The Legend of Greg (Epic Failures #1)

by Chris Rylander (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Epic Failures

A boy discovers his destiny could totally stink in this riotously funny fantasy-adventure

Risk-averse Greg Belmont is content with being ordinary. He's got a friend--that's right, just one--at his fancy prep school, and a pretty cool dad (even if he is obsessed with organic soaps that smell like a mix of salted pork and Icelandic bog). The problem is, Greg isn't ordinary . . . he's actually an honest-to-goodness, fantastical Dwarf!

He discovers the truth the day his dad brings home a gross new tea--one that awakens bizarre abilities in Greg. Then a murderous Bro-Troll kidnaps his dad and Greg is whisked away to the Underground, where Dwarves have lived for centuries right beneath the streets of Chicago.

With the help of some awesome new friends and a talking ax, Greg learns all about the history of the Dwarves, which has been marked with tales of epic failure since the dawn of time. However, the return of the magic they once wielded means big changes are afoot, escalating tensions with the Dwarves' sworn enemy: the Elves.

Brimming with humor and action, Chris Rylander's The Legend of Greg turns dwarf lore on its head, delivering an adventure readers won't be able to resist.

Select format:
Paperback
$8.99

Find books about:

More books in the series - See All

Kirkus

The tale, rich in Dwarven and Elven lore and ancient magic, is, at its heart, a tale of a young boy coming into his own. Physical descriptions are scanty, with the book assuming a white default. A potent blend of magic, adventure, and humor. 

ALA/Booklist


School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--Greg has always thought of himself as an ordinary kid. Sure, he has a preternatural appetite for meat-based snacks and a dad who is perpetually traveling in search of esoteric ingredients for the all-natural soaps he makes and sells. But aside from a family history of bad luck, Greg has never encountered anything too peculiar. That is, until the day a larger-than-life man attacks Greg's family store and kidnaps his father. Greg finds out that he and his father are dwarves and the attacker was a troll, most likely summoned by the dwarves' natural enemies, elves. Apparently, there are countless dwarves and elves living mainstream lives in the world, many of whom do not even know they are not human. Greg is taken to the underground headquarters of the Chicago contingent of dwarves and begins combat and magic training for the seemingly inevitable war with the elves. Complicating matters is the revelation that Greg's best (and only) friend Edwin is the child of the political head of the elves. The dwarven world-building is charming; for instance, Greg is surprised to discover that the female dwarves considered the most attractive are the ones with the fullest facial hair. The story, however, is lacking in substance, and the cliff-hanger ending feels like the conclusion of a chapter, not the conclusion of a complete book. VERDICT Purchase only where middle grade fantasy is in high demand.--Shira Pilarski, Farmington Community Library, MI

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

In this humorous, heartfelt novel, eighth-grader Greg Belmont discovers the true reason for his family's long history of failure and bad luck: they're Dwarves, part of a secret, supernatural community that (literally) went underground ages ago. Now, like their ancient enemies, the Elves, they hide in plain sight while waiting for the long-prophesied return of magic. But just as Greg learns about his heritage and his ability to perform magical feats, his father is kidnapped, an event that heralds the start of a new conflict between Dwarves and Elves. As Greg and his Dwarf allies train for battle, he rallies them to rescue his father and avert tragedy, but his efforts may cost him his best friend. In this start to a new series, An Epic Series of Failures, Rylander conjures up an engaging world, filled with hidden magical beings and a rich history. (Famous Elves and Dwarves include Bill Gates, Picasso, both Roosevelt presidents, and Tom Brady.) The premise and entertaining narrative, with its combination of dry humor and supernatural action, should appeal to Rick Riordan fans, while the cliffhanger ending leaves the story poised to proceed in unexpected directions. Ages 8-12. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (June)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Delightful . . . funny and absorbing."—Chicago Tribune

"The Legend of Greg is an entertaining and comical middle grade fantasy, sure to keep readers laughing as they cheer Greg along."—Shelf Awareness

"This immediately engaging story features plot twists; puns; detailed, disgusting descriptions; and intriguing chapter headings . . . Silly enough to lure upper elementary audiences while still sufficiently sophisticated for older readers, this satisfying series debut from a popular author should attract plenty of attention."—School Library Connection
Chris Rylander
Chris Rylander is the author of the Fourth Stall saga and the Codename Conspiracy series. A fan of chocolate, chips, and chocolate chips, he lives in Chicago.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781524739720
Lexile Measure
800
Guided Reading Level
R
Publisher
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date
June 12, 2018
Series
Epic Failures
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV052000 - Juvenile Fiction | Monsters
Library of Congress categories
Identity
Adventure and adventurers
Magic
Adventure stories
Fantasy
Fantasy fiction
Kidnapping
JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / Gener
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic
JUVENILE FICTION / Monsters
Elves
Action and adventure fiction
Identity (Psychology
Dwarfs (Folklore)

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!