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The Forgotten Five #5
Operation Chaos
X-Men meets Spy Kids in the fifth installment of The Forgotten Five middle-grade fantasy/adventure series by the New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds.
The Forgotten Five and their friends are reeling in the aftermath of the raid on Magdalia Palacio's campaign rally—an attack masterminded by her corrupt opponent President Fuerte and his henchmen. Birdie is in the hospital with a head injury, and under arrest for stealing a police horse in her attempt to evade capture. Separated from her friends—and not even allowed to see her mother—how can Birdie escape when she is utterly alone?
Then the Librarian is taken captive in the heavily guarded palace dungeon after Fuerte discovers she's been acting as a double agent. What will they do without their trusted mentor?
Luckily, the five have been honing their supernatural abilities, and it's Brix who takes the lead, forging an unlikely alliance and putting together a plan. Does the group have what it takes to rescue their friends and even the odds in the president's all-out war against Estero's supernaturals?
The Forgotten Five and their friends are reeling in the aftermath of the raid on Magdalia Palacio's campaign rally—an attack masterminded by her corrupt opponent President Fuerte and his henchmen. Birdie is in the hospital with a head injury, and under arrest for stealing a police horse in her attempt to evade capture. Separated from her friends—and not even allowed to see her mother—how can Birdie escape when she is utterly alone?
Then the Librarian is taken captive in the heavily guarded palace dungeon after Fuerte discovers she's been acting as a double agent. What will they do without their trusted mentor?
Luckily, the five have been honing their supernatural abilities, and it's Brix who takes the lead, forging an unlikely alliance and putting together a plan. Does the group have what it takes to rescue their friends and even the odds in the president's all-out war against Estero's supernaturals?
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
44 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Lisa McMann
60 books6,974 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 14, 2024
I’m the first written review for Goodreads. That feels wild to say!
Over 20 Lisa books read now, I can say I’m a mega fan. I’ll pretty much buy anything she writes. While I still have lots to go on her backlist, I’ve kept up with her new releases since the first Unwanteds Quests book. And I will say, this series is very underrated! I truly think this is a hidden gem, and more people need to read this series. Not me wanting to write fanfiction when none probably exists for this series yet lol. I gotta draw some fanart!!
This book was slow at times for me, but I honestly think that’s because as I age, the kid parts become less interesting to me. While I do love all of them, the adults steal the show for me every time. As the leader of the Troy Protection Squad, many scenes in this book had me emotional. He’s almost done with his path for redemption and I’m so proud! Elena had more of a spotlight in this book and I LOVE HER! Especially when she gave Martim a piece of her mind. Speaking of Martim, I love him??? But in a he’s so bad I hate him but also love him kind of way. He’s a very interesting villain, and I kind of want him to just dethrone Fuerte at some point. Now THAT would be drama packed. I want more Martim and I’m not ashamed to admit it. He’s so bad that it’s good.
Of course Lada and Tenner are cute! And Seven and Birdie! But let’s be for real, I think Brix has proven he’s the strongest member. Dude literally bounces and heals and is fine in like 5 seconds. What a powerful lil dude. His plan was amazing.
While I don’t fully understand the ending, I’m sure the next book will clear it up. Also can we talk about how beautiful the spines of these books are all together? They look great on my shelf. I could go on and on clearly about how great all the Forgotten Five books are. I’ll spare you. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!!
Over 20 Lisa books read now, I can say I’m a mega fan. I’ll pretty much buy anything she writes. While I still have lots to go on her backlist, I’ve kept up with her new releases since the first Unwanteds Quests book. And I will say, this series is very underrated! I truly think this is a hidden gem, and more people need to read this series. Not me wanting to write fanfiction when none probably exists for this series yet lol. I gotta draw some fanart!!
This book was slow at times for me, but I honestly think that’s because as I age, the kid parts become less interesting to me. While I do love all of them, the adults steal the show for me every time. As the leader of the Troy Protection Squad, many scenes in this book had me emotional. He’s almost done with his path for redemption and I’m so proud! Elena had more of a spotlight in this book and I LOVE HER! Especially when she gave Martim a piece of her mind. Speaking of Martim, I love him??? But in a he’s so bad I hate him but also love him kind of way. He’s a very interesting villain, and I kind of want him to just dethrone Fuerte at some point. Now THAT would be drama packed. I want more Martim and I’m not ashamed to admit it. He’s so bad that it’s good.
