Chicago Tribune Top 12 Books of 2023
Guardian Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (September 2023)
SciFiNow Best Science Fiction Books (August 2023)
New Scientist Best New Science Fiction (August 2023)
Powell’s Bookstore Pick of the Month (August 2023)
Bookriot’s 10 Don’t-Miss Horror Novels (August 2023)
2024 American Book Fest Best Book Award for Visionary Fiction
“A powerfully weird, original tale that combines American folk horror with a surreal coming-of-age nightmare.”—The Guardian

“An eerie, surrealist twist on the American Midwest, highlighting everything unusual about small-town living . . . The focus on creating a desolate and strange atmosphere pays off. Horror fans who value ambiance over jump scares will want to check this out.”—Publishers Weekly

“A genre-bending horror thriller that grapples with adolescent desire and existential dread . . . Gooey, gory, and frightening, Kennedy’s latest will appeal to fans of coming-of-age horror.”—Booklist

“Strap yourselves in for a super-storm of psycho-sexual intensity: American gothic, full-blown horror, wrapped up in an adolescent coming-of-age tale . . . Don’t try to understand, just get swept up and enjoy the ride.”—Daily Mail

“Wonderful, improbable . . . Its dream logic unfolds into an epic.”—Chicago Tribune

“A twisty, startling, atmospheric Midwest Gothic with the unstoppable power of a freight train and the moody ambience of a mist-shrouded diner at midnight. I could not put it down, and the ending left me in pieces.”—Delilah S. Dawson, New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Bloom, Wake of Vultures, and more

“A Lynchian sense of creeping nastiness, rooted in the way small-town life can be stifling, pervades a novel that, as its various plot strands come together, has a whirlwind energy that’s hard to resist. Four stars.”—SFX Magazine

“An utterly unique coming-of-age horror-thriller . . . Deadpan creepy, extremely weird, and totally satisfying.”—Laini Taylor, New York Times-bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer and the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy

“Depraved, hilarious, and genre-bending.”—Kathleen Rooney at Brooklyn Rail

“Delves into surreal, mind-bending depths . . . Fans of eerie, atmospheric horror will be hooked.”—SciFiNow (“Best New Science Fiction Books of August 2023”)

“It’s downright unsettling . . . a wildly original and haunting coming-of-age story.”—Cavan Scott, New York Times bestselling author (Star Wars The High Republic, Shadow Service)

“Reads like a fever dream wrapped inside of techno-colored nightmare and viewed through a kaleidoscope . . . Kennedy keeps the reader hooked with his vivid descriptions and the narrator’s infinite curiosity, trying to make sense of the messy business. Anyone looking for a surreal, supernatural thriller with mysterious undertones will be blown away by Bride of the Tornado.“—Manhattan Book Review

“Nightmarish . . . Reads like Ray Bradbury channeling David Lynch and Stephen King.”—Keir Graff, author of The Tiny Mansion and The Swing of Things

“A fever dream for adults who want to be surprised . . . A high-velocity twister of a ride.”—Lori Rader-Day at Chicago Review of Books

“There are some utterly bonkers & epic moments that I’ll remember for a long time . . . You’ll find yourself utterly enthralled.”—FanFiAddict

“Unabashedly candid, raw, and at times humorous and heartbreaking . . . If you enjoy stories that aren’t afraid of being weird and are draped heavily in looming dread, check this one out.”—Michael Goodwin (author of Smolder, Scribe, and The Ritual)

“Ten Best Horror Books of 2024. Haunting, fantastical, twisted. This went in all the directions I wasn’t expecting, and delivered from start to finish.”—Daniel Willcocks, bestselling author of Dream, When Winter Comes, and many other books

“Written in an unsettling, eerie style that has the reader suspicious of every character and every event, Bride of the Tornado crawls under your skin and stays there.”—Jamie Stewart, author of Something Wicked, Something Dark and Montague’s Carnival of Delights and Terror

“Creepy and increasingly surreal . . . For readers who like strange things in their fiction.”—SF2 Concatenation

“Feverish, compelling and brilliantly original . . . Bride of the Tornado is everything horror can be. “—The Book Beard

“A strange whirlwind of a horror story . . . What I loved most about this book is how freaking weird it is. The experience of letting go of trying to figure out any practical explanations and just enjoying the ride was fantastic.”—Elliott Bay Book Company (Seattle)

“Fascinating, bizarre and mind-twisting.”—The Constellation of Moon

“Captivating and utterly unique . . . James Kennedy’s masterful storytelling, imaginative world-building, and compelling characters make this novel an enchanting and thought-provoking read.”—Ginger Nuts of Horror

“I love me some smart horror, I love being puzzled and guessing up to the end, and I love being immersed in a weird world. If you are like me, you will probably love this book. This is for fans of Stephen King, of House of Leaves, and of Ishiguro’s Buried Giant.“—The Chuckanut Reader

“No one does lost outcasts searching for purpose like James Kennedy. What a strange, haunting, eerie, unsettling, satisfying, infuriating piece of art.”—Books Inc. (San Francisco)

“A Twin Peaks-esque tale of first love, sinister adults and strange cults that will leave you wondering: what did I just read?! Unsettling, funny, electric. And just a little sweet.”—University Book Store (Seattle)

