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Genius #3
The Genius Wars
Book HardcoverPublication 9/27/2010 384Reading Age 12 and Up
378 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
48 people are currently reading
1281 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Jinks
62 books537 followersCatherine Jinks is the Australian author of more than thirty books for all ages. She has garnered many awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award(three times), the Victorian Premier’s Award, the Aurealis Award for Science Fiction, the Australian Ibby Award, and the Davitt Award for Crime Fiction. Her work has been published in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, the United States, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic and Thailand.
Catherine was born in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1963. She grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer. Her high-school years were spent in Sydney, NSW; in 2006, her alma mater, Ku-ring-gai High School, named its library after her.
From 1982 to 1986, Catherine studied at the University of Sydney, graduating with an honours degree in medieval history. She then worked on Westpac Banking Corporation’s staff magazine for approximately seven years. In 1992 she married Peter Dockrill, a Canadian journalist; in 1993 she and her husband left Australia for a brief spell in Nova Scotia, where she began to write full time. They returned to Australia in 1994, and Catherine gave birth to her daughter Hannah in 1997. Since 1998, she and her family have been living in Leura, NSW.
She has two brothers, and two pet rats. Like most people in Leura, she has become a slave to her garden, but not to the extent that she’ll buy rooting powder.
Catherine has been writing books since she was eight years old. She doesn’t expect to stop writing them any time soon.
Author photo: Catherine Jinks in front of 'Conceptual Networks', by artist Paul du Moulin.
Photo by Paul du Moulin
Catherine was born in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1963. She grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer. Her high-school years were spent in Sydney, NSW; in 2006, her alma mater, Ku-ring-gai High School, named its library after her.
From 1982 to 1986, Catherine studied at the University of Sydney, graduating with an honours degree in medieval history. She then worked on Westpac Banking Corporation’s staff magazine for approximately seven years. In 1992 she married Peter Dockrill, a Canadian journalist; in 1993 she and her husband left Australia for a brief spell in Nova Scotia, where she began to write full time. They returned to Australia in 1994, and Catherine gave birth to her daughter Hannah in 1997. Since 1998, she and her family have been living in Leura, NSW.
She has two brothers, and two pet rats. Like most people in Leura, she has become a slave to her garden, but not to the extent that she’ll buy rooting powder.
Catherine has been writing books since she was eight years old. She doesn’t expect to stop writing them any time soon.
Author photo: Catherine Jinks in front of 'Conceptual Networks', by artist Paul du Moulin.
Photo by Paul du Moulin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
December 3, 2012
I initially enjoyed this book, thinking that there was going to be more installments of the series later on. However, I've just learned that Catherine Jinks is NOT going to be writing any more of these books, which has left me confused. She believes that she tied up all the loose ends, but I completely disagree. Leaving the series like this seems irresponsible to me as Cadel is left in almost the exact same position he was in at the beginning of the book: unable to trust anyone, always looking over his shoulder in case Prosper English is there. As is made abundantly clear in both this and the previous books, Prosper English is never to be underestimated, and he has a bad habit of surviving when all the odds are against him. So, I am left thoroughly dissatisfied with Jinks' ending.
I also came to dislike Cadel in this book. Up to this point, I was okay with how his character had progressed. Although he does have a rather significant ego, he was always kept in check by those who had a better perspective on the situation. But in this book, he somehow gets it into his head that he's the only one who can possibly take down Prosper English, which means to him that no one else can or should do anything that will help, for some reason. But despite all the efforts of him and everyone else, Prosper English still ends up with the upper hand, and it's only because of a freak act of nature that Prosper doesn't win in the end. It just seems a bit ridiculous that, once again, Cadel is saved by sheer coincidence.
