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The Hypnotists #1
The Hypnotists
An all-new, mesmerizing adventure from the masterful Gordon Korman!
Jackson Opus has always been persuasive, but he doesn't know that he's descended from the two most powerful hypnotist bloodlines on the planet. He's excited to be accepted into a special program at the Sentia Institute -- but when he realizes he's in over his head, Jackson will have to find a way to use his powers to save his friends, his parents, and his government.
Jackson Opus has always been persuasive, but he doesn't know that he's descended from the two most powerful hypnotist bloodlines on the planet. He's excited to be accepted into a special program at the Sentia Institute -- but when he realizes he's in over his head, Jackson will have to find a way to use his powers to save his friends, his parents, and his government.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2013
327 people are currently reading
2032 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Korman
246 books4,382 followersGordon Korman is a Canadian author of children's and young adult fiction books. Korman's books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide over a career spanning four decades and have appeared at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews
December 1, 2016
1.5/5 stars
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, one of the most confusing books I have ever read.
Review to come tomorrow.
Well, it was going to write this review today, but then I started reading Gemina, and everything in my life became effectively null and void.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, one of the most confusing books I have ever read.
Well, it was going to write this review today, but then I started reading Gemina, and everything in my life became effectively null and void.
September 6, 2013
Jax Opus has a gift…although for a long while he has no clue as to what he can do. He can hypnotize people to do what he wants. Take for example the fact that he could tell a basketball rival to not play well or a bus driver to get him to his stop “as soon as possible” and they do it. Or that he can tell a hypnotist to act like a chicken…and he does. To Jax it seems just like an ordinary amount of luck and odd coincidences mixed together. But when Dr. Mako shows up and tells Jax he is special and not crazy, Jax is ready to learn the art of hypnotism. Only, the hypnotism is not quite as it seems. Or rather some hypnotists are not quite as they seem. Things are dangerous, and if Jax really wants to learn about what is really going on, things are only going to get a lot worse.
This is a fast-paced novel where foreshadowing and actions tend to race toward the ultimate climax where Jax is the only one who can save the world. Only he can’t do it alone. And he isn’t sure who he can trust and who is just trying to hypnotize/use him to do their bidding. Not only did I like the character Jax, I liked the rest of the characters. There was just enough of various personalities to keep readers interested…yet enough of a mystery as to what else they might be thinking or do that there could be some real surprises in the future installments. And I hope this is not the end of Tommy being Jax’s friend. Tommy was just such a supporting character (in all senses of the word). However, even though the crazy hypnotizing stuff started happening basically on the first couple of pages, it took a bit for me to care about Jax. (He totally whined to begin with that his doctors were crazy or that Tommy was being unreasonable when Tommy pointed out all the strange things that happen for Jax.) But after Jax figured out what was happening he mellowed out a bit. (Though to be fair, if a young kid like Jax had some major drama going on…of course he would throw a fit until something made sense as to what was happening.) Anyway, overall it was a great story. I can totally see young action readers getting into the powers and double-crossings that always come along with potential mind-control books. Those readers who like their plots to move along and like the idea of color-changing eyes being a special power will enjoy this introduction to the Hypnotists series.
This is a fast-paced novel where foreshadowing and actions tend to race toward the ultimate climax where Jax is the only one who can save the world. Only he can’t do it alone. And he isn’t sure who he can trust and who is just trying to hypnotize/use him to do their bidding. Not only did I like the character Jax, I liked the rest of the characters. There was just enough of various personalities to keep readers interested…yet enough of a mystery as to what else they might be thinking or do that there could be some real surprises in the future installments. And I hope this is not the end of Tommy being Jax’s friend. Tommy was just such a supporting character (in all senses of the word). However, even though the crazy hypnotizing stuff started happening basically on the first couple of pages, it took a bit for me to care about Jax. (He totally whined to begin with that his doctors were crazy or that Tommy was being unreasonable when Tommy pointed out all the strange things that happen for Jax.) But after Jax figured out what was happening he mellowed out a bit. (Though to be fair, if a young kid like Jax had some major drama going on…of course he would throw a fit until something made sense as to what was happening.) Anyway, overall it was a great story. I can totally see young action readers getting into the powers and double-crossings that always come along with potential mind-control books. Those readers who like their plots to move along and like the idea of color-changing eyes being a special power will enjoy this introduction to the Hypnotists series.
April 3, 2023
Gosh that was intense. The kind of thriller that's absolutely nearly impossible to put down, as the cliché goes. And while it does end, it doesn't wrap up with a 'happily ever after' so even though I do. not. like. thrillers I might have to track down the next in the series. (Here's hoping a start on my next book and a night's sleep will get me past it).
Korman sure is talented. And hard-working, too. I like how he's doing even more to incorporate the adults, make them real people, not just foils. I wish more children's authors did so.
