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tammys_take's review
3.0
This was still a good read, but just not as good as the first. It definitely had pacing issues and I found myself wanting more “get up and go” in the plot. It just seemed to lag for the first 2/3rds of the way through. The ending picked up and I liked how it ended but it was just a very slow book for me.
story_goblin's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This series is incredibly important for young readers today. It does an excellent job of allowing kids to confront the evils they see around them and giving them hope that it’s still possible to change the world for the better. Plus, they’re honestly just good reads.
lookingforamandaa's review against another edition
4.0
While I really enjoyed this book, I definitely liked the first book better. (Read my short review of the first book here.) I think this book suffered from telling instead of showing, though this got better toward the end.
We’re following Chess, Emma, Finn, and Natalie as their living with Natalie’s dad and trying to figure out how to save their mothers. After everything went wrong at the end of the last book, they’ve lost their way into the other reality and need to figure out how to get back so they can rescue their mothers. I thought the kids being able to figure out their mother’s message and another way to get to them was interesting. But once they get into the other world, they spend much of their time watching and trying to decipher the rest of the letter from their mother. While Emma is decoding the letter, the others watch cameras trying to figure out what was going on around them. Chess, Emma, and Finn spend most of this book hiding inside secret passages while Natalie impersonated her doppelganger. So, while Natalie’s chapters were exciting and full of new things, the other three were left to watch and stew in their inner thoughts.
Overall, this was still a really fun story and I enjoyed it. I’m definitely excited to see what’s going to happen next in this series. I think this is a great middle-grade series and I wish I saw more in the book community talking about it.
We’re following Chess, Emma, Finn, and Natalie as their living with Natalie’s dad and trying to figure out how to save their mothers. After everything went wrong at the end of the last book, they’ve lost their way into the other reality and need to figure out how to get back so they can rescue their mothers. I thought the kids being able to figure out their mother’s message and another way to get to them was interesting. But once they get into the other world, they spend much of their time watching and trying to decipher the rest of the letter from their mother. While Emma is decoding the letter, the others watch cameras trying to figure out what was going on around them. Chess, Emma, and Finn spend most of this book hiding inside secret passages while Natalie impersonated her doppelganger. So, while Natalie’s chapters were exciting and full of new things, the other three were left to watch and stew in their inner thoughts.
Overall, this was still a really fun story and I enjoyed it. I’m definitely excited to see what’s going to happen next in this series. I think this is a great middle-grade series and I wish I saw more in the book community talking about it.
persnickety_9's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not usually into YA books, but I really enjoy this series. At first I wasn’t as into this sequel, but it got better with the pacing and tension-building, and I began to really enjoy it. I was very happy for the ending and can’t wait to see what comes next!
flaredpompano91's review
5.0
This book is in almost every way an improvement over the original. There was way more action, and it actually felt like there was a looming threat this time. The pacing was perfect, as was the suspense-so in conclusion, this is a page-turner I would highly recommend to those who felt the first was just okay.
drbreads's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sarahcoller's review
4.0
I'm really enjoying this series! This book moved a little more slowly for me than book #1 did, but I still loved it. As a plus, the characters, especially Finn, act a little more believable to their ages.
I'm really wondering about the political point of view of this author---it's actually ironic, seeing as that's the series' big question: What side are you on? The thoughts presented here are refreshing in the face of all the media propaganda we deal with in the US.
This story continues on with that "something in the air to control emotions and actions" element—-makes me think of chem trails.
Another point that stuck out to me was the idea that it was illegal to tell the truth if it made the leaders look bad. I believe this is important for preparing kids for what is here and is to come with world politics and agendas.
I'm really hooked on this author---must find more! (Starting book three of the series asap!)
ETA: I'm seeing a couple reviews that express disappointment in the lying that goes on in this series---maybe that children would think lying is ok. I think it's important to note that the Bible shows us how lying to save a life is not the same as bearing a false witness according to Exodus 20. Rahab is a good example of a Biblical figure who lied to save a life.
I'm really wondering about the political point of view of this author---it's actually ironic, seeing as that's the series' big question: What side are you on? The thoughts presented here are refreshing in the face of all the media propaganda we deal with in the US.
This story continues on with that "something in the air to control emotions and actions" element—-makes me think of chem trails.
Another point that stuck out to me was the idea that it was illegal to tell the truth if it made the leaders look bad. I believe this is important for preparing kids for what is here and is to come with world politics and agendas.
I'm really hooked on this author---must find more! (Starting book three of the series asap!)
ETA: I'm seeing a couple reviews that express disappointment in the lying that goes on in this series---maybe that children would think lying is ok. I think it's important to note that the Bible shows us how lying to save a life is not the same as bearing a false witness according to Exodus 20. Rahab is a good example of a Biblical figure who lied to save a life.