summerellsworth98's review against another edition
5.0
I think this one was the best one yet! It was absolutely perfect. It was fast paced and I didn’t get bored at any parts. It was tied up perfectly too. If you didn’t like the second book, I recommend reading this one anyway because it really is great!
squishies's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This series definitely gets more interesting and I failed to mention the character growth in the kids in the second book, but they really have grown and dealing with their weaknesses.
The copy I had actually had illustrations in it and I can't help but be disappointed in how Mulligan was drawn. I think I'll keep to my image of him (with clothes on), thanks.
This series definitely gets more interesting and I failed to mention the character growth in the kids in the second book, but they really have grown and dealing with their weaknesses.
The copy I had actually had illustrations in it and I can't help but be disappointed in how Mulligan was drawn. I think I'll keep to my image of him (with clothes on), thanks.
thomasmannia's review against another edition
3.0
Imagine the finale of the second book being varied a bit and then stretched to 391 pages and made into its own book. That’s the Prisoner’s Dilemma.
There was no bus in the book, nor a Ten Man (or Pressisus?) pursuing one. The cover makes no sense.
The story itself was confusing as well. The entire thing felt like a few chapters stretched thin into an entire book. Seriously, I’m not sure what the point was. There was no obvious goal or plot like in the other books, and everything feels like a lucky stretch. The saccharine ending certainly didn’t help.
To summarize: they get captured and then escape.
That’s the whole book.
Fortunately for them, the circumstances allow them to finally take down the bad guy and live happily ever after.
I feel like this series went from slightly unrealistic fiction to full-on magical realism. The original spirit is nowhere to be found.
This book was really just a confusing waste of time. The entire thing could have been condensed into maybe a quarter of a book. It would have been decent as an ending, but was at best okay on its own.
One overwhelming feature of this book that I despised was the omniscience and omnipotence of Benedict himself.
Early in the book, the Society is eavesdropping on him, and he discovers them by DETECTING THE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND WAVES!
Then at the end, a government agent he doesn’t like is fired for asking too many ~perfectly valid~ questions, to be replaced by the subservient agent who easily bends to Nicky’s will. Tell me, how is that any different from what Curtain did? From what he desired? It isn’t. I admit the agent was a jerk, but he was villainized for making reasonable queries, something I would expect a series about precocious children to promote. Instead, Benedict is god- he makes the flowers bloom on time- and anyone who dares look too much into him must be disposed of.
I would not be surprised if book four reveals that he was Leddy No Mates all along.
Benedict is apparently against democratic government.
He is morally and intellectually superior than everyone and must be obeyed by all those under him (read, everyone).
Also, for literally no reason, Sticky GETS RID OF HIS GLASSES and REPLACES THEM WITH CONTACTS.
I would have greatly appreciated elaboration on the S.Q.-Curtain dynamic, but the author was apparently too busy making poor creative choices to do so.
He is not currently in my good graces.
That is all.
There was no bus in the book, nor a Ten Man (or Pressisus?) pursuing one. The cover makes no sense.
The story itself was confusing as well. The entire thing felt like a few chapters stretched thin into an entire book. Seriously, I’m not sure what the point was. There was no obvious goal or plot like in the other books, and everything feels like a lucky stretch. The saccharine ending certainly didn’t help.
To summarize: they get captured and then escape.
That’s the whole book.
Fortunately for them, the circumstances allow them to finally take down the bad guy and live happily ever after.
I feel like this series went from slightly unrealistic fiction to full-on magical realism. The original spirit is nowhere to be found.
This book was really just a confusing waste of time. The entire thing could have been condensed into maybe a quarter of a book. It would have been decent as an ending, but was at best okay on its own.
One overwhelming feature of this book that I despised was the omniscience and omnipotence of Benedict himself.
Early in the book, the Society is eavesdropping on him, and he discovers them by DETECTING THE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND WAVES!
Then at the end, a government agent he doesn’t like is fired for asking too many ~perfectly valid~ questions, to be replaced by the subservient agent who easily bends to Nicky’s will. Tell me, how is that any different from what Curtain did? From what he desired? It isn’t. I admit the agent was a jerk, but he was villainized for making reasonable queries, something I would expect a series about precocious children to promote. Instead, Benedict is god- he makes the flowers bloom on time- and anyone who dares look too much into him must be disposed of.
I would not be surprised if book four reveals that he was Leddy No Mates all along.
Benedict is apparently against democratic government.
He is morally and intellectually superior than everyone and must be obeyed by all those under him (read, everyone).
Also, for literally no reason, Sticky GETS RID OF HIS GLASSES and REPLACES THEM WITH CONTACTS.
I would have greatly appreciated elaboration on the S.Q.-Curtain dynamic, but the author was apparently too busy making poor creative choices to do so.
He is not currently in my good graces.
That is all.
justmeandmybooks_'s review against another edition
I definitely think this is my least favourite of the series, but it's still so nostalgic and so much fun! The character development in this one is top notch, and I'm ahhhhhh
meganzhao's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
antimony's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
so so fun!! i love this series
clarecorson_'s review against another edition
4.0
And with this book done, I have completed my reread of the Mysterious Benedict Society books. Or have I? I have opted not to reread the lovely prequel starring Mr. Benedict himself, but as I was reading the main series I learned that there is in fact a fourth book available, which I plan to read as soon as possible.
Anyway, moving on to my thoughts on this book. I think it was a perfect way to wrap up the storylines and evolution of the characters without feeling cheesy. For example, learning Number Two's real name, or seeing S.Q. Pedalian's complexities revealed. And all of the children are really at their best and most cohesive in this book, in my opinion, and it makes the book all the more delightful to see their efforts together. Trenton Lee Stewart has a great final installation here, which is a feat that can be hard to accomplish in many cases.
Anyway, moving on to my thoughts on this book. I think it was a perfect way to wrap up the storylines and evolution of the characters without feeling cheesy. For example, learning Number Two's real name, or seeing S.Q. Pedalian's complexities revealed. And all of the children are really at their best and most cohesive in this book, in my opinion, and it makes the book all the more delightful to see their efforts together. Trenton Lee Stewart has a great final installation here, which is a feat that can be hard to accomplish in many cases.
malaynachang's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was really interesting, and I loved the plot and the characters!
cl4recors0n's review against another edition
4.0
And with this book done, I have completed my reread of the Mysterious Benedict Society books. Or have I? I have opted not to reread the lovely prequel starring Mr. Benedict himself, but as I was reading the main series I learned that there is in fact a fourth book available, which I plan to read as soon as possible.
Anyway, moving on to my thoughts on this book. I think it was a perfect way to wrap up the storylines and evolution of the characters without feeling cheesy. For example, learning Number Two's real name, or seeing S.Q. Pedalian's complexities revealed. And all of the children are really at their best and most cohesive in this book, in my opinion, and it makes the book all the more delightful to see their efforts together. Trenton Lee Stewart has a great final installation here, which is a feat that can be hard to accomplish in many cases.
Anyway, moving on to my thoughts on this book. I think it was a perfect way to wrap up the storylines and evolution of the characters without feeling cheesy. For example, learning Number Two's real name, or seeing S.Q. Pedalian's complexities revealed. And all of the children are really at their best and most cohesive in this book, in my opinion, and it makes the book all the more delightful to see their efforts together. Trenton Lee Stewart has a great final installation here, which is a feat that can be hard to accomplish in many cases.