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lindsiemcknight's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite, but as a mother of a kid named Violet, I was delighted to learn that it's an anagram for To Live!
galacticknight's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
Not as good as the original trilogy, but who’s shocked about that? However, it’s still a fun book that I enjoyed reading. It was good to see the society again :)
leslieyang's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
homeboy_chad's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-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
pastelsux's review against another edition
5.0
When I heard that there was going to be a continuation to my most beloved childhood trilogy The Mysterious Benedict Society, I was skeptical. When I heard it was going to be set in the future, when the three eldest children were adults, I was even more skeptical. And when I heard a fifth member would be added to the Society, I was more skeptical still.
Safe to say, my expectations have been wildly surpassed.
The same gripping, quip-filled, unique writing style is back and still keeps me mesmerized and unable to set the book down. Two of my least favorite things in media like this, generally: the aging-up of child characters and the addition of new characters to the main cast, were actually handled beautifully. They didn’t feel, as they often do, like a desperate grab for attention- they felt perfectly natural. It felt as though this was just how the series was always meant to proceed.
The characters have aged exactly how one would expect them to, particularly my favorite character Constance, who’s become a dyed-haired, angsty preteen (to my absolute delight). One of my most beloved aspects of the series, the puzzles to be solved by both the characters and the reader, are also back in full force. Near the end, in a pivotal scene, it was so satisfying to pause, put the book down, think on the puzzle, then return and realize I was right.
At the end of the day, this fourth installment is amazing in every possible way. The only thing I’d possibly dock points for is the final chapter, more specifically, how each character monologues about the plan. It’s quite wordy and intensive, and for many parts of this plan that was central to the story, there were no clues to their existence as one may expect from an MBS book. I wish they could have shown and not told, even if it had made the book lengthier. Consider this a 4.75 if you want.
(By the way- I have still not found out what the opposite of ‘zugzwang’ is, so if anyone knows, please let me know!)
Safe to say, my expectations have been wildly surpassed.
The same gripping, quip-filled, unique writing style is back and still keeps me mesmerized and unable to set the book down. Two of my least favorite things in media like this, generally: the aging-up of child characters and the addition of new characters to the main cast, were actually handled beautifully. They didn’t feel, as they often do, like a desperate grab for attention- they felt perfectly natural. It felt as though this was just how the series was always meant to proceed.
The characters have aged exactly how one would expect them to, particularly my favorite character Constance, who’s become a dyed-haired, angsty preteen (to my absolute delight). One of my most beloved aspects of the series, the puzzles to be solved by both the characters and the reader, are also back in full force. Near the end, in a pivotal scene, it was so satisfying to pause, put the book down, think on the puzzle, then return and realize I was right.
At the end of the day, this fourth installment is amazing in every possible way. The only thing I’d possibly dock points for is the final chapter, more specifically, how each character monologues about the plan. It’s quite wordy and intensive, and for many parts of this plan that was central to the story, there were no clues to their existence as one may expect from an MBS book. I wish they could have shown and not told, even if it had made the book lengthier. Consider this a 4.75 if you want.
(By the way- I have still not found out what the opposite of ‘zugzwang’ is, so if anyone knows, please let me know!)
mjl71998's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
This isn't the best TMBS book that exists but it was a cute little ending to the series. I like the way it really focused on how it's hard to grow up. It was aiming to show readers that you might grow apart from your friends but you can always come back together if you want and reach out to each other. It was not chocked full of riddles and puzzles but they were sprinkled throughout and I missed that aspect of the book, but I think it had a very different purpose and was supposed to close out the series. Overall it was a good book but not great.
sabrielsbell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
Incredibly solid ending to a series! If you like middle grade books at all then definitely pick these up!
meganchristine's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! What a great end to the series!
This last installment of the Mysterious Benedict Society starts off with the infamously terrifying ten men breaking out of prison. Now of course, minions don't do well without a leader. So the Mysterious Benedict Society and their elders know that it is only a matter of time before they attempt to break out Mr. Curtain. This prison break may be a little more difficult, considering that Mr. Benedict himself has created the prison that holds the one and only prisoner. Of course that doesn't stop the ten men from following their strict plan of escape. Will the mysterious Benedict society be able to stop this escape before it's too late? or will Mr. Curtian escape yet again?
I thought that the ending of this book was extremely well thought out for a middle grade book! There was so much planning that went into every possible situation that Curtian could have thrown at them. I also enjoyed seeing the children maturing and becoming their own person. The reader gets to see how their insane missions have shaped them into the mature and brilliant young adults they are today.
However, I didn't love the build up of the book. I thought it seemed a little rushed when getting into the actual plot/ dramatic parts of the book. I wish there was a little more build-up before the gang had to flee and their mission began. I also mentioned this in my review of the first Mysterious Benedict Society... but I really wish Mr. Benedict was in this a little more! For it to be the last installment of the series, I would have appreciated a little more closure from the man who built this entire world around him.