Of course Lada and Tenner are cute! And Seven and Birdie! But let’s be for real, I think Brix has proven he’s the strongest member. Dude literally bounces and heals and is fine in like 5 seconds. What a powerful lil dude. His plan was amazing.
While I don’t fully understand the ending, I’m sure the next book will clear it up. Also can we talk about how beautiful the spines of these books are all together? They look great on my shelf. I could go on and on clearly about how great all the Forgotten Five books are. I’ll spare you. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!!
July 12, 2025
Low four stars. This was a great addition to the series.
Overall, Lisa McMann’s writing style is always so satisfying to read. It flows very well and always makes this series a quick read for me. I do think she was a bit blunt in a lot of her wording, however. Specifically when describing character’s emotions, she tends to write out exactly what they’re feeling rather than let us see it. I do think it works well with how she writes, but it is a bit of a drawback to not leave anything up to interpretation.
In terms of story, this book was pretty solid. It’s a typical Forgotten Five book, with a few characters really getting the spotlight but everyone getting to shine and narrate at different points. The book felt like it was paced nicely, and I was interested throughout the whole story. While it is a little weird that the Forgotten Five series will have at least six (likely seven or more, based on the description for six) books, I don’t think this book felt like it was dragging its feet to draw out the story or anything. It was nice to get more character dynamics, but I do really wish we could see more of Estero City and Estero itself. The larger world was mentioned a lot in this one, but we haven’t really gotten to see it. Not an issue, but something I’d like to see in a future book.
Ok. There are a lot of characters now, so I’ll just briefly go over each.
Tenner needed more focus. He felt forgotten for a lot of the story, and even the author wrote in when he was narrating that he felt like he always had the same job. I know this wasn’t a book focusing on him, but I do want a bit more going forward.
Lada was really good in this one. I don’t have much to say, but it does really bother me at the end where she gets understandably upset about losing her crutches but then gets new ones (or has ordered new ones) 20 pages later. I loved her reaction to E-Kat’s reveal, though. It felt very realistic and I was glad it was handled that way.
E-Kat was a cool character to get more focus on, too. I hope we see more of her and her relationship with Lada going forward.
The Librarian remains slightly mysterious and mostly functioning as a plot device. She’s not bad, though, and she’s fun to read about, so no complaints from me.
Cabot also was a bit forgotten this time. Like Tenner, this wasn’t her book, but I do want more in the next ones, especially with her relationship with her parents.
Brix was great! It was very refreshing to finally get something from him, since we hadn’t really gotten that yet. I love his stubborn, supportive personality, and I also want more of him in the next books (do you see a theme yet?).
Birdie was really good. I loved how she was written in the beginning of the book, but outside of that I do think she was a bit forgotten, except with her relationship with Seven.
Seven himself might have been my favorite this time around. He has a lot of development with his mom and his ability, and it was great to see. Just good stuff overall.
Troy was great. He wasn’t in there too much, but what we did get was also really good.
And that’s it for me. Too many characters now to talk about them all.
I did think all the side characters were done really well, too. There is such a big cast in this series that it’s really hard to give everyone something to do and some development, but I think McMann has done a really good job overall.
In terms of villains, Martim is awful and I have a feeling he’ll be the main threat moving forward. While I don’t mind that, it does make Fuerte feel less important and less threatening. That was actually my problem with all the villains in this book: they keep losing. They really need one good win to keep feeling like an actual physical threat as well as political. Overall, they’re pretty good, though.
And that’s it. This book was great! I’m excited for the next one.
SERIES RATINGS:
Map of Flames: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Invisible Spy: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rebel Undercover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dangerous Allies: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Operation Chaos: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Masters of Disguise: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Forever Rogue: TBD
Overall, Lisa McMann’s writing style is always so satisfying to read. It flows very well and always makes this series a quick read for me. I do think she was a bit blunt in a lot of her wording, however. Specifically when describing character’s emotions, she tends to write out exactly what they’re feeling rather than let us see it. I do think it works well with how she writes, but it is a bit of a drawback to not leave anything up to interpretation.
