Ramblings of a Bibliophile

Genre: Young Adult, Speculative Fiction - Superheroes
Edition: ARC ; Provided by Traveling ARC Tours
Page Count: 346
Pub & Date: EgmontUSA ; May 11, 2010
Series: Yes (?)

Reading Challenge: Debut Author, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: N/A (Available for Pre-Order)
Goodreads: 4.64 (Average)

Recommended For: Fans of YA (age 16+), superheroes, mad scientists, devious plots, and exciting adventures.

Book Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Damien Locke has a plan: major in messing with people at the local supervillain university and become a professional evil genius, just like his supervillain mom. But when he discovers the shameful secret she’s been hiding all these years, that the one night stand that spawned him was actually with a superhero, everything gets messed up. His father’s too moral for his own good, so when he finds out Damien exists, he actually wants him to come live with him and his goody-goody superhero family. Damien gets shipped off to stay with them in their suburban hellhole, and he only has six weeks to prove he’s not a hero in any way, or else he’s stuck living with them for the rest of his life, or until he turns eighteen, whichever comes first.

To get out of this mess, Damien has to survive his dad’s “flying lessons” that involve throwing him off the tallest building in the city—despite his nearly debilitating fear of heights—thwart the eccentric teen scientist who insists she’s his sidekick, and keep his supervillain girlfriend from finding out the truth. But when Damien uncovers a dastardly plot to turn all the superheroes into mindless zombie slaves, a plan hatched by his own mom, he discovers he cares about his new family more than he thought. Now he has to choose: go back to his life of villainy and let his family become zombies, or stand up to his mom and become a real hero.

My Thoughts:

The Rise of Renegade X is an unconventional tale that explores an avenue of both superheroes and supervillains in a whole new YA adventure. And it plays out to be a super fun ride!

First and foremost, what really makes this book so enjoyable is the voice of our leading protagonist, Damien Locke. He's got a well mixed blend of snark, sarcasm, and teenage kid idiocy. Like any teen his age, he can't help but get himself into trouble. Only his kind of trouble involves the lives of both family and friends.

But not only is Damien Locke the shining star of the novel, he is followed by some very enjoyable secondary characters. Whether it's his mad-scientist mom, or his safety first father, or the two smart (yet very different) girls who have both taken a romantic interest in Damien - each one has a unique voice and provides a certain vivaciousness that keeps the story at a constant entertaining level.

Through the rest of the journey of caped heroes, evil villains, nagging siblings, and budding love interests, we see Damien in a constant battle with the unforeseen force of his heritage. Being that he is one of the few people in history to have the infamous "X" mark on his thumb, proving that he is product of both superhero and supervillain - he actually has a chance to choose his destiny. After being raised by his supervillain mom for the last 16-years, the boy has a flair for mischief. But little by little we see the good side start to come into focus. But which side will he choose?

Overall Consensus: The Rise of Renegade X isn't your average superhero tale. Sure it's got the capes and a devious plan to take over the world, but it also explores the avenue of the superheroes and villains as regular people underneath the tight garb and special powers. It's not all about fighting good versus evil, but shows the love between family that gives the book a believable feel. The characters themselves are wild and vivid, always providing interesting dialogue and I loved them all. It's an exciting ride from start to finish; displaying a few super powers of its own. Fantastic debut from Chelsea Campbell!

Find the Author: Website | Twitter

► (This ARC copy was provided by Traveling ARC Tours. Thanks guys!)

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary - Teen
Edition: Hardcover
Page Count: 320
Pub. Date: December 29, 2009
Series: N/A

Reading Challenge: 2010 YA

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.04 (Average)

Recommended For: Teenage girls, any Young Adult/Teen readers, Fans of The Beatles

Book Summary: (inside cover)

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating, so she vows: No more. She's had one too many bad dates, and has been hurt by one too many boys.
It's a personal choice...and soon everybody wants to know about it. It seems that Penny's not the only girl who's tired of the way girls change themselves (most of the time for the worst) in order to get their guys...or the way their guys don't really care.
Girls are soon thronging to The Lonely Hearts Club, and Penny finds herself near legendary for her nondating ways - which is too bad, since the leader of The Lonely Hearts Club has found a boy she can't help but like.

