The Case of the Battling Bots by Liam O’Donnell (review)
April Spisak · Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books./Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books · 2016
Reviewed by: The Case of the Battling Bots by Liam O’Donnell April Spisak O’Donnell, Liam The Case of the Battling Bots; illus. by Mike Deas. Orca, 2016 [176p] (Tank & Fizz) Paper ed. ISBN 978-1-4598-0813-3 $9.95 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 3-5 Our favorite goblin and troll detective team Tank & Fizz (from Tank & Fizz: The Case of the Slime Stampede, BCCB 5/15) returns, this time to determine whether an unpopular schoolmate is cheating when building his impressive battle bot. A side plot becomes central as plans to build a huge sports arena in Slick City and a mysterious figure who warns against its completion lead the detectives to mysteries that include portals, demons, corrupt officials, and school bullying. With a joyful literary shrug, these are handled with pretty much identical amounts of urgency as Tank and Fizz fumble their way toward discoveries and into saving their town. [End Page 320] As with the previous volume, the book seamlessly moves from text to illustrated panels, both telling the core narrative. The pace is swift, keeping readers from thinking overmuch about the convoluted plot; they will careen along as gleefully as Tank and Fizz themselves, rejoicing when all ends well. Monster fans who don’t like things too scary will likely find this a perfect mix of monstrous and silly. Copyright © 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois