leahegood's review
4.0
When the Greystone kids' mom says she has to go away on a business trip, something seems off. A group of unknown kids with the same names and almost identical appearances to the Greystones just got kidnapped. Mom is seen leaving the bank with big bags, and she sends them to stay with a woman they don't know. They quickly realize that the messages they are receiving from her are prerecorded. In fact, she didn't even bring her cell phone with her! It's up to the kids to make sure they see their mom again, but can they figure out an alternate universe before it's too late?
It's been a long time since I read a middle-grade book, and it felt a little funny going back to it. The writing style is definitely different from YA and adult. The story was great, though! The Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix was a favorite of mine growing up so when this book caught my attention at the library, I didn't doubt that it would be a good read.
Totally clean. Feels like a mix of contemporary/sci-fi/dystopian. Might be scary for very small children, but should be fine for mid to older middle grade readers.
It's been a long time since I read a middle-grade book, and it felt a little funny going back to it. The writing style is definitely different from YA and adult. The story was great, though! The Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix was a favorite of mine growing up so when this book caught my attention at the library, I didn't doubt that it would be a good read.
Totally clean. Feels like a mix of contemporary/sci-fi/dystopian. Might be scary for very small children, but should be fine for mid to older middle grade readers.
rain_bee's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hayley2u's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mckellstar's review
4.0
This book was a lot of fun! It was action-packed, very fast paced, and also a bit scary for a middle grade book, I thought! I think if I read this as a kid I would have been obsessed by the mystery and adventure. Even reading it now as an adult, I had trouble guessing certain things- which was great!
I really enjoyed having chapters from each of the kids’ perspectives, and I thought the author did a great job writing as three different young children with different grasps on the world around them. They were all young but she wrote them age appropriately, and that’s no easy feat!
4/5
I really enjoyed having chapters from each of the kids’ perspectives, and I thought the author did a great job writing as three different young children with different grasps on the world around them. They were all young but she wrote them age appropriately, and that’s no easy feat!
4/5
msaceyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
nicolelovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
An intriguing mystery with quite a twist. I loved how the characters interacted and used their strengths together.
Spoiler
Fans who liked the twist in this, might like the MG book, Concealed, or for adult readers, Dark Matter
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
jcarsrud's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fast read. Somewhat repetitive with the telling from different perspectives, but I didn’t mind. I light read Book 2 to see what happens as it ended on a cliff hanger.
elinacre's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up... this one lost me a little, but i like the siblings and love a good puzzle book. will def read the next one!