Rayleigh Mann and the Quest of Misfits – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Monsters, quest, responsibility, traitors, transformation.
Children’s book title: Rayleigh Mann and the Quest of Misfits.
Children’s author: Ciannon Smart.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Piccadilly Press.
ISBN: 9781800786523.
Recommended for children aged: 9+ year-olds.
First published: Paperback July 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: readers who enjoyed the first book in this series and those who enjoy fantasies with world-building and monsters as heroes.
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Our review:
Rayleigh Mann used to live in what he now knows as Above London, but the last few months have turned his life upside down, quite literally, and he now resides in Terror Towers in the monster-inhabited Below London, where his dad is the Bogey Mann and his uncle is the Interim Chief of the Terrors! Having rescued his father from a shape-shifting monster known as the Imposter and a group called the Illustrious Three, Rayleigh has found himself under virtual house arrest, as he is now in danger himself from those he thwarted. Monsters, at least those Rayleigh spends his time with, are the good guys, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t those that would see the whole of Below London descend into chaos!
His best friend, Marley, is also grounded, so they are both stuck at home, but even there, danger isn’t far away. When Rayleigh notices strange shadows wherever he is allowed to go, he knows he has to find a way to join his family’s fight, especially as the Imposter and his supporters are getting more powerful, putting both his old and new homes in peril. As it also becomes clear there is a traitor amongst those he thought he could trust the most, he realises nothing and no one are quite as they seem.
Our verdict:
Rayleigh Mann is a monster, but in a good way! Below London is similar to his old home in Above London, where his mama and nana still live, but here magic abounds, the weird and amazing are accepted as the norm, and nothing is quite as it seems. Rayleigh’s new life is expertly explained, as is the world built around him. His relationships with his father and uncle are ever evolving as they get to know each other, and the friends and colleagues allow him to spend time with add another magical level to the storyline.
It is a definite advantage to have recently read the first book in this series, as it has a terminology all its own and many things aren’t explained from the previous storyline. This is a fast-moving sequel with plenty of twists, turns, recurring characters, and magical abilities to get used to very quickly. There will be at least one more title in this series, as there are still loose ends to be dealt with, although the ending here was very satisfying.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- World-building plays a big part in this series. If you had to reinvent your hometown, what would you change or keep the same?
- Rayleigh has to find a traitor amongst those he loves and trusts the most. Did you work out who it was and what hints were red herrings?
- Rayleigh discovers what type of monster he is in quite a shocking way. How do you think it will help or hinder him in future adventures to be such a special monster?
- There are many similarities between Above and Below London, as well as some very important differences. Terror Towers is very different to the flat he lived in with his nana. What things were changed later in the book to make his Above London home much better?
- What type of monster would you want to be if you lived in Below London, and why?
Many thanks to Piccadilly Press for the review copy.
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