In terms of story, this book was pretty solid. It’s a typical Forgotten Five book, with a few characters really getting the spotlight but everyone getting to shine and narrate at different points. The book felt like it was paced nicely, and I was interested throughout the whole story. While it is a little weird that the Forgotten Five series will have at least six (likely seven or more, based on the description for six) books, I don’t think this book felt like it was dragging its feet to draw out the story or anything. It was nice to get more character dynamics, but I do really wish we could see more of Estero City and Estero itself. The larger world was mentioned a lot in this one, but we haven’t really gotten to see it. Not an issue, but something I’d like to see in a future book.
Ok. There are a lot of characters now, so I’ll just briefly go over each.
Tenner needed more focus. He felt forgotten for a lot of the story, and even the author wrote in when he was narrating that he felt like he always had the same job. I know this wasn’t a book focusing on him, but I do want a bit more going forward.
Lada was really good in this one. I don’t have much to say, but it does really bother me at the end where she gets understandably upset about losing her crutches but then gets new ones (or has ordered new ones) 20 pages later. I loved her reaction to E-Kat’s reveal, though. It felt very realistic and I was glad it was handled that way.
E-Kat was a cool character to get more focus on, too. I hope we see more of her and her relationship with Lada going forward.
The Librarian remains slightly mysterious and mostly functioning as a plot device. She’s not bad, though, and she’s fun to read about, so no complaints from me.
Cabot also was a bit forgotten this time. Like Tenner, this wasn’t her book, but I do want more in the next ones, especially with her relationship with her parents.
Brix was great! It was very refreshing to finally get something from him, since we hadn’t really gotten that yet. I love his stubborn, supportive personality, and I also want more of him in the next books (do you see a theme yet?).
Birdie was really good. I loved how she was written in the beginning of the book, but outside of that I do think she was a bit forgotten, except with her relationship with Seven.
Seven himself might have been my favorite this time around. He has a lot of development with his mom and his ability, and it was great to see. Just good stuff overall.
Troy was great. He wasn’t in there too much, but what we did get was also really good.
And that’s it for me. Too many characters now to talk about them all.
I did think all the side characters were done really well, too. There is such a big cast in this series that it’s really hard to give everyone something to do and some development, but I think McMann has done a really good job overall.
In terms of villains, Martim is awful and I have a feeling he’ll be the main threat moving forward. While I don’t mind that, it does make Fuerte feel less important and less threatening. That was actually my problem with all the villains in this book: they keep losing. They really need one good win to keep feeling like an actual physical threat as well as political. Overall, they’re pretty good, though.
And that’s it. This book was great! I’m excited for the next one.
SERIES RATINGS:
Map of Flames: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Invisible Spy: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rebel Undercover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dangerous Allies: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Operation Chaos: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Masters of Disguise: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Forever Rogue: TBD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2025
still lots of action and perhaps a little too much personal drama, but I do like that people can change for the better
November 19, 2024
Im sorry you’re writing more than 5 books in the forgotten FIVE series?
October 19, 2024
I love that Lisa placed so much emotion into one book. The two reviews I saw on this book were not flattering. I think this book is a wonder, I'm so sad that I have to wait all the way till next year to read the next book, and as always there was a cliff hanger. I loved this book Lisa is so good at grabbing and taking a reader on a thrilling adventure.
January 13, 2025
Lisa McMann’s exciting superhero series continues with Cabot, Brix, Tenner, Seven, and Birdie and their team of friends in the city of Estero doing all they can to oust Fuerte from the presidency and fighting for the rights of supers who have long been forced to hide their abilities or risk imprisonment.
In book 5, family ties are the thread that weaves through the group’s attempt to change the views of most citizens and certainly the presidency. Tenner still struggles with the presence of his father on the team but is trying to accept the fact that Troy is no longer the self-centered, wealth-seeking man he once was. Seven, who is now almost 100% invisible, wants his mother to win the election, replacing the current president, but remembers the pain her neglectful parenting caused him, doubts her sincerity about reconciliation and is resentful of the young super she has adopted. Adding to all that familial angst, E-Kat discovered at the close of Dangerous Allies that Lada, the young and super ally with cerebral palsy, is her daughter. Amid efforts to figure how all the family parts are going to work, the team must accomplish two risky rescues, find new funding for all their efforts and implement additional ways of undermining President Fuerte and his right hand man, Martim, Seven’s father. Coming into his own throughout this book 5 is Brix, now clearly the master of his healing abilities and beginning to show real talent in seeing details and formulating tactics to help the team achieve their goals.
