That a fantastic read! I loved delving into the fierce world that is Brutlia. Intriguing characters like the Queen can make anything the Punishment of the Day and will have her servants write up the new punishment for all to see. Mort does not seem to fit into this brutal land; he is named Mort the Meek and is the founder of the Pacifist Society. These characters were devoured by me and lower Key Stage 2 son who loved the sailing adventure. This is my first encounter with Mort and I will certainly look out for more books in the future by Rachel Delahaye. What wonderful wit they display in their writing!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had so much with the first Mort the Meek book last year and I’m delighted to say that the fun continued in the sequel. These are very clever, silly books and provide a much needed slice of relief when they’re needed most.

The Queen of Brutalia has sent her subjects off on a quest for her across the sea. The winner has been promised to be transformed into a demi-god but Mort is much more interested in finding his missing father and siblings. However, he has been teamed with Punky, a brutal rock-smasher who is determined to earn demi-god status. But will a sea monster encounter throw a spanner in the works of both their plans?

George Ermos’ expressive, wonderful illustrations add something really special to this book. I laughed every time I came across one and made it much easier to fully immerse myself in the crazy adventure. I could have done with a few more of them!

Larry and Bruce are two lobsters, who show up at the start of most chapters and tell the most terrible (but brilliant) pun-filled jokes. As they’re not really characters in the main story, they could have very easily been edited out of it but I’m so glad they weren’t. Readers of all ages can chuckle along with them and I’d actually love some Larry and Bruce merch, if possible!

We are re-introduced to Mort in case it has been too long since you devoured the first book. In this instalment, he veers off from the version of Mort that we know, so it was nice to have this reminder of who he really is. It lets us know about the kindness and gentle nature that he really should get back to and encourages young readers to also be a good, pacifist hero.

I love how Delahaye speaks directly to the reader at several points in the book. I know I mentioned it in my review of the first book but I will again. It makes the reader feel part of the story and therefore actually there alongside Mort and Punky. I also loved the subtle mythology slant in this book and was fully intrigued by The Belgo and its origins.

Of course, amongst all the silliness, it also has elements of reflection and growth. Mort realises that he has been quite unMort-like and vows to get back to who he really is. This is exactly what every human goes through from time to time. We lose track of who we are or who we want to be and start acting out of character. I love that relatable issues like this are addressed in what is otherwise a bizarre, hilarious adventure story.

Mort the Meek and the Monstrous Quest is another exciting, funny burst of escapism, which I devoured. I met some fantastic new characters and reunited with some beloved old ones. I really loved the beautiful, gentle touchdown to Earth and reality that it ended on because it gave me a lovely case of the warm fuzzies. I’m always here for more Mort books!

Definitely, definitely NOT your average story! BUT if you've read the first Mort the Meek book, you'll know NOT to expect anything even vaguely average - or sweet or fluffy!! *Are you sitting uncomfortably?* Then you're ready for this deliciously grotty tale.

Remember the joke-telling ravens in the first Mort book? Well, the second has lobsters, Larry & Bruce, introducing each chapter with equally groan-inducing crackers!


We're all in for another treat - a great read with fantastic, grotty characters on a spikey, stinky island!

Living in Butalia is not easy for anyone. Peace-loving Mort has a chance to go out on a ship - a mission demanded by the 'Queen' who thinks she's a God - but it might also be a secret way to search for his family members - recently lost at sea. Can he make his plan work?

A crazy, ongoing neighbour feud is an issue for Mort's mum & she'll worry if he leaves to go out to sea. A journey with Punky Mason as a shipmate? How will that go?

Punky is determined to win a prize from the 'God Queen' but will she be on board with Mort's personal mission?

There's a Pacifist Promise the friends share but will Weed remember it when Mort's away?

Will we see a scary drama unfold or a dramatic change with Weed or Punky in the pages of this escapade in Brutalia?

Eclectic characters briefly letting their true emotions show, reflect elements of real life in this salty, action-packed fantasy adventure.