Oh and there were funny bits, too. Which made it easier to read.
But I wouldn't offer this to under age 10 myself. And I definitely advise you read with or before your child if they're sensitive or young.
LFL discovery
Korman sure is talented. And hard-working, too. I like how he's doing even more to incorporate the adults, make them real people, not just foils. I wish more children's authors did so.
Oh and there were funny bits, too. Which made it easier to read.
But I wouldn't offer this to under age 10 myself. And I definitely advise you read with or before your child if they're sensitive or young.
LFL discovery
July 18, 2013
When you have a text that also has the deeper levels of a moral value, this makes the story more real to you as a reader. This is the case in Korman's text. There is an underlying theme of morality and stream of consciousness amid others that can;t find their way to reach beyond events that benefit themselves the most. The selflessness is not lost on the reader they see Jackson Opus work through higher levels of maturity through his decisions and resisting peer pressure to do otherwise. That underlying maturity of a main character is refreshing. As an adult reading, it was difficult for me to get out of the plot and characterization of being geared to a Middle School audience, yet the importance of the values that come out in the text are certainly not invisible or transparent. Korman does a great job of imparting values on the reader through the characters and reactions of the plot. I found some parts a little sluggish, but overall, the consistent plot and value truly was there and sped up so that I could easily finish in one day and it held my attention and interest. Many good things will come from additional sequels to this series.
November 3, 2016
Book with such good promise by such a good author. I was listening to it on audio and thought the first two chapters were funny. Then switched over to the hardback to finish. Boy can hypnotize people and gets training to do so better. It was an excellent topic however I couldn't understand why he was so naïve. It starts off with him being able to hypnotize someone but he doesn't realize it. For example he tell someone to jump off the roof and he's puzzled when the guy actually tries to do so. Then later when someone shows him that this secret society that's teaching him may not have completely good goal at hand he doesn't believe that either. But then I suppose he inheirted that from his dimwitted parents. Their life is threatened but they don't want to move to a safer city. These are just some of the things that I couldn't overlook. Unfortunately once the book gets going there's lots of things to pick from that.
July 2, 2016
The premise of this book sounded very exciting. At first I was intrigued but this excitement only lasted for about four chapters into the book. After this I was bored but I thought I would stick with the book in the hopes that it would get intriguing again when Jax arrived and honed in his skills at Sentia Institute. Which at first my interest did peak up again some but it was evident quickly that there was nothing really fascinating about Jax and his skill. Ok, maybe this is not fully true as this book probably would have been better if the rest of the characters were exciting, the dialect better, and there was heightened action. Yet for the younger readers they may like this book.
December 15, 2018
Classic Korman Style with a good ending that leaves itself open to other stories.
November 13, 2021
So ein seltsames Buch
das war gefühlt einfach USA-Propaganda auf einem ganz anderen niveau. die hätten das buch mal nach deutschland schicken müssen statt marshall plan und so (okay hier ist der punkt wo ich zugebe dass ich keine ahnung hab was der marshallplan war)
also basically ist der maik character dieser kleine junge (12j) der besser hypnotisieren kann als alle anderen und dann muss er mit seinen krassen kräften die amerikanische Verfassung retten (erst gibt fr so be ganze soliloquy darüber dass der böse gegen die grundgesetze von amerika verstößt, sie rede wird von dem 12 jährigen gehalten!!)
und die hätten echt mal ne trigger warning für dir vielen selbstmordversuche machen können, mindestens 5 leute wollten sich von einer Brücke, aus dem Fenster oder vor die U-Bahn stürzen
und es ergibt immer noch keinen sinn warum seine augen einfach die farben wechseln?? sind wir bei twilight oder was
das war gefühlt einfach USA-Propaganda auf einem ganz anderen niveau. die hätten das buch mal nach deutschland schicken müssen statt marshall plan und so (okay hier ist der punkt wo ich zugebe dass ich keine ahnung hab was der marshallplan war)
also basically ist der maik character dieser kleine junge (12j) der besser hypnotisieren kann als alle anderen und dann muss er mit seinen krassen kräften die amerikanische Verfassung retten (erst gibt fr so be ganze soliloquy darüber dass der böse gegen die grundgesetze von amerika verstößt, sie rede wird von dem 12 jährigen gehalten!!)
und die hätten echt mal ne trigger warning für dir vielen selbstmordversuche machen können, mindestens 5 leute wollten sich von einer Brücke, aus dem Fenster oder vor die U-Bahn stürzen
und es ergibt immer noch keinen sinn warum seine augen einfach die farben wechseln?? sind wir bei twilight oder was
June 26, 2015
Highly entertaining story with Kormanese sarcasm and short chapters with cliffhanger notes. Older readers may tire of the literary tropes (why does the main character always have to be so special all the time?) but younger readers will latch onto this story and will be delighted when they "figure out" what might happen next.
Booktalk:
If you had the power to hypnotize anybody -- to make somebody do something you wanted them to do -- would you enjoy having this power? What would you do with it? How could it be dangerous?
*
Jackson Opus has lived almost his entire life as a hypnotist without even knowing it. At school, girls crush on him and teachers love him for no particular reason. Or when he tells a bus driver he needs to get to basketball practice as soon as possible, the bus driver takes that literally and drives through red lights and stop signs so that Jackson can get to basketball practice ... as soon as possible.
When Jackson's hypnotic powers are discovered by accident, he is sent a a letter from Dr. Elias Mako of the Sentia Institute to help uncover Jackson's hypnotic potential.
Everybody Jackson runs into praises Dr. Mako in the same way: "Dr Mako has devoted his life to New York City Education and is an inspiration to every single one of us." Everybody... Jackson's father says it, the workers at the Sentia Institute say it, even Jackson... says it.
That's a little strange, right?
Things only get stranger in this first book -- part of a series.
Booktalk:
If you had the power to hypnotize anybody -- to make somebody do something you wanted them to do -- would you enjoy having this power? What would you do with it? How could it be dangerous?
*
Jackson Opus has lived almost his entire life as a hypnotist without even knowing it. At school, girls crush on him and teachers love him for no particular reason. Or when he tells a bus driver he needs to get to basketball practice as soon as possible, the bus driver takes that literally and drives through red lights and stop signs so that Jackson can get to basketball practice ... as soon as possible.
When Jackson's hypnotic powers are discovered by accident, he is sent a a letter from Dr. Elias Mako of the Sentia Institute to help uncover Jackson's hypnotic potential.
Everybody Jackson runs into praises Dr. Mako in the same way: "Dr Mako has devoted his life to New York City Education and is an inspiration to every single one of us." Everybody... Jackson's father says it, the workers at the Sentia Institute say it, even Jackson... says it.
That's a little strange, right?
Things only get stranger in this first book -- part of a series.
August 8, 2013
When strange events start happening as people gaze into Jax Opus's color-changing eyes, he starts to believe he is hypnotizing them to do odd things. Jax and his parents search for someone to help him at the same time when Jax is recruited by Dr. Elias Mako, founder and director of The Sentia Institute as a mind-bending prodigy. Dr. Mako's most famous slogan, one that is repeated often, by many, is "Dr. Mako has devoted his life to New York City education and is an inspiration to every single one of us." Dr. Mako is developing Jax's inherited super-power of hypnotism...but for what cause?
When Dr. Mako coerces Jax into using his gift for immoral purposes, he refuses. But, Dr. Mako has mind-bended Jax's parents to put themselves in mortal danger if Jax doesn't cooperate. How did Jax get involved in this conspiracy? How did he get himself and his parents in so much trouble? He needs help!...and fast. He is not sure who he can turn to, except the one person who he never dreamed could have helped. Together will they be able to undo all of Mako's impending destruction? Time (and maybe book #2) will tell.
The Hypnotists is a fast-paced action adventure that has moral dilemmas imbedded in it. What would you do if you have the power of ultimate persuasion? Would it be used for good or evil?
When Dr. Mako coerces Jax into using his gift for immoral purposes, he refuses. But, Dr. Mako has mind-bended Jax's parents to put themselves in mortal danger if Jax doesn't cooperate. How did Jax get involved in this conspiracy? How did he get himself and his parents in so much trouble? He needs help!...and fast. He is not sure who he can turn to, except the one person who he never dreamed could have helped. Together will they be able to undo all of Mako's impending destruction? Time (and maybe book #2) will tell.
The Hypnotists is a fast-paced action adventure that has moral dilemmas imbedded in it. What would you do if you have the power of ultimate persuasion? Would it be used for good or evil?
September 21, 2018
The thing I did not like about this book is the ending. I liked the book all the way through until the end. In fact, I could not put it down most of the time, but I am so annoyed at the unresolved conflict in this book that I couldn't give it a better score. I can't say anything else without giving away the whole thing. Read it yourself and see what you think.
April 22, 2014
This fast-paced novel starts out exciting only to backfire like a sputtering car. Gordon Korman has terrific descriptions that involve all the senses and allow readers to get sucked into the plot like a "speeding jaggernaut." Chapter one was my favorite and reminded me of the movie, "Speed." The promising plot went downhill from there with its predictability and pacing that has the reader knowing long in advance what is happening before the protagonist does. I'm okay with a little bit of this but not pages and pages and at every major turning point in the plot. Jackson, who goes by the nickname Jax, was annoyingly naive at figuring out situations and reading people. What had potential became a frustrating read that had me skimming pages in order to finish it pronto.
