Payback

Masterminds #3

by Gordon Korman

From the master of middle grade, Gordon Korman, comes the final book in the bestselling Masterminds series — about a group of kids who discover they were cloned from the DNA of some of the greatest criminal masterminds in history.

After a serious betrayal from one of their former friends, the clones of Project Osiris are on the run again. Now, separated into pairs, Eli and Tori and Amber and Malik are fighting to survive in the real world.

Amber and Malik track down the one person they think can help them prove the existence of Project Osiris, notorious mob boss Gus Alabaster, also known as Malik’s DNA donor. But as Malik gets pulled into the criminal world — tantalized by hints of a real family — his actions put him and Amber into greater danger.

Eli and Tori get sucked into even bigger conspiracies as they hunt down Project Osiris’s most closely guarded secret — who does Eli’s DNA come from?

With a surprising new ally, and another cross-country adventure, the four will have to work together and overcome the worst parts of themselves if they are going to end Project Osiris once and for all.

Genres: Middle Grade, Adventure, Science Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Young Adult

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2017

About the author

Gordon 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.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a great conclusion to the trilogy. They are finally able to find out why Osiris was founded, who was responsible, and how many clones there are. These are great books and I'm so glad that I took the time to finish the series. The narrators were excellent. If you haven't read these books check them out now. I will be doing a full review soon!

[Rizwan Khalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I have ever read 900+ pages in under 5 days. This mindblowing, breathless, nonstop twisty thrillride of The Masterminds Trilogy by the one and only mastermind of middle-grade fiction Gordon Korman did that!

Unpredictable storyline throughout, brilliant characterizations of four unique and vastly different main characters, gradual quiet dread building up for a Hitchcockian creepy thriller of the first book (Masterminds) that goes allout pedal-to-the-metal chase suspense - which is also another kind of Hitchcockian thriller - in the second book (Criminal Destiny) and after endless twist-turns reaching to the bloodpumping epic finale with a perfect satisfying ending in this final book (Payback), containing all the trademark Korman-styled thirteen year olds' coming of age character study of growing up complexes and relationship dynamics, and with an ethical nature-versus-nurture conundrum thrown in. This was my 15th GK novel since last month, and looks like there's no end of absolute five star reads from the writer yet.

Still, in this day and age (38 and counting), can't stopping myself inhaling more than 900 pages (around 300 each book) in five days?? DAMN. Bravo, Mr. Korman!

5 gold stars out of 5, for the third book as well as the whole trilogy.

[Zyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

PRE-BOOK REVIEW:

Okay, so I've only read through a wonderful 5 chapter sample, which you can read here: https://issuu.com/harpercollinschildr...

But so far it is AMAZING! Things that are so far giving me feels:

-MALIK CRACKING AND APOLOGIZING TO AMBER ON THE CAMPER
-TORI AND ELI ARGUING OVER WHO'S TURN IT IS TO CARRY GROCERIES
-ELI AND TORI TAKING SHELTER IN BOXES BEHIND A GROCERY STORE
-TORI AND ELI INHALING GIRL SCOUT COOKIES
-MALIK SAYING THAT HECTOR WAS A TRAITOR
-AMBER AND MALIK WALKING OUT OF THE POLICE STATION, AND AMBER *TRYING* TO HOLD HIS HAND
-MALIK TELLING GUS THAT HE'S HIS SON
-GUS ALABASTER THINKING THAT MALIK AND AMBER ARE A COUPLE (is it going to be like that one episode of TIMELESS where Lucy and Wyatt pretend to be a couple? Because that would be beautiful)
-MALIK SAYING THAT AMBER LOOKS PUNK
-TORI PRETENDING TO BE A GIRL SCOUT


AFTER BOOK REVIEW:

HOLY FREAKING CRAP I'M FEELING SO MUCH

THINGS THAT GAVE ME FEELS:

