Reviews

The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix

isabelll1336's review against another edition

5.0

So far I think this book is pretty good. I feel like so far Natalie and chess are going to get together or something like that. This might be kinda weird but I feel like Natalie is actually my favourite character so far because idk i appreciate her trying to help out the greystone kids and i feel like at the end i really want them to have a solid friendship. I feel like this book is so excellent in the sense that chess obviously portrays maturity and having to be like the second mother and taking care of the emma and finn, having to comfort and reassure them when he himself is not. While on the other hand, Finn portrays innocence, not really understanding what's happening and I really like the contrasts and that we have all three of their perspectives so that we understand what's going on in their heads. As you can tell, Emma is my least favourite of the main characters. It's not like I hate her or anything, it's just that she does not really have much going for her right now that's like something special or something I relate to. Like natalie has the mystery aspect as i'm not really sure what she’s thinking and i really want to end up with chess just because then there's finn and chess being perfect contrasts to the other which is also appealing while emma just there… but i always feel like the middle childis the most interesting out of the bunch in real life so i hope that deems true in this book too. I really do not understand what's going on with their mother though like I understand there should be a mystery aspect but i really like how the author is writing the book as normally you might be able to guess what are the possibilities of happening after the first 100 pages but so far i'm still not sure. So despite technically seeing this coming, I found that the way they described the alternate worlds was a little bit strange but still sort of cohesive at the same time. I really like how it was all pieced together as well and all in all, I think how they described the big plot twist was pretty well done and definitely not totally unexpected but was very clean and made sense. What I would like to say though, is that I really appreciate how this series is only three books and then done. No more. Overall, I think it was very well done and most of the plot twists were very unexpected and I’m glad that didn’t leave the audience on a super huge cliffhanger but enough to still have interest in what the book is going to be about.
I still don't really like Emma as the rest of the siblings though and I really like that Natalie has become part of the squad?

hazelsnoot's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

breakfastgrey's review against another edition

2.0

This book was ultra-disappointing. The hook is amazing-- three kids discover that three children with the same names and birthdays who do not look like them have been kidnapped-- and I've enjoyed other books by Haddix in the past. Unfortunately, The Strangers features tropes instead of characters, incredibly convenient plot progression, and absolutely pedestrian writing. I really wanted to like this so much more than I did.

julleah's review against another edition

Kidnapping and parent death happen early in the book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Trafficking, and Panic attacks/disorders

beckielee0214's review against another edition

4.0

It was a fun quick read. I am looking forward to the rest of the series!

I think there are themes my 7 year old wouldn't understand yet, but I would be ok for her to read it around 9 or 10. It would be a good introduction so some difficult topics could be talked about.

ilovexadenandviolet's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

ericathrone's review against another edition

1.0

Did not finish. Stopped at roughly 50%.

In short, the author made liberal use of the clichéd "Adults are Useless" trope. Are parents and guardians really so untrustworthy? No, of course not. Added to that three sad children trying to keep a stiff upper lip and a constantly shifting point of view and you have uneven storytelling and an unpleasant reading experience overall. I could say more, but, honestly, I want to be done with this book.

courtney_elledge's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

morganrondo's review against another edition

3.0

The first third of this book was amazing. I was totally drawn in by the storytelling and mystery. Then, we started to get some answers. I figured I was confused because I still had a while to go, but most of my questions were never answered. I'm disappointed because the plot was such a clever idea. However, details were missing or didn't make sense. Margaret Peterson Haddix is one of my favorite authors, so it was surprising that I was left not wanting to read the rest of the series.

caitlinxreads's review against another edition

4.0

The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a fun middle grade novel about alternate worlds, family, and solving mysteries. This start to a new series follows the Greystone siblings as they attempt to find their missing mother. The relationship between Chess, Emma, and Finn was incredible. I really enjoyed following their adventure which includes clues, danger, and codes.

Things I loved: sibling relationship, codes, mystery, descriptions, alternate world angle

Things I didn't love: not enough clues and puzzles, I wanted more worldbuilding in the alternate world

If the next book contains improved worldbuilding, I am sure that I will also really enjoy it.