Jax is playing in a championship basketball game when his team wins as a result of the opponent's superstar having a poor night shooting. Jax notices the star is off his game and dazed. Every time Jax makes a suggestion the star does what Jax says, such as missing a free throw or shots he'd normally make. While Jax thought it odd he didn't think anything of it. After the game, he tells his parents about visions he's getting and he goes to see a psychiatrist whose diagnosis is corny and irritating to Jax. Jax tells the psychiatrist to jump out the window which he promptly tries to do. They are on the 35th floor and while the reader knows what is going on Jax is still not putting two-and-two together. When Jax's best friend Tommy points out all the weird things Jax has done in the past convincing others to do things such as join the debate team or win over a girl, Jax still doesn't face the facts that he has the power to influence people. When Jax hypnotizes a hypnotist and still doesn't get the obvious, I was grinding my teeth at the dull-witted protagonist that is supposedly smart.
Jax gets invited to a school for gifted kids that shows an unhealthy competitiveness between students and a manipulative director. It would have been more fun trying to figure out if the director was a good guy or bad guy but it was so obvious that it took much of the tension out of the plot for me. "The Colossus Rises" by Peter Lerangis has a similar plot that kept me guessing well into the story the loyalty of the person who could be a villain or good guy. Jax's blind belief in what he sees on the surface with no thought as to different motives made him too simple at times and lacking in complexity which for me is what makes a character interesting. When Jax becomes involved in a political intrigue involving the future president of the United States, his entire family and friends become targets by the killers.
*spoilers*
The descriptions are great and action scenes well written, it's just the plot is predictable in too many parts. While many will like the action, I doubt they'll be as irritated as me with Jax. Jax's superpowers are explained in depth and well. This was probably the most interesting part, although because he has so many visions (before figuring out his powers) that it got repetitive at times. It didn't make sense that Jax wanted Dr. Mako's approval so badly and blindly followed him. Mako was using a form of mind control on the students and while the other students talked about the school cynically, Jax still refused to believe things weren't right even though the evidence showed otherwise. While they followed Mako in some parts the end seemed contradictory when they scold Jax for not seeing the truth. After meeting Axel Braintree, Jax had some doubt regarding Mako, but it took 70 pages before he sees what the reader already knows. The slow pace and unveiling of the plot drove me crazy.
The authentic moments of being a teenager were well done such as the kids practicing hypnosis on each other even though it was banned which is like trying to "outlaw towel-snapping in a locker room." And Tommy tossing an airplane at girl and making a fool out of himself because he has a crush on her and doesn't know how to get her attention reminds me of the 5th grade girls and boys taking books from each other because they are starting to notice gender differences and want the opposite sex's attention.
The Guild meeting chapter is presented as too one-sided without showing the complexity of the situation. The abusers use their gift for personal gain and are trying to lead honest lives. But a Wall Street woman turning to waitressing? I don't think so. The dialogue showed that the group had no focus. The opposing forces could have been presented in a more politically balanced way such as Axel showing some of his brains that suddenly appear at the end. Actually at the end when Axel is explaining why he stole, the dialogue with Jax was more authentic and didn't make him look like a doofus that was too cryptic about Mako.
The subplot of Tommy didn't materialize like I expected. Tommy is a flat character that doesn't really get much depth through his dialogue with Jax. When Tommy helps Jax on the night of the robbery and later when Jax is suffering to the point of being debilitating, Tommy doesn't really help him in any meaningful way. I thought Tommy might go and get Axel or find the group but he lets Jax figure it out on his own. His character doesn't grow or change internally and fizzles a bit as the story continues and he fails to act. I also thought the tie-in of his color-blindness and not being hypnotized by Jax to Jax suddenly being able to hypnotize him as too abrupt.
When Jax makes a video and then doesn't do anything for a week I couldn't believe it took him so long to go to the only person that could help him. When he does I'm so disgusted with his character for waiting so long that I started speed-reading through ink. When Jax forgets his metro card, it was the frosting on my disgusted cake. Normally I like Korman and I know many kids will like the action in this book, but you'd have to hypnotize me to get me to read the sequel.
Jax is playing in a championship basketball game when his team wins as a result of the opponent's superstar having a poor night shooting. Jax notices the star is off his game and dazed. Every time Jax makes a suggestion the star does what Jax says, such as missing a free throw or shots he'd normally make. While Jax thought it odd he didn't think anything of it. After the game, he tells his parents about visions he's getting and he goes to see a psychiatrist whose diagnosis is corny and irritating to Jax. Jax tells the psychiatrist to jump out the window which he promptly tries to do. They are on the 35th floor and while the reader knows what is going on Jax is still not putting two-and-two together. When Jax's best friend Tommy points out all the weird things Jax has done in the past convincing others to do things such as join the debate team or win over a girl, Jax still doesn't face the facts that he has the power to influence people. When Jax hypnotizes a hypnotist and still doesn't get the obvious, I was grinding my teeth at the dull-witted protagonist that is supposedly smart.