“We always feel like there’s a lot we don’t know, which keeps the tension and dread at tantalizingly high levels. I loved the narrator.”—Snail On The Wall Bookstore (Staff Pick)

“Rarely am I left speechless by a book. I’m speechless. I don’t even know what I read but all I know is that it was absolutely insanely awesome . . . I felt like I was on a horrible HORRIBLE acid trip the whole time but I couldn’t put it down. The best way I can describe this book is Midsommar/Hereditary vibe if you’re into horror movies.”—Neeley Likes Words (One of her Top 10 Reads of 2024)

“I wish I could treat James Kennedy’s mind like Netflix and just scroll down his ideas and the way he sees the world—I want to go to the movies inside this man’s dreams and nightmares so I’m really glad he decided to be a writer . . . The setting was so vivid, atmospheric, suffocating, that it felt like a character that I loved and feared in equal amounts. Reading this book raised my blood pressure because I felt like there was something behind ME the entire time.”—Lucsbooks

“Holy cow! This has got to be the strangest book I’ve read in ages. A mix of horror, coming of age, fever dream, and midwestern folklore! It’s also utterly compelling. As a child of the Midwest, I’ve had tornadoes swirling around in my nightmares for a very long time. This book was an uncomfortable, fascinating and surreal read that will probably live in my head for a LONG time.”—Jodi’s Many Books

“I have not been able to forget this book. Coming-of-age story turns horror in this Stephen King-like read. Five stars.”—Reading With Randy

“This book is brilliant and it’s bizarre. It’s basically one big existential nightmare in a novel . . . I can’t really do the book justice but if I had to try and explain the style it’s probably Stranger Things mixed with Stephen King’s IT but with more of an adult feel similar to Twin Peaks . . . the best contemporary horror thriller I’ve read in a long time.”—Amanda Llwyd

“This book is unique . . . I loved the concept of this book. I mean this as a compliment, but you know that feeling in a bad dream when you become aware you’re in a bad dream . . . that is what this book feels like.”—Lauren At Read

“What did I just read? This was definitely one of the most bizarre books I have ever read, I had no idea what was happening, ever, and yet I couldn’t stop reading—I was fascinated . . . a confusing fever dream of forbidden love with a cult-like creepery looming everywhere.”—SJ Through The Looking Glass

“Twin Peaks meets The Mist in one of the most bizarre books that I have ever read. Talk about true love.”—Philly Ghoul

“Genre-defying . . . I did find myself constantly trying to solve this mysterious puzzle but always being left surprised by another twist . . . It was as chilling and twisted as it was bizarre. Reading this book felt like a fever dream.”—My Wee Reads

“I loved the unabashed quirkiness of this read. Full of off-beat characters and ominous goings-on. The whole thing left me with that ‘WTF did I just read’ feeling that I absolutely live for! I found it to be quite coming-of-age and young adult-ish yet still incredibly dark and very enjoyable as a horror novel.”—What Wandering Windy Reads

“Bizarre. Eerie. Weird . . . This horror-thriller is nothing like I’ve ever read before. I read it in about a day (I couldn’t put it down) . . . This is quite literally a tornado of a book; it’ll spin you, whip you, and throw you and leave you dumbfounded in the end.”—Taylor Paige

“An absolutely phenomenal read . . . A quirky vortex of speculative fiction steeped in existential dread that sucks you into the bizarre and rather terrifying world, cloaked in an incredibly creepy macabre mood . . . Equal parts chilling, witty and sensitive.”—The Vampire’s Library

“A rich page-turner full of atmosphere and intensity. At times the writing was cinematic and psychedelic. The scenes are ripe with emotion. I found this book so hard to put down. It’s very original . . . I highly highly recommend this book.”—Peculiar Throne

“One of the most challenging and beautiful characteristics of this book, for me, is the surrealist style. The illogical aspects drew me in deep because I adore a good puzzle; and then I became heavily invested in this dark tale painted over with a thin veneer of normalcy. As the narrative progresses, this veneer peels back, and the story becomes increasingly strange and uncanny. This narrative wrestles with some worthy themes, such as youth conformity and finding one’s place in a group, unwanted and forced pregnancy, and intergenerational trauma . . . I loved it and definitely recommend it to horror fans who like to be challenged and surprised.”—Dona’s Books

“Suspenseful yet poignant writing . . . Lovers of Stephen King and Ari Aster would appreciate the twists and turns of this James Kennedy book. I certainly had nightmares after finishing it, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it (my highest compliments to any book) . . . Once you pick it up, there is no forgetting it.”—Reading With Randy

“Extreme horror level! Have you seen the old show Unsolved Mysteries? Bride of the Tornado has that same vibe, but with a more David Lynch feel and it reads like a fever dream . . . I’d definitely recommend it if you want a mindfuck of a book!”—Reads With Dogs

“This book was the weirdest fever dream in the best way possible. It literally feels like you are in a weird nightmare and can’t wake up. A super unique read. Four out of five stars.”—Horror Chronicles

“A complete mind bender of a read that I couldn’t pull away from. If you’re a fan of Stranger Things, Twin Peaks, or just quirky reads in general, this is one for you . . . Quite gruesome and a sickening read in places and really makes your head spin! Four stars.”—All Books Great And Small