This last installment of the Mysterious Benedict Society starts off with the infamously terrifying ten men breaking out of prison. Now of course, minions don't do well without a leader. So the Mysterious Benedict Society and their elders know that it is only a matter of time before they attempt to break out Mr. Curtain. This prison break may be a little more difficult, considering that Mr. Benedict himself has created the prison that holds the one and only prisoner. Of course that doesn't stop the ten men from following their strict plan of escape. Will the mysterious Benedict society be able to stop this escape before it's too late? or will Mr. Curtian escape yet again?
I thought that the ending of this book was extremely well thought out for a middle grade book! There was so much planning that went into every possible situation that Curtian could have thrown at them. I also enjoyed seeing the children maturing and becoming their own person. The reader gets to see how their insane missions have shaped them into the mature and brilliant young adults they are today.
However, I didn't love the build up of the book. I thought it seemed a little rushed when getting into the actual plot/ dramatic parts of the book. I wish there was a little more build-up before the gang had to flee and their mission began. I also mentioned this in my review of the first Mysterious Benedict Society... but I really wish Mr. Benedict was in this a little more! For it to be the last installment of the series, I would have appreciated a little more closure from the man who built this entire world around him.
mdjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
A favorite quote: "[Nicholas] said that he doesn't believe we become different people as we age. No, he says he believes that we become more people. We're still the kids we were, but we're also the people who've lived all the different ages since that time. A whole bunch of different people rolled up into one--that's how Nicholas sees it. And I can't say that I disagree. How else to explain that sometimes I want to run and jump the way I used to--but can't anymore--yet at the same time enjoy sitting with a cup of coffee and a newspaper in a way you couldn't have paid me to do as a boy? Well, it's a wonder" (238).
Did I cry?: no/a little bit/a good amount/wept
Loved:
I loved how Stewart always called Sticky "Sticky" rather than "George." Try as he might, Sticky was always "Sticky" all along. (See a favorite quote above.)
The use of telepathy as a major plot device in this book was really well-developed and kept you on the edge of your seat. The way Stewart provides little nuggets throughout regarding how the telepathy functions felt natural and well-paced; I knew enough to understand what was going on, but there was enough mystique to it that you constantly felt a little anxious. (How much could Constance control Tai? Would he give anything away on accident?) I think this book better accomplished what [b:The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma|6164358|The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma (The Mysterious Benedict Society, #3)|Trenton Lee Stewart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320473034l/6164358._SX50_.jpg|6343668] tried to do in using telepathy as a way to develop Constance's character. In Prisoner's Dilemma, we don't understand much of Constance's telepathy, other than she has that power and can use it to communicate. As I mentioned in my review of that book, any extra powers beyond that are not very well-explained, especially how she is able to cure Mr. Benedict's narcolepsy. In this book, however, we get to better understand how she can manipulate others' thoughts, how she can throw off fellow telepaths, and how her powers affect her emotionally. It's good stuff.
As always, I love how Stewart takes the title of the book and applies it to countless, really poignant scenarios throughout the story. I mention some below (although I feel some are underdeveloped plot points, I love the idea of it all). The Society has to figure out how to handle Tai, who is much younger than them. Constance experiences a lot of pain from being the youngest of the OG group and always feeling left out. The older three are facing all of those young adulthood woes and those big questions of "What do I do next?" In a way, I think that Mr. Curtain being revealed to have come around a bit is also a "Riddle of Ages." I love coming-of-age themes and this book hit me right where I wanted it to. I think the only thing that would've made it better is exploring these kinds of feelings in some of the older characters, especially Mr. Benedict.
Other notes:
Another scenario that was presented but wasn't really followed through with was the whole crush thing. I love the scene towards the beginning of the book where Constance is reflecting on her feelings of isolation from the rest of the group due to their ages and the sacrifices she's made for them regarding her telepathy. She knew that over the years the other members of the Society had developed certain feelings for one another, but, "...time and time again she had resisted using this powerful weapon, and she viewed this as the greatest sacrifice of all, greater than any the others had made. And the fact that she had made a great sacrifice for their sakes and none of them knew it made Constance angry. It made her furious" (101). The part of me that loves mess thinks the big discussion/argument the group has towards the end (317-321) where Constance voices her feelings would have been a perfect opportunity to maybe...Let some of that information slip? You can't just plant a seed like that at the beginning of the book and not follow through with it! I need to know! Who was/is crushing on who?!
I could tell there were a few references and cameos from [b:The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict|13152282|The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict (The Mysterious Benedict Society, #0)|Trenton Lee Stewart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331362619l/13152282._SX50_.jpg|16646067], but I haven't read it yet so I don't think I was able to appreciate them fully. That's coming up on my reading list!