A sprinkling of kindness shines in the cold, dark, shark & monster-infested story in unexpected ways. But things can change in less than a nanosecond so be careful!

Have you ever tried a rat roll at a buffet? Tasty or disgusting!?

Imagine the taste of fish paste when you bite into a doughnut! Only the Queen had food that wasn't grey or rotten. Coulb you reab any dooks if all the Ds & Bs were mixed up? You'll find some very interesting, brain-boggling ideas in this fantastical story! It's all in the clever detail.

Wordplay, humour & original characters brought together, mingling & clashing with everything around them in their unusual surroundings. Mort's keen to keep his good record as a pacifist but it will be the challenge of his life.

Definitely scoring top points for originality & creativity, this second adventure in the series has its brief, dark (& funny) moments between the exciting, fast-action chapters of drama.

If you ever see anyone with eyelashes made of tarantula legs, watch out! You could be in for a shock.

Stay *as cool as a cucumber ice cube* & enjoy this exciting story... if you dare!!

Also: Expect the unexpected!
#CactusPants

Title: Mort the Meek and the Monstrous Quest
Written by: Rachel Delahaye
Pub Date: 6 Jan 2022
Publisher: Little Tiger Group, Stripes Publishing
Genre: Children's Fiction
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4359270901


This book is the second in the Mort the Meek series. In this book we are told that Mort's brothers and father have been lost at see. Mort has agreed to try and find a treasure for the Queen but he has other motives. Unfortunately for Mort it is not all plain sailing.

As a massive fan of the first book I couldn't wait to get my eyes on this book. I can't remember one thing I didn't like about the first book. However I can not say the same for this installment;

In the first book I had loved the Raven's and their jokes but the lobsters in this book seemed to annoy the soul out of me. I still love the art and thought it helped bring the story to life. I'm just sorry I didn't like the writing more.

The first problem was the blurb. The book had been pitched as a rescue mission of Mort's family and it wasn't. It annoyed me no end that Mort seemed to forget his family quite often and almost had to be reminded of them. I liked Punky, in fact I wish her story had been a completely different book. Maybe a novella in which explained her story had she and Mort actually parted ways.

Things didn't really improve for me. I wanted to DNF more than once but was sure the ending would pay off.
I was wrong., after being promised an adventure story in which Mort goes to rescue his family they bob along home on their own. As anti climactic as you like.

As anyone who has read the first book will know that Mort is a pacifist, however this book makes clear that Delahaye sees absolute pacifism as the only type of pacifism. Delahaye could have used Weed fighting off the crab as a chance to show that there is more than one type of pacifism and that they are all valid. (I my self am a pacifist but I still believe people have the right to defend their body and life with self-defense.)

"Positive" peer pressure also becomes an issue when we see that Mort is pressuring Weed into becoming a vegetarian. No doubt that if Weed were not a vegetarian Mort would not count him as a full member of Pacifist group.

Whether positive or not peer pressure is still peer pressure and I don't think it is a good thing to teach kids to give into it. As a vegetarian who does not eat fish, I don't see pressuring others into vegetarianism as a good thing.

I feel that Delahaye contradicts any positive teachings in the book by having Mort feel nostalgic or even happy to be beaten up by his brothers. In away sending the message that being abused by loved ones is ok because it is a show of affection.

Though I'm not sure if I mentioned it in the review of the first book but I sometimes feel that Delahaye over steps the mark with their humor. For instants "(She only had one arm due to a terrible in a jousting accident and was always after extra pairs of hands) "

Whether Delahaye is a member of the disabled community or not I don;t know. As someone who is I found this very ablest. Maybe those who have lost limbs my find it funny but I didn't. And I don't think it is ok to make children laugh at people who look/are physically different.

Not sure I will be finishing the series.

You survived your first trip to Brutalia, an island that’s just as brutal as its name advertises. There are Grot Bears, who are as likely to squeeze you to death as they are to rip you to shreds. There are hungry ravens, who are always on the lookout for some tasty eyeballs. There’s the stench. And if all of that isn’t punishment enough for you, make sure you stick around for Punishment of the Day.

