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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4/5
Long ago, when I was a kid, I read the fourth book in this series without ever reading any of the other ones. Now, as a 19 year old, I decided to go back and read the whole series.
The reason that book appealed to me was because it broke all the rules other authors followed. And this is the exact reason I loved this one too.
Pseudonyms Bosch might be the coolest children's writer I've read. And he is the reason I am going to read more children's literature. I don't know WHY I wasted so many years reading stupid YA Romance when I could've read stuff like this. But I guess, the older you are when reading the Secret Series, the more fun you have. Especially if you are unwilling to grow up, like ME! (Or even the writer himself.)
Reading this book made me realise that maybe it's not too late to start reading Harry Potter too. I never read the series thinking I would get bored. I've never liked books that were in series. They demand a commitment and I hate commitments. I guess, I have to give HP a shot too.
Coming back to this book, I enjoyed it. I really did. And I think these books should be more popular among children as well as adults.
Cass was one of the most interesting main characters I've read. She was not annoying and was so natural and awkward at the same time that I wish I had read her as a child. I really wish I read this book first rather than the fourth one because Cass did not make the same impact on me as she did in this book.
I highly recommend this book for all ages and especially for people who love breaking rules.
I am gonna go and read the second book now.
Long ago, when I was a kid, I read the fourth book in this series without ever reading any of the other ones. Now, as a 19 year old, I decided to go back and read the whole series.
The reason that book appealed to me was because it broke all the rules other authors followed. And this is the exact reason I loved this one too.
Pseudonyms Bosch might be the coolest children's writer I've read. And he is the reason I am going to read more children's literature. I don't know WHY I wasted so many years reading stupid YA Romance when I could've read stuff like this. But I guess, the older you are when reading the Secret Series, the more fun you have. Especially if you are unwilling to grow up, like ME! (Or even the writer himself.)
Reading this book made me realise that maybe it's not too late to start reading Harry Potter too. I never read the series thinking I would get bored. I've never liked books that were in series. They demand a commitment and I hate commitments. I guess, I have to give HP a shot too.
Coming back to this book, I enjoyed it. I really did. And I think these books should be more popular among children as well as adults.
Cass was one of the most interesting main characters I've read. She was not annoying and was so natural and awkward at the same time that I wish I had read her as a child. I really wish I read this book first rather than the fourth one because Cass did not make the same impact on me as she did in this book.
I highly recommend this book for all ages and especially for people who love breaking rules.
I am gonna go and read the second book now.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
i was absolutely obsessed with this series when i was in the fifth grade. i wish i could read it all again for the first time.
I remember loving this series as a child so I thought I would reread it as an adult. It was still entertaining to read because there were references that I can't imagine I understood as a child. Great for a quick read when I don't want to think too hard.
This was a absolutely hilarious book! This book reminds me quite a bit of Lemony Snicket's - Unfortunate Events and of Trenton Lee Stewart's - Benedict Society books.
I absolutely loved the creative narration, the little parts that he stopped the story to tell us something, a secret or a warning of just a hint of information.
The 2 main characters: Cass and Max-Ernest take some getting used to. You might, especially in the beginning, find them a bit annoying, but I really liked them at the end of the book. They really grew and learned things and became better characters.
The story itself was brilliant, the villains were true villains. Not the cutesy one you some times see in stories. No real villains with evil plans. I can't imagine what the secret is, but I am highly curious to what it is!
I just bought book 2 and 3, and hope they are just as much fun, just as interesting and have enough sleuthing as this book has.
Since this book really was great, here are some of my favourite quotes:
Generally speaking, books don't cause much harm. Except when you read them, that is. Then they cause all kinds of problems.
It was like walking into a treasure trove of books, hoarded by pirate librarians.
Only bad books have good endings.
If a book is any good, it's ending is always bad - because you don't want the book to end.
Books can also provoke emotions. And emotions sometimes are even more troublesome than ideas. Emotions have led people to do all sorts of things they later regret-like, oh, throwing a book at someone else.
So I would really recommend this to everyone, be them a child or a parent or just an adult seeking a fun book!
I absolutely loved the creative narration, the little parts that he stopped the story to tell us something, a secret or a warning of just a hint of information.
The 2 main characters: Cass and Max-Ernest take some getting used to. You might, especially in the beginning, find them a bit annoying, but I really liked them at the end of the book. They really grew and learned things and became better characters.
The story itself was brilliant, the villains were true villains. Not the cutesy one you some times see in stories. No real villains with evil plans. I can't imagine what the secret is, but I am highly curious to what it is!
I just bought book 2 and 3, and hope they are just as much fun, just as interesting and have enough sleuthing as this book has.
Since this book really was great, here are some of my favourite quotes:
Generally speaking, books don't cause much harm. Except when you read them, that is. Then they cause all kinds of problems.
It was like walking into a treasure trove of books, hoarded by pirate librarians.
Only bad books have good endings.
If a book is any good, it's ending is always bad - because you don't want the book to end.
Books can also provoke emotions. And emotions sometimes are even more troublesome than ideas. Emotions have led people to do all sorts of things they later regret-like, oh, throwing a book at someone else.
So I would really recommend this to everyone, be them a child or a parent or just an adult seeking a fun book!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body shaming, Death, Cultural appropriation