Jax gets invited to a school for gifted kids that shows an unhealthy competitiveness between students and a manipulative director. It would have been more fun trying to figure out if the director was a good guy or bad guy but it was so obvious that it took much of the tension out of the plot for me. "The Colossus Rises" by Peter Lerangis has a similar plot that kept me guessing well into the story the loyalty of the person who could be a villain or good guy. Jax's blind belief in what he sees on the surface with no thought as to different motives made him too simple at times and lacking in complexity which for me is what makes a character interesting. When Jax becomes involved in a political intrigue involving the future president of the United States, his entire family and friends become targets by the killers.
*spoilers*
The descriptions are great and action scenes well written, it's just the plot is predictable in too many parts. While many will like the action, I doubt they'll be as irritated as me with Jax. Jax's superpowers are explained in depth and well. This was probably the most interesting part, although because he has so many visions (before figuring out his powers) that it got repetitive at times. It didn't make sense that Jax wanted Dr. Mako's approval so badly and blindly followed him. Mako was using a form of mind control on the students and while the other students talked about the school cynically, Jax still refused to believe things weren't right even though the evidence showed otherwise. While they followed Mako in some parts the end seemed contradictory when they scold Jax for not seeing the truth. After meeting Axel Braintree, Jax had some doubt regarding Mako, but it took 70 pages before he sees what the reader already knows. The slow pace and unveiling of the plot drove me crazy.
The authentic moments of being a teenager were well done such as the kids practicing hypnosis on each other even though it was banned which is like trying to "outlaw towel-snapping in a locker room." And Tommy tossing an airplane at girl and making a fool out of himself because he has a crush on her and doesn't know how to get her attention reminds me of the 5th grade girls and boys taking books from each other because they are starting to notice gender differences and want the opposite sex's attention.
The Guild meeting chapter is presented as too one-sided without showing the complexity of the situation. The abusers use their gift for personal gain and are trying to lead honest lives. But a Wall Street woman turning to waitressing? I don't think so. The dialogue showed that the group had no focus. The opposing forces could have been presented in a more politically balanced way such as Axel showing some of his brains that suddenly appear at the end. Actually at the end when Axel is explaining why he stole, the dialogue with Jax was more authentic and didn't make him look like a doofus that was too cryptic about Mako.
The subplot of Tommy didn't materialize like I expected. Tommy is a flat character that doesn't really get much depth through his dialogue with Jax. When Tommy helps Jax on the night of the robbery and later when Jax is suffering to the point of being debilitating, Tommy doesn't really help him in any meaningful way. I thought Tommy might go and get Axel or find the group but he lets Jax figure it out on his own. His character doesn't grow or change internally and fizzles a bit as the story continues and he fails to act. I also thought the tie-in of his color-blindness and not being hypnotized by Jax to Jax suddenly being able to hypnotize him as too abrupt.
When Jax makes a video and then doesn't do anything for a week I couldn't believe it took him so long to go to the only person that could help him. When he does I'm so disgusted with his character for waiting so long that I started speed-reading through ink. When Jax forgets his metro card, it was the frosting on my disgusted cake. Normally I like Korman and I know many kids will like the action in this book, but you'd have to hypnotize me to get me to read the sequel.
May 14, 2020
I was a huge fan of Gordon Korman when I was younger. Obviously some of the magic has rubbed off. My younger sister was going to donate this because she had no interest in it and I decided to move it to my shelves and give it a shot. I love Korman and I think that he has some phenomenal books but this one was pretty basic. I had a great time, though, and really enjoyed exploring hypnotism. Definitely recommend to younger readers.
April 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was very interesting, it follows a young boy named Jax. He comes from to of the most powerful hypnotist families in the world. It skipped his parents and all the power went to him. He realizes it finally and doesn’t know what to do. His best friend Tommy eventually finds out and helps him. Eventually he meets Dr.Mako a business man in New York who at first helps Jax, but then tries to use him to take over the world. It was overall a great book and I really enjoyed it to figure out what happens next read the book.
October 20, 2019
I needed something to listen to on a very long drive so I wouldn’t fall asleep. I also needed it to be kid friendly (and ideally something my kids would want to listen to). My boys didn’t seem to care for it, but it kept me entertained at least. There were some issues - like why didn’t Jax connect the dots sooner about the bad guy? And why didn’t the author put Jax’s best friend in the plot more? Maybe it was partly the actor reading the book, but it was a fun book I legitimately wanted to get to the end of to see what happened.
May 3, 2022
I listened to the audiobook for this last summer and forgot to review it.
It's a fun story, pretty basic, but still entertaining. I must say though, Gordon Kormon just doesn't write like he used to. His Bruno & Boots / Bugs Potter era books (his first 20 or so books) will still always be his best by far, I'm quite sure.
