Reviews

Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz

and_peggy53's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective 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

5.0

bookheroine's review against another edition

adventurous informative fast-paced

4.25

clarissa_reads99's review against another edition

5.0

This is a wonderful book. Max is a Jewish boy growing up in Berlin when the Nazis take over. He is sent to Britain by his parents to keep him safe. Unfortunately, his parents are not allowed to come with him, Jewish adults were not welcome in Many parts of the world in those days. While on his way to England Max discovers that a Kobold and a Dybbuk two characters from folklore have appeared on his shoulders. No one else can see or hear them, but they talk to Max. They are there mostly to heckle him, but they befriend him, and add some levity to what might otherwise be a grim situation. Max is a clever and engaging character. We get to see him strike back against prejudiced people, and form bonds with some members of the family who have taken him in.

Max worries about his sweet kind parents, whom has has always felt protective of. What he wants more than anything is to return to Berlin and take care of his parents. Fortunately for Max he gets the opportunity to become a spy and return to Germany if only he can make it through the training course for spies, and succeed in the tasks that have been set for him.

Despite the subject matter this book was funny and Max is a character you are rooting for from the start!

lzprsn's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jenli2076's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

fallingletters's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

audreylee's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny informative 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

5.0

This was a nice blend of the dark and emotional time of WWII on a German, Jewish child and the hilarious input of the two fantastical beings who travel with him to England. I appreciate the acknowledgement of the antisemitism found in the western nations. The spy training was interesting. The ending was incredibly rushed. I hope this is the beginning installation of a series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism

jmshirtz's review against another edition

5.0

For as long as I put this off (I have to be in the right mindset to read about WWII) I thoroughly enjoyed it! I would put it with my favorite books of the year. Max’s adventure is just this side of Lemony Snicket over-the-top ridiculous, without trivializing the overall conflict. I’ll be watching for the sequel!

hillary_scholz's review against another edition

4.0

Very action packed and a compelling story. I wish I had known it was going to be a duology when I started reading it. So don't be surprised when it seems like the book won't wrap up by the end - it won't. But really good and I can't wait until book 2 comes out.

julied1964's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0