a_reflective_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
megmro's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderfully creative. The author sets up an urgent tension that keeps you turning the page out of curiosity. Loved the puzzles and problem-solving.
The children in this story are intelligent, capable, empathetic, brave, and kind. Fantastic role models. One of the main girl characters —Kate— is bold, resourceful, daring. They help one another, show patience for a very difficult companion, and choose Good, even when it is difficult.
The author champions different types of intelligence with his protagonists. They are each chosen and valued for their unique gifts. I just loved that message. Highly recommend.
Decided to include a quote that I keep thinking about:
“Now then, for my question.”
“Yes, sir?”
“It regards the chess problem from the first test. You, Reynie, happen to be the only child ever to answer the question correctly, and I should like to hear your explanation for it. The board clearly shows that only the black pawn is out of its starting position, while all the other pieces and pawns rest on their original squares. Yet according to the rules of chess, the white player always moves first. Why, then, did you say the position was possible?”
“Because the white knight may have changed its mind.”
“The white knight?”
“Oh, yes sir. The pawns can only move forward, never backward, so none of the white pawns could have moved yet. And the bigger pieces are trapped behind the pawns — because only knights can jump over things — so they couldn’t have moved yet, either. But a white knight might have opened the game by jumping out in front. Then, after the black pawn was moved, the knight returned to its original square. So it looks like the white player never moved at all.”
“Bravo, Reynie. You’re quite correct. Now tell me, would you consider this a good move?”
“I’m no great chess player, but I would say not. By starting over, white loses the advantage of going first.”
“Why, then, do you think the white player might have done it?”
Reynie considered. He imagined himself moving out his knight only to bring it right back to where it had started. Why would would he ever do such a thing? At last he said, “Perhaps because he doubted himself.”
“Indeed,” said Mr. Benedict. “Perhaps he did.”
The children in this story are intelligent, capable, empathetic, brave, and kind. Fantastic role models. One of the main girl characters —Kate— is bold, resourceful, daring. They help one another, show patience for a very difficult companion, and choose Good, even when it is difficult.
The author champions different types of intelligence with his protagonists. They are each chosen and valued for their unique gifts. I just loved that message. Highly recommend.
Decided to include a quote that I keep thinking about:
“Now then, for my question.”
“Yes, sir?”
“It regards the chess problem from the first test. You, Reynie, happen to be the only child ever to answer the question correctly, and I should like to hear your explanation for it. The board clearly shows that only the black pawn is out of its starting position, while all the other pieces and pawns rest on their original squares. Yet according to the rules of chess, the white player always moves first. Why, then, did you say the position was possible?”
“Because the white knight may have changed its mind.”
“The white knight?”
“Oh, yes sir. The pawns can only move forward, never backward, so none of the white pawns could have moved yet. And the bigger pieces are trapped behind the pawns — because only knights can jump over things — so they couldn’t have moved yet, either. But a white knight might have opened the game by jumping out in front. Then, after the black pawn was moved, the knight returned to its original square. So it looks like the white player never moved at all.”
“Bravo, Reynie. You’re quite correct. Now tell me, would you consider this a good move?”
“I’m no great chess player, but I would say not. By starting over, white loses the advantage of going first.”
“Why, then, do you think the white player might have done it?”
Reynie considered. He imagined himself moving out his knight only to bring it right back to where it had started. Why would would he ever do such a thing? At last he said, “Perhaps because he doubted himself.”
“Indeed,” said Mr. Benedict. “Perhaps he did.”
gia_lazatin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
3.25
clumsyqueenie's review against another edition
4.0
“‘Mom’ didn’t feel quite right, Reynie decided. Why not use the Tamil word?
He’d heard her refer to her own mother as ‘Amma,’ but whether this meant ‘mom’ or ‘mother,’ he wasn’t sure. Reynie felt a flutter of happy anticipation.”
Rating: 5/5
★★★★★
This book was perfect in many manners, oh my god!
The characters, the way the plot deals with “empathy” and gifted minds, everything just blew me away!
I must say, I initially watched the show before reading this book, so I kinda knew what was going to happen, yet, the author didn't fail to surprise me. This was such a marvellous book, mostly because it's so fun and lighthearted. While reading this, though I grew out of middle grade books a year back, this was definitely intriguing.
And the end! It couldn't have been better, no matter what! And the fact that Miss Perumal is of Tamil ancestry only adds to my favourite aspects of the book.
Me being a sucker for found family trope was definitely a plus. Kate reunited with father, Mr. Benedict adopting Constance, Miss Perumal taking in Reynie and Sticky realising his family always loved him was such an awesome ending!!
Though this book didn't land on my all-time favourites, it definitely made a great impression and here's to hoping Dinsey Plus will renew the series for another season!!
jam98's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
raejones's review against another edition
4.0
A little longer than I think it needed to be but the underlining story is good.
that_library_girl's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, it's definitely one of my all-time favourites. The riddles were so clever, and it was fun trying to solve them alongside the characters. I few of them were a bit predictable from a reader's view although I can see how it would be harder to guess in real life.
My favourite character here was George "Sticky" Washington, I often felt bad for him because he was getting poked fun at by a lot of other kids for his physical appearance and due to his sort of 'know-it-all' attitude. I don't think he was trying to show off on purpose though, it's probably hard for him to hold so much information in his brain and not vent about it.
All in all, this book was amazing, and I would recommend to literally everyone.
Spoiler
the Gemini lost twin thing specificallyMy favourite character here was George "Sticky" Washington, I often felt bad for him because he was getting poked fun at by a lot of other kids for his physical appearance and due to his sort of 'know-it-all' attitude. I don't think he was trying to show off on purpose though, it's probably hard for him to hold so much information in his brain and not vent about it.
All in all, this book was amazing, and I would recommend to literally everyone.
kmg365's review against another edition
3.0
I adored the beginning of this book, when the children were being tested, and they came up with amazing, creative solutions to the problems presented. After they went on their mission, I was less enchanted (and thought it could have benefited from some editing), but I can understand its appeal for kids. I loved the big reveal at the end about Constance.
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
4.0
I remember loving this book when it came out but for some reason I have never read any of the sequels so I'll knock my initial thoughts of a 5 star rating down to a 4. I love a puzzle so this book really had me engaged; interesting characters but I didn't really care too much about what happened to them, I was interested in them...just didn't care about them.