Christopher Bennett and the Mystic Beetle: Or Creatures of Great Consequence by Robert Curreli is a quirky, fun, and often bizarre journey through the trials of adolescence with a paranormal twist. Imagine being a teenager grappling with all the usual angst—school, family, and love—only to add a talking beetle to the mix. That’s precisely the predicament Christopher Bennett finds himself in when he saves the life of a beetle that starts communicating with him. Is Christopher losing his mind, or is this insect really as insightful and meddlesome as it seems? The story takes off when his sister’s dangerous dancing job at a mob-backed strip joint puts her in the crosshairs of a lovesick hitman, Carlo Cuccini.

The title drew me to this novel because it reminded me of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. Although they have entirely different storylines, they both have tormenting beetles. Billy, the beetle, becomes both a guide and an annoyance for Christopher, pushing him to confront his own potential and what it means to be a "creature of great consequence." Billy forces Christopher to deal with his narcissistic sister, Angela (aka Chicken Wing), who’s entangled in some seriously shady business. Robert Curreli’s writing is engaging and fun, capturing the essence of teenage confusion and the struggle for identity. He is truly a master of the pen. I laughed a lot, and the ending was satisfying. Christopher Bennett and the Mystic Beetle: Or Creatures of Great Consequence is a fantastic coming-of-age story that I enjoyed tremendously.

In a small town called Vagary, 16-year-old Christopher Bennett lives with his somewhat detached parents and an overbearing older sister he constantly bickers with. His perceptive grandmother, Old Margaret, lives across the street. Like most hormonal teen boys, Christopher is frequently preoccupied with carnal fantasies of KC, the object of his affection. While smoking pot with his best friend, Steve, Christopher discovers a beetle with mysterious powers. Billy the beetle can project visions of Christopher's sister, Angela, into his head. Through these visions, Christopher learns that Angela is dancing at Doozie's strip club. Carlo, a crazed thug and a regular at the bar, becomes obsessed with Angela and plans to kidnap her. Billy urges Christopher to intervene and help his sister. Christopher is resistant to this idea since he and Angela are mortal enemies. Can he put aside his dislike of Angela long enough to help her? Grab a copy of Christopher Bennett and the Mystic Beetle by Robert Curreli and find out.

Christopher Bennett and the Mystic Beetle is intricately detailed and will put readers in a time and place filled with teenage angst, wobbly family dynamics, young love, and self-discovery. This intriguing young adult novel will take readers on a surprising journey. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, another unexpected curveball would revitalize my thoughts and fascination. It is the ideal blend of character-driven drama and sharp-witted humor. Many aspects of this novel held my attention--like Christopher's childhood experiences and growing up years, Mario and Hannah's failing marriage, Old Margaret's interactions with Grandpa, her eventual relationship with Father O, and her thrilling encounters with the paranormal world. I like how realistically Robert Curreli depicts his characters throughout the story. I genuinely wanted to break the fourth wall and interact with most of them. I was impressed by the ending. What a spectacular and unanticipated way to end a story! The tense buildup in the final chapters is well-crafted and well-timed. I wouldn't mind reading a follow-up novel based on Christopher's new adventures with Grandpa and Billy. Fans of dramatic, coming-of-age stories will connect with this captivating read.