What in the world did I just read? I never thought I would see the day when I didn’t enjoy a Captain Underpants book. I am honestly questioning reality right now.

I’ll start by saying I have enjoyed the Captain Underpants series since I was a child. I read and reread my beat up paperback copies many, many times. I only had the first five or six, so (as a grown up) when I saw there were more in the series, I reread my copies (again) and then started on the new ones. I have enjoyed all of the books so far.

Then there was this one.

I think anytime a series deals with time travel, it is tricky business. The various timelines and stories often get confusing and disjointed. This story is no exception.

What starts as Tippy Tinkletrousers’ revenge story suddenly turns into a complete backstory of George and Harold’s blooming friendship which takes up most of the book. More on that later. Then the last few chapters jump back to Tippy’s storyline and the book ends in such a ridiculously dumb way. (I can only imagine that what we are supposed to think happened did not actually happen although the ending was still gross even if it was misdirection.)

Onto George and Harold’s friendship. Are you kidding me, Dav Pilkey? What the f was that? I am all about half-naked superheroes and talking toilets. I like wedgie humor and hilariously awkward names. I even think squishies are kind of funny in a mean way. But to suggest that the way to deal with bullies is to a) not tell adults b) bully them back with tons of pranks and c) make others question their masculinity by planting “feminine” items in their possession, is just ridiculous. A kid actually pees himself in response to George and Harold’s actions and we are supposed to cheer them on? Come on, Pilkey, what are you doing? I know you don’t take your work seriously and it’s all in good fun, but come on, man, get it together.

Not only was this book harmful, it was also just confusing. Not well told at all. Even the randomness that is characteristic of the other Captain Underpants books just didn’t work in this one.

I am so disappointed in this book.

I have the next few books in the series so I will continue to read it but I am really hoping that they get better than this. Don’t let me down (again), Pilkey.

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