“Viscerally creepy and gory but never gratuitous . . . I love when stories and writers are willing to go for broke and create worlds and characters that readers will either love or hate. In the end I read this in a single sitting—it was fun and definitely unique . . . A creepy good time!”—Rona Reads

“A captivating blend of coming-of-age drama, surreal horror, and psychological thriller that will thrill fans of Stephen King and Catriona Ward . . . If you enjoy books that challenge your perception of reality and embrace the strange and the uncanny, Bride of the Tornado will leave you both mesmerized and unnerved.”—Twins And Talent

“One of those bizarre books that feel like entering the realm of dreams only to find out it’s been a nightmare all along. Short, dark, with a compelling writing style and solid storytelling . . . The main character’s voice is powerful and vibrant, and so is the portrayal of the secondary characters. If you enjoy weird books, peculiar narrators, a certain sense of nostalgia, and a dash of horror, you’ll love Bride of the Tornado.“—Books In Parentheses

“Knocked my socks off. If you like weird fiction, creepy small towns, and Eraserhead, check it out!”—Small Friend Records & Books (Richmond, Virginia)

“This book is a whirlwind of a story . . . Ohh how i really enjoyed this book!! Kennedy keeps the whole story shrouded in mystery up until the very last page, and even then we don’t know the whole thing! This book was so good it put me in a temporary slump . . . Have you ever had a book like that? It’s so good/weird that it leaves you flabbergasted for a bit and you have to process what you just read.”—Novelette

“The writing is wonderful, with stunning world-building and character development. It’s rare that I find a book that is this bizarre, and this excellent. I LOVED it.”—Danielle Vinson (luna13darke)

Staff Pick, The Bookloft Berkshires (Cheri)

The Times (UK) Best Book of 2021
Guardian Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror (September 2021)
Financial Times Best In New Science Fiction (October 2021)
Indie Next List Pick (Sept. 2021)
Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award winner
“Worth the cover price for sheer insolence alone . . . Essential reading for the gathering dark.”—The Times Saturday Review (“Best New Science Fiction for October 2021”)

“A voraciously readable page-turner of a novel, part creepypasta, part thought-experiment.” —Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother and Radicalized

“Explores questions of free will, psychology and human history in a fascinating, compulsively readable thriller.”—The Guardian

“A razor-smart sci-fi corporate noir nightmare. Dare to Know is what happens when Willy Loman sees through the Matrix. A heartbreaking, time-bending, galactic mindbender delivered in the mordantly funny clip of a doomed antihero.”—Daniel Kraus, co-author of The Shape of Water

“An entertainingly mind-bending read.”—Financial Times

“Audaciously clever and well written . . . [a] superb piece of storytelling: vivid, thought provoking and unsettling. After you finish it you’ll want to go back to the start and read it again.”—SFX Magazine

“A surreal premise and an unconventional revelation fuel a cosmic journey . . . a wholly original novel that’s bound to frustrate just as many as it entrances.”—Esquire

“[An] enjoyable slipstream thriller… Readers with a taste for the synchronicity of the cosmic with the commonplace are sure to be entertained.” —Publishers Weekly

“Philip K. Dick energy infusing Death of the Salesman… I loved it.” —Kieron Gillen, Hugo-winning creator of The Wicked + The Divine

“Seamlessly integrates philosophy, first love, Beatles music, jaw-dropping science fiction and the four stages of civilization, and turns it all into a fast-paced, existential, mind-expanding thriller—a thoroughly enjoyable read.” —Shelf Awareness

“Will keep readers on the edge of their seats wanting to find out the next piece of the puzzle… Dare To Know will prompt the reader to consider the philosophical implications of life and death itself.” —Booklist

“Imagine Rod Serling hijacking Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross into The Twilight Zone, and you’ve got a glimmer of James Kennedy’s doom-laden, genre-defying novel Dare to Know. A fresh and morbid twist… Kennedy spins a slow-burn nightmare in which something is clearly coming apart at the seams, but is it our self-cursed narrator or the whole of existence?”—Stephen Segal, author of Geek Wisdom

“A personal and riveting horror story . . . frightening and smart.” —The Southern Bookseller Review

“Kennedy weighs the book in a sense of reality, which is important when things start to go gonzo later in the narrative . . . Perfect for science fiction readers who like their concepts intelligent and complex, but also like to have characters with developed personalities.” —SFBook Reviews

“If you’re a fan of speculative fiction that dances with metaphysics in the style of the late, great Philip K Dick, chances are you’re going to get a kick out of Dare to Know. Like Dick, Kennedy deals with big philosophical ideas that question the nature of perceived reality, but (again, like Dick) grounds these questions with protagonists whose lives feel lived in and real . . . A wonderfully twisted, intelligent, and unusual read.” –Russel McLean (author of Ed’s Dead)

“[A] genre-bending thriller… Good pacing and clever plotting keep the pages turning.” —New York Journal of Books

“I love being surprised—and very much was—by where Dare to Know not just ended up, but by the path it took to get there… If you like David Lynch, if you like the mysteries of the universe, you’re going to want to give this a read.” —Brennan Storr, host of Largely the Truth

