Archibald Lox and the Forgotten Crypt

Archibald Lox and the Forgotten Crypt by Darren Shan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author to review.

I finished this book a little while ago, so sorry Darren Shan for the late review. I have been trying to figure out the best way to describe this book when I am completely in love with the world that has been created. Any series that has a king asking if people are sure they are not gargoyles is going to be a fun ride.

This book as well as the whole series includes a bunch of puns and funny one lines that adults will appreciate. Don’t let the fact that this is marketed more as a middle-grade book fool you. Part of why it took me a while to write this review is because I kept re-reading parts I found hilarious.

I appreciate the dedication and tenacity of Archibald. He goes back to a world that is not for the living just to help out and see how things are going. I don’t know why his foster parents don’t have him under constant supervision. He just disappears at random, leaving them wondering where the heck he went and if they will ever see him again.

I really don’t know how to write about this book without basically writing cliff notes. It just makes me so happy that I want to mention everything. I’m not going to, obviously, because everyone should read it for themselves and understand my joy.

I wish the Merge was a real place, maybe without Ruby, but nothing is perfect. The descriptions of the people and places makes you understand why Archibald keeps going back. I mean, this time he was fleeing for his life, but still, the Merge is where he felt safe. I’m still not sure about the sport played, but I don’t even understand soccer, so it’s really just me. I appreciate that the characters are more than one dimension. This is the fourth book, and honestly, I’m still trying to figure out if certain people are trustworthy or not. Also, Baba Jen is terrifying and wonderful at the same time. She may be joining Holy Moly as a favorite Darren Shan character.

I was worried that Archibald wouldn’t be able to open the complicated lock before the end of the book. I’m pretty sure I would have gone nuts not knowing where it led to. So, thank you Darren Shan for providing the answer. It wasn’t what I expected, and I’m with everyone else confused as to how Archibald got in, but I’m sure details will be provided in the other books.

I have a feeling that there is more to Archibald than meets the eye, even more than he knows. He seems to have a deeper connection to the Merge than currently revealed.

As a last note, the idea of tea with caviar in it is something I have thought about a lot since I read that part. I mean, I’ve had tea and caviar in Russia, but no one could ever convince me that the caviar should be put in the tea.

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