The concluding installment to the Janitors series positively crackles. Author Tyler Whitesides keeps the action fast and flowing as he wraps up the plot–which became more convoluted as the series progressed. Although quite action-driven and focused on concluding things, there are some nice twists–something this author has a flair for.
As mentioned in previous reviews of this series, it is essential to start with Book 1 or things will probably never make sense to a new reader. Janitors is a great series for middle grade students because it takes a slight step off the mainstream path. There is the magic that this age group loves, but with some whimsy that takes things is an untraveled direction. Face it, magical janitorial supplies isn’t the typical weapon of choice.
Heroes of the Dustbin is a satisfying conclusion to a solid series.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Shadow Mountain
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Reports of abduction; verbal threats; report of death in prior book; characters battle magical objects; characters imprisoned by magical means; magic is used to kill a character; character vaporized with magic; attempts to vaporize characters by magic; extended battle scene with magic, struggling, etc. with injuries; fantasy creatures kick, destroys property; multi-page battle, non-descriptive with deaths implied; magical creature eats an animal; magical creature eats a non-animate object, thus destroying; multi-page battle, non-descriptive, using magic and fighting magic creatures; character cuts off another character’s hand, mention of blood; characters struggle, hit, punch, etc.; magical creature eats everything in sight, including other characters; tooth is knocked from gums of magical creature; multi-page gladiator-style fight between two magical creatures; multi-page confrontation/battle with magic, resulting in deaths (non-descriptive) of magical creatures; blood of a child used in a potion; multi-page battle involving kids, adults, creatures with magic and magical weapons resulting in injuries, explosions, non-human death; brief description of some brains (slightly gross).
Sex/Nudity: None
Mature Subject Matter:
Abduction, death.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
None