“A mind-twister reminiscent of Philip K. Dick.” —SF2 Concatenation

“Imagine what would happen if Chuck Palahniuk, Enrico Fermi, and the Brothers Grimm got together to raise a child . . . This novel is weird, in a terrifyingly techy, could-be-so, where’s-this-going? kind of way . . . Sci-fi, snark-horror and futuristic thriller fans will love it.” —The Guam Daily Post

“You get something entirely different to what the blurb promises, but in the best possible way . . . I won’t spoil anything but those last 60 pages are truly pulse-pounding. Kennedy grabs you and just runs, his sentences become snappy, what should be leaps in logic make perfect sense and my god I loved it. This is spec fic at its finest. If you love a story that starts weird and gets WEIRD, this is for you.” —FanFiAddict

“An incredibly thought provoking and mind bending novel.” —It Starts At Midnight

“If you like your books weird, twisty and to be a bit of a mind f***, then this is the book for you . . . It’s a book that I raced through and loved the uniqueness of it all . . . It makes you think outside of the box and challenges you!” —Books and Me

“A convoluted, shifting fever dream of a story . . . like sci-fi Metamorphosis on acid. 4 stars.” —Bethany’s Bookshelf

“Like reading a kaleidoscope . . . mind-bending . . . a book well worth reading.” —Geek Dad

“Begins with a Blake Crouch-esque SF premise and then descends into a surreal, existential fever dreamy ‘WTF did I just read’ kind of conclusion—and I mean this in the best possible way.”—Amber Logan, author of The Secret Garden of Yanagi Inn

“A dark, sci-fi fever dream . . . This book is part high-concept mathematical lecture, part memoir, part regretful love story, and part dark, disturbing fantasy. Sounds like a lot, but trust me, it just works. All of it together makes for a rollercoaster ride that always seems to have one more thrill left.”—Michael Goodwin (author of Smolder, Scribe, and The Ritual)

“Wonderfully quirky, nerdy, and compelling . . . marvelous plotting, building tension and momentum and vague, creeping dread.” —Johnson County Public Library, Johnson County, KS

“Twisty, thought provoking, and delightfully quirky doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of this wild thrill ride of a novel. Set aside a day and the better part of a night, because putting your copy of Dare to Know aside won’t be an option.” —Jenny Chou, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, WI

“The twists and turns that James Kennedy puts you through will give you whiplash . . . Trust me on this, Dare to Know is a wild ride that will stick in the back of your brain long after you finish it.” —Zach, McLean & Eakin Booksellers

“As you read Dare to Know, your sense of reality will melt away.” —Bob Lingle, Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, Lakewood, NY

“Bloody brilliant . . . I couldn’t put it down.”—Kristi’s Literary Corner

“An incredible techno-thriller . . . I read this in one day it moved so fast.”—Dark Towerr

“A twisty absolutely mind blowing speculative novel. My brain hurts! In a good way.”—Liz Barnsley

“It’s been a long, long time since something has messed with my head so beautifully. The insane, surreal chaos of this book is elegant. Plotted and crafted so carefully that it all comes together with, well, a sense of occasion. Read it. Love it. Have someone on call so when you finish, you can give them a ring and ask, “Hey the world is still the same as it was before, right?” And they can tell you, “Nah. Not really.””—Content Bookstore Staff Pick (Sylvie)

“Read this if you want your brain to melt.”—Blackwell’s Bookshop (Sari Starkey)

“What a crazy and unusual read this was – a truly mind-bending thriller . . . Grotesque, crazy, fast paced and addictive.”—Lu Reads Anything

“This. Was. Trippy. . . . Really enjoyed this book, and I definitely do recommend it . . . if you like Blake Crouch, I think you should give this one a try.”—Rebecca Review Edit

“I really enjoyed this story as well as the author’s writing style. It really was not was I was expecting and I zoomed through it.”—Sheepy Reads

A Smithsonian Notable Book for Children 2008ALA 2009 Best Books for Young Adults NomineeYALSA 2014 Popular Paperback for Young AdultsWinner (?) of 2009 Newbery Medal (here’s the sordid tale)
“Hilarious . . . Readers with a finely tuned sense of the absurd are going to adore the Technicolor ride.” —Booklist

“An extraordinary and delightfully weird romp that’s one part China Mieville, one part Lemony Snicket, with trace amounts of Madeline L’Engle and Roald Dahl . . . Kennedy has filled 400+ pages with a series of strange turn-ups and adventures that grow progressively more outlandish and funny, such that when you think he’s surely run out of runway and must crash, he finds new, unsuspected weirdness to explore.” —Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother, For The Win, and co-editor of Boing Boing

“Rollicking fantasy on the grand scale.” —Smithsonian magazine

“An adventurous romp with singular characters. Fans of humorous chaos will find plenty of stimulation here.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“A carnival of odd . . . The imagination, whimsy, and humor aren’t like anything else you’ve read before. . . The whole time I was reading this I wished I was reading it with someone, so I could elbow them at particularly bizarre moments, or chortle, or read passages aloud and savor them.” —Laini Taylor, author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and the National Book Award-nominated Lips Touch

“If Douglas Adams spawned with Hunter S. Thompson and the resulting lovechild was raised by Eddie Izzard, the result would be a close approximation of what you’ll find here. I don’t get to use the word ‘depraved’ enough in my reviews, but this book is an example of sweet mind-boggling depravity that marks the debut of an author to watch.” —Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library

