Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Another good one in the series! These would make great movies!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
A quick and exciting read, but I'm predicting that this will be the last one that any of my students will read in the series if they were not avid readers to begin with. The multiple levels of duplicity, the amount of brain effort needed to sort out subplots and motives, and the unanswered questions make this a much more difficult text than the first 3. As an adult, it also loses points for me because there were some highly implausible plot elements that reminded me that it was supposed to be YA fiction and to just roll with it. Haddix does continue to promote integrity and unyielding selflessness, which was nauseating but probably good for young readers.
The ending left me feeling satisfied to drop the series, which surprises me since there are 3 books left, and I think that's testament to how this one ranks with the other three.
The ending left me feeling satisfied to drop the series, which surprises me since there are 3 books left, and I think that's testament to how this one ranks with the other three.
This book was probably the most unexpected of the series so far. We were introduced to a lot more characters and there were kind of two parts to the storyline. The first half is about Luke being at school and getting to meet Smits, and the second half is about Luke actually being among the barons, like the title says.
Among the Barons takes us back to Luke’s point-of-view, like in the first two books. At this point, Luke has taken on the identity of Lee Grant, and we get to see him come more into that persona. It was especially interesting when we got to meet Lee’s family, who all know his secret, when we previously didn’t think they’d ever make an appearance in this series.
I really enjoyed the character of Smithfield Grant, AKA Smits, and I thought he had a great character arc, even across this short of a book. As Lee’s brother, he knows that Lee is really dead, but he suspects foul play was involved. Can Luke really trust Smits? This book has a lot of secrets and mistrust and false alliances, moreso than in the previous installments, which I loved to read about.
As a reader of primarily adult books at this point in my life and used to the subtlety of clues presented in those books, some of the foreshadowing here seemed a bit heavy-handed to me, but I think it would be great for someone actually in the 8-12 age range who’s still getting used to solving the mystery along with the book. And I will admit that there were still some reveals that caught me off-guard, so kudos to Haddix for that.
I can’t decide yet which book in this series is my favorite so far as they are all pretty much equally awesome, but it might be this one if I was forced to choose. Each book in the Shadow Children series is so gripping and fast-paced and entertaining. It’s clear to me the direction the series is taking and what the overall ending will be, but I’m still looking forward to reading the next three books and seeing how it all plays out.
My Book Blog: Storeys of Stories
Among the Barons takes us back to Luke’s point-of-view, like in the first two books. At this point, Luke has taken on the identity of Lee Grant, and we get to see him come more into that persona. It was especially interesting when we got to meet Lee’s family, who all know his secret, when we previously didn’t think they’d ever make an appearance in this series.
I really enjoyed the character of Smithfield Grant, AKA Smits, and I thought he had a great character arc, even across this short of a book. As Lee’s brother, he knows that Lee is really dead, but he suspects foul play was involved. Can Luke really trust Smits? This book has a lot of secrets and mistrust and false alliances, moreso than in the previous installments, which I loved to read about.
As a reader of primarily adult books at this point in my life and used to the subtlety of clues presented in those books, some of the foreshadowing here seemed a bit heavy-handed to me, but I think it would be great for someone actually in the 8-12 age range who’s still getting used to solving the mystery along with the book. And I will admit that there were still some reveals that caught me off-guard, so kudos to Haddix for that.
I can’t decide yet which book in this series is my favorite so far as they are all pretty much equally awesome, but it might be this one if I was forced to choose. Each book in the Shadow Children series is so gripping and fast-paced and entertaining. It’s clear to me the direction the series is taking and what the overall ending will be, but I’m still looking forward to reading the next three books and seeing how it all plays out.
My Book Blog: Storeys of Stories
adventurous
fast-paced
This series is actually made up of seven middle-grade novels; Among the Hidden, Among the Impostors, Among the Betrayed, Among the Barons, Among the Brave, Among the Enemy, and Among the Free. I had read the first two when they came out, but I aged out of the series before the rest were published. For some reason they came across my library suggestions, and remembering how much I loved them originally, I thought, "Why not?!" I'm so glad I returned to these characters and would definitely recommend them for any young (or young at heart) reader!
.
I read the entire series as though it were one book, since they are each only about 150-200 pages. Luke is the primary character for the series, but not necessarily the protagonist in each book which gives the reader various perspectives and voices. The plot is engaging and interesting, and feels like The Hunger Games for a middle school reader. I have always been a avid reader so it was nice to revisit a series I knew and loved, while having no idea how it ended or where the characters would end up. Haddox covers a number of dark topics and doesn't shy away from difficult material, which personally I loved as a kid and as an adult!
.
I read the entire series as though it were one book, since they are each only about 150-200 pages. Luke is the primary character for the series, but not necessarily the protagonist in each book which gives the reader various perspectives and voices. The plot is engaging and interesting, and feels like The Hunger Games for a middle school reader. I have always been a avid reader so it was nice to revisit a series I knew and loved, while having no idea how it ended or where the characters would end up. Haddox covers a number of dark topics and doesn't shy away from difficult material, which personally I loved as a kid and as an adult!
I really enjoyed this book in the series. It was back to Luke's perspective, which I love, and this one was full of lots of twists and turns. I loved the new character, Smits, and I really love where the story is going. I am still a little confused about Oscar, but I'm hoping more questions will be answered in other books.
Another exciting, fast-paced installment in the Shadow Children series. I liked having the series return to Luke's point of view. There were a couple of plot issues that left me a tad bewildered, but overall it was well done again. These books are such quick reads that I plan on just barreling through the rest of the series.
Interesting series thus far, though I will say that there is a level of detail that's subtly missing from this last book, specifically the deaths of the parents toward the end. Also, Luke and Smits end up back at their parents house, and I assume they have their own ID's for their own identities still, yes? There's no fear that them playing out in the yard won't draw any attention? I know it's a younger young adult fiction but things like that irk me. Still, I appreciate the intrigue in this series, and that hopefully we'll see an end to the lies and conspiracies at the conclusion.
Excellent progression for the story arch. I enjoyed getting to know some of the characters more deeply, and although there were many questions answered in this book, several more were inspired. With this, I definitely want to keep reading the series.