#2

This book is mind reading bending, blood boiling, heart thumping. I really love the book because I have a mix of feeling when I read it. Also there is a lot of action, and mystery which really feeds my mood. I can't wait to read the next book in the series which is "this Book Is Not Good For You.
-David, Age 11

Yo-Yoji is cool! Like supa mega cool! Like... nevermind. The Homunculus is... kinda funny, actually. But I did NOT expect Amber to join the Midnight Sun. Unexpected plot twist alert! All in all, a great book, 4 stars.

My 11 year old LOVES this series!

Amazing book!

The author’s gimmicky style is no less unobtrusive here than it was in his first book. If anything, it seems to have gotten worse. From numbering his chapters backwards to interjecting random unnecessary definitions about certain words into his text, he seems determined to be as clever with words as he is with plot and characters.

This installment deals with an ornery homunculus. Sought by both the Terces Society and the people of the Midnight Sun, the minimus apparently exists to guard the grave of a man with a TERRIBLE SECRET. (That’s my caps, by the way, not the author’s. He or she is still determined to keep the reader guessing as to what the secret may be. We’re only told that it’s not what the Midnight Sun think it is.)

It’s a passably good ploy, enough to keep irked readers coming back for more. I stated “irked” rather than “fascinated” because the Secret, whatever it is, seems less important with each turned page. What stokes the interest here (besides the homunculus) is the insertion of a third character into Cass and Max’s little collaboration. Cass has no romantic attachments (she’s not quite a teenager so she finds the idea more appalling than everything else) and Max has a poor grasp on his emotions, since he prides himself on being logical. Yo-Yoji’s introduction creates a small amount of friction between the Cass and Max because of her disinterest and Max’s jealousy which he can’t quite understand much less admit to himself. But, as I stated, it’s a small amount.

The series also deals (as so many of such stories do) with clueless adults who believe their children’s facile lies and hasty inventions. This sticks it firmly in the juvenile niche of readers. However, the usage of fairly sophisticated words and attitudes (the homunculus developed rather cultured tastes over the centuries) seems to edge this towards adult territory. This is puzzling—which the author would find gratifying, no doubt.

If adventure, puzzles, riddles and stage magic intrigue you, try sticking with this series. Readers of the Lemony Snicket series might get an equal kick out of it.

can't wait to read this

soooooooo awesome book! I liked it just as much as the first. It's a great follow up to the 1st book.I totally loved this book.

it is too bad dr.l isn't a good guy.also, mr.cabbage face dies with bolder on him. mourn!

By far the best in the series. Funny and witty. Good stuff!