“Kennedy’s writing is so extraordinary. He has a knack for creating outrageous characters and vivid scenes where the subtlest turn of phrase can make the most hilarious impact . . . Kennedy reminds us that writing, especially young adult writing, does not have to be simple or tedious or at all reductive, that it can be dense and multi-layered and exquisitely complex . . . I loved The Order of Odd-Fish.” —Gapers Block

“A work of mischievous imagination and outrageous invention.” —Time Out Chicago

“Over the top? Yes . . . fantasy done to a clever, grotesque, nonsensical turn.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“For fans of fantasy and oddball humor, James Kennedy’s debut novel is sure to please . . . This clever, creative story will keep readers engaged and laughing. This is the perfect book for selective readers who think outside the box. Recommended.” —Library Media Connection

“A weird love child of Douglas Adams and J.K. Rowling . . . I actually laughed—hooted, snorted, guffawed—out loud . . . Wacky, weird, zany, unusual, off-kilter, and, yes, odd. You shouldn’t miss it.” —Book Nut

“A fantastic, rollicking adventure that’s perfect for older kids and teens and even adults, too. It captures the same fanciful spirit and surreal nature of Dahl and the coming-of-age story of the Harry Potter series. But Chicago-based author James Kennedy’s tale stands on its own merits, setting itself apart from those inspirations with its own brand of humor and spectacularly surreal characters and story. It’s an engrossing book that readers will be drawn into almost immediately.”—Chicagoist

“A wonderfully delirious book . . . Kennedy plays whole thing for surreal, over-the-top laughs—and he gets them in spades . . . H.P. Lovecraft meets Monty Python at a Willy Wonka convention.” —Rob Weston, author of Zorgamazoo

“Clever plot, rich and fully realized setting, and often witty dialogue.” —School Library Journal

“Start with a healthy dose of grotesque Victorianism—Charles Dickens or Lewis Carroll will do. Add splashes of Harry Potter and Franz Kafka with a cup of Monty Python and Edward Gorey. Season with pinches of William S. Burroughs, Joseph Heller, and the Book of Jonah, and whatcha get is a deliciously absurd debut novel . . . What I found most enjoyable about the novel, however, was the author’s sense of comic timing. In my opinion, he ranks among such writers as John Kennedy Toole (A Confederacy of Dunces), Oscar Wilde, and Charles Dickens at his comic best.” —Mr. S’s BiblioBlog

“Well-crafted, frankly brilliant . . . I simply couldn’t put it down.” —We Be Reading

“Delightful and moving . . . This book is a joy to read. It is absurdly funny, touching, and relentlessly paced.” —The YA Department

“It’s difficult to compare The Order of Odd-Fish to any recent MG or YA literature; that’s just how absolutely bizarre it is. Bursting with creativity and absurdity (and decidedly British humor), it’s such a fun ride from start to finish. Everything, down to the most inconsequential details, is peppered with something strange and unheard of. Even when the twists grow a little darker, Kennedy handles them with deft humor and ingenuity. Verging from the corny to the positively mind-boggling, The Order of Odd-Fish pulls out all the stops as a sci-fi/fantasy-comedy.” —The Bookish Mutant

“Deliciously inventive . . . a delightful, almost classically British sense of humour, that makes every page a delight to read . . . Kennedy is a writer of superb creativity and absurdity . . . I thought that strange and delightfully imaginative books like Alice In Wonderland and Hitchhikers Guide couldn’t be written any more without the authors of them being accused of taking various psychotropic cocktails. I am delighted to announce that novels stuffed with the wacky and hilarious are alive and well, and, if in no-one else, they live in James Kennedy.” —A Quick Word

“The Order of Odd-Fish is a fun, funny story full of oddball characters and the best cockroach butler you will ever find in a book. It appears as though pages have been ripped from Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll, twisted all up, and then bound together with Monty Python-esque decoration—a truly entertaining book.” —Kern County Library

“Twist a slice of the Wizard of Oz around a sprinkle of Alice in Wonderland. Add in a spoonful of Salvador Dali’s brains, a smidgen of Dr. Seuss and roll it all together with a heaping dose of whatever makes the Cheshire cat grin and you have the beginnings of The Order of Odd-Fish.” —Bookfetish.org

“It reminded me a lot of the books of Roald Dahl . . . If you’re looking for a wonderful fantasy-filled book full of zany characters and situations, you can’t go wrong checking out The Order of Odd-Fish. Highly recommended.” —Curled Up With A Good Book

“One of the more singular young adult fantasies—or fantasies, period—I’ve run across . . . What marks The Order of Odd-Fish as singular is the sheer explosive inventiveness of Kennedy’s universe-building . . . A wonderful book—funny, bizarre, action-packed, and even thoughtful, and stocked with a gallery of larger-than-life characters. And you don’t have to be a teenager to enjoy it. Trust me on that.” —Green Man Review

“Lively and creative . . . a novel stuffed with symbolism and intriguing themes. Are there any academics out there looking for a kids’ book to write about? Choose this one. I can’t wait to read the articles that come out of The Order of Odd Fish . . . Delacorte should be proud.” —A Shrewdness of Apes

