A Prison Break, a Cyclops, and a Whole Lot of Chaos – Gianna Pollero is COOKING!
Just when you thought Grace (aka doughnut lady), the doughnut-wielding monster hunter, couldn’t get into more trouble, Beastly Breakout ups the stakes with a brand new mission that’s bigger and more chaotic than ever! This third instalment in the Monster Doughnuts series delivers the same hilarious antics, creative monster mayhem, and a double dose of mystery that fans of the series have come to love.
Monster Doughnuts: Beastly Breakout!
Tenth-generation monster-hunter Grace has a unique way of bumping off monsters. She and her sister run a bakery called ‘Cake Hunters’, where they make fabulous creations full of a special exploding baking powder that will get rid of any troublesome monster! And that’s just as well – as Grace’s latest mission is to track down the monsters who, in a major breakout, have escaped from prison in Monster World – and there’s a LOT of them …
Monster Doughnuts Beastly Breakout! Kicks off with a crisis (actually it kicks off with a giant profiterole mountain but…)—monsters have escaped from the Monster World Prison, and it’s up to Grace and her fellow monster hunters to track them down. But as if hunting down escaped monsters wasn’t challenging enough, their fearless leader, Mr. Harris, has gone missing! Grace now faces the dual challenge of recapturing the monstrous escapees and finding Mr. Harris, who’s on a personal quest of his own.
One of the things I loved most about this book is how it expands the Monster Doughnuts universe. We’re introduced to an array of new monsters, each more bizarre and hilarious than the last. The monster glossary at the back of the book is, as always, a delightful bonus, offering more details about these quirky creatures that really add depth to the story. For example…
One of my personal favourites being the Biscuit Monsters… ahem – “These monsters are generally good-humoured and fun-loving… but they’re tinkers for stealing your biscuits. Custard creams, chocolate chip cookies, bourbons, hobnobs, jammy dodgers, digestives — they don’t care, they’ll take the lot! They’re often identifiable specifically as Biscuit Monsters because they are mostly covered in crumbs.” – They sound exactly like my kids!
Grace shines as always, grappling with the moral complexities of her mission. Not all the monsters are as bad as they seem, and the book does a wonderful job of exploring this without slowing down the action. Grace’s growth as a character is evident as she navigates the challenges of being a monster hunter and a leader, showing more empathy and understanding along the way.
Mr. Harris, on the other hand, is as brilliantly annoying as ever. His own side mission to find his mother adds another layer of comedy to the story. The donkey storyline with Betsy had me laughing out loud—Mr. Harris’s attempts to ride the poor creature, despite being much too large, are some of the funniest moments in the book. His interactions with Grace remain a highlight, their banter sharp as ever, and it’s fun to see how their stories eventually intertwine.
The illustrations in this book drawn again by the super talented Sarah Horne, are a real treat . The black, white, and grey sketches not only enhance the narrative but also add a touch of whimsy that makes the reading experience even more enjoyable. From scattered footprints and doughnuts to detailed depictions of key scenes, the artwork helps bring the world of Monster World to life.
The pacing of the story is spot-on, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. I particularly enjoyed the way the book builds suspense, making you wonder just who is on whose side. The conclusion is both satisfying and heartwarming, tying up loose ends in a way that feels earned and leaves you with a smile – as well as a rumbly tummy.
As a fan of the series since the first book, I can confidently say that Beastly Breakout is a fantastic addition. It’s packed with the same creativity, humour, and excitement that made the previous books so much fun to read. Whether you’re new to the series or a long-time fan, this book is a must-read. And if you haven’t started the Monster Doughnuts series yet, what are you waiting for? Dive in from the beginning—you won’t regret it!
And with that, I’d like to bid a fond farewell to the legend that is Mr Harris, def one of my favourite characters from any book. Hopefully this isn’t the last we see of him. I salute you good sir!
And for you TERRIBLE people who have not read the first 2 books! Read my reviews below:
Monster Doughnuts (book 1)
Monster Doughnuts: Cyclops on a Mission (book 2)
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