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The Greystone Secrets #3
The Messengers
In the conclusion to the Greystone Secrets series, the Greystones and their doubles, the Gustanos, must team up to save the alternate world—before both worlds are lost.
As book three of the Greystone Secrets series opens, the Greystone kids have their mother back from the evil alternate world, and so does their friend Natalie. But no one believes the danger is past.
Then mysterious coins begin falling from unexpected places. They are inscribed with codes that look just like what the Greystones’ father was working on before he died. And with the right touch, those symbols transform into words: PLEASE LISTEN. And FIND US, SEE US, HELP US. . . .
The coins are messengers, telling the Greystones and their allies that their friends in the alternate world are under attack—and that the cruel, mind-controlling forces are now invading the better world, too.
After another spinning, sliding journey across worlds, the Greystone kids must solve mysteries that have haunted them since the beginning: what happened when the Gustanos were kidnapped, what created the alternate world, and how a group of mismatched kids can triumph once and for all against an evil force that seems to have total control.
As book three of the Greystone Secrets series opens, the Greystone kids have their mother back from the evil alternate world, and so does their friend Natalie. But no one believes the danger is past.
Then mysterious coins begin falling from unexpected places. They are inscribed with codes that look just like what the Greystones’ father was working on before he died. And with the right touch, those symbols transform into words: PLEASE LISTEN. And FIND US, SEE US, HELP US. . . .
The coins are messengers, telling the Greystones and their allies that their friends in the alternate world are under attack—and that the cruel, mind-controlling forces are now invading the better world, too.
After another spinning, sliding journey across worlds, the Greystone kids must solve mysteries that have haunted them since the beginning: what happened when the Gustanos were kidnapped, what created the alternate world, and how a group of mismatched kids can triumph once and for all against an evil force that seems to have total control.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 6, 2021
153 people are currently reading
3540 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Peterson Haddix
130 books6,339 followersMargaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
April 25, 2022
The trilogy has come to an end. What will happen with Chess, Emma, and Finn? What about their doubles in this world? This is a very busy book with lots of action and reaction. What I found most compelling about the plot was the clear depiction of the seduction of screens and the negative consequences. Quite a few applications can be made to our current world.
June 18, 2021
This was the final book in the Greystone Secrets trilogy, and sadly the weakest of the three. I still read it quickly, alternating between print and audio, and love the structure of this series where each chapter shifts perspectives between the three siblings. However, the answers to all the great questions and intrigue built up on the first two books felt very contrived in this one. The book seemed to just spin in place with very little actually happening, especially considering how long it is. A bit of a let down, especially because the first book was just SO good.
May 17, 2024
Felt like we didn't need this book and she could have ended it on the last book
January 22, 2025
This last book in this trilogy was a bit underwhelming and my least favorite in the series. Many times throughout the book I had just wanted it to end. Took me longer to finish this than the other two. I didn’t have much enjoyment. The best part and most memorable to me was at the very beginning. I like the beginning as it felt intense as it involved a chase sequence. Unfortunately, I didn’t care much about the middle or end. The middle of the book felt slow and just had characters talking with not much going on. This book probably could have been squeezed in the second book to make this series a duology instead of a trilogy. Just glad to finished to start a better book.
January 4, 2022
This is a pretty cute series and I love the relationship among the siblings. Finn is adorable, Emma is a borderline genius, and Chess is a good leader and big brother. The alternate world with doubles of everyone is interesting and fun and I've enjoyed following the characters through the three books.
I didn't like this one quite as much as the others, maybe because the plot was similar to book two. I still had a good time listening to it though and the narrator for these does a great job bringing the siblings to life. This wraps up the series nicely, including Chess finally doing something about his crush on Natalie. I hope Haddix writes another middle grade series after this!
I didn't like this one quite as much as the others, maybe because the plot was similar to book two. I still had a good time listening to it though and the narrator for these does a great job bringing the siblings to life. This wraps up the series nicely, including Chess finally doing something about his crush on Natalie. I hope Haddix writes another middle grade series after this!
