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elissagator's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't realize this was a sequel. Publishers need to do a better job of printing somewhere on the cover #2. Besides that, I was able to follow the story line fairly closely and I didn't feel completely lost. Cadel is a foster kid being in a witness protection like program after he was part of a school to train youngsters to become evil geniuses and take over the world, his father being Evil Genius No. 1. From what I surmised, that's what the first book was about. This second book, I felt like it moved pretty slow. It wasn't until the end that things started picking up.
I liked the concept of the book, I always like when kids outsmart adults. I may or may not read the first and third.
I liked the concept of the book, I always like when kids outsmart adults. I may or may not read the first and third.
lucc23333's review
emotional
tense
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
4.0
Not as good as the first one but still an enjoyable read!
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
I found this enjoyable, and I like that Catherine Jinks doesn't write at an extremely low reading level, even though this book is oriented towards kids. The book gets a little boring at times, especially when Jinks spend a lot of paragraphs talking about hacking (which is definitely not as entertaining as, but definitely more realistic than, hacking montages in movies or TV series). However, I enjoyed it, mostly because I can't help but root for Cadel, who's trying to be a good person, despite literally being raised to be an evil genius. I also love the way in which Jinks writes about how Cadel tries to figure out what to do in social situations. Other people might not enjoy or empathize with this part of Cadel, but it rang true to me of the heuristics that high-intelligence/odd-ball/anxious people use when they're interacting in the "real world."
nyx1801's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like this one was at the slower pace than the first one. There was so much more potential with the squad and living at foster homes. I was delighted with the ending however :)
jbojkov's review against another edition
3.0
I did not find this one as compelling as the first installment, but it was a good story and ties up some of the loose ends form the first book- Evil Genius.
squishies's review
3.0
Not quite as interesting as the first book, but it had more angst. Heh.^^^^I really did quite like the ending though. Wonder how she's going to wrap it up.
bellatora's review against another edition
5.0
This is by far my favorite book in the series. The cover continues to deceive - it gives no sense of the greatness of complexity within. This book deserves a wider audience than this cover will attract.
This book finds Cadel is basically in limbo since the events of the last book. Villain Prosper English is in jail but refuses to acknowledge Cadel as his son. Cadel is in foster care with limited computer time (which is like prison to him). He has police protection because he is a threat to Prosper English, but the police don't help him much day-to-day. When he is approached by the mysterious Genius Squad he joins both to finally do something and because it means he can live with his best friend Sonja, also recruited by the Genius Squad.
What sells me on this book is really Cadel's relationship with Fiona (his social worker) and Saul Greenius (a policeman who takes an interest in Cadel). I loved, loved, loved them both. Cadel has had almost no one in his life besides Sonja whose opinion he really cares about. He's a genius with a warped upbringing that left him pretty arrogant and isolated. But once he has Fiona and Saul, who really care about him, he has adults in his life that he doesn't want to disappoint. It humanizes Cadel in a way that I absolutely adore.
Cadel does seem more desperate and erratic in this book, maybe because he has more people he cares about. In the first book he was incredibly cool and calm and collected - maybe it's easier to be a bit of a psychopath when there's no one in your life you really care about. Probably best for Cadel as a human being, but I would’ve liked him to be a little less frazzled. Though he did still come up with brilliant plans.
This book finds Cadel is basically in limbo since the events of the last book. Villain Prosper English is in jail but refuses to acknowledge Cadel as his son. Cadel is in foster care with limited computer time (which is like prison to him). He has police protection because he is a threat to Prosper English, but the police don't help him much day-to-day. When he is approached by the mysterious Genius Squad he joins both to finally do something and because it means he can live with his best friend Sonja, also recruited by the Genius Squad.
What sells me on this book is really Cadel's relationship with Fiona (his social worker) and Saul Greenius (a policeman who takes an interest in Cadel). I loved, loved, loved them both. Cadel has had almost no one in his life besides Sonja whose opinion he really cares about. He's a genius with a warped upbringing that left him pretty arrogant and isolated. But once he has Fiona and Saul, who really care about him, he has adults in his life that he doesn't want to disappoint. It humanizes Cadel in a way that I absolutely adore.
Cadel does seem more desperate and erratic in this book, maybe because he has more people he cares about. In the first book he was incredibly cool and calm and collected - maybe it's easier to be a bit of a psychopath when there's no one in your life you really care about. Probably best for Cadel as a human being, but I would’ve liked him to be a little less frazzled. Though he did still come up with brilliant plans.
goobertdoobert's review against another edition
3.0
Never thought some of things would happen...(Can't tell you though can I?) :) An invgorating sequel to 'Evil Genius'. I would recommened it to 14+ who would like to commit to a series and who aren't afraid of long books.
sumayyah_t's review against another edition
3.0
Phineas Darkkon is dead, Prosper English is in jail, but Cadel Piggot is still adrift in the sea of humanity, grounded only by his best friend, Sonja. When the teens are approached with an offer to join an illegal hacking ring that promises a hefty payday, they can't resist... but things are not always what they seem to be. A fitting sequel to Evil Genius; my rating takes into account the unhappy treatment of Sonja in this book. Her condition (she has cerebral palsy) is constantly mentioned on, as well as used as a running commentary on how bad some people have it in this world. Also, the constant reminder that she is Cadel's "best friend".
jerefi's review against another edition
2.0
The premise intrigued me a bit and I do have a soft spot for young adult fiction. I flew through this book rather quickly and I enjoyed the various genius types. Did I know the ending prematurely? For the most part yeah, but I wasn't upset by this as I often am. I also realized this is the second book in a series. It reads fine as its own story, but I now want to go back and read the first one.