Mac Park, Water Beast (Boy Vs Beast #1), Larrikin House, Jul 2024, 64 pp., RRP $9.99 (paperback), ISBN 9781922804761
Mac Park, Rock Beast (Boy Vs Beast #2), Larrikin House, Jul 2024, 64 pp., RRP $9.99 (paperback), ISBN 9781922804778
Mac Park, Fire Beast (Boy Vs Beast #3), Larrikin House, Jul 2024, 64 pp., RRP $9.99 (paperback), ISBN 9781922804785
Mac Park, Air Beast (Boy Vs Beast #4), Larrikin House, Jul 2024, 64 pp., RRP $9.99 (paperback), ISBN 9781922804792
At age 12, Kai Masters is a Border Guard, following in the footsteps of his father. Kai protects Earth from the beasts that dwell in the lands beyond the border. Living in a lighthouse that hides many secrets to help Kai with his missions, he is armed with all sorts of weapons and armour, supplied by the Bordaria Master Command (BMC) to aid him as he confronts the beasts threatening to take over Earth.
There are four books in the Boy VS Beast series – Water Beast, Rock Beast, Fire Beast, and Air Beast. In each book Kai must figure out what will help him defeat these menacing beasts, each one different, requiring varying weapons, armour, and skills – of which Kai may not even have access to yet, as it depends on how successful he is when defeating each beast as to whether or not he receives upgrades. It’s best to read the books in order, as Kai levels up and achieves upgrades as he progresses to battling the next beast, but they can be read independently and still be enjoyed as stand alone adventures.
The introduction and the prologue is the same for each book, so it tends to be a bit repetitive (especially if reading them quickly in succession). However, because the format of each book reads like a game, it does set the scene each time – kind of like watching episodes of a favourite TV show and choosing not to skip the intro each time. Then the reader is thrown straight into the excitement of the discovery of what beast is to be confronted, battled and conquered within a few easy chapters. The battle sequence is presented in comic form, which is a great idea for depicting the fight between Kai and beast. It helps build the excitement of the scene and really delivers a high-impact representation of each battle.
Suitable for ages 7-9, the Boy Vs Beast books are in large print, with short, succinct sentences, that make it accessible for all readers. The illustrations are incorporated as though getting pop ups mid-game, helping the reader to gather more information as Kai and BMC prepare for each battle. It’s a fun concept, and gives the text pace without bombarding younger readers with too many written details. These books are great for younger readers who want more than silly gags and crass humour to engage with the story.
Reviewed by Lauren Harcombe
