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trin's review against another edition
2.0
The clever start to a clever kids' series that's not quite clever enough to keep this world-weary adult entertained. This book gets off to a fun start with the chapters in which young orphan Reynie is tested for admittance into the eponymous society. Once the actual plot gets going, however, there's way too much Evil Villains and Their Evil Plans Are Evil stuff going on. It's fairly yawn-inducing for anyone who's read anything like that before, and I've read lots. The ragtag assortment of child prodigies, despite being pretty awesome--especially Kate!--also take a frustratingly long time to figure out what's going on. I can totally understand why younger kids like these books, but I found the series lacks crossover appeal.
duriangrey's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jvbook_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
hirvimaki's review against another edition
4.0
Very fun out-loud read to my girls. Funny, witty, and with just the right amount of quirky action to make this a fast-paced story.
smreads24's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
smartinez22's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
gothhotel's review against another edition
4.0
shoutout to this book for sticking in my memory like 12 years later. every time i take a dense multiple-choice test, i remember how the kids in this book got through their entry test not by knowing everything but by being canny enough to identify patterns in the test itself. that's stuck with me and got me through a lot of things for which I wasn't especially prepared.
kitkat175's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly I did not really enjoy this book that much, I listened to the audiobook and did not pay much attention to it that much but from what I picked up. I might read this book again in the future and pay attention to the actual plot of the book. The pace of this book was very slow and hard to get through. I think I watched 1 episode of the Mysterious Benedict Society. I don't think I will be continuing with the series, until I read this book again in the future. As of right now it wasn't the best book that I have read and I don't know if I will pick up again I hope too.
its_gia_pasqua's review against another edition
5.0
Super fun and clean chapter book with lots of peril, mystery, and adventure. I definitely recommend for the kid at heart.
techknitly's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting book, very different from a lot of children's books out there. The ending was surprising and unpredictable. I listened to this book on audio, read by Del Roy.