Mister Max: The Book of Kings: Mister Max 3

Mister Max #3

by Cynthia Voigt, Iacopo Bruno

In Act III of Newbery Medalist Cynthia Voigt’s Mister Max trilogy, the solutioneer sets off to rescue his missing parents!
 
Ever since Max’s parents were spirited away on a mysterious ship, he has longed to find them.
 
He’s solved case after case for other people in his business as “solutioneer.” And he’s puzzled out the coded messages sent by his father. He doesn’t know exactly what’s happened, but he knows his parents are in danger—and it’s up to Max to save them.
 
Max and his friends (and a few old foes) don disguises and set sail on a rescue mission. It will take all of Max’s cleverness and daring to outmaneuver the villains that lie in power-hungry aristocrats, snake-handling assassins, and bombardier pastry chefs.

And behind the scenes, a master solutioneer is pulling all the strings.... Has Max finally met his match?
 
“Immensely appealing.” — The New York Times Book Review

“A perfect read-aloud, the story will appeal to fans of fantasy, adventure, mystery, and humor.” —The Christian Science Monitor

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Adventure, Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Childrens

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2015

About the author

Cynthia Voigt is an American author of books for young adults dealing with various topics such as adventure, mystery, racism and child abuse.


Awards:
Angus and Sadie: the Sequoyah Book Award (given by readers in Oklahoma), 2008
The Katahdin Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Anne V. Zarrow Award, for lifetime achievement, 2003
The Margaret Edwards Award, for a body of work, 1995
Jackaroo: Rattenfanger-Literatur Preis (ratcatcher prize, awarded by the town of Hamlin in Germany), 1990
Izzy, Willy-Nilly: the Young Reader Award (California), 1990
The Runner: Deutscher Jungenliteraturpreis (German young people's literature prize), 1988
Zilverengriffel (Silver Pen, a Dutch prize), 1988
Come a Stranger: the Judy Lopez Medal (given by readers in California), 1987
A Solitary Blue: a Newbery Honor Book, 1984
The Callender Papers: The Edgar (given by the Mystery Writers of America), 1984
Dicey's Song: the Newbery Medal, 1983

Reviews

[Frederic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was just a superb book! It's a little more intellectual than the first two, but really lets Max's personality come through and develop as he takes on a much more adult job. As an anthropologist I was particularly impressed with some of his reflections on performance and real-life -- without being at all obviously didactic it conveys some very sophisticated and subtle understandings. As with many good books for young people, the kids are more interesting than the adults, and I'd love to see more of his story, and of Pia!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the first two books in this series, however, this one can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I don't read a lot of MG, but this one was fun, and it has a little something for every one to enjoy: fantasy, adventure, and mystery. There are also pictures which add to the enjoyment of reading.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice wrap-up to a fun trilogy! This one wasn’t as entertaining without Pia’s little aggravations and because it was all one “case” rather than a series of smaller ones in the first two, which were always woven together in a clever way. But I still enjoyed it, the whole series would be great for a family read.

[Elinor Loredan]

Did not finish. The story simply felt dull and lifeless, and I could not care about the characters or plot. Granted, this is the third in the series, which I did not realize when I picked it up at a library sale. But I don't think that is the reason I could not feel interest in it. After not finishing Scions of Shannara either, I am officially in a reading slump.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and I wish there was a fourth. I thought it was different and unique.

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't hold my interest as much as the other 2 for some reason, but I did enjoy the conclusion to the trilogy.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the adventure, the build up to the rescuing. But, honestly, because the parents were away most of the other books (all of the second) you forget how annoying the father is, and I feel so bad for Max! You love them, but your parents are also imperfect with (sometimes) annoying traits. But the ending..... She should totally pick up this book three years later with Max becoming a spy for the king.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little convoluted

This one was more confusing than the first two. I’m still not sure I fully understand what happened. The series was still interesting in that it explored what could happen if someone could take on different identities.

At the beginning of the book I heard myself shout, “Plot twist!”

[Ita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I quite liked the first two books. They were charming, but this one was unsatisfying. The rescue plot required too much suspension of disbelief.

[Garry · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dissappointing ending to an otherwise delightful series. There was more book than there was plot.

[Sifath · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little boring but kept on reading to finish. 2 stars for well writing style. The expectations were higher than this. :(

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really don’t know how this series has given me such joy when reading, but it has. Again, this book seems like a simple book, one for younger readers, and I guess if you read it without expecting much, that’s the case. But I found so much more depth while reading it and it was amazing.

I had so many emotions throughout this book and at one point I wondered how on earth the author actually managed to create the experience like she did - I don’t know how to explain it, there’s just something about this book and it’s characters that is unlike anything I’ve read before. And it’s great.
This book also subtly uses point of view in a way that makes the book so much more interesting for the reader. Overall, you get a really deep insight into the main character’s mind, and the human mind in general. The one thing I didn’t like was what happened to Pia. As in, nothing happened. As in, she didn’t get an ending! Pia is probably THE most interesting supporting character and after so much mystery and confusion and ambiguity she just kinda stops after Max leaves Queensbridge. Her story was not at all wrapped up neatly, she wasn’t even mentioned by name a the end upon Max’s return. Maybe there’s a perfectly good reason, but I was left wondering what happened to Pia, even though from the book it’s plain to see that she is fine and just living as normal. But that doesn’t fit her. I was very disappointed that she didn’t get an ending.

