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librariandest's review against another edition
3.0
This is a great audiobook with some music and different actors doing character voices. (I often dislike "full cast" audio, but this was an exception.)
I listened to this with my 8-year-old. She found some parts scary, though I'm sure they were intended to be silly. I'm talking bout the homunculus being a cannibal and eating villains. Overall, we enjoyed it and will continue reading the series. Note: my daughter is obsessed with the Mysterious Benedict Society series and I'm glad to get her into something different, so I forgive this book its weaker moments.
This was originally written in 2008 and it shows. There are some cringe bits, particularly when the carnival workers are being described and the narrator says things like, "They were little people, which is a polite way of saying midgets," etc. (The chapter is called "A Polite Way of Saying Weird".) There's also a part where Cass says Yo-Yoji would never have a bar mitzvah because he's Japanese -- fair enough, but nowadays I think we'd recognize that a person can be Jewish and Japanese.
On the other hand, this series was ahead of its time in that Cass has two grandpas who are a couple and it is treated as unremarkable (though gay marriage was not legal throughout the US until 2015).
I listened to this with my 8-year-old. She found some parts scary, though I'm sure they were intended to be silly. I'm talking bout the homunculus being a cannibal and eating villains. Overall, we enjoyed it and will continue reading the series. Note: my daughter is obsessed with the Mysterious Benedict Society series and I'm glad to get her into something different, so I forgive this book its weaker moments.
This was originally written in 2008 and it shows. There are some cringe bits, particularly when the carnival workers are being described and the narrator says things like, "They were little people, which is a polite way of saying midgets," etc. (The chapter is called "A Polite Way of Saying Weird".) There's also a part where Cass says Yo-Yoji would never have a bar mitzvah because he's Japanese -- fair enough, but nowadays I think we'd recognize that a person can be Jewish and Japanese.
On the other hand, this series was ahead of its time in that Cass has two grandpas who are a couple and it is treated as unremarkable (though gay marriage was not legal throughout the US until 2015).
beiyunliu's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.0
booksnorkel's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty great series. I love how fast and easy these books go down and how funny they are. I think that a lot of people who enjoy mysteries, mixed with a little weirdness will love these books. For fourth on up the second one in the series will continue to delight fans.
I read this a couple of months and many books between it and the first one and I wasn't confused at all. I don't know if this is a series that I would actually buy all the books for, I don't love them that much, but I know that I want to read the rest. Lucky for me I house sit for a family who loves reading and these books made their list.
Those who like Mysterious Benedict Society will definitely notice some similarities but they will still like this series because the two are different in many important ways.
I read this a couple of months and many books between it and the first one and I wasn't confused at all. I don't know if this is a series that I would actually buy all the books for, I don't love them that much, but I know that I want to read the rest. Lucky for me I house sit for a family who loves reading and these books made their list.
Those who like Mysterious Benedict Society will definitely notice some similarities but they will still like this series because the two are different in many important ways.
sierra_color's review against another edition
5.0
The title is right! It is too late for me! Because I love this series!
I remember this was the first book series that I LEGITMATELY got into. I discovered it while bored out of my mind in sixth grade, and to be honest? I have never been the same since. It's such a good series, and I love it dearly.
I loved how this book continued the arcs of the characters from book one. Max and Cass learning to be friends, Cass' mom learning to let her go and let her daughter be more independent. To be honest, it's brilliantly done. The writing style is so unique, and I love how the narrator themselves have a personality, and how they talk and interact with the reader. To be honest, it keeps you on your toes, and it makes you want to continue to read the story. I also love the codes and mysteries in the book, and I feel like the overall story is just really, really well done. Even for me, this is my third time reading it, and I still sit on the edge of my seat, wondering if the iconic duo is gonna make it this time!
Just.. I love this book series. Is it the nostalgia? Yes and no. It's a legitimately good series with unique characters and a unique story. I can't wait to finish the rest of it over again!
I remember this was the first book series that I LEGITMATELY got into. I discovered it while bored out of my mind in sixth grade, and to be honest? I have never been the same since. It's such a good series, and I love it dearly.
