Alex vs Axel: The Impossible Quests: 1 (Alex vs Axel, 1) Paperback – 2 May 2024

Very enjoyable!

He loved it

I chose this for my son who is something of a reluctant reader and we quite enjoyed reading this together.It's a fantasy tale of two boys swapping places in their respective universes. Although there is a lot of humour in the story, there are also some sad bits and some scary bits as well. I thought it was well written, with engaging characters that you cared about.If I had any niggles it would be that I thought the story set on Aerth worked better than the story set on Earth. However, I think my son very much enjoyed the fish out of water aspect of Axel's story - the humour in it really appealed to him.Overall - really enjoyed this story and would definitely want to continue the series.

**A Whirlwind of Adventure:**This book takes young readers on a thrilling journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Alex and Axel, the dynamic duo at the heart of "this product," embark on impossible quests that are as humorous as they are daring. The narrative is fast-paced, keeping my child eagerly turning the pages to uncover the next challenge.**Memorable Characters:**Sam Copeland has crafted characters that leap off the page with their wit and charm. Alex and Axel's banter is both entertaining and endearing, making them instantly relatable to young readers. Their contrasting personalities add depth to the story, ensuring there's never a dull moment.**Humor that Hits the Mark:**One of the book's greatest strengths is its humor. From clever wordplay to laugh-out-loud situations, "this product" had my child giggling throughout. The humor is age-appropriate yet sophisticated enough to entertain parents reading aloud, creating moments of shared enjoyment.**Themes of Friendship and Bravery:**Beneath the humor and adventure lies a heartfelt exploration of friendship and bravery. Alex and Axel's camaraderie is tested through each quest, teaching valuable lessons about loyalty, perseverance, and the power of teamwork. These themes resonate long after the last page is turned.**Engaging Writing Style:**Sam Copeland's writing style is accessible yet rich in language, making it perfect for emerging readers. The dialogue flows naturally, making it easy for children to follow along and imagine themselves right alongside the characters. It's a book that encourages independent reading and sparks imagination.**Illustrations that Enhance the Story:**The illustrations in "this product" complement the narrative beautifully. They capture the spirit of adventure and humor depicted in the text, adding visual appeal that enhances the overall reading experience. Each illustration is vibrant and engaging, drawing young readers deeper into Alex and Axel's world.**Final Thoughts:**Overall, "Alex vs Axel: The Impossible Quests" is a gem of a book that blends humor, adventure, and heart in equal measure. It's a must-read for any young reader looking for a story that will entertain, inspire, and leave them eagerly anticipating the next instalment. Highly recommended for its engaging storytelling and lovable characters!

Loved this. It was clever and funny, thoughtful and heartwarming, with fantastic illustrations scattered throughout. A perfect combination of fantasy, adventure and real life.

A fantasy novel for younger readers. I will say ideally those aged twelve and up. That's just down to the general level of the writing and the storytelling.It runs for three hundred and sixty eight pages. It has a prologue and twenty three chapters. A map of the setting at the start. There's also an afterword from the writer which is well worth a read. Because it's very funny.This is the start of a series. Although the story in this is pretty much self contained.Meet Alex. Ordinary boy. Living a normal life. With his gran. Having to put up with a school bully. He has a father who doesn't want anything to do with him. His gran needs money and is having problems.He has two great friends. A smart girl and an eccentric boy.But as the prologue informs us, someone somewhere has a great story to tell...Things happen. Suddenly Alex is replaced by Axel. He's just like Alex. If he was a vain hero type from a fantasy world. Who thus has a lot to get used to in ours.Meantime Alex is in Axel's world. Where he makes two friends. But has a lot to get used to also.Both of them have an impossible quest to fulfil. If only they knew what the quest was...This has prose that is easy to get along with, so does make for a good and smooth read. There are also occasional full page illustrations. Which are really good and bring the narrative to life.As a narrative, it's utterly brilliant.I was initially a little more taken with Axel exploits in our world, as it gets a lot of good and genuine comedy from those as he has no idea about many things. But Alex's journey steadily grabs as you do suddenly find you like his friends. And it becomes a more and more interesting world along the way.Although it does have serious moments, it balances that will the comedy nicely. All of which comes from character. As it should.As it moves along, you will be utterly hooked. There is really great jeopardy in both worlds in seeing how things will turn out. So pages turn fast as you are desperate to know. It does get superbly emotional at times also. I won't spoiler any of that, but you won't forget it in a hurry.It does also keep you on tenterhooks as to how it will end out, right to the very last page.This is a fabulous book, and one you can enjoy even if you are much older than the target age group. It's a great read with a lot of fun to be had along the way, and one that becomes a wonderful emotional journey also. I loved it. Sequel 'Alex vs Axel; the thief of time' is forthcoming at the time of writing. I can't wait.

Well written and exciting story, littered with fun illustrations.Our kids enjoyed reading this- the do a chapter each out loud.Really great adventure and we are looking to buy more from the series.

Daughter (11) struggled to follow story line, didn't like illustration and overall mediocre