My Thoughts:

Boys suck. (Okay, maybe not ALL the time). And our leading lady, Penny Lane, has had it with them. Especially the boys at school with their fake personas and childish behavior. As it turns out, Penny wasn't the only one. What started as a club of three, soon blossoms into a club consisting of forty-plus girls all feeling the same way. And that turns into a bit of a fiasco at McKinley High School with the opposite gender. With Penny's lifelong crush pleading for reconciliation after breaking her heart, the school's principle breathing down her neck demanding that the club shut down, and a new boy on the horizon, Penny begins to understand that you CAN get by with a little help from your friends.

And that was my favorite aspect of this novel. While the story begins with a broken heart and a feeling of hopelessness, the theme matures to a tale of independence and self-discovery. We see the rise of friendship through many differences and all odds. A group of girls coming together through hardships to stand by one another. And the great characters just kept coming. I loved the vast array of personalities that contributed to the story. Even the boys.

Another thing I enjoyed was the Beatles undertones, which played very nicely with the rest of the content. (The inclusion of The Beatles is actually one of the first reasons I decided to read this book.) Penny's parents are a riot in the fact that they would probably put most Beatles fans to shame. Naming all three of their daughters after Beatles songs (Lucy, Rita, & Penny Lane), swearing against Beatles cover-bands, taking yearly trips to Liverpool, AND being vegetarians to follow Paul's beliefs - they would make most children cringe at their obsession. But for Penny, the Beatles were her vice - the 4 boys who never let her down.

Overall consensus: The Lonely Hearts Club is a genuinely good read. Slightly predictable in some parts but I completely felt for Penny and enjoyed the camaraderie within the story. A book flowing with teenage issues, self-discovery, and love - it will have you smiling and cheering on Penny and The Lonely Hearts Club. Oh and one last thing, make sure you have a Beatles album lying around because I guarantee you'll want to listen to them when you're finished. :)

I get by with a little help from my friends...

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Edition: Softcover ARC
Page Count: 375
Pub. Date: December 22, 2009
Series: Book 1

Reading Challenge: 2010 YA Challenge

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.28 (Average)

Recommended For: Teens & Adults, YA Readers, Fans of good Paranormal-Mystery Romance novels

Book Summary:

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

My Thoughts:

The Dark Divine has been out for a few weeks now, and in those few weeks the buzz surrounding this novel has been incredible - It's even on its second print run (Congrats Bree!) - And I am happy to conclude that it lived up to most of the hype, in my opinion! A compelling read full of mystery and suspense that is truly like the title says: divine. Such a welcome addition to the world of paranormal books. Plus, look at that cover - so pretty and haunting, I love it.

Bree Despain takes religion and the supernatural, and fuses together a mythological story that is dark, sinister, and ultimately intriguing. And even though it feels like the storyline has been played out before, (ie: good girl falls for the bad boy - turns out to be kind of a jerk but ultimately isn't as bad as he seems, etc)...I felt that there were certain aspects that set The Dark Divine apart.

First and foremost being the secret held within. Having no idea what I was getting myself into when I first began, I was met with a most unexpected journey through a tale that was non-too-predictable. A refreshing surprise in an otherwise full and popular genre.

The characters themselves really brought the book to life. It was easy to get enveloped in their lives and hope for their well-being. Grace Divine, the book's narrator, is a strong female protagonist, yet young and vulnerable in her own right. Not one of those "Oh woe is me" type of gals. Grace's strong personality and loyalty made her a real, viable, and overall likable character.

Now Daniel was such a mystery to me, which was both endearing and frustrating at the same time. His true nature is veiled throughout most of the book, that is, until his past is revealed and we come to understand what really happened some three years ago. In the end, I thought the mystery played very well to his character and made him all the more interesting. (Of course I ended up liking him immensely, what can I say.)

As the story moves forward, we get teased with bits from the past, showing us what life was like before Daniel's mysterious disappearance and the incident that caused so much turmoil. Those brief glimpses really helped the pieces fall into place as the story progressed. They also did a nice job of formulating a better understanding of the bond between Daniel and the Divine family.

The romance isn't much more than a delicious tease, but I really enjoyed the interactions between Grace and Daniel. There were definitely sparks and I felt the connection between them almost instantly. I couldn't wait to find out what happened between them.

The first half of the book starts off at a fairly even pace, providing the reader with information about the characters and giving us an idea of who they are. I was quite taken with the Divine family and enjoyed the dynamics between them as the story took flight.

The second half of the book pretty much solidified my feelings. I just had to know what happened next! With the amount of twists and turns this book provided, it was hard to put it down. The uncertainty of what would happen next just fueled my desire to read with each turn of the page.

Overall consensus: An excellent debut from author Bree Despain! I really enjoyed the mythology she wove within her story and its characters. It didn't take very long for me to be caught in the web. Definitely a book that should be on most, if not all, YA reader's radar. Needless to say, I can't wait for the next installment!

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Edition: Hardcover, Library Edition
Page Count: 206
Pub. Date: November 3, 2009
Series: 39 Clues, Book 6

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.10 (Average)

Recommended For: Everyone - Kids, Teens, Adults - good family series

Book Summary (back of the book):

Fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan, head to the Land Down Under to discover what their own mother and father knew about the hunt for the 39 Clues. But following in their parent's footsteps brings up lost memories for Amy so awful that she can't share them...even with Dan. Haunted by the ghosts of their past, chased by deadly competitors, Dan and Amy can't see who is an enemy and who is a friend. Their blindness leads to a terrible mistake....and the death of a hidden ally.

My Summary:

Excellent, excellent continuation of the 39 Clues adventure! Amy and Dan Cahill are back and better than ever.

To get you newbies caught up to speed:

Ever since her (Amy) grandmother's will had been read, she'd been chased from one continent to another...by her own relatives. Her grandmother Grace Cahill had laid down a challenge to every branch of the Cahill family - either join the race for the 39 Clues and become the most powerful person in the world... or walk away with a million dollars. Amy and Dan had chosen the chase. Not that a million dollars wouldn't be pretty sweet. But they knew their grandmother wanted them to win.

pg. 3

In Too Deep provides much more of a back story, which is one of the things I was most excited about. The story was driven more by the characters, rather than the search for clues. And we finally get some semblance of an answer to the burning question: "What really happened to Amy and Dan's parents?" (Keyword being, "semblance") Amy and Dan are hit with some shocking news that sends their world in a brief spiral. And not only that, but images from the past are starting to burn their way into Amy's present. Pieces are coming together and new alliances are being formed in coalescence with that one fateful night.

In the 6th book, we see a little separation between the Amy and Dan due to a circumstance that Amy isn't fully prepared to share with her brother. But once the cat is out of the bag, you see an even stronger bond form between them which makes this such a well-rounded book amidst all the craziness.

In addition to the regular cast of characters, Amy, Dan, and their au pair Nellie, are met by two new relatives - one a long lost beach bum of a cousin, and the other a relative they have only known by name and her reputation for ruthlessness. The mother of Ian and Natalie Kabra. And my does her unannounced arrival add much excitement to an already perilous quest. Such an interesting twist! I love being able to glimpse other members of the Cahill family. And it doesn't look like she's going anywhere.

Another interesting turn of events was the discovery that Nellie, their trusted au pair and guardian, may be more than she says. Her character has the opportunity to become a great asset to the series. I just hope the next author follows suit.

The aspect I enjoyed most was the fact that there was a plot and purpose. Some of the other books lead Amy and Dan to wander around the globe, jumping from place to place all while trying to escape the snares of their conniving relatives - yet there's never really any depth to the story. But Jude Watson gave the book plenty. The twists and turns kept me in suspense and were well placed throughout the book. And I thought the storyline was met with a nice mix of history - which a few of the previous books tend to lack. Being the history buff that I am, I was quite thrilled with the direction it took. (Without giving too much away, it involves planes and one lost heroine)

Overall consensus - an exciting continuation that has once again sparked my interest in this series. I have to admit, it waned a little after the fifth book, but this was immensely satisfying. I can't wait to see what happens next! If you haven't read the series, I highly recommend it. The books are roughly 200 pages each and such a fun ride.

Book 7, The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis is slated to be released February 2nd, 2010!

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance
Edition: Softcover; ARC
Page Count: 316
Pub. Date: February 2, 2010
Series: Book 1

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: N/A
Goodreads: 4.14 (Average)
Buy: Barnes and Noble

Recommended For: Readers who like a sassy female protagonist, People who like a little suspense and mystery with their romance (with a slight paranormal twist)

My Summary:

Lucy Valentine comes from a long line of Valentine's who have been gifted with the psychic ability to read people's auras. A gift, generations ago, that her family capitalized on by professionally matching potential lover's based on the color they emit. But when Lucy was 14, an electrical surge shorted out some inner workings in her brain and the ability inherited from her family has ceased to exist. Needless to say, this does nothing for Lucy's potential takeover of the family business. Unless of course, anyone needed her to find their lost car keys.

So from the age of 14, instead of spotting auras, Lucy can now track down any lost object as long as the person is thinking about said object the same time she comes into contact with them. Neat right? Not the gift she would choose, but one that came in handy from time to time. Until she touched the hand of a client who happened to be a missing an engagement ring that was on the hand of a skeleton.

Uncovering such unwelcome information sends Lucy's life into a whirlwind. Does she simply forget it ever happened, or go digging into a past that is sure to wreak havoc in her already complicated life? The answer to her is simple - she needs to find out who that person was and why they were wearing that particular ring. But she can't do it alone.

And along the way, she discovers some new truths to her own life.

My Thoughts:

This novel ended up being so much more than I expected! Despite the fact that I would have loved a little more romance, there was just enough to satiate my appetite. And what's more is the suspense and mystery that unfolded throughout the book. Definitely didn't see that coming. At least the amount of it. But, I was completely happy with the result.

Heather Webber introduces us to a delightful character in Lucy Valentine. I'm always a sucker for a leading character with sass. And Lucy has plenty of it. Humanistic, funny, and feisty are all attributes that make up the core of this novel's leading lady. Relatable in many aspects - she makes for a great narrator. Then you throw in a Mr Sean Donahue to the mix. Oh my, a delicious fellow with his own secrets and story to tell? TELL ME MORE. These two connect so well and their interactions fuel much fire to the story. I won't go into too much detail, but all the characters provided a fun and laugh provoking entity to the book that made it as enjoyable as it was.

It was fun seeing Lucy unfold as a character, taking control of circumstances and using her gift in a most useful way. I'm curious to see where the next book takes it.

The writing is light, playful, and flirtatious with just the right amount of tease, all while being tossed with a nice mix of mystery. And the ending left me with anticipation for the sequel, Deeply, Desperately. A enjoyable series debut from Heather Webber!

Also, thank you so much to Barnes and Noble's Sneak Peek for sending me an ARC copy!

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, New Adult (don't know what that is? read about it here)
Edition: Softcover (Mass Market PB)
Page Count: 677
Pub. Date: October 1, 2008
Series: Book 1 of the Night Angel Trilogy

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 4.13 (Average)

Recommended For: Fans of intense, dark fantasy/adventure novels with a slight magical twist, Readers who like a book with a punch

My Summary:

Azoth is a guild rat, an orphan, a worthless piece of skin living in the hell of the Warrens. Accompanied by his two friends, an older boy named Jarl and a tiny young girl who goes by the name Doll Girl, the three outcasts ban together and try to survive with little or nothing to their name. But being members of a guild called The Black Dragon, they are forced under the hand of a boy named Rat; the Fist of their guild, who's in charge of maintaining order and providing pain however he sees fit. Incurring constants slews of hatred and being a subject of humiliation, all Azoth wants is to not be afraid anymore. Until an opportunity presents itself and brings him across the most feared man in the city...Durzo Blint. A man who fears nothing.

The Way of Shadows is about a boy's arduous journey to discover within himself the makings of an assassin, or better yet, a wetboy. A life so dilute of morals that he must forever swear off love and embrace his new identity. Guided by his master Durzo Blint, Azoth learns to fight with every weapon known to man and to make poisons that can kill in an instant. But in order to continue on his dark path, Azoth must stand by his master's creed:

Life is empty. Life is meaningless. When we take a life, we aren't taking anything of value. Wetboys are killers. That's all we do. That's all we are. There are no poets in this bitter business.

It's a lesson ingrained in Azoth's brain since the moment he took to the shadows. His new path takes him to places he'd never thought he'd tread - full of deceit, dangerous politics, and the uncertainty of living to see the next day. But unlike his master, Azoth cannot quite shrug off the innocent person he used to be.

As the story progresses, so does Azoth's abilities. But something is wrong. For some reason or another, his Talent, which sets apart an assassin from a wetboy, cannot break free of its bonds. He is broken, which makes him worthless. He gets one last chance to prove himself but the chance is not an easy one.

Meanwhile, the land of Cenaria is in a bit of upheaval as a new king, unworthy of his duty, is settling in to take the throne. The Sa'kage, an underworld society feared by the people, are taking more and more under their power and making cowards of the those who would oppose them. But all the while, an unforeseen force is making its way through the lands with the evil intention of invading Cenaria and killing all those who stand in their way.

My Thoughts:

It is very hard to narrow down my thoughts on The Way of Shadows simply because there is too much to tell! I can't even begin to describe to you the the vast world author Brent Weeks takes us through. Though this is a work of fiction, there is a sad tale of truth to be told.

This book has it all: grit, intensity, action, adventure, magic, violence, promiscuity, romance...and not in that order. The Way of Shadows delves deeply into a dark world full of violence and despair. A world so devoid or morals that it's hard to decipher right from wrong. But there is also light at the end of the gloomy tunnel. Hope and redemption rise hand in hand along side all the darkness that tries to keep it in the shadows.

Another notable aspect of the novel is it very rarely lost stride, presenting the reader with non-stop action and a relatively fast pace. But more importantly, the characters were always solid and engaging. Each had their own strengths, weaknesses, and secrets to tell in their own time. It all unraveled perfectly with the suspenseful twists and turns this book provided.

What is keeping this novel from being a 5-star read in my opinion, is the fact that there is just so much detail and so many characters that it can be quite overwhelming and slightly difficult to grasp EVERYTHING that happens in the book. And at times it was a little confusing because loose ends were left open, only to come back to them later in the book. But honestly, in the grand scheme of things, it does little to take away from the incredible journey all tied up in 677 pages. This novel runs deep with evil, intrigue, and plot twists, but the more you read, the more everything starts to piece itself together again. Events happened that I never even thought of and it kept me on my toes throughout the book.

You know, I had no idea what to expect when I first picked it up. I bought it on a whim and was rewarded with a story filled to the brim with intensity and anticipation. Please take note that this is in no way a light read. You will be shuffled from hope, to curiosity, to despair like a rag doll. I wouldn't suggest this to any young readers due to the explicit violence (and some abuse) or those who are easily squeamish. If you're looking for a book with grit and, quite frankly, brass, than this is a book right down your alley.

I cannot wait to continue on with the Night Angel Trilogy!

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Humor, Paranormal(ish)
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 321
Pub. Date: June 3, 2003

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4 stars
Goodreads: 3.63 (Average)

Recommended For: Readers who like a good laugh, Lovers of the bizarre

Let me be frank when I say that I have not read a Christopher Moore novel that I did not like. I first came across Moore about a two years ago when I picked up his book, A Dirty Job. And he's been one of my favorite authors every since. Now moving on...

My Summary:

First the story introduces us to Nate Quinn, action nerd extraordinaire and marine behavioral biologist, who has spent the better half of his life researching the question: "Why do humpback whales sing?" Alongside him is his longtime partner and photographer Clay Demodocus. A man quite in love with the ocean and his boat who knows Quinn better than anyone. Every year while trekking the vast waters off of Maui, research assistants come and go but this year, the boys have hired on Amy: a feisty gal with milky-white skin and black hair who looks so wildly out of place in the Hawaiian setting. And of course, you can't forget Kona. The Rastafarian Hawaiian (by way of New Jersey) who provides endless chatter about Jah, Zion, and the sacred herb.

Together they embark on the ocean waters of Maui, charting, recording, and photographing any large marine mammal to cross their path. Until one peacefully serene day of data gathering, a whale raises its massive fluke to display the message: "BITE ME" in foot-high letters. Stunned and utterly perplexed, Nate makes it his mission to track down that particular whale. But when a roll of film returns from processing missing the crucial shot, Nate Quinn realizes that there is something big, and rather weird going on.

