Pure Dead Brilliant cover

Pure Dead Brilliant

Author: Gliori, Debi

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Book Level 7.5
Points 11.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 64237
Points per Word 0.000171
Page Count 365
Points per Page 0.030137
Series Pure Dead

Description

Near his thirteenth birthday, Titus Strega-Borgia is about to become a millionaire, but the family's old mansion is already bursting with trouble when his mother's student-witch classmates arrive for a visit. One of the guests looks suspiciously like a foul-smelling, soul-harvesting demon with a hidden agenda, and a mysterious vision on the family laptop predicts a dire future for the siblings. To make matters worse, Titus's scheming Uncle Lucifer is back, intent on snatching the Borgia fortune for himself. As magic, monsters, and a looming inheritance clash, Titus and his sister Pandora must untangle the supernatural chaos and protect what's left of their family's legacy.

Quick Summary

Fans of quirky family dramas and sci-fi mishaps will find themselves hooked on the Strega-Borgia crew as a trio of would-be witches crashes their already chaotic household, setting off time-travel glitches and a computer virus that threatens everyone. The story balances laugh-out-loud moments like magical pets causing mayhem in the kitchen with genuine thrills when the virus spreads and the kids have to outrun a rogue AI that can read minds. It's a perfect pick for kids who love humor mixed with a dash of spooky technology, and reluctant readers often get pulled in by the fast-paced, short-chapter format. Parents will appreciate the underlying message about teamwork and the way the family's eccentric love for each other shines through the chaos, though there are a few tense scenes that might spook very young readers. If you enjoyed the blend of magic and gadgetry in "The Last Kids on Earth" or the chaotic household vibes of "The Mysterious Benedict Society," you'll feel right at home here.