Reviews

The Secret of the Indian by Lynne Reid Banks

jennyspencer's review against another edition

lighthearted tense fast-paced

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

2.75

katlynn_tay's review against another edition

5.0

This was actually my favorite of the series so far. We see more growth from Omni and Patrick, meet Patrick's cousins Tamsin & Emma, and finally see the previous remarks about Natives as savage addressed and corrected, Omni standing up to his school headmaster to do so. I do love that the experiences Omri, Patrick, & Emma have with Little Bear & Boone, Bright Stars & Matron, Ficketts & Ruby, lead the three kids to further their own knowledge about historical events. And yet, they still manage to be kids, screw up royally sometimes, and struggle to set to rights the things they have been irresponsible about.

jamesgamble's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this book, but I don't know that I would read it again. The first book in the series is wonderful, and book two was a little less wonderful. This one was somewhat forgettable for me. There were some new characters and Omri grew a bit, but the story just seemed forced. The magic is gone and I think that's ok. The series probably should have ended with book two, but there's enough in book three to make a run at it. It looks like there are two more books in the series, but I probably won't be reading them.

aeoliandeductress's review

4.0

This one is very good- better than I remembered even. However, the first and fourth are still my favorites so far. Can't wait to re-read the 4th as it was a previous favorite and I'll finally be able to finish the series with the 5th one.

Note to readers- you HAVE to read the 2nd one before this one and you should read them fairly close together. While the rest of the books have time between them and therefore back up and cover what you may not know from a previous book, these two really could be one very long volume.

magic_at_mungos's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

3.25

zenithharpink's review against another edition

challenging reflective fast-paced

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

2.0

This book picks up right where the last one left off, and it wasn't any better. Except for the first book, I really haven't enjoyed the series. Omri is okay, but none of the other characters are likable. They all just manipulate Omri to get what they want, including the figures. The cyclone was oddly left outstanding, and the plot was nonexistent. 

I don't recommend this book, read the first book, skip the rest. 

kitsuneheart's review against another edition

3.0

It really feels like this book should have been combined with "Return of the Indian." It's short, not much happens, and what does happen is pretty much all a direct result of the events of the previous book. In that it begins about six hours after that book ends, and completes the plot of the Iroquois injured in Little Bear's battle. The only reason I can imagine that they're not combined is that the books were published four years apart, so perhaps Banks hadn't intended to write a third, but, but then thought "you know what I didn't do yet? Get Boone a lady-friend."

And that's pretty much the only thing of note that happens in this story. Boone gets married. There, I saved you an hour or two of reading.

Yes, the general quality of writing is maintained, but that doesn't matter when the plot just lays there. Unresponsive. A real disappointment after the first two books in the series.

kimball_hansen's review against another edition

4.0

I've read this book a ton, don't remember how many times as a youth.

Update for November 2020: 4 stars

The little explanation of the first two books that the author gave in chapter two same necessary.

I didn't realize that Emma has which cousin found out about it the toys coming to life too. And I forgot that Boone and Ruby Lou got married.

Why is it called the Secret to the Indian? What is the Indians secret? I always thought that was a wrong title.

samama's review against another edition

4.0

This book was a little boring in the first few chapters but then it got interesting. I like this book.

I wish I had a magical key like the one Omri had! :D

cieralegue's review against another edition

5.0

ended at a good part even though it wasnt a full drive you up the wall fustrated cliffhanger still had things to tie up in my opinion