Masterminds

Author: Gordon Korman

Pages: 366 pages

Genre: Science fiction

In a small city, in New Mexico, called Serenity, everything seemed perfect until  Eli, one of the children that lived there,  found a note from his  best friend who was forced to leave town. The note said “there is something screwy about Serenity” .

The book revolves around Eli and four of his friends (Amber, Malik, Hector and Tori) figuring out the meaning of the note.  They eventually discover that they are part of an experiment  - cloned from mastermind criminals! The experiment was to see how these clones would turn out if they lived in a perfect world.  The people they knew as their parents, teachers, doctors and neighbours were really illegal scientists. After the five kids realized what happened to them they planned to escape from Serenity. But, with all the adults watching every move they make how can they break free? And, with so little knowledge about the real world, how will they survive?

Masterminds  is a fabulous book that I highly recommend. I LOVED it and I rate it 5 out of 5.  I couldn’t put the book down.  There was a lot of suspense and each night I dreamed about the ending. The book felt like it was a movie and I think it would make a great one! Masterminds has important messages such as friendship, trust, loyalty, and honesty.

There is one thing I would change. In each chapter, the narrator switches to a different character. This, at times, confused me because sometimes I thought one character was speaking when it was another. But, other than that, Masterminds was INCREDIBLE! It was so good, that as soon as I was done the book, I started reading the second book called Criminal Destiny which is EVEN BETTER! Gordon Korman is a great author!!!

If you like fast paced, action packed, suspenseful books then Masterminds is the book for you! 

Infinity Ring - A Mutiny in Time

Author: James Dashner
Genre: Science Fiction Adventure
Pages: 190

When Dak's parents go away for the weekend, Dak and his friend Sera steal a key and venture into Dak's parent's secret and forbidden lab. They then discover the infinity ring which takes people back in time. They are captured by the Hystorians and  told that the world is in danger from the S.Q. (an evil team that is trying to take over the world by creating breaks in history). With a boy named Riq,the infinity ring takes them back in time so that they can fix the Great Breaks and change the past to what it was intended to be.  Can Dak, Sera, and Riq save the world before the SQ get them?

I rate A Mutiny in Time  5 out of 5. There was a lot of action and suspense.I loved this book so much, I couldn't put it down. I was captivated and felt like I was swept into the book and was with them on their adventure. This book also made me think a lot. I enjoyed trying to solve the problems they faced.  This is the first book of eight books in the series and I can't wait to read the next. Also in the book there is a secret flap that can only be opened after the book is read. This peaked my curiosity and was fun for me to reveal the surprise inside the book when I was done reading.

There is an online game with this book too. Check the side bar of my blog for the link.

I really recommend this book. It is one of my favourite books.

QUOTES 

1.  "Fear is always more powerful than truth.”
2. "Time is like a river, right? That's what time stream means. The current is flowing in one direction - toward the future - and we're all being pulled for a ride. The Ring, of course, lets us move upstream or downstream at will." 



 

The Secret of Platform 13

Author: Eva Ibbotson
Genre:  Fantasy
Pages: 185

Every nine years for nine days a gump opens up and the people who live in the magical island can cross into the "human" world. When the queen  of the island has a baby boy, his triplet nannies cross the gump into London where he is stolen by the cruel Mrs Trottle. The queen is devastated and searches for a team to find her son once the gump reopens.  Nine years later  four brave rescuers step into London. They have nine days to find the prince and bring him back. The rescuers first meet a boy named Ben who becomes their friend and helps them along the way. The prince,  Raymond Trottle, is a selfish boy and the rescuers do not really like him. But, they are on a mission for their Queen and are willing to take great measures to get him back to the island. Can the rescuers convince the prince to come back with them before the gump closes for another nine years?

I rate The Secret of Platform 13  3 out of 5. From the description of the book, I thought it would be really adventurous but I was disappointed. In the beginning of the book, I was bored but when I got closer to the end I started to like it more. It captured my attention, when there were more creative attempts to bring the prince back to the island.  I also liked the way the author ended the story.... but, I won't give the ending away. 