My Thoughts:

About a week ago I decided to take a break from the world of fantasy/adventure novels and settle down with something light and funny. Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings did not disappoint. First of all, I don't even know where to begin to describe this book. Secondly, I'm not sure I can give Fluke a serious review while keeping a straight face. So I won't even try. Seriously, this book is just so completely and totally random, I LOVE IT. There are books that fall into the category of sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, and then just plain weird. I'd say this definitely falls in the latter category - but it's a genius kind of weird.

Christopher Moore does just a fantastic job at creating a bizarrely original tale while keeping it real and true to the world today. And what I loved about the characters was how each person offers their own sense of wit and personality that you can't help but love them. Not to mention, the endless snark definitely contributes to the overall enjoyment of the book. I haven't laughed that hard while reading in a long time. (I may have even snorted once, or twice)

Fair warning: This is an adult read and If you have an aversion to language or use of the word "sphincter", then this just isn't the book for you. But if you're looking to delve into a book so vastly bizarre and full of anecdotes that will have you laughing quite often, then sit down buttercup, because you're in for a real treat. A book filled with mystery, adventure, humor, and the absurd, it's just a fun read from start to finish.

As far as I'm concerned, Christopher Moore can do no wrong. I cannot recommend him enough. But let it be known, his works are on the side of different (unless, for instance, you're already a fan of Palahniuk, then you should be used to different by now). Would I recommend Fluke as a first read for Moore's books? Probably not. But a definite read, nonetheless.

Join the Mysterious Benedict Society as Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance embark on a daring new adventure that threatens to force them apart from their families, friends, and even each other. When an unexplained blackout engulfs Stonetown, the foursome must unravel clues relating to a nefarious new plot, while their search for answers brings them closer to danger than ever before.

Filled with page-turning action and mind-bending brain teasers, this wildly inventive journey is sure to delight.

Genre: Children's Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 391
Pub. Date: October 6, 2009
Series: Book 3 in The Mysterious Benedict Society series

My Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.37 (Average)

My Summary:

We begin the tale in prison. Or something like it. Due to the fact that the children and their families are being sought after by the cruel Mr. Curtain, it has been necessary to keep them concealed as much as possible. But they haven't remained idle in the process. Mr. Benedict, their teacher and benevolent keeper, has kept them on their toes by testing them with riddles, puzzles, and more importantly, the "Prisoner's Dilemma."

Two suspects, partner in crime, are arrested by the police. The police have insufficient evidence for a conviction, and, having separated both prisoners, visit each of them to offer the same deal. If one testifies (defects from the other) for the prosecution against the other and the other remains silent (cooperates with the other), the betrayer goes free and the silent accomplice receives the full 10-year sentence. If both remain silent, both prisoners are sentenced to only six months in jail for a minor charge. If each betrays the other, each receives a five-year sentence. Each prisoner must choose to betray the other or to remain silent.

But in this case, the prison sentence was replaced by dish duty for a house of 13. As usual, the foursome find a way to turn the situation to their benefit. But while mischievous activity is going on under the Benedict household, other sinister events are underway in the city of Stonetown. Determined to get his Whisperer back, Mr. Curtain has devised another evil plot to try, once again, to reign his terror and superiority over the world. But the Society is fast on his heels.

My Thoughts:

Another hightailed journey with Reynard "Reynie" Muldoon, Kate Wetherall, George "Sticky" Washington, and Constance Contraire: the nerdy fearsome foursome. The thing I love about this series is: it's never dull. There's always an adventure, always a new puzzle to be solved, and a clue to be figured out.

The camaraderie between the 4 friends is endlessly fun. Whether it's Reynie's knack to solve the unsolvable, Kate's penchant to take action, Sticky's unnerving ability to remember everything, or Constance's quirky habit of forming poem's about the most random things - they each contribute something unique to the book and bring out the best in one another.

Your brain will be teased with excitement and tossed with adventure. You'll experience suspense, dread, happiness - all whopped in to 391 pages. But it's more than just an adventure story, it's a tale about friendship and sticking together through thick and thin. Kinda leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Finally, this book gave the series a sense of closure. Many unanswered plots and threads from the previews books were dutifully answered and did the series justice. (But then again, I haven't read anything about this being the final book, so don't count on me) Such a satisfying read. Makes you want to keep reading about those 4. A series/book to be enjoyed by everyone!