Book review: 'The World's Greatest Adventure Machine' isn't so great

Trevor, Devin, Nika, and Cameron have won a contest to be the first riders of the famous Castleton brothers' newest adventure. But first they'll need to convince their guardians the ride won't be dangerous and the Castleton brothers can be trusted in, "The World's Greatest Adventure Machine."

But can they?

As the four begin their ride, they suspect there's a sinister plan behind the grand adventure machine. Then, when their ride breaks down, they have to trust each other in order to survive.

Image from Penguin Random House

Author Frank L. Cole has a great plot, but his story drags. While the ride on the adventure machine is hyped up, the kids don't actually get on it until a third of the way through the book. Instead, readers have to plod through continually worried adults and details that don't have much to do with the plot while waiting, and hoping, that more exciting things will soon happen.

There are some thrilling and imaginative things in, "The World's Greatest Adventure Machine," but most of the action is dealt with in such detailed fashion that the suspense comes across as too manufactured, instead of natural.

Even though this book was not one I enjoyed, my 12-year-old thought it was awesome. She's now read it several times and has recommended it to her younger brother.

"The World's Greatest Adventure Machine" has clean language, no romance, and minimal violence. This book is obviously geared towards children and probably not one adults will be entertained reading.

A Kentucky native, Cole lives in Utah with his family.