Now that you’ve been reminded of what a terrible place Brutalia is, why would you voluntarily return?

Is it because of Mort, the loveable pacifist who is so good at recruitment that the Pacifist Society of Brutalia has recently increased its membership by 50%? (There are now 1.5 members.)

Is it your fascination with the Queen’s fashion sense? Tarantula leg eyelashes are not for the faint-hearted, that’s for sure.

Is it the promise of a gigantic sea monster? It’s the sea monster, isn’t it.

Mort has an excuse to escape the confines of his horrid island home so it’s no surprise that he takes it. It’s time to set sail for the Salty Sea. We’re going on a treasure hunt.

Bonus points for Mort if he finds his father and siblings, Gosh and Gee, who have been missing at sea for two weeks.

I missed Ono, who I’d hoped would be joining Mort for this adventure. However, I quickly grew to love Punky, the daughter of a rock crusher who is as tough as nails. Like the ones that make up her face piercings.

This is a “story riddled with suckers”, with so many whys it could rival a toddler on a good day. Oh, and it’s prodadly important to rememder that d’s and b’s are interchangeadle.

Taking over from the chatty ravens who introduced each chapter of the first book are Larry and Bruce, lobsters who have somehow managed to avoid the dinner table thus far. I initially missed the ravens but Larry and Bruce are also entertaining, mishearing and misinterpreting all manner of topics.

“Bored, bored, bored.”
“To pass the time, shall we have a go at some good insults?”
“Okay, I’ll start: chips.”
“What do you mean, chips?”
“Good in salt.”
“Forget it.”

George Ermos’ illustrations once again highlight the danger and drudgery, as well as the humour and hope. Wait. Hope? Are you sure that belongs in this book?

I particularly loved the expressive lobsters and the fearsome sea monster.

Does it sound like a threat if I say that if there’s not a third book in this series I will be having conversations with the Queen about a suitable Punishment of the Day? I must have spent too much time in Brutalia; I’m starting to sound like a local.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Stripes Publishing, an imprint of Little Tiger Group, for the opportunity to read this book.

P.S. Readers with emetophobia, beware. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Absolutely brilliant, once again. At school we have a lot of Rachel Delahaye fans, after being linked with her a few years ago and I already have children looking forward to borrowing my copy of this latest Mort book.

In this story, Mort is involved in a treasure hunt, organised by the Queen of Brutalia, only Mort is more interested in trying to find his siblings and father, who disappeared during a fishing trip.

Mort and his new companion, Punky, encounter the Belgo, a sea monster a bit like an octopus with three tentacles. Mort believes thr Belgo is responsible for the deaths of his brother, sister and dad and he struggles with being true to his pacifist self while wanting to avenge the deaths of his missing family members.

Another brilliant book from Rachel Delahaye, who has such a clever way with words that will, once again, have you laughing out loud.

In Mort the Meek and the Monstrous Quest, Mort is all at sea, and also feeling a bit lost and confused about what to do.
Another horribly funny, and grotesquely brilliant story from Rachel Delahaye, as we return once more to Brutalia with style. The Queen sends her people off on a treasure hunt, which is just incredibly chaotic and disorganised and deadly dangrous and hilarous.

The Belgo was a brilliant monster, Punky Rock a most awesome new side kick, and Mort's continuing adventures continue to enthrall me. I can't wait for more of this darkly comic series.

Mort is the founder of the Brutalia pacifist society. Mort panics when he fears his family are missing, and thinks they may have been killed. When he finds the creature who he thinks killed most of his family, he is full of anger. He tries to right this wrong, but realises in time what he’s done. Will he save the creature? What has happened to his family? Will Mort ‘turn to the dark side’ ?
This exciting book is full of danger and adventure , exploring the ideals of pacifism in an angry world.
Suitable for 9-13 year olds, my 11 year old son enjoyed it very much.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review.