However, the rest of the book (and it’s ending) is superb in a way I can’t describe.
I definitely recommend this series.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some entertaining plot twists that my kids loved and kept us all engaged in the story. I continue to have a hard time swallowing the deep and insightful introspection, perceptions, and deductions that are attributed to a 12-year-old boy. They are just too adult and it's not believable for me. This book more than any of the others set Max, a child, up as a peer to all of the adults in the story, to the point of Max continually becoming exasperated when the adults around him don't follow through with his plan in his way--and the writing inclines the reader to be sympathetic to poor Max, with all his brilliant plans being trampled on by inferior adults. This is a variation of the "all adults are dumb/incompetent" motif that pervades youth literature and I didn't like it. I loved the character development of Ari, though; I thought that was the highlight of this book.

[Jb Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

EEEEEE!!! just finished this book.
The series is intelligent and well paced, and one I'm always excited for. I was finally able to get my hands on a copy, after an exaggerated wait, and I was not disappointed!

I don't know if there will be another, but the possibility has me over the moon!
I would love to urge the author into continuing the series, in any way, shape or form, but I'm also happy with the way things ended. I want to know how his relationships develop and what kind of future is waiting for this solutioneer.

(I haven't written a review in a while, which I'm sorry for, but this was too good to not comment. Please write another one!!!)

[R. Fulleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Kings (#3 in the Mister Max Series) by Cynthia Voigt is the culmination of the series, though it definitely leaves itself open for further adventures of Mister Max.

In this book, Max is finally able to get to his parents. Max, who usually seems to work alone, definitely needs all the help he has assembled. With his parents in such a remote and controlled environment, Max's options are limited.

Again, my only criticism is the age of Max and Pia. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book for any confident reader and probably not so much for the reluctant readers who might benefit from a simpler vocabulary.

[Jessica F · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty satisfying conclusion. The twist at the beginning regarding Max's parents really set the stage well and made the rest of the plot more plausible. It was refreshing to finally see some action after all that filler in the second novel!

I'm not sure how middle graders would find this series. It's quite slow moving and I don't think the average middle grader has enough background knowledge to appreciate all the references to Shakespeare's works. It's a decent middle grade mystery, but not one I would be in a rush to recommend.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 8 year old really liked this series, but I think the age group who most would like it is 10-12 year olds. It is a fun read aloud series and I love how she makes so many connections to drama and Shakespeare. Also, in the third book, the adventure moves on South America, and gives kids an opportunity to learn more about that area of the world. The character development of the main character is well done. The story does seem to go on longer than it needs to at times, but if you pace the books, it is a charming story.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max Starling and his friends may just have a plan for rescuing his parents from their bizarre mission as the King and Queen of a country - but when they arrive and find tensions growing, will everything Max has learned from his time solutioning be enough to get everybody out safe? Voigt gives readers a fun and complex adventure that wraps up this trilogy with plenty of twists along the way. In a world beyond the laws he grew up with, Mister Max will have to think on his feet like never before!

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overwritten and taking way too long to get to the point. I’m sure that what seems like pointless asides will be important later on in the story but I simply don’t care. Some might be my fault in not rereading the first two titles. But it likely also just not being willing to give a top author a break when she writes something of poor quality. Not recommended unless you read and loved the first two.

[Aja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything Max has worked for comes to a head in this final installment in the Mister Max trilogy. Not only must he find a way to finally rescue his parents, who have secrets of their own that he had never before suspected, but he must somehow convince the king himself to assist him, as well as all of the friends he's made throughout his adventures. But will this band of misfits be able to pull off the rescue of a lifetime, or will they only turn the situation from bad to worse?

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third and final installment Mr. Max, the Solutioneer enlists friends and family to go to South America to help him in rescuing his parents held as hostages in Andesia. He and his crew battle foreign aristocrats and military officials all vying for money and treasure in this poor, mountainous country.

[K Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself skipping descriptions, and again was annoyed at the abrupt changes of points of views. Still, the soltioneer does good work. He finds ways to see a bigger picture, and more than one way to solve the problems before him.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun trilogy! Max is definitely way too sensitive, mature, smart and talented of an actor to be a twelve year old boy, but if you can overlook that detail you're in for a captivating adventure! I really like the dialog, the characters, and the compassion and wisdom of the main characters.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the acting and everything in this book but I'm surprised at how convoluted it became in the end. General Balor turned out to be quite the Mastermind and Max was able to be reunited with his parents but events in the country were so messy! Goodness!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yay, I finally finished this series. It was decent, but after 2.5 volumes, the end felt hasty and confusing and unsatisfying.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in the Mister Max series (?) certainly leaves room for a spinoff which is great for his fans.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good series. This is the last of the Mister Max series. The mystery of what his parents are doing in Andesia is solved. Max is a fine Solutioneer.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in this series. Great story for the juvenile reader and the adult reader who likes a little adventure and a light read.

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad I read all three books.
The ending was the best, but the reader would not understand it, if they had not waded through the other two.

[Ryan Lingsweiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for this book, 4 for the series as a whole.