It's a fun story, pretty basic, but still entertaining. I must say though, Gordon Kormon just doesn't write like he used to. His Bruno & Boots / Bugs Potter era books (his first 20 or so books) will still always be his best by far, I'm quite sure.
April 9, 2019
great book
April 29, 2020
Crazily exiting and full of mind bending adventure.
June 26, 2020
*3.5
February 17, 2024
I normally love Gordon Korman books but this one wasn’t a fav. Won’t be continuing to the next in the series.
January 9, 2014
This was a really good book, defiantly not for everyone though. The plot and the characters were great, but I felt like it was going really fast and not everything was explained in detail enough. If it had just been a little slower and went further into detail, I think it would have been a better book. This is why I gave it four stars. But, if you really are looking for a good, quick book to read, this might be the one you're looking for.
In the book, I felt like there were a lot of actions that could have been rethought. In the very beginning, Jax has a “brilliant” plan to jump in front of a bus so it will see him. I mean, really?
I felt like some of the characters could have been stronger, like Jax, for example. He’s modeled after an ordinary student, one that you may find in your school. He over thinks things a lot though, and gets really annoying in the middle of the book. And about Dr. Mako, He wants to make the world a better place. He's the good guy, right?
Jax leads the entire first half of the book believing that Dr. Mako is truly set out to make the world a better place. But, as it turns out (which wasn't very surprising; this seems to happen in a lot of books) power got to Dr. Mako and he abused it. He doesn't want to make the world a better place; he wants to use the senator running for president to rule the United States.
With help from the sandmen, Jax hijacks the senator's speech, hypnotizing him into quitting so Mako couldn't get to where he wanted to be. Afterwards, the Opus family moves to protect themselves from Dr. Mako. The ending wasn’t the best, but I liked it.
In the book, I felt like there were a lot of actions that could have been rethought. In the very beginning, Jax has a “brilliant” plan to jump in front of a bus so it will see him. I mean, really?
I felt like some of the characters could have been stronger, like Jax, for example. He’s modeled after an ordinary student, one that you may find in your school. He over thinks things a lot though, and gets really annoying in the middle of the book. And about Dr. Mako, He wants to make the world a better place. He's the good guy, right?
Jax leads the entire first half of the book believing that Dr. Mako is truly set out to make the world a better place. But, as it turns out (which wasn't very surprising; this seems to happen in a lot of books) power got to Dr. Mako and he abused it. He doesn't want to make the world a better place; he wants to use the senator running for president to rule the United States.
With help from the sandmen, Jax hijacks the senator's speech, hypnotizing him into quitting so Mako couldn't get to where he wanted to be. Afterwards, the Opus family moves to protect themselves from Dr. Mako. The ending wasn’t the best, but I liked it.
January 13, 2015
The Hypnotists
The book The Hypnotists written by Gordon Korman is a book about a boy named Jax who has color changing eyes which can hypnotise people. Jax is not able to control his powers so he literally hypnotising people by accident. The only person who was immune to this effect was Tommy because he was color blind.
The biggest theme I found in this book was great power comes with great responsibility because Jax has the power which hypnotises people but is not able to control it. Another theme I found was teamwork can do anything because when Tommy and Jax were both on the bus, the driver had no idea what he was doing. Tommy and Jax worked together to get to their game as fast as possible. It is really important to control his power because if not he could end up hurting a lot of people. The author Gordon Korman uses a lot of conversation and dialogue to explain what's going on in the story. By using dialogue he makes us feel like we are in the conversation. He also used some time shifts from scene to scene like when they were in the basketball game and suddenly was at a doctors appointment and that made us feel like everything was going on so fast. I think the author could improve on his use of show not tell. When Jax got to the point he started hypnotising people I felt like he could start using show not tell by showing all the chaos that is going on. The author made a list of facts to reader that was enjoyable to read like when Jax was taking that test and he was getting so frustrated that it was easy. Some parts in the story I found it hard to believe because only Jax was immune to the powers and I felt like he would need more help than Tommy himself. I suggest this book to readers who are interested in mystery and adventure. It is a book filled with surprises, coming from left and right.
The book The Hypnotists written by Gordon Korman is a book about a boy named Jax who has color changing eyes which can hypnotise people. Jax is not able to control his powers so he literally hypnotising people by accident. The only person who was immune to this effect was Tommy because he was color blind.
The biggest theme I found in this book was great power comes with great responsibility because Jax has the power which hypnotises people but is not able to control it. Another theme I found was teamwork can do anything because when Tommy and Jax were both on the bus, the driver had no idea what he was doing. Tommy and Jax worked together to get to their game as fast as possible. It is really important to control his power because if not he could end up hurting a lot of people. The author Gordon Korman uses a lot of conversation and dialogue to explain what's going on in the story. By using dialogue he makes us feel like we are in the conversation. He also used some time shifts from scene to scene like when they were in the basketball game and suddenly was at a doctors appointment and that made us feel like everything was going on so fast. I think the author could improve on his use of show not tell. When Jax got to the point he started hypnotising people I felt like he could start using show not tell by showing all the chaos that is going on. The author made a list of facts to reader that was enjoyable to read like when Jax was taking that test and he was getting so frustrated that it was easy. Some parts in the story I found it hard to believe because only Jax was immune to the powers and I felt like he would need more help than Tommy himself. I suggest this book to readers who are interested in mystery and adventure. It is a book filled with surprises, coming from left and right.
December 15, 2013
Who has read a book about hypnotism? I certainly hadn't. So when I
heard Gordon Korman released a book about hypnotism, and he was going
to be at a Barnes & Noble in my area, I HAD to go. I knew Gordon
Korman was a good author because I had read the books he wrote in the
39 Clues series, so I had high hopes for this book. When I met Gordon
Korman, he was really nice. He answered every question and even read
us a portion of The Hypnotists. Below is a picture of me with Gordon
Korman.
The book isn’t really a fantasy novel. It includes a lot of things
that could have been real. It takes place in present day New York. I
think of it as more realistic fiction than fantasy. My mom tells me
this genre is called magical realism.
The beginning is a little slow. Besides that, the book is very
enjoyable and clever. In the book, hypnotism is when somebody connects
with something. If that person stays connected for too long, you can
feel the person who was being hypnotized's emotions. Happiness,
anger, and even sadness. Jax, the main character, had that experience
when he hypnotized someone for too long. The man who was hypnotized's
wife had died in 9/11, and he felt the man’s sadness.
Many of the parts in the book made me laugh. Jax had a humorous tone in his voice, even when he was thinking. Even when he got angry, he sometimes thought angry but funny things.
This book is the first in a series. You can tell because the villain,
Elias Mako, was never defeated, so I suspect Jax will face more
challenges in the future. I plan on reading the next books in the
series.
I rate this book 9 out of 10. I enjoyed almost all of the book, except
for the relatively slow beginning. All in all, the book is amazing.
heard Gordon Korman released a book about hypnotism, and he was going
to be at a Barnes & Noble in my area, I HAD to go. I knew Gordon
Korman was a good author because I had read the books he wrote in the
39 Clues series, so I had high hopes for this book. When I met Gordon
Korman, he was really nice. He answered every question and even read
us a portion of The Hypnotists. Below is a picture of me with Gordon
Korman.
The book isn’t really a fantasy novel. It includes a lot of things
that could have been real. It takes place in present day New York. I
think of it as more realistic fiction than fantasy. My mom tells me
this genre is called magical realism.
The beginning is a little slow. Besides that, the book is very
enjoyable and clever. In the book, hypnotism is when somebody connects
with something. If that person stays connected for too long, you can
feel the person who was being hypnotized's emotions. Happiness,
anger, and even sadness. Jax, the main character, had that experience
when he hypnotized someone for too long. The man who was hypnotized's
wife had died in 9/11, and he felt the man’s sadness.
Many of the parts in the book made me laugh. Jax had a humorous tone in his voice, even when he was thinking. Even when he got angry, he sometimes thought angry but funny things.
This book is the first in a series. You can tell because the villain,
Elias Mako, was never defeated, so I suspect Jax will face more
challenges in the future. I plan on reading the next books in the
series.
I rate this book 9 out of 10. I enjoyed almost all of the book, except
for the relatively slow beginning. All in all, the book is amazing.
December 10, 2014
In the book The Hypnotists, Jax is faced with an inner conflict. His inner conflict was either helping Dr. Mako hypnotize everyone in New York into voting for Senator Douglas and saving his parents or letting his parents die for the sake of democracy. It all starts when Jax realizes that Dr. Mako isn't who he seems and "Dr. Elis Mako has devoted his life to New York City education and is an inspiration to every single one of us"(157) is simply a false statement that he hypnotized people to think. When Jax notices this, he confronts Dr. Mako and learns that he had paid his mom and dad a visit as well. Dr. Mako stated "How quickly you deduced that I'd paid a visit to your little friend Tommy. Yet it never occurred to you who else I might have dropped in on."(163). And when Jax asks of who, he replies "Dear old mom and dad..."(163). This shows me that his parents were indeed in danger. Also, it Dr. Mako states in the book "....You will record another clip-it will be released all over the Internet via a computer virus that will self-erase as soon as it's been viewed. In it, you will plant a post-hypnotic suggestion for the viewers to vote for Senator Douglas in the New York primary...."(162). This tells me of Dr. Mako's plans and proves Jax had inner conflict. In the end, Jax chose his parents and did record the clip in order to save them. However, he makes everything right again by hypnotizing Senator Douglas into forfeit the election.
June 19, 2014
Gordon Korman is a good storyteller with a great deal of appeal for middle school/intermediate grade readers. I think this story will also appeal to them. I was not as enthusiastic about it as I have been about some of Korman's other works. I'm not sure if it is actually any flaws in this book, or if it is just that I'm not particularly fond of this genre. I know that most 'tween and YA works are kids versus adults, but I'm kind of tired of that. I felt that the story was contrived. Marianne Moore said that poetry is "imaginary gardens with real toads in them." I think fiction should be the same. This book doesn't have that: I think the majority of the characters are not well developed; they are almost stereotypes. Jackson and Tommy are ok, but they don't involve me in their stories.
This book is the introduction to a series. I've read the 39 Clues and the Percy Jackson and the Harry Potter series. In each of those cases, I watched for the next book so that I could read it as soon as possible. I don't think I will be watching for the next book in this series.
I guess I think the story is ok, but I don't think it is exceptional. I think many kids would enjoy it; but I don't know that I would recommend it.
(2,1,2)
This book is the introduction to a series. I've read the 39 Clues and the Percy Jackson and the Harry Potter series. In each of those cases, I watched for the next book so that I could read it as soon as possible. I don't think I will be watching for the next book in this series.
I guess I think the story is ok, but I don't think it is exceptional. I think many kids would enjoy it; but I don't know that I would recommend it.
(2,1,2)
March 27, 2014
Gordon Korman has wowed my students several times over the years. It looks like he's going to do it again with his new Hypnotists series. Jackson Opus is a lucky guy - really lucky. It seems like he can charm just about anyone when they glance into his multicolored eyes. His best friend, who happens to be colorblind, sees through the blarney and calls him on it though, so for the first twelve years of his life Jackson is pretty much a normal guy. That is, until weird things start happening. When he discovers that he is descended from a powerful mesmeric family of hypnotists, it seems like he's going on an exciting and funny adventure of possibilities. The beginning of the book is laugh-out-loud funny. It doesn't take long for things to take a very serious, very dangerous turn for our hero though. Suddenly he's embroiled in secret plots and life-threatening cloak-and-dagger stuff that will compel you to keep turning pages just as surely as if you were being put under. I'm looking forward to another blistering-paced book two.
January 12, 2014
"Hypnosis, you know, it ain't as easy as it seems", The Hypnotists (The Hypnotists, #1). "The Hypnotists' By Gordon Korman is a science fiction novel about a boy that comes from a family of hypnotists, and slowly learns his powers. While learning, he is faced with an organization that say they can change the world with his powers. He does not know whether he should change the world, or keep the powers to himself. He then realizes, the choice isn't fully up to him.
I was really expecting more out of this book. Knowing Korman, I know he can sometimes pack a punch in a book, and I was really hoping that for this book. But, while reading. I was disappointed in the style of writing, and was not really impressed by the plot. The ending sort of shows a sequel in the making, and I will most likely not be reading it. I would not recommend this book to all groups of people. Overall I'm gonna give this book a 3/5.
I was really expecting more out of this book. Knowing Korman, I know he can sometimes pack a punch in a book, and I was really hoping that for this book. But, while reading. I was disappointed in the style of writing, and was not really impressed by the plot. The ending sort of shows a sequel in the making, and I will most likely not be reading it. I would not recommend this book to all groups of people. Overall I'm gonna give this book a 3/5.
November 18, 2013
The Hypnotists was definitely not the best Korman book i've ever read. i mean, it's Gordon Korman, it's hardly bad book, but i have liked and loved some of his others, so i was kind of disappointed. it seemed a bit phony, especially the beginning, when it was going all ' I'm a hypnotist! no, I'm NOT a hypnotist! wait, i thought for sure i was a hypnotist... no way, that's not possible, i can't be a hypnotist. OMG IM A HYPNOTIST!!!' it got a bit over the top unbelievable. by half way through, it started picking up a lot more and the end was good. i loved the swan dive scene at the end. i was imagining that and thinking LOL, that would be funny had it not been freaky. overall, not my favourite. seemed to rushed and farfetched. id much rather read something like Everest, something slightly more plausible, but this was still a good enough book.
August 11, 2013
Read almost entirely in one sitting. This page turner was an easy read. Pretty much all plot with little character development, but there is a little thematic depth. Still, it's almost like a fleshed-out comic book without the pictures. Definitely recommended for reluctant readers. This is a good versus evil battle with a little morality thrown in as the potential corrupting influence of power is explored. Alongside, there is plenty of humor to keep things from ever feeling too serious. All in all, this is a great read that should be especially enjoyed by middle grade boys. The ending is left open for a sequel, and this is a terrific start to what could be a strong series
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