“Every time I thought the story had settled into its comfort spot and would just flow along, Kennedy turned everything on its head and upped the absurdity ante again, and again, and again. And, amazingly, every time it works splendidly. Overflowing with laugh-out-loud moments, totally unexpected plot twists, and off-the-wall fantastical details, this is the most fun I’ve had with a book in a long time. Highly recommended, particularly to anyone who gets bored easily, and anyone who has ever wondered what a novel written by Dr. Seuss might be like.” —Josh’s Froz-T-Freez Internet Drive-Inn

“Not since Kafka’s Metamorphosis has a giant cockroach been brought so majestically to the printed page . . . Masterly . . . This is a great book for a 13ish year old reader of fantasy, or anyone who wishes to read a book that offers an entertaining and satisfying escape from the quotidian world.” —Charlotte’s Library

“Kennedy’s first novel is so many odd flavors wrapped into one . . . If you love elaborate ceremonies, weird motives, strange smells, hideous devices, a classic quest with Lovecraftian squishiness, strong women and strange men, and the odd creature or two (tame squid anyone?), The Order of Odd-Fish is for you.” —Leaving Shangri-L.A.

“The Order of Odd-Fish is hard to describe but it’s a whole lot of fun to read. I laughed out loud many times. Kennedy’s word choice is smart and witty. I love that Kennedy appreciates the sophistication of a teenage reader.” —The Happy Nappy Bookseller

“Crazy. Zany. Wacky . . . I really enjoyed The Order of Odd-Fish . . . I don’t think there is anything that can compare to this book!” —Married To Mr. T

“This book is like Monty Python and Roald Dahl mixed together. It’s extremely funny and had me laughing out loud.” —Kiss The Book

“This is a totally weird book. If you like fantasy that is completely crazy you will like this book. . . Eldritch City, itself, is a strange and wonderful place . . . Jo is truly dangerous and you really want to read the book to find out why.” —Cougar Book Corner

“Adventure, mystery, and tons of crazy . . . I really had a good time with this book, like a breath of crazy air, if you want something fun. This will be a good choice.” —Binge On Books

“The book rocks . . . a book that both adult and teen can enjoy for the fantasy and for its devilishly clever humor.” —I’m A Stranger Here Myself

“Astonishing and funny . . . Think of Eldritch City as the love child of Lewis Carroll and Neil Gaiman . . . irony worthy of a satirist writing for adults.” —Book Aunt

“I do not remember ever laughing more at any book than this one.” —Adventures of a Book Worm

“A crazy ride that would make Norton Juster proud . . . a delightful journey through an eccentric city. I’m eager to explore more of Kennedy’s imagination.” —Materials For Teens

“Whimsical, absurd, grotesque . . . I wasn’t just laughing, but feeling amazed delight at how wonderfully off-centre it all is.” —So Many Books

“A wonderful book . . . It almost bubbles with frenetic energy, but at the same time, you get to know the characters and what drives them . . . I just really, really liked this book. It’s so well written, funny, moving, and exciting.” —Well, It’s About Time You Heard My Opinion

“A fantastic book by an author who is clearly influenced by Monty Python and Roald Dahl. His book contains all of the fantastic whimsical ideas that they could dream up along with the dark and scary too.” —Book of the Day Club

“Kennedy certainly has his own unique style . . . It’s a lot of fun to read . . . Fun, frothy and full of flavor.” —Aarti Nagaraju at Booklust

“The most delightful and darkly compelling book I have read in a long time.” —Vaughn Public Library

“Epic . . . Kennedy has created something unique . . . the Belgian Prankster and the Silent Sisters rank among the best villains of children’s literature.” —Hi Miss Julie! Librarian Blog

“A roller coaster ride of craziness and humorous fun. If this book isn’t on your book shelf, you only have yourself to blame.” —Artist In Progress

“Impossible to not love . . . Random, absurd and imaginative and very tongue-in-cheek . . . this book rocks and that I think everybody should get it at once . . . The kind of book where you’re totally into it, laughing loudly, wanting to quote entire chapters to family members.” —Akima Montgomery’s Karolinske Paradis

“You should go read this book. It takes a really basic coming of age story about a girl trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be and flips it on its head. Kennedy creates an absurd world that is full of odd, disgusting, hilarious and dangerous characters and gives us a story that you won’t want to put down. It has adventure and laughs and what more can you really ask for?” —A Reader’s Ramblings

“Wonderfully fresh in plot and characters. It is extremely creative, full of amusing and scary twists and turns. The descriptions on Eldritch City and every other scene is so vibrant with sounds, sights and smells that you will feel you are in the book. This book doesn’t have a boring moment. James Kennedy has created a whole ‘nother world, vibrantly alive. A must read.” —An Opinioned Synopsis

“Maybe one of the best books I’ve ever read. Filled to the brim with enjoyable characters, action, mad villains and fairy tales come to life, this was an amazing book that I’d recommend even to the most critical eye.” —Fishy

“One of the most amazing books ever. I think it made it onto my ‘Favorite’ list (which I will reread probably until I’m eighty) with Twilight, most Tamora Pierce books, the Abhorsen trilogy, and The Compass Rose before I’d even finished it . . . Just plain brilliant.” —An Angel’s Gettaway

