Now Reading: The Mysterious Benedict Society

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is a young adult/older children series that I was thankful to found through the "recommended" section of the LA Library's website, otherwise I would have never known about it.  At this point, I have read three of the books, and this review will summarize all three, but without any major spoilers.  There is a fourth spin-off book that I'll get to later.

Yes, these are kids books. Don't judge me.

The first book in the series introduces you to four children who share the common thread of high intelligence, but all show their smarts through different ways.  Sticky, the photographic memorizer; Reynie uses logic; Kate and her bucket; and Constance.. the whiny kid that no one can figure out.  The four venture off to a special academy, where naturally, the headmaster is evil and the children must conquer the world.  Ok, not exactly, but close.  It's kind of a cross between Harry Potter and Professor Layton.  Without giving anything away, there are 2 sequels, so things must have worked out good in book one, right?



Books 2 & 3 after the jump!
Ok, so you've read book 1, or at least don't care about spoilers?  Then read on.

In books 2 & 3 the children continue their fight against the Whisperer and Benedict's twin brother (separated through adoption at birth). Book 2 takes us across the sea to a mystic island somewhere near Portugal or Holland or something.  The children must first a) get there, then b) escape there... yes, a similar them as book 1, get in the academy; leave the academy.  I found this book a bit less exciting than the first, but no doubt still a good read.

Sadly, book 3 was my least favorite.  It took me forever to finish it.  There were just slow parts that I didn't care for while they were living in Benedict's home.  It does pick up as the fight against Mr. Curtain's evil continues.

I haven't read it yet, but there is a 4th book out, albeit not really part of the "series", but a spinoff title The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict.