The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry

Sunderworld, Vol. I

By: Ransom Riggs

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

The instant New York Times bestseller from visionary storyteller Ransom Riggs!

Weaving the familiar with the peculiar, this stunning tale of loss, triumph, friendship and magic, will remind listeners everywhere that true heroes are made, not born—and when you’re never the chosen one, sometimes you have to choose yourself.

Seventeen-year-old Leopold Berry is seeing weird things around Los Angeles. A man who pops a tooth into a parking meter. A glowing trapdoor in a parking lot. A half-mechanical raccoon with its tail on fire that just won’t leave him alone. Every hallucinatory moment seems plucked from a cheesy 1990s fantasy TV show called Max's Adventures in Sunderworld—and that’s because they are.

Not a good sign.

In the blurry weeks after his mother’s death, a young Leopold discovered VHS tapes of its one and only season in a box headed for the trash—and soon became obsessed. Losing himself in Sunder was the best way to avoid two things: grieving his mother and being a chronic disappointment to his overbearing father. But when the strange visions return—at the worst possible time on the worst possible day—Leopold turns to his best friend Emmet for help. Together they discover that Sunder is much more than just an old TV show, and that Los Angeles is far stranger than they ever imagined. And soon, he’ll realize that not only is Sunderworld real, but it’s in grave danger.

Certain he’s finally been chosen for greatness, Leopold risks everything to claim his destiny, save the world of his childhood dreams, and prove once and for all that he’s not the disappointment his father believes him to be. But when everything goes terribly, horribly, excruciatingly wrong, Leopold’s disappointments prove to be more extraordinary than he ever could have imagined.

How do you battle darkness when no one believes in you—not even yourself?

Welcome to Sunderworld.

©2024 Ransom Riggs (P)2024 Listening Library

Critic reviews

★ "Riggs’s incandescent storytelling, exquisite worldbuilding, and vivid characterization kick off a propulsive series starter that subverts the chosen-one trope via a self-made antihero who learns to choose himself. If Leopold finds more questions than answers, readers will be heartened by the promise of more adventure and intrigue following this whirlwind opener."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Like the bittersweet Los Angeles it occupies, Leopold's offbeat Sunderworld is a little grimy and a little broken, but the magic is real and will stick with you."—Booklist, starred review

"Riggs' writing is tight and well paced. Some incredible action scenes leap off the pages, and Sunder is a blur of dangerous situations, well-drawn characters, and magical devices. The ending will make readers wish they couldimmediately reach for the second volume.... A fully imagined fantastical world with compelling characters and a nail-biting cliffhanger."—Kirkus Reviews

Imaginative and incredible!

A book for all the dreamers who spent their childhoods in their imaginations. This book was amazing and i thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. I can’t wait to binge volume 2!!

Another great series begun in this book

So seriously, when do we get to read the next book in this series? This is another direction from Ms P’s. Almost like RR paid an homage or two, with the honor of a wholly original story .

This is only the beginning

A quick aside-
I had the extraordinary opportunity to hear Ransom Riggs get interviewed by John Green on the release day of this book. Not only was it such a fun, incredible evening- but I have to commend Ransom that the ticket price of $26 was so manageable compared to many similar style events. We received a signed copy of the book, a Sunderworld Token, and of course the most exciting thing was listening to two old friends talk books, writing, and adventures. It has been a dream of mine to hear either author live, as I have read everything both have written thus far, but what a wondrous thing to get to have them both on stage, simply having fun and hanging out with us all. What an evening to remember. <3 Shoutout to Wild Geese Bookshop for bringing these fellas to a local location. John is literally speaking in my town soon, and I was devastated to find out I would be missing him. This event was literally the perfect, serendipitous solution.

Review-
The first installment of Sunderworld was good, but not gripping. The beginning really struggled to get footing. The first two thirds of this story felt like an extensive prelude, only to be mildly disappointed to finally hit the ground running when there were next to no pages left. I genuinely wish we could have either had flashbacks of the first couple portions of the book while Mr. Berry is on the run OR that the first book focus's on Leopold's life and the struggles he is facing on the day to day. As a whole, the book felt too short...just not enough of either "before sunder" or "after sunder".
While I think this story is fine, I believe the series as a whole has the potential to be great---we just don't get enough of the moving plot during the first book whatsoever.
All that to be said, when Ransom writes any new adventure I am packing my imaginary bags and coming along for the ride. I'm excited for the next "VHS" because I do love where he leaves things with Leopold and I have no intention of abandoning Mr. Berry.

For those who enjoy comparisons- this has a Percy Jackson meets Stranger Things, leaning more sci-fi adventure than sci-fi thriller. I believe a lot of younger kids would like it, however, parents be warned there is cursing and a more adult tone than Peregrins.

Concept 4/5
Setting 3/5
Characters 3.5/5
Magical Ambiance 3/5
Plot 3/5
Coherence 4.5/5
Romance 3.5/5
Audio Reader 5/5
Final Rating 3.5/5


Verdict: This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. I repeat, this is only a test.

What an amazing story!!

Sunderworld: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs is book one in the Sunderworld series. I enjoyed this book so much!!

Leopold Berry is 17yo, his mom passed away 5 years ago and he is still struggling. His father seems to think and lets Larry know he is a disappointment and Larry does is good enough. He is broken and just trying to figure out his place in the world. Trying to hold onto the memory of his mom he finds some VHS tapes of a 1990s fantasy TV show called Max's Adventures in Sunderworld and watches them obsessively. While awake he starts seeing characters from the show. But not everyone around him is seeing what he sees.

I feel like the plot and storyline were so well done. The world building and magic had me hooked I could see it playing like a movie in my head. I felt like all of the characters they were so well written. I enjoyed the mystery and finding the clues Larry’s mom left for him. I loved watching Larry learn more about himself and that he was not the disappointment. This is my first book by Ransom Riggs and I cannot only wait to read more of his books, but I cannot wait for book two in the Sunderland series. Thank you to Ransom Riggs, Penguin Group and Dutton Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for letting me read the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinion.

Good world-building but I needed another 30 min…

Good book, good narration. I wish it was about 30 min longer…maybe a part 2 will come out to make me whole.

Emotionally powerful story

This story was amazing and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

simply phenomenal!

he has done it again from the narration to the plot to the characters. I cannot wait until the next. William, well done