If you enjoy fantasy and a bit of action, then this book is for you.

 

Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 238


As an infant, Ella is given the gift of obedience from a thoughtless fairy. She has to obey every command given to her. After Ella is forced to attend finishing school, she runs away to start a quest to find the fairy that cast the spell on her and ask her to abolish it. Throughout the book, Ella must deal with her father,  fairy godmother, prince, elves, ogres, fairies, giants, evil step sisters and step mother without disclosing her secret of obedience. Will she be able to find the fairy and break the spell for good before she is told to do something terrible?


I rate Ella Enchanted 3 out of 5. I didn't really like the beginning and middle of the story, however, when I got closer to the end I was more interested because the story became like a remake of Cinderella with a twist to it.  I enjoyed finding the similarities from Ella's story and Cinderella's story. There is a movie that is loosely based on the book.  I liked the book better, but if you are interested in seeing the movie, below is the link to the trailer.

If you are really into fantasy, this is a great book for you! 

 

The Maze Of Bones - 39 Clues # 1

Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Adventure
Pages: 224

Would you rather have $1,000,000 or  be the most powerful person in the history of the world? Amy, Dan and their extended family had that option. Amy and Dan chose to take the quest hoping to become the most powerful people. If they chose the million dollars and one of their evil family members got all the power, the world would be in danger. So, the two kids were off on an adventure of a lifetime starting with escaping from their deceased grandmother's mansion that someone tried to burn down and getting away from a man who was constantly spying on them. The kids find out that the first clue is where Benjamin Franklin lived so the destination is to Paris. With many obstacles in their way can they find the answer to the first clue?

I rate The Maze of Bones  3.5 out of 5  because when I started reading the book it appeared that it would be jammed pack full of action, but at times it was slow and I had expected the story to be a bit more exciting. What I did like about the book besides the action parts, is that the author had many non-fiction facts. I learnt a lot about Benjamin Franklin.

There are 11 other books in this series which are written by different authors. I have read three, but this one is the best. There is an online game. See my sidebar for a like to the game.

I recommend this book for those who enjoy action, mystery, and non-fiction.

In 2016, a movie will be released and I am eager to see it.

I Want to go Home

Author: Gordon Korman
Genre:   Humour
Pages: 184


Rudy is a pro at chess, sports, swimming and pretty much everything. He doesn't want to go away to overnight camp -  it's not his ideal summer -  but the guidance counsellors at his school suggested it as a way for him to start making friends.  At camp, he meets Mike Webster and becomes good friends with him.  They attempt many challenges to breakout from camp. But with their counsellor Chip, trying to stop them from leaving, the escape is starting to get  tough. Will they succeed in outsmarting their counsellor and leave camp for good?


I rate,  I Want to go Home 4.5 out of 5. I thought there was a lot of action in the book  and since I like action books this book was great for me! This book is also laugh out loud funny which made it very enjoyable to read. Also, at the end of each chapter there is a part about a beaver building his dam. That made me interested in beavers so I researched about them. At the end of my review are some facts about beavers. 
  
This story made me think if  Rudy was so good at playing sports, then why did he always say,  "I don't play sports."? My ideas to answer this question are:

Rudy didn't want to show off. 
He felt too much pressure on him always trying to be perfect.  
He didn't like sports. 

If you read the book, please send a comment as to why you think he would say this.

One memorable line at the end of the book is:

"Next year we won't let him in", said Chip "Next year he'll be trying to break in instead of breaking out .", said Frank.    

My recommendation is to read this book if you want action and a good laugh!

Beavers

• nocturnal
• has flaps behind ears, eyes, nose, and 2 front orange teeth for going under water.
•  Diet: Berries, tree trunks, bark, leafs. (herbivore)
• largest rodent in Canada, 2nd largest rodent in the world.
• important in Canada's history - fur trade.