Review Detail

What a fun read! DUNGEON ACADEMY: NO HUMANS ALLOWED! by Madeleine Roux is the first book in an all-new middle grade series that takes readers into the realm of the game where anything is possible and not all is as it appears to be. Following Zelli, a human disguised as a minotaur in a world where everyone is a creature or monster, the story takes us beyond the dungeon on a quest to find her true lineage and answer the question of where she comes from.

There is so much to love about this book. Zelli is a wonderful main character to follow, and the book is mostly from her perspective. It's interesting to see how she interacts with well known monsters and creatures from the game Dungeons & Dragons and how she hides that she is really human. Zelli is kindhearted, taking up with the monsters and creatures who don't really fit in at the academy, and these fast friends accompany her on her quest for the truth.

The author is clearly a fan of D&D as she pulls from all realms bringing in creatures from orcs to gnolls, lime jello, kobolds, and our friendly vegan owl bear. I loved seeing the illustrations which grace nearly every page of the book. Probert outdid himself! They really draw readers into the story and help younger readers visualize these unusual creatures.

Whether you are a lifelong fan of D&D or just dipping your toes into fantasy for the first time, NO HUMANS ALLOWED is a fun, exciting quest filled with heart, humor, and friendship. I highly recommend this one.