October 20, 2021
For literally half the book I just skimmed and flipped through. In every single chapter someone gets hypnotized by the TVs and then when they’re pulled away they’re like “oh my gosh! You saved me!” It gets old very quickly. It’s a weird add on to the first and second books. It’s very childish. The kids switch back and forth between being way too smart and being incredibly gullible. It’s been down hill ever since the first book.
November 23, 2021
The series is good, but the ending feels a little week.
March 4, 2024
4 stars
A nice ending to this trilogy. Though I still liked this story, I'm glad this is the final book. It felt like I was ready to say goodbye.
Characters 8
Atmosphere 8
Writing Style 9
Premise 8
Execution/Plot 8
Execution/Pace 9
Execution/Setup 8
Enjoyment/Engrossment 8
Narration 9
November 1, 2021
I almost DNFed this one. The sociopolitical overtones that had been present in the other books became unbearable in this one. It presented the problems and evils present in government and media without offering actual solutions.
This book felt bloated. The dialogue dragged on and on. The same thoughts and fears were repeated over and over. It was depressing to read and I couldnt wait to be done with it. And honestly the coins confused me so much. Were they messages or teleportation devices or wards against lies?
While I think the world building and initial plot of book 1 was really interesting, the story just got more and more convoluted as the series went on and I didnt feel satisfied at the end, just annoyed and depressed.
This book felt bloated. The dialogue dragged on and on. The same thoughts and fears were repeated over and over. It was depressing to read and I couldnt wait to be done with it. And honestly the coins confused me so much. Were they messages or teleportation devices or wards against lies?
While I think the world building and initial plot of book 1 was really interesting, the story just got more and more convoluted as the series went on and I didnt feel satisfied at the end, just annoyed and depressed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2021
The conclusion to the Greystone mysteries was just okay. I didn’t like the direction the plot took in this final book and really wanted resolution with the main characters of the story, instead many new characters were introduced and there wasn’t a sense of resolution with the characters we came to know and love.
September 3, 2022
Maybe this series just came across my lap at the wrong time, but it fell pretty flat for me after book 1 absorbed me so much. 🤷♀️
August 3, 2021
Rating: 3.8 / 5
Wow, talk about downgrading your story! This is, I think, a classic case of a story that an author has brought to such a point that they no longer know what to do with it, but because they're under contractual obligations to write something, whatever they dish out is what happens to be printed.
Whether it's up to par or not.
Now, it's not like The Greystone Secrets was the be-all, end-all of any book series I've ever read, because it isn't. BUT, the second book really
Hmm................................
Perhaps I'd better explain the mistakes that Haddix made, as simply as I can:
1. Replacing Natalie with Kona and Kafi, which is exactly what she does
Maybe she thought that substituting two characters for one would make up for Natalie's absence, but I just don't understand why she would take Natalie out of the story in the first place. I mean, she's been built up in the series right alongside Chess, Emma, and Finn, so she's the four member of their fearless foursome. Why would Haddix change that? The ONLY reason that I could think of was that Natalie was maybe too powerful, as an expert liar and, of course, having already established a connection with Other-Natalie, maybe having her in the story would've moved the action too quickly and brought on a conclusion too soon. Maybe. And...yeah, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't see that happening.
Still though, I wouldn't have replaced her and then just brought her back in at the end. Not after 2 books of convincing us as readers that she's an awesome character and thereby having us form an attachment to her. That's like replacing Ron with Neville Longbottom in just The Deathly Hallows and expecting it to have the same impact. Trust me, it won't.
That being said, I did like Kona and Kafi as characters, it's just that we haven't been around them long enough to be able to form the same connection as to Natalie. And what did I learn about these two girls during this book? Well...er...that Kafi's a baby and Kona's also smart like Emma, I guess? (And if that's all I can come up with, believe you me, you know that there's a problem.)
2. Putting TOO MUCH exposition into a new concept
No. Just no. You don't do that. And just to make things clear, while I'm not against introducing either a new concept or idea in the third book of a trilogy, that idea should expand on what's been done in the past two books in a clear, relatable way. Therefore the exposition to this new idea is short, to the point, and doesn't need a re-explanation for everything because those who've read the first two books will already have a good idea of what's going on.
....YEAH, the whole idea with the coins is not like that. The ideas with the air gas-bombs and using the TV for propaganda mind control both fit in, but NOT the idea with the coins. That's like...well, like Emperor Palpatine being brought in for The Rise of Skywalker: it just doesn't connect to the other two parts of the trilogy smoothly, and therefore stands out like a sore thumb and requires a lot of explanations and questions that will never be answered.
And really, having to explain and figure out so much about the coins, apart from not connecting to the other two books all that well, just requires a lot of explanation and back-and-forth guessing for how they work. Ultimately, by the end, there are still questions that aren't answered, like who sent Rocky his coin, or how everyone from the good world knew to believe and trust in the coins, and not to mention that scene at the end with multiple world's that's just...like out of nowhere and a forced climax.
Sorry, Haddix, but I think there were better conclusions you could've had to this series in terms of conflict. Ahem, if I might suggest a few:
+ having an epic reveal that maybe the Greystones' father isn't really dead and that he's behind the revolutionary movement that were responsible for constructing the levers. Maybe the book could even have started off by Chess thinking that he's seeing his dad, whereas really it's the good-world's version of the dad and by following him they find out that he was in kahoots with the Greystones' dad all along in trying both to shut down the travelling between worlds as well as expose the totalitarian government in the bad world
+ bringing in the governor/president evil characters as the ultimate villains that Mayor Mayhew alludes to, and maybe making them the big final villains with the Mayor having a change of heart to protect his family at the last minute
+ or, here's an idea: having a LOT more back and forth between the tunnel travelling between the two worlds, just to keep readers on edge with where the mind control is happening and where they could be trapped. Keep the stakes high, but also make them more personal at the same time as teh Greystones fight not only for justice and truth, but to keep themselves and their family free.
I'm just saying, there were so many other, more interesting and less complicated ways that this story could and SHOULD have gone in.
___________________________
My rant aside though, all in all I still am keeping the rating fairly high because, taking it as it is, there still is a lot of good stuff involved here. The characters are still the same and loveable, and how their interact with one another (without Natalie *sniff*) is compelling--especially in terms of resisting the mind control.
So...yeah, above I've more or less given my two cents for how I would improve the book as a conclusion to the trilogy, but for what it is, I think a 4-star rating speaks for itself in expressing that it is a good book regardless. Not my idea of a good conclusion, but...
...well, it's a good thing I'm not the demographic that this book is targeted towards, let's just say. Still going to stick to The Mysterious Benedict Society as my favourite mystery-children's series.
Wow, talk about downgrading your story! This is, I think, a classic case of a story that an author has brought to such a point that they no longer know what to do with it, but because they're under contractual obligations to write something, whatever they dish out is what happens to be printed.
Whether it's up to par or not.
Now, it's not like The Greystone Secrets was the be-all, end-all of any book series I've ever read, because it isn't. BUT, the second book really
Hmm................................
Perhaps I'd better explain the mistakes that Haddix made, as simply as I can:
1. Replacing Natalie with Kona and Kafi, which is exactly what she does
Maybe she thought that substituting two characters for one would make up for Natalie's absence, but I just don't understand why she would take Natalie out of the story in the first place. I mean, she's been built up in the series right alongside Chess, Emma, and Finn, so she's the four member of their fearless foursome. Why would Haddix change that? The ONLY reason that I could think of was that Natalie was maybe too powerful, as an expert liar and, of course, having already established a connection with Other-Natalie, maybe having her in the story would've moved the action too quickly and brought on a conclusion too soon. Maybe. And...yeah, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't see that happening.
Still though, I wouldn't have replaced her and then just brought her back in at the end. Not after 2 books of convincing us as readers that she's an awesome character and thereby having us form an attachment to her. That's like replacing Ron with Neville Longbottom in just The Deathly Hallows and expecting it to have the same impact. Trust me, it won't.
That being said, I did like Kona and Kafi as characters, it's just that we haven't been around them long enough to be able to form the same connection as to Natalie. And what did I learn about these two girls during this book? Well...er...that Kafi's a baby and Kona's also smart like Emma, I guess? (And if that's all I can come up with, believe you me, you know that there's a problem.)
2. Putting TOO MUCH exposition into a new concept
No. Just no. You don't do that. And just to make things clear, while I'm not against introducing either a new concept or idea in the third book of a trilogy, that idea should expand on what's been done in the past two books in a clear, relatable way. Therefore the exposition to this new idea is short, to the point, and doesn't need a re-explanation for everything because those who've read the first two books will already have a good idea of what's going on.
....YEAH, the whole idea with the coins is not like that. The ideas with the air gas-bombs and using the TV for propaganda mind control both fit in, but NOT the idea with the coins. That's like...well, like Emperor Palpatine being brought in for The Rise of Skywalker: it just doesn't connect to the other two parts of the trilogy smoothly, and therefore stands out like a sore thumb and requires a lot of explanations and questions that will never be answered.
And really, having to explain and figure out so much about the coins, apart from not connecting to the other two books all that well, just requires a lot of explanation and back-and-forth guessing for how they work. Ultimately, by the end, there are still questions that aren't answered, like who sent Rocky his coin, or how everyone from the good world knew to believe and trust in the coins, and not to mention that scene at the end with multiple world's that's just...like out of nowhere and a forced climax.
Sorry, Haddix, but I think there were better conclusions you could've had to this series in terms of conflict. Ahem, if I might suggest a few:
+ having an epic reveal that maybe the Greystones' father isn't really dead and that he's behind the revolutionary movement that were responsible for constructing the levers. Maybe the book could even have started off by Chess thinking that he's seeing his dad, whereas really it's the good-world's version of the dad and by following him they find out that he was in kahoots with the Greystones' dad all along in trying both to shut down the travelling between worlds as well as expose the totalitarian government in the bad world
+ bringing in the governor/president evil characters as the ultimate villains that Mayor Mayhew alludes to, and maybe making them the big final villains with the Mayor having a change of heart to protect his family at the last minute
+ or, here's an idea: having a LOT more back and forth between the tunnel travelling between the two worlds, just to keep readers on edge with where the mind control is happening and where they could be trapped. Keep the stakes high, but also make them more personal at the same time as teh Greystones fight not only for justice and truth, but to keep themselves and their family free.
I'm just saying, there were so many other, more interesting and less complicated ways that this story could and SHOULD have gone in.
___________________________
My rant aside though, all in all I still am keeping the rating fairly high because, taking it as it is, there still is a lot of good stuff involved here. The characters are still the same and loveable, and how their interact with one another (without Natalie *sniff*) is compelling--especially in terms of resisting the mind control.
So...yeah, above I've more or less given my two cents for how I would improve the book as a conclusion to the trilogy, but for what it is, I think a 4-star rating speaks for itself in expressing that it is a good book regardless. Not my idea of a good conclusion, but...
...well, it's a good thing I'm not the demographic that this book is targeted towards, let's just say. Still going to stick to The Mysterious Benedict Society as my favourite mystery-children's series.
January 13, 2022
This was a really nice end to the series!! (Though I could see where there is a potential for more books haha 😉) It was interesting to see how the concept of two mirrored worlds interacted with one another, and it was fun to go on another adventure with Chess, Emma, and Finn. I do wish that we had some more of Natalie in this one, since she was stuck back in the other world half the time, but with all the other characters who joined the journey I guess I can see why it would have been a little chaotic to add one more.
I also kinda wish the characters wouldn't constantly be explaining everything for the reader, like if there's some sort of hint at what a character (non-POV) is saying, the POV character would think, "She means the one in the other world." Which got kinda annoying about part of the way through, but this could just be because the target audience is on the younger side. 😉
But anyway, I did enjoy this book and hope that there may be a glimmer of hope for future books in this series. 🙃
I also kinda wish the characters wouldn't constantly be explaining everything for the reader, like if there's some sort of hint at what a character (non-POV) is saying, the POV character would think, "She means the one in the other world." Which got kinda annoying about part of the way through, but this could just be because the target audience is on the younger side. 😉
But anyway, I did enjoy this book and hope that there may be a glimmer of hope for future books in this series. 🙃
July 22, 2021
Solid ending for a solid trilogy.
March 18, 2023
What a phenomenal final book in this incredible trilogy! I'm so sad it's over, but I had such a terrific time with these. I love these 3 siblings so much, especially Finn. Also, besides the siblings, I love Natalie. She's wasn't in this 1 that much, unfortunately though, & I really missed her. We do have some new characters along for this adventure, & that was a great twist to the normal way of things. This 1 had way more danger & action too. So many great problem solving moments in here, where it's clear that each kid in this was needed for the success of their quest. They each bring something so important to the table. I loved Kona's character, & her cute little sister Kafi so much! So many great lessons/messages in here, & I love the parallels that can be drawn between some things from our own world & the "bad world" in here. Highly recommend Beautiful cover by Anne Lambelet too.💜
May 23, 2022
I loved the first book of the series it had me hooked that I bought the rest. However, this book was just NOT how I expected the series to go. It started off strong but as you read the story it gets a little repetitive and honestly some of the characters were just a little annoying. I would’ve loved to of seen some character development like the three gravestones grow as children instead of harboring back to their original states. All in all I read it and I would love to forget that this is how the series ended.
May 20, 2022
DNF (50%) I just couldn't get myself to finish this book. I stopped caring about what was going to happen. I couldn't listen to the reader anymore doing kids voices. I'll just happily assume that everything worked out for Chess, Emma, and Finn. And I still think Chess is an excellent nickname for Rochester. And I like Rocky as well. Who knew that name could be so versatile?
In any event, I am too wrapped up in Ranger's Apprentice right now. Other books will have to wait.
In any event, I am too wrapped up in Ranger's Apprentice right now. Other books will have to wait.
July 25, 2021
This was a fine ending to the series, but it also felt like the weakest of the books to me. I felt like all the mysteries and questions we'd been building up in the first two books were solved with these coins we'd had no inkling of before, and in the end the solution felt too easy. Still, I really enjoyed all the characters' journeys, and it was a really fun series.
November 11, 2021
I didn't like this book as much as the first two, but it was still fun. The relationship that developed between the two worlds made zero sense to me and the "science" just got more and more whacky. Still, I loved the characters and it explored some interesting themes. Plus, my 8 year old loved it!
February 22, 2022
the ending was so cringey 😭 every "plot twist" was very predictable, and the adults were so stupid it was annoying 😀
November 16, 2025
I can’t quite put my finger on why I struggled more through this one than the first two. Maybe it felt repetitive, like too much of the same plot from the first two books. Or maybe it felt more outlandish and less engaging. But it was just okay for me.
January 23, 2024
From Mae: it was so good! I wish there were more, because it’s so mysterious and there is so much potential for more stories.
From Cora: it was a great book! Lots of mystery, and a bit of love which is gross but okay (ew, feelings). Amazing, and a good conclusion to the mystery.
From Cora: it was a great book! Lots of mystery, and a bit of love which is gross but okay (ew, feelings). Amazing, and a good conclusion to the mystery.
December 8, 2025
Great finale, but left me with some remaining questions. Really enjoyed this series, and hope there are more written under this system of worlds, even if it’s different characters.
February 14, 2022
Great end to a three book series! Great ending!
April 19, 2021
First, I need to point out that this is the conclusion to a trilogy and I have not read the first two books. Even so, Haddix's references to prior events caught me up in no time, and I was reading as fast as I could by the second chapter. It's that engrossing. I knew right off that T will want to read this series!
The premise of Greystone Secrets is that of duplicate worlds – one (ours) is basically good and one is basically bad. Our protagonists originate in the bad world, but live in the good world. These heroes are three siblings, Chess, Emma, and Finn. In The Messengers, they are being chased by people from the bad world as they try to figure out how to overthrow a corrupt government and thwart its use of mind control. They team up with friends old and new from both worlds to dismantle the mesmerizing TVs and convey the truth to citizens in the bad world. They do not have a smooth road, and the questions readers ask are echoed by the children themselves. Haddix has thoroughly developed the alternate reality and the characters – fans will recognize her style and talent. So captivating is her writing that I suffered from OMC* late into the night. I won't include spoilers, but I will say that fans of dystopia, mystery, and child-heroes will not be disappointed. I wish I had begun the series from book one, and I will look forward to doing so with T in the future.
Part of what has drawn me to Haddix's writing over the years is her incisive critique of the role of government and technology. Haddix's works prompt readers to examine their own situations and question where lines are drawn. At what point have we allowed government, police, or big business too much power? When does a particular piece of technology go from being a beneficial tool to a dangerous weapon? The answers are not clear, nor should they be. Rather, Haddix prompts readers to judge for themselves and weigh the shades of grey in Greystone Secrets and other books alike.
*One More Chapter Syndrome: the condition where a reader decides to read one more chapter before going to to bed, only to repeat the decision at the end of every chapter read
Note: Per FTC guidelines, I hereby disclose partnership with The Children's Book Review and HarperCollins Publishers.
The premise of Greystone Secrets is that of duplicate worlds – one (ours) is basically good and one is basically bad. Our protagonists originate in the bad world, but live in the good world. These heroes are three siblings, Chess, Emma, and Finn. In The Messengers, they are being chased by people from the bad world as they try to figure out how to overthrow a corrupt government and thwart its use of mind control. They team up with friends old and new from both worlds to dismantle the mesmerizing TVs and convey the truth to citizens in the bad world. They do not have a smooth road, and the questions readers ask are echoed by the children themselves. Haddix has thoroughly developed the alternate reality and the characters – fans will recognize her style and talent. So captivating is her writing that I suffered from OMC* late into the night. I won't include spoilers, but I will say that fans of dystopia, mystery, and child-heroes will not be disappointed. I wish I had begun the series from book one, and I will look forward to doing so with T in the future.
Part of what has drawn me to Haddix's writing over the years is her incisive critique of the role of government and technology. Haddix's works prompt readers to examine their own situations and question where lines are drawn. At what point have we allowed government, police, or big business too much power? When does a particular piece of technology go from being a beneficial tool to a dangerous weapon? The answers are not clear, nor should they be. Rather, Haddix prompts readers to judge for themselves and weigh the shades of grey in Greystone Secrets and other books alike.
*One More Chapter Syndrome: the condition where a reader decides to read one more chapter before going to to bed, only to repeat the decision at the end of every chapter read
Note: Per FTC guidelines, I hereby disclose partnership with The Children's Book Review and HarperCollins Publishers.
June 30, 2021
Spoiler-free: I definitely enjoyed this last book, but it’s my least favourite of the three. It’s a little slow at times, and some of the mystery reveals felt like they came out of the blue. But I loved seeing more of certain characters I’ve been curious about, and I’m so proud of the growth of our beloved main characters and their incredible hope and bravery during a terrifying time. I highly recommend the series!
SPOILERS:
I love seeing more of the Gustano kids (specifically Rocky) and the similarities and differences between them and the Greystones. It’s good to see more of Joe, too, and Kona and Kafi are great additions to the cast!
The Greystone kids grow up in a very satisfying way. Chess learns to take more chances and not overthink, Emma learns to fight with her heart instead of her head, and Finn learns to step up to the plate and take responsibility himself.
The mind-controlling TVs are TERRIFYING. I never feel safe in the other world, which is the point.
I was let down by the explanation of the coins/levers for some reason, maybe because it makes connection between the worlds so simple when initially it was a difficult mystery. And it’s hard for me to believe that dumping the coins in front of the screen could have such a powerful effect. Still, I like how all the doubles join together to fight the overpowering government’s lies with love and truth.
And CHESS ASKING NATALIE TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND FOR THE WIN!!!
SPOILERS:
I love seeing more of the Gustano kids (specifically Rocky) and the similarities and differences between them and the Greystones. It’s good to see more of Joe, too, and Kona and Kafi are great additions to the cast!
The Greystone kids grow up in a very satisfying way. Chess learns to take more chances and not overthink, Emma learns to fight with her heart instead of her head, and Finn learns to step up to the plate and take responsibility himself.
The mind-controlling TVs are TERRIFYING. I never feel safe in the other world, which is the point.
I was let down by the explanation of the coins/levers for some reason, maybe because it makes connection between the worlds so simple when initially it was a difficult mystery. And it’s hard for me to believe that dumping the coins in front of the screen could have such a powerful effect. Still, I like how all the doubles join together to fight the overpowering government’s lies with love and truth.
And CHESS ASKING NATALIE TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND FOR THE WIN!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2021
While I enjoyed the final book in this trilogy it left me with so many questions. Wonder if Haddix will continue the series?
What I liked- in this book Haddix introduces secret coins that people from the other world can send to the “nicer” world. It was interesting that Chess’s dad’s handwriting is on a lot of them and that messages can be recorded on them.
I loved the message that Haddix put in this book... the possibility of what you can do can change your life. Many of the characters wrestle with the notion of not being good enough in this book and all of them come back to this idea.
What needed some work- Editing! I felt like there were many places in this book that could have been edited Into a more concise and enjoyable book. I spent a lot of the book wondering how on earth the characters were going to get through the situation. The desperate-ness of the situations became repetitive and I was skipping whole paragraphs just to move the story along. Plus with the length of this book, it could easily loose some pages and the story would not suffer. With the short attention span of kids a shorter book would be more appealing anyway.
Overall, an entertaining read that reads quickly. A satisfying end, but I may still be thinking about this book as I try to figure out some of the logistics. 😉
What I liked- in this book Haddix introduces secret coins that people from the other world can send to the “nicer” world. It was interesting that Chess’s dad’s handwriting is on a lot of them and that messages can be recorded on them.
I loved the message that Haddix put in this book... the possibility of what you can do can change your life. Many of the characters wrestle with the notion of not being good enough in this book and all of them come back to this idea.
What needed some work- Editing! I felt like there were many places in this book that could have been edited Into a more concise and enjoyable book. I spent a lot of the book wondering how on earth the characters were going to get through the situation. The desperate-ness of the situations became repetitive and I was skipping whole paragraphs just to move the story along. Plus with the length of this book, it could easily loose some pages and the story would not suffer. With the short attention span of kids a shorter book would be more appealing anyway.
Overall, an entertaining read that reads quickly. A satisfying end, but I may still be thinking about this book as I try to figure out some of the logistics. 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2021
This third and final installment of the Greystone Secrets trilogy was not exactly a page turner. I had trouble getting into it. The kids spend most of the book alone in the alternate world, and because of that there just didn’t seem to be a lot of action. I still really like this series because it’s so gentle an introduction into dystopian fiction. Nobody gets killed during the series (although spoiler alert, a couple of adults have been offed by the baddies prior to the books, which leaves some of the kids with lingering grief, as you know if you read any of them), and even though the bad guys are evil, there’s no tense content, nothing to give you nightmares. No creepy Mockingjays, no psychological trauma, no torture, no fights to the death. The strongest weapons are (spoiler alert) stinky grenades that give you negative thinking and TVs with fake news that control your mind. Series is so hopeful and emotionally healthy. The kids each air their fears and worries in their own chapters but their negative thoughts are quickly answered with positive ones.
As far as other content, a boy has a crush on a girl and eventually asks her to be his girlfriend, but it doesn’t dominate the story or even a chapter.
Overall it’s gentle and hopeful just not very realistic. These books are for kids younger/more easily frightened than Harry Potter age.
As far as other content, a boy has a crush on a girl and eventually asks her to be his girlfriend, but it doesn’t dominate the story or even a chapter.
Overall it’s gentle and hopeful just not very realistic. These books are for kids younger/more easily frightened than Harry Potter age.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2021
I really, really wanted to like this book. Sigh.
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