The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
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Book Reviews of The Mysterious Benedict Society
Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society is a GREAT read - even for adults
Summary: 5 Stars
What a terrific mystery! It's also a great book to read out loud to kids. It kept my two kids (age 8 and 10) and myself on the edge of our seats. This author really knows how to hook an audience (and I'm a tough one to hook). There were many unexpected twists and turns that made it difficult to predict what would happen next. The main characters are nice, likeable kids (unlike stories where kids come off as brats, or adults as idiots) that undertake a grand adventure to save humanity. Great character development as well. Along the way characters struggle with their internal desires to just take the easy way out, to sacrifice the good of the whole for their own comfort. I could not think of a way to improve this story. It's a nice change from the dragon/magic-filled fantasy genre. My older daughter thought it was better then Harry Potter (the books). I have already gifted this book to one of the teachers at her school, and am just looking for excuses to buy and give away a dozen more.Book Review: Make 11yo non-reader insist on nightly reading
Summary: 5 Stars
Picked this up based on great artwork on cover alone... thought it MIGHT make a fun read-out-loud to the kids at night book while they kept interest. Turns out 11yo sister was so in love with these characters that for the first time EVER she could close her eyes to listen to me read and, tired as she was, would stay awake for 2, 3 or sometimes 4 chapters at a time.
When she started dropping the characters names and latest adventures into our dinnertable conversation, and eventually begged me to start reading as soon as I got home from work - - I knew we had a winner.
She loved predicting the "surprise" plot twists: which were fewer than expected, but very rewarding for her to solve. ...but the story made clear when a surprise revelation was coming, so I knew when to stop and consult with her, and see what she thought the secrets were.
Def a huge surprise hit for us, and now entering chapter 3, book two in the series is going along just the same.
Book Review: puzzles and characters
Summary: 4 Stars
A friend gave these books to my 13-year-old son. This is his review:
Overall, I believe these books are a very good read. They are filled with interesting puzzles that will test your mental capabilities, and plenty of action. So, without further ado, The Mysterious Benedict society!
The first book is more of a book of puzzles than an action book. I thought the plot was interesting. It's about four children who are sent to a strange location on a secret mission.
What I like about this book is its puzzles and characters. I would definitely recommend this book to all.
The second book is more of an action book than the original. It is one of those rare sequels that are as good as the first. It's about the same four children, now sent to all sorts of places to look for their two abducted friends.
This book has many characters from its prequel, and is just as good. I recommend this book.
Book Review: At once romantic, hyperrealistic, and superbly entertaining
Summary: 5 Stars
For some reason when I was ordering Gravity's Rainbow on Amazon I thought of this book immediately. The parallels are quite clear. The Mysterious Benedict Society is a book by, about, and for "lovers of the truth." And even while it entertains it takes that job quite seriously. The attention to detail will spark every reader's imagination-- I kept flipping back to the character descriptions to confirm them, so strong was my mental image. When it mentions as an aside the Nagorno-Karabakh territory, they're talking about an actual place in the world.
While the plot is of course a fantasy, it takes place not in some superhero universe but here on Earth, and you will see excellent descriptions of cult brainwashing, peer pressure, self-doubt, and the joy of taking on a challenge. I'd say a reader as young as 8 would be able to understand and enjoy this book, but I'm 20 and I still felt it spoke directly to me. I can't wait for the sequel!
Book Review: Our Talents Can Save the World!
Summary: 5 Stars
Fun, fun, fun story!!!!! Responding to an ad in the newspaper, 11 year old Reynie is brought into a wild adventure to save the world. Puzzles and clues keep you thinking, and surprising developments from beginning to end will keep you turning pages.
I love how the kids use their special gifts and talents, and how the different talents compliment one another so they can work together as a team to accomplish their mission. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the tie ups in the end (especially about Constance!). Some really memorable scenes as well. One I thought especially funny was when the children were being handed the second round of tests, a big freak out session for most of them.
Great themes about family, friendship, leadership, doing your best, confronting fears, fighting for good, and loving truth. Would happily read it again, and can't wait to read the sequel for more of their adventures together!