Beast Mode

Beast Mode is the new middle grade adventure story from J.J. Arcanjo, author of the brilliant Crookhaven series, which has been adapted by the BBC. This is the first in a brand new series, and it's a supernatural novel full of action that would suit fans of Marvel and X-Men. It's very fast-paced and we jump straight into the story, which follows a group of kids who have found themselves on the streets with no memory of who they used to be. Somehow they have acquired the ability to shapeshift into animals, but they can't let their secret out. However, when the mysterious Night Beast herds them towards a dangerous situation, they start to unravel the mystery of who they really are, and how they are able to transform into beasts...

The children at the centre of this story are very likable, with distinct personalities and intriguing back-stories which are revealed bit by bit. Even though they have a supernatural ability they are relatable, and there's a strong found family vibe. They all have each other's back and are loyal to each other and protective of the unit they have created.

A group of bad guys are essential in a book like this, and Beast Mode has a sinister organisation that wants to take the children's powers and use them for nefarious means. There's betrayal and treachery and some good surprises that are well pitched for the target audience. The main characters are constantly in danger, and there are plenty of fight scenes where the characters get to show off their enhanced skills and where their beast attributes are really handy!

This is a good first book - it sets up a lot that can be explored in future installments and it ends leaving you wanting more, but at the same time, it's a complete story in its own right, and there's no lengthy build-up. It would be a great fit for readers who like their stories fast-moving with lots of action and tension. I can easily imagine children reading this then dreaming about what kind of animal they would want to transform into - perfect escapism!