Masterminds: A Suspenseful Mystery Adventure About Secrets in a Perfect Town

Thought I'd share my daughter's review of Masterminds, with the addition that I am in awe of Gordon Korman's original plots, situations, and characters. Since reading Schooled and Ungifted a few years back as a family, I've been a fan. And, on family road trips, we've thoroughly enjoyed The Kidnapped series and now Masterminds. We're listening to Part II, Criminal Destiny right now (well, not right now). Here's my daughter's review: Masterminds is not the average middle grade/young adult novel you’ll read. It’s not about talking dogs or first grade trouble-makers. No, Masterminds is about far more serious matters. Here’s a quick summary: Five middle schoolers live in a so-called perfect town, Serenity, New Mexico; there is no violence, no poverty, and absolutely no awareness of the outside world. Tori, Malek, Hector, Amber, and Eli (the five main characters) go on a long, blood-curdling journey, to find out that eleven kids in Serenity, including them, are clones. Their whole life has been a science experiment to see how clones of criminal masterminds would act in a “loving” society like Serenity. Whoa! The book’s premise is so fascinating, but the author’s gripping writing and strong characters make it that much better. I recommend listening to the audiobook, because it’s cool hearing the different voices of the characters, but a paper copy is fine too. Masterminds will send a shiver down your spine. By the end of the book, you will be trapped inside the story, put in the main characters situation… and begging for more. And you’re in luck, because a sequel just came out in February; it’s called Masterminds: Criminal Destiny.

Granddaughter loves this author

The best thing about this book is that it always keeps you guessing. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

This was a really fun, fast paced, well written story for younger readers. It kept me engaged from start to finish, as I couldn't wait to find out what the big secret of this sleepy little town was. And when it's revealed - boy, it really delivers! I also liked the unique presentation style, where each chapter was written from a different character's perspective. I typically don't care for that (nor for using the present tense over past tense), but it works really well in this book. The only criticism I have is that the book didn't seem to have any kind of climax or resolution. It just ends, as if mid-chapter. It's like it's only half of a larger book, and the author mysteriously decided to cut it in half so he could have two books instead of one. I have no problem with cliff hangers, but there should at least be a climax to the story. Nonetheless, this is still a great book that I think might get younger readers hooked (and certain adults, too!).

I bought this for my hesitant reader. He honestly does not enjoy reading one bit. He really enjoyed the plot of this book though. He read thru it pretty quickly, not because it was easy but because he was interested.

I absolutely loved this book. It is YA, which tends not to be my genre, but I was a huge Gordon Korman fan when I was a kid, so I figured I'd see what his latest offerings are. This did not disappoint. I think people who liked "The Hunger Games" will like this book. It is not a post-apocalyptic setting exactly, but the main characters live in a tiny utopia-turned-dystopia, isolated from the rest of the world. The book lacks the depth of Hunger Games, and isn't nearly so thought-provoking, but it is nevertheless a thrilling ride. I've already started and almost finished the second one, and am excited to get into the third. Fans of Korman will find his usual dry humor throughout the book. I also appreciate that he tends to give his adolescent characters an appropriate amount of maturity. The YA I have read over-relies on youthful characters making outrageously stupid decisions, which I find to be a frustrating trope. The kids in this book are appropriately naive but not abjectly stupid.

Love Gordon Korman books and have promoted them in my 4th and 5th grade classes for years!

Read this with my 5th grader for Battle of the Books. There are some grown up ideas that I had to explain, but that is fine. The story line was exciting, and the characters are likable. The cliffhanger comes at just the right place. We look forward to reading the next book.