Crap Kingdom [Hardcover]

DC Pierson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 7, 2013

THE CHOSEN ONE MUST BE RETRIEVED FROM EARTH

HE WILL BRING DOWN THE WALL AND RESTORE THE KINGDOM TO GLORY

HIS NAME IS TOM PARKING

With this mysterious yet oddly ordinary-looking prophecy, Tom's fate is sealed: he's been plucked from his life and whisked away to a magical kingdom to be its Chosen One.

There's just one problem: The kingdom is mostly made of garbage from Earth. Okay, well, two problems: the king hates Tom. Also, the princess likes to wear fake mustaches. And being Chosen One seems to consist mainly of cleaning out rats' noses at the Royal Rat-Snottery.

So, basically, the kingdom sucks.

When Tom turns down the job of Chosen One, he thinks he's making a smart decision. But when Tom discovers he's been replaced by his best friend Kyle, who's always been cooler, more athletic, and better with girls, Tom wants Crap Kingdom back—at any cost. And the hilarity that ensues will determine the fate of the universe.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for CRAP KINGDOM by DC Pierson:

“A hilarious and surreally honest book. Crap Kingdom is anything but the first half of its title.”—Donald Glover

“Pierson’s funny, giddy anti-epic is the summer blockbuster your burnout friend never got around to writing.”—Patton Oswalt, comedian

“It’s not just an incredible fantasy book. It’s also so evocative of high school angst and joy. It really makes me wish I were a fifteen year old boy again.”—Megan Amram, staff writer, “Parks & Recreation”

“Like the hero of a fantasy novel, DC Pierson was merely an insanely gifted comic like everyone else, until he wakened to his secret destiny: to write brilliant and hilarious novels (oh, and also to lead the were-centaurs in final battle against the Ageless Narwhaldactyl, but you read about that in the news).”—John Hodgman, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” correspondent and author of That Is All

“DC Pierson’s fantastic, fantastical, and most of all funny Crap Kingdom fits perfectly between Douglas Adams and the Harry Potter novels. And not just because of the alphabet.”—Matt Fraction, writer, Marvel’s The Mighty Thor and Invincible Iron Man comics

“To balance a world as fantastical as that of Crap Kingdom with profoundly relatable moments of pure honesty is no easy task, and DC Pierson has made it appear effortless.” —Chris Gethard, author, A Bad Idea I’m About To Do
 

"Put this one on your list of good reads for guys." —School Library Journal

About the Author

DC Pierson is one-fifth of the popular sketch comedy group DERRICK, whose videos have been viewed over 250 million times online. He co-wrote and co-starred in their feature film Mystery Team, which went to Sundance in 2009, released theatrically by Roadside Attractions, and is available on DVD from Lionsgate. He has also appeared on the show "Community" and in national commercials. His first novel The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To won an Alex Award for adult books with special appeal for teen readers from the American Library Association. He lives in Hollywood, California.

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (March 7, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067001432X
• ISBN-13: 978-0670014323
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovative YA Novel-Must Read for Tweens & Teens March 13, 2013

By boudieka

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This novel was a lot of fun to me. I read a lot of girly YA (I'm a lady type), and this was a refreshing change. I wish I had read it when I was about 14, it would have made all my interactions with gentlemen types a lot easier to understand.

The story is fun and refreshing, and embodies the attitude of my generation. I appreciated the pop culture references smattered throughout. The protagonist is definitely in the antihero/slacker vein that is gaining popularity with my generation. I have never been a slacker, but DC made me understand how someone can be, and made them empathetic to me.

The story starts out slow (in a good way) and ramps up to a very fantastical and exciting conclusion.

There is no cussing, because DC didn't think there could be, so that's a plus for anyone concerned about their child reading this book. It is, truly, a must read for both genders in their early teens to late twenties (that's where I am). However, I think younger readers will get more out of the book than I did, because I learned some of the lessons it teaches the hard way.

Thank you, DC, for an awesome book. I will buy anything else you publish, for as long as I am alive.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! April 9, 2013

By Beth Baldanzi

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great YA novel, but it's also a great read for anyone! Pierson creates an absorbing, realistic world. You can see his UCB improv training at work in the pages, and it makes for a very fun, engaging coming of age tale.

3.0 out of 5 stars Witty parody of fantasy YA novels May 14, 2013

By PDXbibliophile

Format:Hardcover

A quirky parody of fantasy novels should be laugh out funny, but Crap Kingdom is more like a few chuckles funny. The characters are unique, likeable, and entertaining, but mostly flat and one dimensional. Fantasy novels are usually action packed, but Crap Kingdom is mostly driven by witty dialogue. Poor Tom. He tries so hard to do the right thing and make good decisions, but his decisions usually come back to bite him, and he fears his conscientiousness makes him boring. So, when he is kidnapped and told by his kidnapper that he is the Chosen One for an alternate world, Tom is ecstatic. He envisions having magical powers, admiring minions, a beautiful young woman assisting him, and lots of luxurious rewards. Upon arrival, Tom discovers "his" kingdom is a community of weirdos living in mountains of garbage with a ruler who is grouchy and bossy. When he is told his chosen job is to collect snot at the rat snottery, Tom decides he will forego his destiny and return to his boring life. Later Tom learns his replacement chosen one is his best friend, and when friend, Kyle, takes Tom back to the kingdom, Tom sees that Kyle was rewarded with everything Tom expected and didn't get. Tom is livid with envy. So, he makes a decision that turns out to be, for both him and the citizens of Crap Kingdom, a collossal life threatening mistake. A not-so-surprising twist at the end hints strongly of sequels. If so, more Crap Kingdom high jinx and less earthly teen angst would be make for a great story.