Character and relationship development are particularly strong throughout this entire series and book 5 is no exception. Whether it be family ties, budding romance, or the back and forth between enemies, readers are sure to find themselves drawn in to them all and are sure to find ways to make personal connections to many of them and when that last page is turned, will be wondering when book 6 will be published!
Text is free of profanity and sexual content and while there are chase scenes, some explosions, and a variety of different kinds of hand to hand combat, the violence is not gratuitous and is crucial to the plot. Recommended for grades 4-8.
In book 5, family ties are the thread that weaves through the group’s attempt to change the views of most citizens and certainly the presidency. Tenner still struggles with the presence of his father on the team but is trying to accept the fact that Troy is no longer the self-centered, wealth-seeking man he once was. Seven, who is now almost 100% invisible, wants his mother to win the election, replacing the current president, but remembers the pain her neglectful parenting caused him, doubts her sincerity about reconciliation and is resentful of the young super she has adopted. Adding to all that familial angst, E-Kat discovered at the close of Dangerous Allies that Lada, the young and super ally with cerebral palsy, is her daughter. Amid efforts to figure how all the family parts are going to work, the team must accomplish two risky rescues, find new funding for all their efforts and implement additional ways of undermining President Fuerte and his right hand man, Martim, Seven’s father. Coming into his own throughout this book 5 is Brix, now clearly the master of his healing abilities and beginning to show real talent in seeing details and formulating tactics to help the team achieve their goals.
Character and relationship development are particularly strong throughout this entire series and book 5 is no exception. Whether it be family ties, budding romance, or the back and forth between enemies, readers are sure to find themselves drawn in to them all and are sure to find ways to make personal connections to many of them and when that last page is turned, will be wondering when book 6 will be published!
Text is free of profanity and sexual content and while there are chase scenes, some explosions, and a variety of different kinds of hand to hand combat, the violence is not gratuitous and is crucial to the plot. Recommended for grades 4-8.
October 16, 2024
Actually I would give this book 4.5 stars but because I have not read the previous four books. I read this one because the author was coming to the bookstore in which I work. As a consequence I had to fill in some blanks due to my lack of knowledge of the other books in this series.
I really enjoyed this book, and as a former special education teacher I am always thrilled when an author depicts a differently abled-child in a positive way, and Lisa has gone way beyond that with her depiction of Lada. There are surprising new relationships, and Lisa’s great imagination comes through on every page.
I really enjoyed this book, and as a former special education teacher I am always thrilled when an author depicts a differently abled-child in a positive way, and Lisa has gone way beyond that with her depiction of Lada. There are surprising new relationships, and Lisa’s great imagination comes through on every page.
December 8, 2024
I have really liked this series, but with this being book #5 and some of the same problems occurring as in previous books, just for different characters, it feels like this runs the risk of dragging on too long or abruptly ending. I am hoping for a good solid conclusion for this series.
December 29, 2024
Oh. My. Goodness!!! Operation Chaos might be my favorite Forgotten Five yet!! 😄
I loved getting to find out more about E-kat, the librarian, Magdalia! I also love how Troy has been growing 💗
And the ending?! Complete and total shock!!! I can't wait for book 6!!!!!
I loved getting to find out more about E-kat, the librarian, Magdalia! I also love how Troy has been growing 💗
And the ending?! Complete and total shock!!! I can't wait for book 6!!!!!
October 21, 2024
It's crazy being 4th written review and 15th total review!
Yet again, another amazing addition to this series (as always) and I am thrilled to read the next book.
Yet again, another amazing addition to this series (as always) and I am thrilled to read the next book.
October 28, 2024
Not a five star book but I love my little team of superhumans
January 14, 2025
A fun book and an interesting plot twist at the end.
January 18, 2025
Why did the style of the cover art change? I liked it as it was! Book was great though
March 11, 2025
The series is beginning to drag.
March 14, 2025
I absolutely love this!
May 25, 2025
Brix, Brix, Brix, why did it take this long to give Brix some book time? I’m not sure but I’m glad they did. Also, Sabine is awesome!
June 12, 2025
Great story. I can hardly wait for the next book.
August 16, 2025
read aloud with daughter
September 26, 2025
Another slam dunk for Ms. McMann!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews