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The Forgotten Five #3
Rebel Undercover
X-Men meets Spy Kids in the third installment of The Forgotten Five middle-grade fantasy/adventure series by the New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds. Now in paperback!
Estero City is in an uproar following the exposure of President Fuerte as a supernatural, as well as the surprise announcement by Magdalia Palacio—Seven’s mother—that she will oppose Fuerte in the upcoming election. The forgotten five and their allies know the president is corrupt to the core. But no one knows if Magdalia can be trusted.
Meanwhile, Birdie, Seven, Tenner, and Brix are reeling from Cabot’s decision to leave the group and join her parents, who are collaborating with Fuerte and his gang of supernatural criminals. Does that make Cabot their enemy, too?
Still, there’s work to be done. The Librarian, the five’s trusted confidante, has a daring new Lada will go undercover and pretend to work for the president while gathering intelligence for the supernatural resistance. It’s a dangerous assignment, setting the group up for a showdown with their most powerful enemy yet—their own criminal parents.
Estero City is in an uproar following the exposure of President Fuerte as a supernatural, as well as the surprise announcement by Magdalia Palacio—Seven’s mother—that she will oppose Fuerte in the upcoming election. The forgotten five and their allies know the president is corrupt to the core. But no one knows if Magdalia can be trusted.
Meanwhile, Birdie, Seven, Tenner, and Brix are reeling from Cabot’s decision to leave the group and join her parents, who are collaborating with Fuerte and his gang of supernatural criminals. Does that make Cabot their enemy, too?
Still, there’s work to be done. The Librarian, the five’s trusted confidante, has a daring new Lada will go undercover and pretend to work for the president while gathering intelligence for the supernatural resistance. It’s a dangerous assignment, setting the group up for a showdown with their most powerful enemy yet—their own criminal parents.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2023
87 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Lisa McMann
59 books6,985 followersLisa McMann lives and writes in the Phoenix area. Her newest middle grade fantasy series is called The Forgotten Five. Book one, Map of Flames, was an instant NYT bestseller. It's about five supernatural kids, raised in a deserted hideout, who enter civilization for the first time to search for a hidden stash left behind by their missing, criminal parents.
Book two, The Invisible Spy, is on sale now! Book three, Rebel Undercover, is coming summer 2023, and book 4 will be out in spring of 2024.
Also out now: CLARICE THE BRAVE. It's a story of hope against all odds, about sibling mice who get separated in a mutiny and vow to find one another again.
Lisa's other books include the NYT bestselling THE UNWANTEDS and UNWANTEDS QUESTS series, the GOING WILD trilogy, the YA paranormal WAKE trilogy, the VISIONS trilogy, CRYER'S CROSS, DEAD TO YOU, and INFINITY RING: The Trap Door.
See what's new and where Lisa will be at her
LinkTree.
You can find more info at Lisa'a website, lisamcmann.com, interact with her on Facebook or Twitter, or ask questions on her Instagram.
Book two, The Invisible Spy, is on sale now! Book three, Rebel Undercover, is coming summer 2023, and book 4 will be out in spring of 2024.
Also out now: CLARICE THE BRAVE. It's a story of hope against all odds, about sibling mice who get separated in a mutiny and vow to find one another again.
Lisa's other books include the NYT bestselling THE UNWANTEDS and UNWANTEDS QUESTS series, the GOING WILD trilogy, the YA paranormal WAKE trilogy, the VISIONS trilogy, CRYER'S CROSS, DEAD TO YOU, and INFINITY RING: The Trap Door.
See what's new and where Lisa will be at her
LinkTree.
You can find more info at Lisa'a website, lisamcmann.com, interact with her on Facebook or Twitter, or ask questions on her Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 7, 2024
I'ts a pretty good book my fav person in the book is tenner for sure he just has to go through so much
December 4, 2023
Lisa that series is so amazing and I have to say that Birdie’s new style with the wasps and snake AND PUERCO AMAZING
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2023
Lisa please don’t do me like this. Don’t give me another Liam Healy to fall for because Troy is looking like a contender.
To be honest, now that I’m 23 I’m slowly beginning to become a little self conscious with middle grade books. These books are made for the kids I’m about to teach. However, I think this series has a great story for kids and adults. Unlike the Unwanteds series that only had a few adult characters in the main story, the Forgotten Five has lots of adult characters to root for and hate. It’s a perfect mix, and I honestly am in this for the adult characters.
Troy honestly is slowly gaining my heart. He’s the Liam in this series, okay! My track record with questionable fictional men is very strong already to begin with. Throw Troy in the mix and it’s becoming concerning. Martim… look, we don’t need to open that can of worms. I’ve already established that I am horrific with my choice in fictional men, especially in Lisa books.
Like I said before, it feels a bit odd to be rating a middle grade book as an adult on Goodreads. But I honestly think this series is one of Lisa’s most accessible age wise. I generally believe a lot of ages will enjoy this story. I’m creating fan art as we speak.
Honestly, besides my ranting about how much I love the adults in these books, I think the plot of this one was the slowest out of all three. I think I gave this a 4 because of that amazing ending that I didn’t see coming! I just wish the rest of the book would have had that fast pace. But that is honestly very nit picky of me, and I enjoyed this book regardless of plot pace. I love the characters, the action, and the developing relationships so much.
Here’s me moving into book 4 next year with my questionable love of Troy and my even more questionable love of Martim.
To be honest, now that I’m 23 I’m slowly beginning to become a little self conscious with middle grade books. These books are made for the kids I’m about to teach. However, I think this series has a great story for kids and adults. Unlike the Unwanteds series that only had a few adult characters in the main story, the Forgotten Five has lots of adult characters to root for and hate. It’s a perfect mix, and I honestly am in this for the adult characters.
Troy honestly is slowly gaining my heart. He’s the Liam in this series, okay! My track record with questionable fictional men is very strong already to begin with. Throw Troy in the mix and it’s becoming concerning. Martim… look, we don’t need to open that can of worms. I’ve already established that I am horrific with my choice in fictional men, especially in Lisa books.
Like I said before, it feels a bit odd to be rating a middle grade book as an adult on Goodreads. But I honestly think this series is one of Lisa’s most accessible age wise. I generally believe a lot of ages will enjoy this story. I’m creating fan art as we speak.
Honestly, besides my ranting about how much I love the adults in these books, I think the plot of this one was the slowest out of all three. I think I gave this a 4 because of that amazing ending that I didn’t see coming! I just wish the rest of the book would have had that fast pace. But that is honestly very nit picky of me, and I enjoyed this book regardless of plot pace. I love the characters, the action, and the developing relationships so much.
Here’s me moving into book 4 next year with my questionable love of Troy and my even more questionable love of Martim.
October 2, 2023
The overarching narrative of the series slows down a bit here that makes this one feel like a wheel spinner, but still fun.
April 4, 2025
I’m hurt, like I’m genuinely not okay with what just happened. I feel betrayed and I’m not even one of these kids, the next book is going to be rough!
August 27, 2023
I listened to this audiobook via Libby- thank you Herrick.
I also own physical copies of this book! I love the series and the thought filled obstacles & story line. Great book for middle grade, but anyone will be entertained by it!
I also own physical copies of this book! I love the series and the thought filled obstacles & story line. Great book for middle grade, but anyone will be entertained by it!
August 29, 2023
Another slow start. The main action in the story is in the last 50 pages. The Elena character doesn't do much for the story line. And as a 'mother' she leaves a lot to be desired. Not sure why she is even in the story.
March 4, 2024
I can't with these cliffhangers...
They are torture.
I loved this book so much though!
They are torture.
I loved this book so much though!
October 8, 2023
Authors are so mean with their deliberate schemes and cliffhangers 😤😤
February 6, 2024
What worked:
The main characters are children with some of them possessing supernatural abilities. Some of their parents have talents too that include x-ray vision, invisibility, and reading minds. However, the adults are performing heists for President Fuertes in other countries which creates conflicts for their kids. The children still love their parents but having them be criminals creates complications. The parents’ feelings for their kids range from love to indifference, to disdain which results in further mental/emotional problems. The children aren’t sure how to feel when they discover a parent they’d presumed dead turns out to still be alive. What will happen when the kids are finally forced to fight their mothers and fathers?
The biggest initial change is that Cabot leaves the team to rejoin her parents. This creates complications for her character and her friends. Cabot’s parents are nice enough but she’s strongly opposed to them working with Fuertes. Also, Cabot realizes she’s beginning to manifest a talent and readers will anxiously wait to learn what she can do with it. Cabot’s friends don’t know if she’ll ever come back to them so they aren’t sure if she’s now become an enemy. Later, Lada goes undercover by joining Fuertes’s supers hoping to discover information about their abilities and plans. Having these two characters live among the antagonists is intriguing and adds an element of tension and uncertainty to the plot.
A highlight of the story is the interpersonal relationships between the Forgotten Five and their friends. Birdie acts as team leader when The Librarian’s not around and her little brother Brix is very sensitive and wants to contribute. Seven and Birdie have been best friends for years so they’re always watching out for each other. Tenner is developing feelings for Lada but it’s not clear if she sees him the same way. Lada suffers from cerebral palsy so she’s forced to use a wheelchair or crutches to move around, although she’s started to perfect her ability to transport. The cerebral palsy causes pain in her legs and Tenner volunteers to stretch the muscles and rub out the soreness. The story has many questionable characters with shifting loyalties but Birdie’s team members are forever supportive and loyal.
What didn’t work as well:
There are a lot of characters to remember. Some of them have supernatural powers and some don’t. The parents, other adults, and kids present a large number of characters and it gets hard to quickly recall all of their backstories and the abilities they possess. Most of the adult supers seem to know each other and it’s strange to see “good guys” and “bad guys” interact civilly in public. It’s confusing when Fuertes’s supers talk about The Librarian with Lada when The Librarian is leading the efforts against the president.
The final verdict:
This book continues the series’ drama and controversy concerning the rights of citizens with supernatural abilities. The motivations of many characters are brought into question this time so readers will become engrossed with the unpredictability of their actions. The new powers emerging in several of the children add enjoyment and intrigue. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.
The main characters are children with some of them possessing supernatural abilities. Some of their parents have talents too that include x-ray vision, invisibility, and reading minds. However, the adults are performing heists for President Fuertes in other countries which creates conflicts for their kids. The children still love their parents but having them be criminals creates complications. The parents’ feelings for their kids range from love to indifference, to disdain which results in further mental/emotional problems. The children aren’t sure how to feel when they discover a parent they’d presumed dead turns out to still be alive. What will happen when the kids are finally forced to fight their mothers and fathers?
The biggest initial change is that Cabot leaves the team to rejoin her parents. This creates complications for her character and her friends. Cabot’s parents are nice enough but she’s strongly opposed to them working with Fuertes. Also, Cabot realizes she’s beginning to manifest a talent and readers will anxiously wait to learn what she can do with it. Cabot’s friends don’t know if she’ll ever come back to them so they aren’t sure if she’s now become an enemy. Later, Lada goes undercover by joining Fuertes’s supers hoping to discover information about their abilities and plans. Having these two characters live among the antagonists is intriguing and adds an element of tension and uncertainty to the plot.
A highlight of the story is the interpersonal relationships between the Forgotten Five and their friends. Birdie acts as team leader when The Librarian’s not around and her little brother Brix is very sensitive and wants to contribute. Seven and Birdie have been best friends for years so they’re always watching out for each other. Tenner is developing feelings for Lada but it’s not clear if she sees him the same way. Lada suffers from cerebral palsy so she’s forced to use a wheelchair or crutches to move around, although she’s started to perfect her ability to transport. The cerebral palsy causes pain in her legs and Tenner volunteers to stretch the muscles and rub out the soreness. The story has many questionable characters with shifting loyalties but Birdie’s team members are forever supportive and loyal.
What didn’t work as well:
There are a lot of characters to remember. Some of them have supernatural powers and some don’t. The parents, other adults, and kids present a large number of characters and it gets hard to quickly recall all of their backstories and the abilities they possess. Most of the adult supers seem to know each other and it’s strange to see “good guys” and “bad guys” interact civilly in public. It’s confusing when Fuertes’s supers talk about The Librarian with Lada when The Librarian is leading the efforts against the president.
The final verdict:
This book continues the series’ drama and controversy concerning the rights of citizens with supernatural abilities. The motivations of many characters are brought into question this time so readers will become engrossed with the unpredictability of their actions. The new powers emerging in several of the children add enjoyment and intrigue. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.
March 11, 2024
Cabot chose to stay with her parents at the end of the last book, but being reunited is not what she dreamed it would be. They are so busy, they hardly have any time for her, even though they've been separated for years! She doesn't feel like she can trust them, even when her headaches turn into something weird going on with her eyes. Back at the base, the Librarian has created an opening for Lada to be recruited by President Fuerte's daughter and join his supers team to find out why he's putting together a team with superpowers and learn each of their strengths and weaknesses. Lada has to balance being friendly with reminding herself that these people are all potential foes. President Fuerte is extra tense as Tenner's mom has announced that she's running against him for the presidency. Birdie, Brix, Tenner, and Seven are honing their skills under the tutelage of Elena and the Librarian and trying to prepare for whatever President Fuerte is cooking up. They are also still hunting for the stash the parents hid somewhere.
This was my favorite book in the series so far. McMann did a superb job with the pacing and weaving in extremely subtle bits of foreshadowing that not everyone in the group is what they seem and allegiance lines are getting seriously convoluted and hard to completely suss out. The author dangles enough red herring bits of foreshadowing/hints in front of readers it was a race to the finish to find out what would really happen and what would be a surprise. There are some good twists in this one, which is why I gave it 5 stars. Excellent writing makes this hard to put down. Now to get my hands on book 4.
Notes on content:
Language: I don't remember any.
Sexual content: None
Violence: Fuerte's group of supers has some pushing matches with superpowers that means some bumps and bruises. There's a battle in which some people are injured and one person who was choking someone else is fatally stung.
Ethnic diversity: Characters are mentioned or depicted as White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. They are from a variety of made up countries.
LGBTQ+ content: None mentioned
Other: A parent threatens to kill their own child and physically hurts them. Several of the kids have abandonment issues. Human rights for those with superpowers is a huge part of the story.
This was my favorite book in the series so far. McMann did a superb job with the pacing and weaving in extremely subtle bits of foreshadowing that not everyone in the group is what they seem and allegiance lines are getting seriously convoluted and hard to completely suss out. The author dangles enough red herring bits of foreshadowing/hints in front of readers it was a race to the finish to find out what would really happen and what would be a surprise. There are some good twists in this one, which is why I gave it 5 stars. Excellent writing makes this hard to put down. Now to get my hands on book 4.
Notes on content:
Language: I don't remember any.
Sexual content: None
Violence: Fuerte's group of supers has some pushing matches with superpowers that means some bumps and bruises. There's a battle in which some people are injured and one person who was choking someone else is fatally stung.
Ethnic diversity: Characters are mentioned or depicted as White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. They are from a variety of made up countries.
LGBTQ+ content: None mentioned
Other: A parent threatens to kill their own child and physically hurts them. Several of the kids have abandonment issues. Human rights for those with superpowers is a huge part of the story.
February 20, 2025
This was SUPER good! I know this book seems like it is for people younger than me, but I found it hard to read, mostly because it was sad. The Forgotten Five plus one embarks on a mission to stop President Fuerte from becoming president again. Lada, who can teleport and shows signs of a new ability, volunteers to work undercover at the palace to see what the president is up to. Meanwhile, Cabot has shown no signs of a new ability until her eyes start glowing green. As the five plus one keep going, they find new information that they need to know, and some things they don't. When everything seems to be going well for them, one of their most trusted allies turns on them, and they are suddenly in danger. Read this book for more!
Heads up, there is a HUGE cliffhanger!!!!!
Heads up, there is a HUGE cliffhanger!!!!!
June 10, 2024
This is a fantastic, intriguing, suspenseful series! The characters are so diverse and well developed. My ONLY criticism of this book is how sappy it is. There’s always someone crying at every turn. Totally lost the emotional punch for me because of that. But overall, that’s just a minor irritation. Can’t wait to read the next book!
October 21, 2024
This was a great book in The Forgotten Five series! This book was really quick to read through, and I enjoyed the new characters that were developed. I found myself liking Lada more than before, so that was nice, too.
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November 16, 2024This one left me with more questions than I am accustomed to in a Lisa McMann book, some “plot holes” - used as nicely as possible-
The silliest being: Who would sell killer wasps and a venomous snake to a 13 year old girl without a guardian present? Birdie got her ears pierced without parental permission as well.
The silliest being: Who would sell killer wasps and a venomous snake to a 13 year old girl without a guardian present? Birdie got her ears pierced without parental permission as well.
June 29, 2023
I love the progression and growth of the characters. They work through tough situations and rely on each other in thief found family. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes them.
July 8, 2023
SPECTACULAR!! This is probably my favorite book of the three so far! The story develops in such great way! There are so many wonderful twists and turns! Such a great read!
September 8, 2023
Cliff hanger ending
September 25, 2023
Seriously! Finished over a month ago and my daughter still cant stop talking about how she can't wait for the next book in the series to know what happens to all the characters!!
October 14, 2023
Loved it. It has a very suspenseful cliff hanger.
October 15, 2023
Completely FABULOUS!!! This is a fantastic series. I can’t wait for the next installment.
November 26, 2023
Expletive you, McMann, for that cliffy! I’ve been waiting TWO BOOKS for the T-T reunion AND I STILL DON’T HAVE IT???? Rude.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2024
Enjoyable easy read. Did not enjoy as much as the first two books. Much slower.
February 8, 2024
I really like this series. The characters continue to evolve and the twists are great.
February 28, 2024
This was a great book. I give it 4 1/2 stars. It had alot of action in it. And friendship and family.
April 29, 2024
Good story, fun to read but nothing crazy. Prolly closer to 3.5 but I can’t do that.
June 28, 2024
Moving on to book 4. This is a great series.
August 19, 2024
I REALLY LOVE THESE KIDS
Troy's really grown on me
Troy's really grown on me
August 21, 2024
Fun, lots of surprises, and adventures galore! Great series for older elementary and up.
October 16, 2024
I think I liked this one the best so far. This was the first time I /had to/ have the next book right away.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews