Books for DC with a ‘choose your own adventure’ / interactive/ puzzle element

[BlinkyBlank]

DC have recently got into some “decide your own fate” stories in the style of the old Choose Your Own Adventure books that were popular when I was I kid. I’ve got hold of some secondhand CYOA books but can anyone recommend anything similar that has an interactive element?

Particularly keen on stories with multiple endings in the style of CYOA though other puzzle-y interactive books would also be interesting (we’ve read one of the Cluedle books together which was quite popular).

hopeful bump

There actually doesn't seem to be that many of this style of book around weirdly as I've done quite a lot of searching 😅 I used to love this format and my DD does too.

We've recently discovered the 'Solve your own mystery' series by Gareth P Jones. The first one (of four) is called The Monster Maker and DD really enjoyed it. There's three possible endings.

Not in the same style, but she also enjoys the Usborne puzzle adventures ones (you have to solve cryptic/logic puzzles to carry on with the story).

Ooh those look good, I think DC would be keen on them!

I LOVED those Usborne puzzle adventure books as a kid and I have some but weirdly I’ve not quite been able to get DC that engaged with them yet. They’ve also enjoyed the Cluedle books if I sit down and do it with them but haven’t picked them up independently yet (and I’m hoping for some non-screen based ways of occupying them in the holidays!)

ilI have found this set as well that is “choose your own adventure” style, but not got them yet so don’t know if any good, but reviews seem decent: https://amzn.eu/d/gdkHkTn

@BlinkyBlank That looks great, thanks!

A different genre, but DD also recently read 'The boy with big decisions' by Helen Rutter - it's not a mystery as such, but you still have to make decisions as to which path the character takes as they navigate starting a new school.

The old goosebumps choose your ending books were great depending on age

We have the Spin to survive: Deadly Jungle one by Emily Hawkins. Really good fun.

That said my kids also read my old Choose your own adventure one from the 80s (go back to Ancient Greece and interact with heroes and gods etc).

What age? Some to consider:

Cluedunnit series (similar to Cluedle)
Puzzle Quest series
Beast Quest - Master Your Destiny (choose your own adventure setup)
Rainbow Magic - Choose your own Magic
Usborne Adventure Gamebooks series

Pick a Story (picture book)
You Choose (picture book)

ooh this looks ideal with one of the DC bound for secondary school in September!

Can you still get hold of the old fighting fantasy ones ? I was obsessed with those !

https://www.axelbooks.com/products/fighting-fantasy-10-books-set-warlock-of-firetop-city-of-thieves-citadel-of-chaos-forest-of-doom-house-of-hell-the-port-peril-creature-of-havoc-deathtrap-appointment-island-of-lizard-king?variant=44562406703279&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18725986282&gbraid=0AAAAAoK7J2QlfzULLGsv4usSSIUA9-xNE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvfDBhDYARIsAItzbZHPcRb8g3OJYk--0NUzX3D0ebHCxkKgwJBjD3TrCR3U9lAF1yQRJ5waAp-zEALw_wcB

these are THE BEST!

These are the classics

1. The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
2. The original Fighting Fantasy adventure where players journey into the depths of Firetop Mountain to defeat the powerful Warlock Zagor. With challenging traps and monsters, this classic story is full of suspense and danger.
3. City of Thieves
4. Set in the dangerous streets of Port Blacksand, players must navigate a city filled with thieves, shady characters, and hidden perils to locate and defeat the sinister Zanbar Bone.
5. The Citadel of Chaos
6. In this magical adventure, players must infiltrate the fortress of the evil sorcerer Balthus Dire, using both skill and spells to survive the citadel’s many dangers.
7. The Forest of Doom
8. Players venture into Darkwood Forest to retrieve the pieces of a legendary hammer, facing monstrous creatures and ancient secrets in this perilous journey.
9. House of Hell
10. A departure from the traditional fantasy setting, this horror-themed book traps players in a haunted mansion filled with supernatural threats and sinister secrets.
11. The Port of Peril
12. This classic-style adventure brings players back to the familiar Fighting Fantasy world of Allansia, where they take on fearsome monsters and formidable foes in their quest for treasure.
13. Creature of Havoc
14. A unique twist where players take on the role of a powerful but confused creature, searching for answers about its own identity while exploring a dangerous, maze-like world.
15. Deathtrap Dungeon
16. In a deadly tournament held by the twisted Baron Sukumvit, players must survive a series of lethal traps, puzzles, and monsters in the infamous Deathtrap Dungeon.
17. Appointment with F.E.A.R.
18. Stepping into the role of a superhero in Titan City, players must uncover the nefarious plans of a villainous organization, combining detective work with combat skills.
19. Island of the Lizard King
20. Players journey to a tropical island ruled by the ruthless Lizard King, battling slavers, monsters, and the island’s savage wildlife to free enslaved villagers.

This is the start of a set of four books

https://www.waterstones.com/book/fighting-fantasy-sorcery-the-shamutanti-hills/steve-jackson/9781407186214

You want RPGs.

I bought one for my 11 year old last Christmas called Death on the Tracks which is a CYOA book in the style of Agatha Christie.