere of suspense and the puzzle-like plot. A great pick for readers who love a good mystery with strong characters and just the right amount of intrigue.

Thank you NetGalley and Southbound Films for the ARC.

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.