Did I cry?: no/a little bit/a good amount/wept
Loved:
Spoiler
My heart soared at the beginning when I realized Stewart had aged the characters up. Absolutely soared, I tell you! As I go into below, there are some really top-notch scenes in this book that explore how the characters have developed and grown over all this time. Even though I've been rereading the whole series lately and haven't necessarily felt like I "missed" the Society, it's still so exciting to see an author revisit these characters after a decade-long hiatus. (And I hope there's more to come.)I loved how Stewart always called Sticky "Sticky" rather than "George." Try as he might, Sticky was always "Sticky" all along. (See a favorite quote above.)
The use of telepathy as a major plot device in this book was really well-developed and kept you on the edge of your seat. The way Stewart provides little nuggets throughout regarding how the telepathy functions felt natural and well-paced; I knew enough to understand what was going on, but there was enough mystique to it that you constantly felt a little anxious. (How much could Constance control Tai? Would he give anything away on accident?) I think this book better accomplished what [b:The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma|6164358|The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma (The Mysterious Benedict Society, #3)|Trenton Lee Stewart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320473034l/6164358._SX50_.jpg|6343668] tried to do in using telepathy as a way to develop Constance's character. In Prisoner's Dilemma, we don't understand much of Constance's telepathy, other than she has that power and can use it to communicate. As I mentioned in my review of that book, any extra powers beyond that are not very well-explained, especially how she is able to cure Mr. Benedict's narcolepsy. In this book, however, we get to better understand how she can manipulate others' thoughts, how she can throw off fellow telepaths, and how her powers affect her emotionally. It's good stuff.
As always, I love how Stewart takes the title of the book and applies it to countless, really poignant scenarios throughout the story. I mention some below (although I feel some are underdeveloped plot points, I love the idea of it all). The Society has to figure out how to handle Tai, who is much younger than them. Constance experiences a lot of pain from being the youngest of the OG group and always feeling left out. The older three are facing all of those young adulthood woes and those big questions of "What do I do next?" In a way, I think that Mr. Curtain being revealed to have come around a bit is also a "Riddle of Ages." I love coming-of-age themes and this book hit me right where I wanted it to. I think the only thing that would've made it better is exploring these kinds of feelings in some of the older characters, especially Mr. Benedict.
Other notes:
Spoiler
I was feeling similar plot/pacing issues to [b:The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma|6164358|The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma (The Mysterious Benedict Society, #3)|Trenton Lee Stewart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320473034l/6164358._SX50_.jpg|6343668] while reading this. There were just some elements of the plot that felt underdeveloped, the main one being the "Is the Society going to split up?" subplot. It's presented really beautifully at the beginning of the book. Being only a few years older than the older Society members myself at this point, I keenly felt their anxieties and reservations about moving on to the next chapter of their lives. There's this really great moment with Sticky at the beginning where he's mulling over all these possible live changes, then Reynie enters the scene and things have become so awkward between them they can hardly communicate (101-106). The group has that climactic argument towards the end (317-321) where they kind of address the issue. ("We're still a team, right? You haven't gone off to be some start student at a university yet, you know," Kate says. "She means that we know you feel like we're holding you back, but as long as we're all still here, shouldn't we--" Sticky says, unable to finish his sentence.) But that scene focuses mainly on Reynie and Constance. Then in the end, once they've successfully trapped the Ten Men, the whole Society simply decides to stay put in Stonetown. ...Why? The explanation given is, "Their other opportunities had certainly been appealing, but it had become clear that, at least for the time being, the most special opportunities were right here. They had far too many projects that needed tending to..." (390). But the list of projects given doesn't seem that pressing. Like, is Reynie just never going to go to college because he doesn't want to leave his friends? Didn't he start getting over that fear in the flashback scene where Mr. Benedict discusses it with him (205-209)? I guess the door is now open for another installment in the series, but if the main theme of this book was the turbulence of coming of age, I'm not sure how we could effectively revisit it again. Each book in the series serves a very distinct purpose or at least follows a pretty strict theme. (That's something I love about it.)Another scenario that was presented but wasn't really followed through with was the whole crush thing. I love the scene towards the beginning of the book where Constance is reflecting on her feelings of isolation from the rest of the group due to their ages and the sacrifices she's made for them regarding her telepathy. She knew that over the years the other members of the Society had developed certain feelings for one another, but, "...time and time again she had resisted using this powerful weapon, and she viewed this as the greatest sacrifice of all, greater than any the others had made. And the fact that she had made a great sacrifice for their sakes and none of them knew it made Constance angry. It made her furious" (101). The part of me that loves mess thinks the big discussion/argument the group has towards the end (317-321) where Constance voices her feelings would have been a perfect opportunity to maybe...Let some of that information slip? You can't just plant a seed like that at the beginning of the book and not follow through with it! I need to know! Who was/is crushing on who?!
I could tell there were a few references and cameos from [b:The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict|13152282|The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict (The Mysterious Benedict Society, #0)|Trenton Lee Stewart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331362619l/13152282._SX50_.jpg|16646067], but I haven't read it yet so I don't think I was able to appreciate them fully. That's coming up on my reading list!