“The Order of Odd-Fish isn’t your typical fantasy novel. And that is the exact thing that makes it so brilliant . . . Everything about the book is really witty and clever . . . Mysterious, suspenseful, fantastical, and even a little bit scary, but most of all it’s fun . . . The perfect balance of the silly and the serious.” —That Hapa Chick

“This book has it all: Hilarity: check. Mayhem: check. A level of quirky-cool-things-per-page that is heretofore unseen: check . . . I see this one appealing greatly to fans of Terry Pratchett, in its combination of silly-yet-serious . . . Very, very enjoyable. ” —Finding Wonderland

“A fine read and unique in lots of ways that are not simply odd but also surprising and fresh. Things aren’t just weird for weird’s sake. They all fit together in the weird salad that Kennedy has tossed together, or spun…however you prefer salads made. So, if you are into things like kids saving the world, flying ostriches, giant fish, pranksters, and Akira style endings, go read it.” —Forgotten Books

“Reading it is a three-dimensional experience . . . I see a man with a leaky fountain pen clasped between his toes writing rapidly on the back of an ancient, uncooperative hippopotamus while juggling a flaming Baked Alaska, a razor-sharp cleaver, and a small cardboard box . . . I whole-heartedly encourage you to run now to your library and try it out for yourself! (The reading of the book that is; not the juggling of cleavers.)” —Deborah Diesen, New York Times bestselling author of The Pout-Pout Fish and The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade

“A wonderfully absurd, funny book, albeit with hints of darkness . . . Quite enjoyable.” —Bookroll

“Definitely an entertaining read. It is a book that will have readers laughing and rolling on the floor.” —Open The Eyes

“Very fun, very clever . . . Kennedy twists the tropes he’s working with, even as he painstakingly honors each one . . . Like Twain in Huckleberry Finn, Kennedy does his level best to convince his audience that they’re reading a straight-up adventure yarn with no real substance while actually presenting them with a well-layered fable with a moral for those willing to look. In a story filled with the whimsical and ridiculous, Kennedy actually manages to address one of the central deep terrors of adolescence—that the strange new person we’re turning into isn’t good enough, isn’t loveable, isn’t even really us—and he does it with the same panache and originality that he uses while gleefully tipping the sacred cows of heroic adventure stories . . . Buy this book. Seriously, come on.” —Can You Retitle These Later?

“While I read James Kennedy’s The Order of Odd-Fish, I thought of the following authors: Norton Juster, T.H. White (especially King Pellinore and the Questing Beast in The Sword in the Stone), Daniel Pinkwater, and James Thurber. It also brought to mind Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and Quentin Crisp . . . I recommend The Order of Odd-Fish to members of secret societies and others, and am eager to see what Mr. Kennedy will come up with next.” —Sara Ryan, author of Empress of the World and The Rules for Hearts

“This book is awesome. It’s incredibly bizarre; very Monty Python-esque with a bit of Lovecraft crashing the party. The oddball adventure is neatly balanced with a slight touch of horror, and it’s a lot of fun . . . Incredibly engaging. 5 out of 5 stars.” —Black Cat Lit

“The most bizarre world I’d ever been in . . . Despite everything being very strange it’s somehow very human too . . . If you like weird stuff you are in for a real treat!” —Blue Eyed Night Owl

“I highly recommend the book for fans of Douglas Adams or Jasper Fforde . . . A great choice for people who enjoy books that are bizarre, clever, and very funny.” —Sonderbooks

“Absurdly funny . . . a strange and clever book, full of fantastic places and well-developed, complex characters . . . I was fervently hoping for a sequel, or even a prequel. Mr. Kennedy’s book is fantastic, and absolutely worthy of its five-star rating.” —Galumptious Words

“You will never read anything else like this . . . nerve-wracking and suspenseful . . . It’s freaking awesome. This is nothing like any other book. It’s so weird. This guy has an awesome imagination.” —Bookie Woogie

“Crazy, wonderful . . . equal parts Monty Python, Kafka, The Simpsons, Italo Calvino and fever dream.” —Dina Strasser at “The Line” blog

“Brilliant . . . It’s so outlandish and backwards . . . All the characters, plotlines, and dialogue are fantastic!” —Bookworm Extraordinaire Reviews

“Quirky and funny . . . but it also has a dark undercurrent that gets pretty horrifying.” —Girls Underground

“One-of-a-kind debut . . . I was hooked!” —The Book Files

“One of the most delightful YA books I’ve read in a while . . . a fantastic read if you’re looking for something different from the current genre fads: its quirkiness and, well, oddness distinguish it as a fun read that stands out from the rest of the pack.” —Susie Bookworm

“The zaniest book I’ve ever read . . . I hope James Kennedy writes forever.” —Bri Johnson at Kidinfo

“James Kennedy’s writing was amazing . . . Definitely a fun and thrilling read.” —The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia

“I found this to be one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. It is a great mash-up of part fantasy and part adventure story. If you want to go on a rollercoaster ride with the most interesting cast of characters known to man, read this DANGEROUS book!” —West Allis Public Library

“If you like bizarre, in the style of Roald Dahl, Monty Python . . . Dr. Seuss, or say Lemony Snicket, than you might just quite enjoy this. I certainly did . . . Fun and entertaining.” —Randomly Read and Reviewed

“A wonderfully funny, quirky and entertaining book . . . Jo is a strong female character, is always ready for adventure, ready to find out what was going to happen next . . . Especially recommended for kids who enjoy adventures and the sort of humor that you find on Monty Python.” —x-tine’s x-libris

“Delightfully absurd and witty. His characters are lively and engaging, and every new plot twist is hilariously surreal . . . The Order of Odd-Fish is one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a long time, and it’s definitely enjoyable even for those who don’t consider themselves fantasy readers. Get ready for a crazy ride, and read it. Seriously.” —Spartanburg County Public Library

“Straight out mysterious, exciting, and hilarious! I’m not sure there has ever been a book like it. The characters are fresh and with no doubt they will make you laugh, wonder, and may give you the chills.” —Watermark Books

“Weirdness on top of weirdness . . . A grand epic with real peril and devastating consequences.” —Popthought.com

“A rollicking adventure for all ages, The Order of Odd-Fish has something for every lover of all things ridiculous. . . James Kennedy piles on oddities so fast that you can’t help but dive in, and enjoy the stay.” —Teens Read Too

“Bizarre, quirky, mischievous.” —Internet Review of Books

“A wonderfully imaginative book the likes of which we haven’t seen since The Phantom Tollbooth, and in many ways reminds me of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Kennedy not only creates a totally unique world and landscape, but does an excellent job of defining the rules of this world, and describing how everything looks so that you can imagine along with him.” —Lindsey’s Library

“A magnificent, mind-blowing, magnanimous, monstrous, mountainous, Machiavellian masterpiece!” —Piqua Public Library, Piqua, OH

“A fully realized and whimsical world . . . It’s exactly the sort of thing my thirteen year old self would have gone for (not to mention my almost 26 year old self).” —Book Wit

“James Kennedy has populated this strange world with colorful, bizarre characters, secret societies, and odd goings-on. The details may dizzy, initially, but ultimately, Eldritch City and its denizens (which include vain cockroach butlers, eelmen, flying battle ostriches, and more) delight. There are hundreds of other Eldritch stories waiting to be told (it would be a crime to let all of that glorious world-building go to waste). Their whispers will sneak into the corners of your dreams until you, too, take up the banner of Odd-Fish and enter the Dome of Doom. Imaginative, suspenseful, and entertaining. Four stars.” —The Huntley Area Public Library

“Hilarious, absurd, and challenging . . . Part Monty Python and part Roald Dahl, it is the sort of book that can inspire in young and old alike both fits of laughter and deep philosophical thought.” —Literary Chicago

“A great writing style where everything just flows effortlessly to create this picture in your mind . . . The world is so cool and even though it’s utterly unbelievable you can’t help but be drawn in. . . . I find it hard to convey the love I have for this book, it is practically impossible to communicate all of its awesomeness. One of my personal favourites and its story stays with you long after you finish it.” —Books Worth Remembering

“I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard while reading a book. James Kennedy’s book is pure, outrageously silly fun . . . Read it!” —Not On Shelf

“Strange and thrilling . . . a unique, exciting, and mind-boggling story of an ordinary girl who turns out to be the most extraordinary of all.” —Prescott Library

“A fabulously hilarious fantasy for anyone who misses Harry Potter.” —Rochester Hills Public Library

“An interesting read from start to finish. The world of Eldritch City is enthralling as well as original. Many of the ideas, such as a talking digestive tract, or the Inconvenience, are all the more interesting for their originality as well as their oddity. It is an enjoyable fantasy that pushes that which is ‘normal’ out the window. A fantastic read.” —Evanston Public Library

“Part Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, part Discworld, part Alice in Wonderland, and part The Phantom Tollbooth, James Kennedy’s novel The Order of Odd-Fish is an absurdly hilarious adventure through a simply strange and wondrous world.” —East Brunswick Public Library

“James Kennedy is a terrifically diverting writer . . . I just worry my next read will fall flat in comparison.” —The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Gallery

“A delicious romp . . . While this book is dressed in the traditional garb of adolescent fantasy, you’ll find on closer inspection that the fabric is a constantly shifting sea of colors, patterns, and mythic beasts. This book never lets you get comfortable with anything before it rips the rug from out under you . . . A technicolor dreamride . . . Keep a watch on this Kennedy, he has creativity to spare.” —The Weirdside

“The weirdest book we’ve ever read . . . a cross between Monty Python and Roald Dahl. ” —Greenwoods Bookshoppe

“Compelling . . . The imagination of Mr. Kennedy is wild, wooly, and incredibly active . . . The language is rich, the scenery detailed, the story humorous and amazing.” —Nancy Carpentier Brown at Flying Stars

“Fabulous . . . The story kicks into high gear and stays there . . . Once you start reading you will see why kids are eating this book up and going back for seconds, thirds and fourths.” —CYA: Children and Young Adults

“One of the weirdest, ebullient, busy, fantastical, lively, curious, strange, surprising, grotesque, scary, triumphant, inventive books I have read this year.” —Miss Corene’s Website

“No-holds-barred awesomeness: funny, fantastic, exuberant, enthusiastic. Read it! Now!” —Stacy J. Ratner

“Hilarious and heart-stopping . . . This seemingly ridiculous but unexpectedly touching novel will keep you reading up ’til midnight.” —Alice’s Blog