The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
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Book Reviews of The Mysterious Benedict Society
Book Review: Worth Every Penny
Summary: 5 Stars
Most of us will lead ordinary lives and experience adventure vicariously through the stories of people with names like Harry Potter, Bella Swan, and Lyra Belacqua. With Stewart's wonderful book, you can add the names Reynie Muldoon, George "Sticky" Washington, Kate Weatherall, and Constance Contraire to that list. The story of four orphaned and unusually gifted children out to save the world, "The Mysterious Benedict Society" employs classic themes of young adult literature in ways that are far from exhausted and overdone.
I picked this book up on a whim and enjoyed every moment of it. I am impressed by authors who are capable of creating such imaginative plots and larger-than-life characters, and this novel certainly has both elements. Additionally, it would be an egregious miss on my part were I to neglect mentioning the wonderful illustrations by Carson Ellis throughout the book that really bring the story to life and make it even more charming. Add to that a few brain teasing puzzles and one twisted mystery and you have a successful book worthy of praise from readers of all ages. Some of the best books are the ones that come to you randomly.
Book Review: A Review for Adults Who Like Kids' Lit
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this for my son (who has yet to start it) and was surprised to find it was such a thick, detailed book. (I had been expecting something flimsy along the lines of a Lemony Snicket book.)
Parts of this book hew to Snicket (intrepid orphans in trouble); part to Harriet the Spy (girl who carries a lot of gadgets around); part to Harry Potter (kid who's good at figuring out puzzles) but in general this is a very good book. I have to say that for me, the "girl who is not Harriet" bothered me the most, because she was very intrepid with her gadgetry but otherwise a bit slow. The two boys are the smart ones. As a girl this bothers me (and also because my memories of Harriet are that she had a good brain).
Still, although some of the confusing points are grasped unreasonably quickly by the characters (IMHO) and some of the panic situations are dealt with calmly (almost lethargically) the characterization was good and has me looking forward to more volumes about 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: 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!