The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma

 

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart is the third book in his children’s adventure series. We again join Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance on an adventure to thwart Mr Curtain.

 

I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I liked learning more about Constance and watching the four of them continue to learn and grow. The characters are still so wonderful and fun to watch. It is really nice to see them over an extended period of time and handling varying situations up to and through this book.

The plot was fascinating and interesting making for a fast read. I liked that with each book we get new scenarios, even if the same villain. The clues and problem solving are so captivating I only wish I was so clever.

Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the series and I am almost sad that there is only one more sequel and a prequel left to read.

A Gathering of Memories Review

 

A Gathering of Memories by Lori Wick is the last book in her “Long Road Home” historical Christian fiction series. We follow Amanda Jackson when her mother dies leaving her to take care of her 4 younger siblings as their father has been gone for a long time and they don’t know where he is or when he will return. Ross Beckett has become a lawyer and has moved his practice to Baxter following a call from God.

 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. This was an absolutely lovely read. The characters were charming to follow. I enjoyed seeing all the familiar faces from the first three books and getting glimpses into what happens in their futures. However, it was just as pleasing to follow Ross, who was a side character in book 3, as the main male lead here along with some new characters.

Not only are the characters interesting and enjoyable to watch, but the plot is smooth and quick to follow. The plot is primarily character driven, but there is a small bit of action in a subplot. Normally I prefer plot driven books, but this one caught my interest and kept me invested the whole way through. As with all Wick books, it has a solidly wrapped up ending (which I enjoyed).

The faith element is very strong in this book and some might consider it “preachy”, but I had no problem with it.

As the end of the series I am also very pleased with how it all came together and where we leave these wonderful characters. I love the sense of family, love, and hope we are left with. 

Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey Review

 

Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart is the second book in his children’s adventure series. Here we come back to Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance as they set out on a scavenger hunt Mr. Benedict set up for them as a gift for the one year anniversary of their previous adventures. Only it is far more perilous than he had intended as Mr. Curtain has kidnapped him and Number Two, but this doesn’t stop the kids from setting out to rescue them.

 

I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. This was such a fun story. Their adventures were interesting and felt more realistic than in the first book, an aspect that I really appreciated here. The clues and mysteries they had to puzzle out were so clever and creative. I loved watching them work together and make their way through every step of the journey.

The characters were even more wonderful than in the first book. They were still the familiar people we came to care about, but they are clearly growing and changing and it is fantastic to see it. I love seeing them learning new things, even though they are already so smart and intuitive to begin with. It also felt like their friendships really grew and were strengthened (in a way that felt more believable than in the first book).

Overall, I found this to be a wonderful sequel and think I may have liked it even more than the first one.

The Matchmaker Review

 

The Matchmaker by Sarah Price is an Amish retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. We follow 21 year old Emma as her cousin gets married and all the changes that follow in her community and due to her involvement in others’ lives because of her desire to find matches for others.

  

I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. This is well written and a very strong retelling of Emma. There are some changes made that are necessary for the setting, but it still kind of works. However, I felt this retelling didn’t fit the Amish setting nearly as well as the other 3 retellings I have read so far. I believe that is because of the topics Austen was addressing like class/ wealth/ prejudice and human failings such as vanity/ arrogance etc. That being said, I really do like how Price captured the characters. I especially like how she developed the relationship between Emma and Gideon.

First Impressions Review

 

First Impressions by Sarah Price is an Amish retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. We follow Elizabeth and her family as a young man, his sister, his cousin and a friend move into the farm next door.

 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. Just like the other books in this series the Amish setting works so well for telling Austen’s story. It did require a few changes, but they were handled very smoothly and I appreciated them more for that. Furthermore, I liked how she developed the characters: that they still rang true from the original work, but were uniquely built to fit into their own setting.

I also really liked how much faith content was present. I don’t necessarily agree with what she was saying about everything being God’s will, but I do recognize that is something that the Amish do believe.

My only real complaint is that it is very rushed (timeline wise). Everything takes place in less than 6 months, which means all the major character development takes place in a matter of days sometimes. Other than that, it was such a joy to read and I know I will continue to read the rest of the books in this Amish Classics series.

The Mysterious Benedict Society Review

 

 The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is the first book in a children’s mystery, adventure series. It is about 4 kids (2 boys and 2 girls) who answer a mysterious add in a newspaper and pass a set of bizarre tests. This sets them on a secret mission that will take all of their giftedness and creativity to make it out.

 

This book got 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. I really liked this story. The characters were all so interesting and funny and constantly taking me by surprise. They were unique and well developed and relatable. I appreciated how the 4 kids were all special in a different way and/ or a way we may not have thought of as special. The side characters were memorable and diverse.

The plot was so intriguing. I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next and being taken by surprise. The twists and turns were so entertaining and fun. I loved the riddles and mysteries and all the interesting information included in the story. This was truly an enjoyable read and one that adults as well as children would love.

I don’t really even have more to say, except that it was a wonderful read and I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.

July Overview

 

Classics:

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Persuasion by Jane Austen

 

Children:

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C S Lewis

Prince Caspian by C S Lewis

 

Amish Fiction:

First Impressions by Sarah Price

The Matchmaker by Sarah Price

Sense and Sensibility by Sarah Price

Mount Hope by Sarah Price

 

Christian Contemporary Fiction:

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

 

Christian Non-fiction:

Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life by Haley Stewart

 

Poetry:

Break Your Glass Slippers by Amanda Lovelace

Sci-fi Romance:

When She's Lonely by Ruby Dixon

Worse Guy by Ruby Dixon

Paranormal Romance:

Her Falcon by Fiona Davenport

Her Loner by Fiona Davenport

Her Grizzly by Fiona Davenport

Non-Christian Contemporary Romance:

Stuck With You by Ali Hazelwood