I loved how this book continued the arcs of the characters from book one. Max and Cass learning to be friends, Cass' mom learning to let her go and let her daughter be more independent. To be honest, it's brilliantly done. The writing style is so unique, and I love how the narrator themselves have a personality, and how they talk and interact with the reader. To be honest, it keeps you on your toes, and it makes you want to continue to read the story. I also love the codes and mysteries in the book, and I feel like the overall story is just really, really well done. Even for me, this is my third time reading it, and I still sit on the edge of my seat, wondering if the iconic duo is gonna make it this time!
Just.. I love this book series. Is it the nostalgia? Yes and no. It's a legitimately good series with unique characters and a unique story. I can't wait to finish the rest of it over again!
sara_evaney's review against another edition
3.0
This was better than the first. I just feel like this world isnt magical enough to have all these supernatural stuff going on.
xbabyghost's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kautaru's review against another edition
4.5
Solid sequel to the first book. There’s a lot more background information on the main characters in this one, which was interesting. Quite a few plot twists too, which made the book all the more enjoyable. I loved all the interjections the author made throughout the book, those were the best parts.
ethan_libra's review against another edition
2.0
DISCLAIMER: If You're Reading This, It's Too Late is the sequel to The Name of This Book Is Secret, so if you haven't read my review for that book, you might want to, given that I reference my opinion on that book quite a bit in this review. Thanks!
Although it still has its problems, and although I wouldn't call it a "good" book by any means, this was definitely a step up from the previous novel in the series. For one, the A Series of Unfortunate Events influence has certainly lessened, and I can sense this series gaining more of an individual voice. If this continues, I might actually start enjoying these books! Another noticeable change is Cass, our main protagonist. She is a lot more likable in this novel, and acts a lot more kindly towards Max-Ernest (our other protagonist) and others she meets. Max-Ernest hasn't really changed at all, though. Finally, the author's interruptions have lessened since the last book, which is still an improvement even if they haven't gotten less obnoxious.
However, this still wasn't exactly a good book. One issue I keep coming back to in my mind revolves around a new character: Yo-Yoji. It feels like he only serves to drive a half-baked "jealousy" conflict between our two main characters, because he really doesn't do anything besides that. Also, the reader is supposed to believe he's "cool" because he plays electric guitar and says "yo" and "sick" all the time, which has just aged terribly. The illustrations haven't improved, either; they're still as hard to look at and misleading as before. Lastly, the pacing in the second act feels like nothing is happening, and the author tends to repeat phrases a lot (one such offender being "which is a polite way of saying ___") So, I'd call this book a definite improvement, although there is still work to be done before this series can be enjoyable to read. Cheers!
Although it still has its problems, and although I wouldn't call it a "good" book by any means, this was definitely a step up from the previous novel in the series. For one, the A Series of Unfortunate Events influence has certainly lessened, and I can sense this series gaining more of an individual voice. If this continues, I might actually start enjoying these books! Another noticeable change is Cass, our main protagonist. She is a lot more likable in this novel, and acts a lot more kindly towards Max-Ernest (our other protagonist) and others she meets. Max-Ernest hasn't really changed at all, though. Finally, the author's interruptions have lessened since the last book, which is still an improvement even if they haven't gotten less obnoxious.
However, this still wasn't exactly a good book. One issue I keep coming back to in my mind revolves around a new character: Yo-Yoji. It feels like he only serves to drive a half-baked "jealousy" conflict between our two main characters, because he really doesn't do anything besides that. Also, the reader is supposed to believe he's "cool" because he plays electric guitar and says "yo" and "sick" all the time, which has just aged terribly. The illustrations haven't improved, either; they're still as hard to look at and misleading as before. Lastly, the pacing in the second act feels like nothing is happening, and the author tends to repeat phrases a lot (one such offender being "which is a polite way of saying ___") So, I'd call this book a definite improvement, although there is still work to be done before this series can be enjoyable to read. Cheers!