The Labyrinth of Doom (Once Upon a Tim, Book 2)

The Labyrinth of Doom (Once Upon a Tim, Book 2)
Author(s)
Age Range
8+
Release Date
November 01, 2022
ISBN
978-1534499287
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Knight-in-training Tim and his best friend, Belinda, embark on a quest to save Princess Grace in this second book in the hilarious, highly illustrated Once Upon a Tim middle grade series from New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs.

Prince Ruprecht is VERY UPSET that knights-in-training, Tim and Belinda, have thwarted his plans and ruined his chances with Princess Grace. And so, to get even, he has kidnapped the princess and trapped her in the most complicated, dangerous, complex, dastardly, biggest (okay you get the point)…and scariest maze in all the world!

Now it’s up to Tim, Belinda, Ferkle, and Rover to fend off menacing beasts (like the minotaur), conquer treacherous obstacles (like chasms filled with cave sharks), find their way through the labyrinth (which is very tricky), and rescue the princess before time runs out. Oh, and also they need to remember how to get back out again…or they’ll be trapped inside the maze forever.

Editor review

1 review
Time to save the day again!
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
What I Loved: This book is such a great book for Middle-Grade readers. Once again, we are loosely in Medieval times this time with more fantastical events and even less historical accuracy. Not that this is a problem. This book has so many subtle jokes that an older child will pick up on and be delighted they understood the references made. For example, my son and I had the best time with the knight’s names. There is Sir Conference, Sir Ebral, Sir Render, Sir Vaylence, Sir Mount, Sir Fass, and Sir Cuss. Then Nerlim is back and my son just exclaims with a chuckle, I still love his name!
Once again, the IQ Vocabulary boosters and the illustrations are wonderful additions to this fun series. His reinvention of the Minotaur was delightful and unexpected. With the plentiful illustrations and quirky humor, this 142-page book feels like such a quick read, making it perfect for even reluctant readers.
Final Verdict: Teachers will know the struggle of teasing a book report out of a student. So, after a particularly funny and clever sequence when my 10-year-old spontaneously bursts into a 5-minute explanation of why Stuart Gibbs books are the best and how each one has these hilarious detail-by-detail action sequences that are completely wonderful in every book, I know this book is a winner. He even compared the different series we have read from Gibbs with specific details to support his enthusiastic exclamation of why Stuart Gibbs is one of his favorite writers. Well, my mother/teacher’s heart pitter-pattered as I quietly looked up when the next Gibb’s book releases even though this one doesn’t even come out until November 1. Thank you, Simon & Schuster, for the ARC. Thank goodness Gibb’s is a prolific writer able to publish books from several series a year because we are definitely ready for the next book.
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