-AMBER AND MALIK PRETENDING TO BE A COUPLE
-MALIK'S OBSESSION WITH TATER TOTS
-MALIK CALLING AMBER BY HER REAL NAME WHEN SPEAKING OUTLOUD
-TORI LIKING BLAKE UPTON
-ELI BEING JEALOUS OF BLAKE
-AMBER DECIDING TO VOLUNTEER AT A SOUP KITCHEN
-A HOMELESS DUDE STANDING UP FOR AMBER
-TORI FANGIRLING OVER ALL THE CELEBRITIES SHE'S SEEING
-ELI AND TORI NOT KNOWING WHAT TWITTER IS
-TORI REMEMBERING WHEN SHE TOLD AMBER THAT ELI WAS REALLY GOOD LOOKING
-ELI PRETENDING TO BE BLAKE UPTON
-MALIK WANTING TO GO BACK FOR AMBER
-MALIK TRYING TO JUMP OUT OF A MOVING CAR SO THEY'LL GO BACK FOR AMBER
-AMBER ATTACKING A POLICE MAN WITH MASHED POTATOES
-GUS ALABASTER DYING (I got so teary eyed during that)
-THE POLICE ARRIVING AT GUS ALABASTER'S HOUSE FOR AMBER
-ELI AND BLAKE UPTON GOING TO SEE BARTHOLOMEW
-TORI HAVING TO PRETEND TO BE ELI AND BLAKE'S MOM
-ELI FINDING OUT THAT HE'S A CLONE OF TAMARA DUNLEAVY
-ELI COMING BACK AND FINDING TORI ALL TIED UP
-TAMARA DUNLEAVY KIDNAPPING THE KIDS
-THE REUNION SCENE
-TAMARA DUNLEAVY TAKING THEM IN
-THE KIDS BEING SO HAPPY WITH HER (in a way, it reminded me of how happy the Baudelaires were when they lived with Uncle Monty in THE REPTILE ROOM)
-THE KIDS FINDING OUT WHERE THE OTHER CLONES ARE
-AMBER DESTROYING HER NIGHTSTAND BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T THINK SHE WAS A GOOD PERSON
-THE KIDS LEAVING TAMARA DUNLEAVY TO FIND THE CLONES
-MALIK'S REACTION TO THE BENTLEY
-ELI AND TORI LEANING ON EACH OTHER
-MALIK AND AMBER PROBABLY SLEEPING NEXT TO EACH OTHER
-MALIK THINKING ABOUT JAWS ON THE BOAT
-THE KID'S REACTION TO TORI HOPPING BALCONIES TO GET THEM BATHING SUITS
-THE KIDS FINDING ROBBIE
-ROBBIE'S REACTION TO PROJECT OSIRIS
-HECTOR TELLING ROBBIE TO BELIEVE ELI, AMBER, MALIK, AND TORI
-MALIK SAYING THE HE DOESN'T TRUST HECTOR
-FREDDIE KICKING WATER INTO HECTOR'S FACE
-HECTOR JUMPING ON MARGARET AND PENELOPE'S RAFT
-AMBER SEEING HER REAL MOM
-ALDWIN HUGGING AMBER WHEN HE SEES HER
-FELIX HAMMERSTROM POINTING A GUN AT ELI'S CHEST
-HECTOR TACKLING FELIX TO SAVE ELI
-ELI PUSHING TORI OUT OF THE WAY WHEN FISH AND SHARKS AND MANTA RAY WERE FALLING
-FELIX HAMMERSTROM BEING DEAD
-TAMARA DUNLEAVY ADOPTING ALL THE KIDS
-ELI, AMBER, MALIK, ALDWIN, ROBBIE, BEN, AND MARGARET STARTING HIGHSCHOOL
-TORI, HECTOR, FREDDIE, AND PENELOPE STARTING EIGHTH GRADE
-ELI NEVER FORGETTING WHEN HIM TORI WERE IN THE WAREHOUSE
-MALIK TELLING THEM WHAT GUS TOLD HIM
-ELI, AMBER, MALIK, AND TORI JUMPING INTO EACH OTHER'S ARMS
-THE END OF THE BOOK (Fluids leaked out of my eyeballs...)

Whew, 4 hours, wowie

I just have one critique:

WHY DIDN'T ELI AND TORI KISS UGH I SHIP THEM TOO HARD FOR NOTHING TO HAPPEN

UPDATE:

My grandpa read it and loved so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

[Yusuf · Rating 5 out of 5]

good bang to the end of a great series. WHY DOES IT HAVE TO END!!!!!!!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly would have loved for this series to go on for another two or three more books, I was having that much fun with it. What a wild and exciting ride it was. So glad I got to go along on it. I know so many kids who are just crazy about these books, (and some adults too!). It's definitely a series to recommend to middle grade students who love stories with lots of excitement and adventure.

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Payback it is...  
 
 
Yes! I finished book 3 in the Masterminds series. This one was just as good as the first two. There is a part in the middle where I was like, wait it seems over but half the book is still left, then the action started again. There were some twists that young readers may not see coming.
 
There are even more impossible things in this book than the last one, but kids will love it even more because of the crazy, adventurous things the characters do. 
 
This is an enjoyable, thrilling adventure series with something for girls and boys both. Highly recommended to 4th & 5th graders, especially.

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this final installment of Gordon Korman's excellent trilogy about kids who find out they are clones of criminal masterminds and the subjects of a research study called Project Osiris, the story is brought to a satisfying conclusion. This trilogy is so good that I would recommend it not only to middle-graders but also to teens and adults.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son read on ahead of me he loved the book so much. I finished the series on my own. I recommend this adventure for boys or girls ages 10-13, and their parents who enjoy sharing & discussing stories with their kids.

[gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit repetitive in this one, but still enjoyable.
Where's the next book at???

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great end to the series. My 5th graders loved it!

[Emu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just made me so happy and now I'm sad it's over 😊😭

[✨Gayatri ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was so good! I just wish something more had happened with Eli and Tori. But still rly good!

Also, how came books like this end? Like, they have a last page. Can i file a complaint?

[Melissa Feyen-carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great end to an entertaining trilogy! I enjoyed the twist and turns of the plot, and the development of interesting characters.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of book #2 Masterminds: Criminal Destiny, the four cloned friends , Eli and Tori, Malek and Amber get separated after betrayal from one of their own. Now, they are attempting to survive while also trying to outwit and escape the inhabitants and community of Serenity, New Mexico, where life was perfect...that is, perfectly twisted in a science-fiction sort of way.

Figuring that they need to get some answers about their beginnings and the DNA that contributed to their existence, they try to gather information about the real criminal masterminds they come from. Eventually the four find their way back to each other and share gathered information. And, while some information is helpful, the most shocking news comes from one of the original founders of Project Osiris. Turns out that this person, now an opponent of the macabre project, is willing to help the clones live out a normal life.

They also learn that the other clones and the leaders of Serenity are hiding out in the Bahamas. It becomes their mission to help the others break out from under the control of these so-called parents and learn the truth, the difficult truth, that Eli, Tori, Amber, and Malik found out many months ago.

We are taken on a thrilling adventure, full of thievery, mayhem, and close-calls, throughout the United States and into foreign waters to see this come to a satisfying conclusion. Does DNA make the person...or can one overcome their genetic make-up? Lots to talk about, lots to think about, all wrapped up in a thrilling story sure to hook kids into reading the Masterminds trilogy.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!! Payback does not disappoint!

[Hadis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was
INCREDIBLE!
And nothing left to say

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling finale to the trilogy, action-packed and genuinely moving. Brilliantly narrated on audio. I'm genuinely going to miss these characters!

[Andrea K · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh maybe because i got side tracked but felt longer and even more unrealistic that was ... confusing.. also didnt like the ending lol but sure

[Cheryl Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome final book of Korman’s Mastermind Trilogy! An enticing, page turner read! Masterfully written for kids as well as adults!

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few years ago mid-summer, Korman published his 100th book. Yes, you read that correctly, his hundredth book. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then, I have read over 40 of his books. With each one I read I am entertained and often challenged. My son often reads these books to me or with me. I picked up this to read on summer break. The first book in this series really got me thinking after reading it I asked my youngest two children and a couple of their friends what there would do if they found out what the kids in this story did. They all reacted differently, and they all want to read the book. The second book takes it to a whole new level. This finale was even more surprising.

My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago, when he was given one as an end of year gift by his teacher. She gave the whole class the same Scholastic edition and wrote a note to each student in their copy of the book. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues series and had enjoyed them. My son and I have mostly been reading his more recent titles. I do not read what Korman’s books are about anymore. Now I am alternating between his oldest I have not read and the current releases. I have read about 30 over the last year. Even though I knew a lot from the first volume in this series this one still took me completely by surprise. The series consists of:

Masterminds
Masterminds Criminal Destiny
Masterminds Payback

In Canada the first was published by Scholastic, in the US from Harper Collins and is now in reprint under the Balzer + Bray imprint.

The description of this volume states:

“The clones of Project Osiris are on the run again. Now separated into pairs, Eli and Tori and Amber and Malik are fighting to survive in the real world.

Amber and Malik track down the one person they think can help them prove the existence of Project Osiris, notorious mob boss Gus Alabaster, also known as Malik’s DNA donor. But as Malik gets pulled into the criminal world—tantalized by hints of a real family—his actions put him and Amber into greater danger.

Eli and Tori get sucked into even bigger conspiracies as they hunt down Project Osiris’s most closely guarded secret—who does Eli’s DNA come from? With a surprising new ally and another cross-country adventure, the four will have to work together to overcome the worst parts of themselves if they are going to end Project Osiris once and for all.”

Like many of Korman’s other books this one is written in a series of first person narratives. Each chapter title is the name of the narrator for that chapter. There are a couple of other authors I read who use this method, and Korman is one of the masters. The narrators are:

Eli Frieden - 8
Amber Laska - 6
Malik Bruder - 7
Hector Amani - 1
Tori Pritel - 5

The number beside their name is the number of chapters they narrated. Eli’s father was the lead scientist behind the experiment so he continues to dominate the narrative. But some of them are much closer in count in this volume compared to the first. Hector plays a much smaller role in this one because the other 4 have been separated from him for a while, and there is still a lot of animosity on that front.

This book another fascinating read! The subject tackled and how Korman goes about it is wonderfully executed. The characters are wonderfully written. The story is very intriguing. I could literally not put this book down. I finished it in 2 sessions over one day. This time there were plot twists that I just did not see coming. I greatly enjoyed watching the children try to figure out a plan rescue the other clones and find a way to thrive in a world they were never prepared for.

This story is darker than may of Korman’s offerings, including one death. The pace is excellent. The characters are masterfully written. This is a story young readers will latch onto and be desperate to know what happens next! Every child from 9-15 that I have asked what they would do if they found out what the kids in this series did have wanted to read the story. It is such an intriguing premise and Korman continued to execute it in a most excellent manner!

My only regret is this is the end of the story. I would love to have a book set 5-10 years in the future and where things went from her. Another great read from Korman’s masterful pen.

[Cleo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Joe Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a book for people who love the author Gordon Korman. This book is the 3rd book in the masterminds series.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to the Masterminds series. Definitely check this out.

[Max Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

exciting

[Kenidi (Didi) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
This series was seriously so much fun to read! I love the character development and how it kept you on the edge of your toes wondering if they really are going to turn as bad as their DNA.

Nature Vs Nurture experiment book at its finest 🤝🏻

”Tori manages to get herself upright and into her belt. ‘You’re never going to believe this,’ she beams at me. ‘That guy tipped me five bucks!’
I almost steer into the ditch. ‘That’s it? That’s all you got out of what just happened? You were nearly kidnapped!’
‘Well, yeah. There’s that.’”💫

”Malik turns off the car and gets out. ‘All right, let’s go.’
Amber points to the sign at the curb. ‘This is a no-parking zone.’
Malik stares at her. ‘We stole a quarter-million-dollar car and you’re worried about getting a ticket?’
In the end, we make him pull around into the lot.”💫

I love when the characters are so unserious😭

[Payton_laforteza · Rating 4 out of 5]

My opinon of this book is that I think this book was a good, quick, page-turner book. From start to finish this book has led me on a wild goose chase. Norman did a very good job of putting in jumps of suspense that you couldn't see coming. It has you wondering what comes next. I don't think that their was anytime in the book that I got bored or uninterested. Its a quick read and totally kid friendly. The writing was pretty simple not to complex or had powering words. The weaknesses that the book has is that Payback doesn't really end, it always has something after something which gets pretty tiring to read, and also the ending leads you to make a conclusion of, 'well what happens next' and it seems like it keeps on going. I have read the first and second books of the series. In the first one it was pretty slow, not quick to the suspense. The second was a little slow but then caught up after a couple chapters. If you're looking for a book with a lot of suspense and kid friendly, well than this is the book. With words that can help you visualze what's really happening and a plot that never really ends, well than this is the book. Simply wonderful.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm terrible at remembering details about books in series while waiting for the next book to come out. Book 2 in this series did a great job recapping book 1, but this book 3 assumed that the reader remembered a lot more. Even after finishing this book 3, I still don't remember some of the details of things it alluded to. This book was still interesting to me because the whole premise of the series is really fun and very creative, and I wasn't totally lost--I remembered a lot of stuff from book 2, but just not everything I really needed to. So don't let my mediocre rating dissuade you from reading this series. I think I would have enjoyed this third book a lot more if I had read the series all back to back instead of having to wait a year between each book. Overall, this was a really fun series.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book again! Basically agree with everything my past self said about it. The cover is awesome.


ORIGINAL REVIEW:


I loved this book! I mean, I didn't like the whole gangster part of it (that was weird) but otherwise, it was great! The plot twist for Eli's clone was really well played. It totally fit! But I did suspect that The Crossword Killer wasn't him.
One thing I wasn't totally happy with was the whole Eli-Tori thing! Korman openly declared about it (book one: You'd have to live in a closet not to notice that she's been developing a crush on Eli) (book three: Eli got totally jealous) but he DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I was totally shipping it! It was so well done! But nothing! I was waiting during all of book three for something. *sob*

[Jtimko · Rating 5 out of 5]

The clones from the Osiris Project have escaped and are now working in pairs to discover who their clone donors really are. Amber and Malik discover that Malik’s donor is an infamous gangster while Eli and Tori are attempting to discover Eli’s donor- a closely guarded secret.
This is the final book in the Mastermind series. The book is filled with action, suspense and mystery. Of the three books in the series, this one is the best. It was hard to turn that last page and realize that the end of the Osiris Project was now. Fans of Korman will enjoy this book. It is perfect for the middle school reader- both boy and girl. Highly recommended for grades 5 through 8.