I'm also told by my husband, who is a professional software developer, that many of the computer terms and methods employed by Cadel are either outdated, incorrect, or just plain impossible. I didn't pick up on it myself, since I don't know much about how computers work behind the scenes, but he picked up on it instantly, and it drove him insane. So, just a word of caution to anyone who knows anything about computers: these may not be the books for you if such things bother you. This really made be lose respect for Jinks, too, because she claims she consulted a math and computer professional about everything she includes in the book, but clearly she did not have anyone double-check her facts.
Despite all this, though, I did enjoy Jinks' writing style, as usual, and the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of the story. If you've liked the previous Genius books, it's worth it to read this one to round out the series.
I also came to dislike Cadel in this book. Up to this point, I was okay with how his character had progressed. Although he does have a rather significant ego, he was always kept in check by those who had a better perspective on the situation. But in this book, he somehow gets it into his head that he's the only one who can possibly take down Prosper English, which means to him that no one else can or should do anything that will help, for some reason. But despite all the efforts of him and everyone else, Prosper English still ends up with the upper hand, and it's only because of a freak act of nature that Prosper doesn't win in the end. It just seems a bit ridiculous that, once again, Cadel is saved by sheer coincidence.
I'm also told by my husband, who is a professional software developer, that many of the computer terms and methods employed by Cadel are either outdated, incorrect, or just plain impossible. I didn't pick up on it myself, since I don't know much about how computers work behind the scenes, but he picked up on it instantly, and it drove him insane. So, just a word of caution to anyone who knows anything about computers: these may not be the books for you if such things bother you. This really made be lose respect for Jinks, too, because she claims she consulted a math and computer professional about everything she includes in the book, but clearly she did not have anyone double-check her facts.
Despite all this, though, I did enjoy Jinks' writing style, as usual, and the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of the story. If you've liked the previous Genius books, it's worth it to read this one to round out the series.
July 7, 2011
"Cadel began to cry like someone whose heart was breaking." Oh dear Cadel, I know how you feel. My heart broke when I realised I was on the last line of the last page of the last chapter of the last book in this series. My pain was so great my eyes actually began to tear up when I realised this is the last I will ever read of Cadel. Catherine Jinks is an amazing author. There are so many good things about this series and so few bad things. It is not something that can be described with words. I love these books. I wish i had discovered them earlier in my life so I could've read them five times by now. Anyone who reads should read this series.
October 9, 2010
1. NOT ENOUGH SONJA
2. MORE SONJA
3. You have to wonder, at this point, if Cadel is ever going to be okay again. I wish Catherine Jinks would write a new trilogy about Cadel's next ten years in therapy coping with his feelings for Prosper AND the fact that he's totally in love with SONJA
4. NEEDS MOOOOORE SONJA PLEEEEEASE
5. Not as exhilarating as the others? Not quite as fast-paced. Still really fast-paced, though, I think I finished this faster than I finished Mockingjay, another third in a series.
6. Saul and Fiona are such good parents. I was so happy for Cadel for a while.
7. However, there wasn't nearly enough Sonja!
8. Possibly because there was too much Hammish?
9. Also, WHAT THE HECK? Dot, Com, and Vee got caught so quickly? AND OFF-SCREEN?
10. While I was reading the last couple chapters, an INCREDIBLY SMELLY GUY sat next to me on the streetcar. WORST SMELLING DUDE EVER. His smell was so distracting that I had to read sentences at least two times in order for them to sink into my mind. I was like, "Gazo? Is that you?"
11. SOOOOOOOONJA
12. How much do I love that Cadel says, "Oh shit"? My armspan is like five feet. So, that much.
You can probably guess who my favorite character is. She really didn't show up as much as I wanted her to, though.
Oh, and
13. THAT LAST LINE. The ending felt pretty abrupt, but I think that might be one of my FAVORITE last lines of all time.
Way better than, "SO WE BEAT ON, BACKS AGAINST THE CURRENT ... BLAH BLAH JAZZ AGE."
2. MORE SONJA
3. You have to wonder, at this point, if Cadel is ever going to be okay again. I wish Catherine Jinks would write a new trilogy about Cadel's next ten years in therapy coping with his feelings for Prosper AND the fact that he's totally in love with SONJA
4. NEEDS MOOOOORE SONJA PLEEEEEASE
5. Not as exhilarating as the others? Not quite as fast-paced. Still really fast-paced, though, I think I finished this faster than I finished Mockingjay, another third in a series.
6. Saul and Fiona are such good parents. I was so happy for Cadel for a while.
7. However, there wasn't nearly enough Sonja!
8. Possibly because there was too much Hammish?
9. Also, WHAT THE HECK? Dot, Com, and Vee got caught so quickly? AND OFF-SCREEN?
10. While I was reading the last couple chapters, an INCREDIBLY SMELLY GUY sat next to me on the streetcar. WORST SMELLING DUDE EVER. His smell was so distracting that I had to read sentences at least two times in order for them to sink into my mind. I was like, "Gazo? Is that you?"
11. SOOOOOOOONJA
12. How much do I love that Cadel says, "Oh shit"? My armspan is like five feet. So, that much.
You can probably guess who my favorite character is. She really didn't show up as much as I wanted her to, though.
Oh, and
13. THAT LAST LINE. The ending felt pretty abrupt, but I think that might be one of my FAVORITE last lines of all time.
Way better than, "SO WE BEAT ON, BACKS AGAINST THE CURRENT ... BLAH BLAH JAZZ AGE."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2011
This wasn't a war, it was more of an attack. It also wasn't very good. From the beginning, where Cadel (who has sworn not to lie ever again) tells himself they won't mind that he's doing all this lying really and he sure is glad he's left his old way of life behind him. To the middle where he's really kind of annoying. To the end, where he's just really stupid and the author leaves it wide open. Very unnecessarily. When there's a fourth installment of this trilogy, I don't intend to read it. And the weird looking kid on the covers? Does he say "cherubic" and "angelic" face to you? No. So they should have gotten a better artist for the cover.
June 9, 2011
Wow.... just, wow.
Such a thrilling end to Cadel's tale. I'll admit, Genius Squad was fairly low-key until the last quarter of the book when things picked up and became more exciting; however, Catherine Jinks completely made up for the lack of action in The Genius Wars, which is jam-packed full of it.
Jinks has a really original way of weaving subtle hints and distracting subplots throughout these books to the point of where you really aren't sure of which characters you can trust and which you can't; in fact, I'm surprised that she manages to keep up with her own plot. However, upon tying everything up at the end, it becomes clear that she's had a firm handle on everything the whole way through, though I have no idea how on earth she'd managed it!
And WHAT an ending. I won't spoil it for those who haven't read it, but it was truly a unique way to end the series, and I'm still trying to digest it.
Very highly recommended.
Such a thrilling end to Cadel's tale. I'll admit, Genius Squad was fairly low-key until the last quarter of the book when things picked up and became more exciting; however, Catherine Jinks completely made up for the lack of action in The Genius Wars, which is jam-packed full of it.
Jinks has a really original way of weaving subtle hints and distracting subplots throughout these books to the point of where you really aren't sure of which characters you can trust and which you can't; in fact, I'm surprised that she manages to keep up with her own plot. However, upon tying everything up at the end, it becomes clear that she's had a firm handle on everything the whole way through, though I have no idea how on earth she'd managed it!
And WHAT an ending. I won't spoil it for those who haven't read it, but it was truly a unique way to end the series, and I'm still trying to digest it.
Very highly recommended.
August 2, 2014
To be honest, I didn't really enjoy The Genius Wars. It wasn't what I expected and it wasn't as great as the other previous books of this trilogy.
The only good part of this book was that we got to see another side of Prosper English. We got to see him break down from his former genius and into his crazed, almost devolved self. This was probably the only appealing detail of this book for me.
There were many things that made this book terrible. Yes, terrible. I scarcely ever say a book is terrible, and this time it's not the subject matter that bothered me. It's how the story is given to the reader. Cadel became annoying about midway through the book. He continued to think about Prosper English and how to stop him and scarcely reflected on other things. It became almost redundant. Not once did he stop and think that maybe the police could handle Prosper. There was no character development whatsoever. Hell, anything that he gained from the second book backtracked into this obsessive, I-can-only-do-this Cadel. It was obnoxious and I nearly put the book down because of this.
Another annoying aspect of this book was when Catherine Jinks continued over and over about the surveillance. I understand that it was a huge part of the story, but I felt like she hammered in the point about a thousand times and it was annoying to no end. Having Cadel have to remind all the adults in the story how to avoid being detected and being paranoid about every camera in sight was bothersome and I feel like he should have figured something out so that he wouldn't be as paranoid, if only to give the reader a break from Cadel's paranoid babbling.
There were also less interesting characters. You basically had the same cast of characters as the second book, which would have been fine if they had been used. I feel like, having dealt with many different, interesting characters in the first book, that being isolated to just Cadel in the third book was boring, especially when he was just being paranoid the whole time and trying to solve things that the police might have helped him with. Having a few new actually engaging characters might have sweetened the pot.
The plot didn't really do it for me as it did in the other two. I expected a fast paced, action packed book, but it really wasn't as exciting as the first two. I really had to force myself to read and it just felt slow. I feel like some of this was Cadel's paranoia. Another issue I had with the plot was that the characters that did recur and that could have had an interesting part to play in the plot weren't used, or were barely used. Niobe's assassination attempts could have helped quicken the plot. Com and Dot could have been used more. Sonja and Hamish could have been used more. The plot was underwhelming and just a disappointment to me after reading the former two books.
Finally, I didn't really like the end. I think Jinks could have added a few more chapters on why Cadel had a sudden change of heart, of which I won't go into as I don't want to spoil anything. She didn't really wrap up loose ends, which was frustrating. It wouldn't have been a big deal if there were going to be more books in this series, but there aren't, so reading the ending was a huge let down. If anything, even if it didn't tie up the loose ends, Cadel's reactions to the past events could have been expanded to give it a halfway satisfying ending.
This book was just a huge disappointment for me. I do not recommend this book, although if you have read the first two, then I suppose you should read it so that you can get the rest of the story. Just be forewarned that it isn't as good as the first two. Don't set yourself up for disappointment.
The only good part of this book was that we got to see another side of Prosper English. We got to see him break down from his former genius and into his crazed, almost devolved self. This was probably the only appealing detail of this book for me.
There were many things that made this book terrible. Yes, terrible. I scarcely ever say a book is terrible, and this time it's not the subject matter that bothered me. It's how the story is given to the reader. Cadel became annoying about midway through the book. He continued to think about Prosper English and how to stop him and scarcely reflected on other things. It became almost redundant. Not once did he stop and think that maybe the police could handle Prosper. There was no character development whatsoever. Hell, anything that he gained from the second book backtracked into this obsessive, I-can-only-do-this Cadel. It was obnoxious and I nearly put the book down because of this.
Another annoying aspect of this book was when Catherine Jinks continued over and over about the surveillance. I understand that it was a huge part of the story, but I felt like she hammered in the point about a thousand times and it was annoying to no end. Having Cadel have to remind all the adults in the story how to avoid being detected and being paranoid about every camera in sight was bothersome and I feel like he should have figured something out so that he wouldn't be as paranoid, if only to give the reader a break from Cadel's paranoid babbling.
There were also less interesting characters. You basically had the same cast of characters as the second book, which would have been fine if they had been used. I feel like, having dealt with many different, interesting characters in the first book, that being isolated to just Cadel in the third book was boring, especially when he was just being paranoid the whole time and trying to solve things that the police might have helped him with. Having a few new actually engaging characters might have sweetened the pot.
The plot didn't really do it for me as it did in the other two. I expected a fast paced, action packed book, but it really wasn't as exciting as the first two. I really had to force myself to read and it just felt slow. I feel like some of this was Cadel's paranoia. Another issue I had with the plot was that the characters that did recur and that could have had an interesting part to play in the plot weren't used, or were barely used. Niobe's assassination attempts could have helped quicken the plot. Com and Dot could have been used more. Sonja and Hamish could have been used more. The plot was underwhelming and just a disappointment to me after reading the former two books.
Finally, I didn't really like the end. I think Jinks could have added a few more chapters on why Cadel had a sudden change of heart, of which I won't go into as I don't want to spoil anything. She didn't really wrap up loose ends, which was frustrating. It wouldn't have been a big deal if there were going to be more books in this series, but there aren't, so reading the ending was a huge let down. If anything, even if it didn't tie up the loose ends, Cadel's reactions to the past events could have been expanded to give it a halfway satisfying ending.
This book was just a huge disappointment for me. I do not recommend this book, although if you have read the first two, then I suppose you should read it so that you can get the rest of the story. Just be forewarned that it isn't as good as the first two. Don't set yourself up for disappointment.
October 10, 2016
Truthfully, I was dissatisfied with the ending. And come to think of it the entire book.
I think the big problem was nothing really happened. I was expecting, well,Genius Wars. There was no warring. We basically ran around screaming "Prosper is coming, Prosper is going to kill us".
I understand the panic. I mean after all, Prosper is one scary guy (props for great character design) to have coming for you. But at the same time, enough is enough.
The entire book seemed monotonous. We worried, then got attacked, then were told that everything was going to be fine, then worried that everyone couldn't handle it alone, then helped (probably illegally), then got scolded for helping and reassured that everything was going to be alright, then worried a little more, then used our super-smarts to save our self, then followed some leads, started to feel bad about ourselves as people were getting hurt, then snapped out of it and followed another lead (success!) Then used our smarty-ness to solve a puzzle (more success!) and then failure, then lead number one paid off, then tried to help with the investigation without permission, upsetting the grown-ups. Then we were attacked again and decided that we had to take matters into our own hands, and we had to do it alone because people we cared about were getting hurt in the crossfire. Ran away and took matters into our own hands without the restrictions of legality. Success! Then got attacked again. Worried enough to throw up. More illegal actions but boy, do they get results or what! Busted! Reproach. Follow one of our closest leads. This is it people! We're so close to catching Prosper.
The rest of this scenario is a spoiler, and will be treated as such.
The story proceeds to wrap up in mere pages and ends sharply.
BAM!! The End!
So unfulfilling . -_-
So no, I did not like Genius Wars. With an ending like that we required either an epilogue or a book four. So that's it. Didn't really enjoy it.
I think the big problem was nothing really happened. I was expecting, well,Genius Wars. There was no warring. We basically ran around screaming "Prosper is coming, Prosper is going to kill us".
I understand the panic. I mean after all, Prosper is one scary guy (props for great character design) to have coming for you. But at the same time, enough is enough.
The entire book seemed monotonous. We worried, then got attacked, then were told that everything was going to be fine, then worried that everyone couldn't handle it alone, then helped (probably illegally), then got scolded for helping and reassured that everything was going to be alright, then worried a little more, then used our super-smarts to save our self, then followed some leads, started to feel bad about ourselves as people were getting hurt, then snapped out of it and followed another lead (success!) Then used our smarty-ness to solve a puzzle (more success!) and then failure, then lead number one paid off, then tried to help with the investigation without permission, upsetting the grown-ups. Then we were attacked again and decided that we had to take matters into our own hands, and we had to do it alone because people we cared about were getting hurt in the crossfire. Ran away and took matters into our own hands without the restrictions of legality. Success! Then got attacked again. Worried enough to throw up. More illegal actions but boy, do they get results or what! Busted! Reproach. Follow one of our closest leads. This is it people! We're so close to catching Prosper.
The rest of this scenario is a spoiler, and will be treated as such.
The story proceeds to wrap up in mere pages and ends sharply.
BAM!! The End!
So unfulfilling . -_-
So no, I did not like Genius Wars. With an ending like that we required either an epilogue or a book four. So that's it. Didn't really enjoy it.
October 9, 2015
Have you ever tried to hide from one of the most dangerous people in the world? The genre of my book is realistic fiction because it could really happen.I think its cool how the kids use computer and street to provide for themselves and use street smarts to hide from a antagonist Prosper English they use lots of resources to do what they had to do,they were hacking into computer networks,security networks and even internet networks its pretty cool.I think its fascinating how children can do so many things with what we learn in school technology is the key to the world and its kinda funny how older people say we rot our brains with
technology but really technology is going to save the world one day.
The summary of this story a group of kids had put a very bad person in jail in the previous book then the year after they found out he broke out of jail. Back to the story the kids use their smarts to hide from the villain mentioned earlierProsper English. They feared he was after them which i am sure he was. and they did there best to avoid in the end it was concluded with death. When he caught them hiding. overall the story line was amazing and it really tied up. I recommend this book for anyone. The Major theme in the story is determination the kids were determined to find and stay at a safe place. In the story they try to hack in the security networks around the
My strongest opinion on this story is very strong and healthy and i really think you should read this amazing book. I think this book is so amazing because its starts off so fast and ties up into other elements in the story and in the story they use security networks to find a place to stick with while hiding. In the story you get no input on the location in which the story took place.
The characters are in a conflict of person vs person because they are against a single after them and are willing to do anything to avoid him (PROSPER ENGLISH) and so that ended in ones death. This book has an amazing storyline that took turns at really intense times its just amazing.
I rate this book a 3.5 because its was kinda boring just having to hide and being boring I think the book in badly written.I regimen this book for people who like a long adventure that is important for someone's life. The book is a great way to know what it feels like to hide from someone a long periodically time
technology but really technology is going to save the world one day.
The summary of this story a group of kids had put a very bad person in jail in the previous book then the year after they found out he broke out of jail. Back to the story the kids use their smarts to hide from the villain mentioned earlierProsper English. They feared he was after them which i am sure he was. and they did there best to avoid in the end it was concluded with death. When he caught them hiding. overall the story line was amazing and it really tied up. I recommend this book for anyone. The Major theme in the story is determination the kids were determined to find and stay at a safe place. In the story they try to hack in the security networks around the
My strongest opinion on this story is very strong and healthy and i really think you should read this amazing book. I think this book is so amazing because its starts off so fast and ties up into other elements in the story and in the story they use security networks to find a place to stick with while hiding. In the story you get no input on the location in which the story took place.
The characters are in a conflict of person vs person because they are against a single after them and are willing to do anything to avoid him (PROSPER ENGLISH) and so that ended in ones death. This book has an amazing storyline that took turns at really intense times its just amazing.
I rate this book a 3.5 because its was kinda boring just having to hide and being boring I think the book in badly written.I regimen this book for people who like a long adventure that is important for someone's life. The book is a great way to know what it feels like to hide from someone a long periodically time
October 21, 2010
Oh, Cadel -- why won't trouble leave you alone? Very enjoyable book with a very, very abrubt and rather open-ended ending. Jinks has claimed that this is the end of the series, but I believe that the end will leave every reader sort of questioning whether more is to come or not. More of what you have come to expect from this series, action-packed in parts and hacking-packed in others. I'm neither a hacker nor genius, so I am unsure as to the amount of realism that comes from the series. I've read a number of reviews that portray Cadel as a very unsympathetic character, but I do not get that feeling. Rather, I feel Cadel is a perfectly realistic character with major issues stemming from his past, yet trying to move past these. Overall, I think this series is quite the page turner.
October 3, 2014
It was so good. Despite a very shallow acquaintance with computer science, I wasn't overwhelmed by the jargon and it was worked in seamlessly. Throughout the series, I really treasured the way that Cadel's interactions with Sonja were treated. The disability wasn't played down, or played up or romanticized or stereotyped - it just was.
I really want to know what happens later. An epilogue chapter, a short story ten years later, I'd gladly take another book, but I'm dying to know how it all works out for Cadel.
I cried at the end.
I really want to know what happens later. An epilogue chapter, a short story ten years later, I'd gladly take another book, but I'm dying to know how it all works out for Cadel.
I cried at the end.
September 18, 2011
It took me a good time to finish this one, but the events were very interesting, and kept me going. I also was anxious to find the fate of our beloved Cadel, his new friends and family, and OF COURSE, the man who raised him. Thaddeus Roth/Prosper English. Prosper is absolutely my favorite character of the series, and his ending left me stunned. The last page.... Left me screaming. Cadel... Oh my. You'll see, dear readers, you shall see.
July 9, 2013
OK, I am a glutton for punishment I suppose. Although I doubted I would continue with this series after the first book, I did get and read the second and then this third book. Bottom line: this - particularly the ending - is the least satisfying of all the books in my opinion. The characters are not very engaging and there's more than a bit of truth to Kale's characterization of Cadel as a "megalomaniac" and for a "genius" he falls quite easily into Prosper's trap.
October 24, 2010
I wish I could rate this higher. I liked it. But for the final book in an AWESOME series, it was a disappointment. Things were too rushed, and there wasn't a satisfying conclusion. There were still plenty of suspense, and some humor, but I just wanted more! I still look forward to reading more of Catherine Jinks' books.
November 28, 2010
*Three and a half stars* This book seemed a little haphazardly thrown together compared to the first two books, which were both amazing. I felt a little like Jinks was ready to be done with this series before she started the final book. Still, she managed to deliver a good story and she even made me cry! :/
August 19, 2017
One of the worst endings I've ever read. Hands down. Stay away.
Finish the second book, imagine a resolution, and move on with your life.
I really enjoyed the first ones. The overall concept was unique and I loved that Cadel actually had real problems from his childhood of abuse (something that a lot of author's skip). And he grew from that abuse to someone who was always improving, though still retained the echos of that trauma. Then... this book happened.
As others have said, Cadel's development stops completely and then slides backwards. The best I can say about this book is that it's repetitious and fails at capitalizing on anything that could have helped that (like Niobe reappearing). The cast is almost nonexistent, and most of what you get is Cadel's internal, paranoid rambling.
But all that just makes the book bad, it's the ending that makes it horrible.
The ending was also so abrupt and so... completely insane that I literally checked to see where the pages had stuck together. That's how bad this was. Nothing is resolved. NOTHING. Take a book, any book, tear out the last 50 pages and that's the sort of resolution you've got in this train wreck.
I hate this book so much, that at 1 am, after finishing this one, I pulled all the Genius books off my shelf and dumped them into the hall. They're not going to the used book store. I'm throwing them away. No one should be subjected to them.
Finish the second book, imagine a resolution, and move on with your life.
I really enjoyed the first ones. The overall concept was unique and I loved that Cadel actually had real problems from his childhood of abuse (something that a lot of author's skip). And he grew from that abuse to someone who was always improving, though still retained the echos of that trauma. Then... this book happened.
As others have said, Cadel's development stops completely and then slides backwards. The best I can say about this book is that it's repetitious and fails at capitalizing on anything that could have helped that (like Niobe reappearing). The cast is almost nonexistent, and most of what you get is Cadel's internal, paranoid rambling.
But all that just makes the book bad, it's the ending that makes it horrible.
The ending was also so abrupt and so... completely insane that I literally checked to see where the pages had stuck together. That's how bad this was. Nothing is resolved. NOTHING. Take a book, any book, tear out the last 50 pages and that's the sort of resolution you've got in this train wreck.
I hate this book so much, that at 1 am, after finishing this one, I pulled all the Genius books off my shelf and dumped them into the hall. They're not going to the used book store. I'm throwing them away. No one should be subjected to them.
June 25, 2018
Better than the last book in terms of Cadel actually doing instead of sitting back and whining. But 99% of the book was pure speculation; Cadel saying it must be so-and-so doing this or some other so-and-so doing that. There's no real confirmation that he's right about any of it until halfway through the book, and even then it doesn't answer all the questions. So Cadel goes to extreme lengths to show he's right. The whole book is a bit of a long shot, even given the subject matter and the things that happened in the previous two books.
Ironically, I liked the ending. It made sense and provided decent drama/suspense/etc. Everything leading up to that felt disembodied from it, though. Cadel can calculate probabilities and all that, but that didn't convince me as a reader that he was necessarily on the right track about what he thought was going on. There wasn't enough proof along the way for it to be believable for me.
Ironically, I liked the ending. It made sense and provided decent drama/suspense/etc. Everything leading up to that felt disembodied from it, though. Cadel can calculate probabilities and all that, but that didn't convince me as a reader that he was necessarily on the right track about what he thought was going on. There wasn't enough proof along the way for it to be believable for me.
October 18, 2022
I've really liked the entire series, it is a fun entertaining read, that had me gasping in surprise in some sections and laughing out loud in others. The characters are good, their struggles realistic, and their moral message palpable. I love the representation of a disabled character; I've read some critiques on this point but I have to disagree and say that it WAS well done, and brings value to the story especially because the protagonist's relationship with a disabled person and how they wish to help them, no pity involved, just LOVE and wanting the world to be better for them. I also find it valuable that this is one of the turning points in our character's life (when he turns good), and he continues to build on it (in book 1) . book 3 offers a pretty ok conclusion, too bad she skipped the epilogue, it kinda just leaves you hanging. Alas, that's my personal preference. happy reading!
December 8, 2020
"It always comes to this, doesn't it? You point a gun at me and tell me what to do"
- Cadel
Like the quote implies, the third book is almost exactly the same as the second. Cadel is again hyperventilating because he is afraid Prosper will come and kill him this time around, and he has a right to be scared after his friends are one by one sent to the hospital and his home is smashed by a bus.
Nothing happens, there is a lot of build up to the final confrontation, and it is executed in the usual, didn't-see-it-coming way but Prosper and Cadel met in the last few chapters, the same scenario of Books 1 and 2 are played out again.
The ending was bad, Cadel is back to square one. Was hoping for more family fluff but no, forsake that for more useless wardriving
- Cadel
Like the quote implies, the third book is almost exactly the same as the second. Cadel is again hyperventilating because he is afraid Prosper will come and kill him this time around, and he has a right to be scared after his friends are one by one sent to the hospital and his home is smashed by a bus.
Nothing happens, there is a lot of build up to the final confrontation, and it is executed in the usual, didn't-see-it-coming way but Prosper and Cadel met in the last few chapters, the same scenario of Books 1 and 2 are played out again.
The ending was bad, Cadel is back to square one. Was hoping for more family fluff but no, forsake that for more useless wardriving
January 28, 2021
I just finished this literally a minute ago, and all I can say is wow... I honestly think I might be going into shock.
The ending, for me, was completely surreal. You know how you get caught up in a book and it's like you're right there with the characters? That's how this was for me. I LOVED this entire series, and I feel like they just kept getting better and better as the trilogy progressed.
All in all, these were the best books I've read in a long time. I totally recommend them for anyone and everyone!
The ending, for me, was completely surreal. You know how you get caught up in a book and it's like you're right there with the characters? That's how this was for me. I LOVED this entire series, and I feel like they just kept getting better and better as the trilogy progressed.
All in all, these were the best books I've read in a long time. I totally recommend them for anyone and everyone!
December 20, 2021
I think The Genius wars was a great conclusion in this trilogy by Catherine Jinks and I really enjoyed it. I think more than a lot of other books I've read, the author realistically depicts what long-term stress and danger can do to a young person. I would not read this book to young children, but it would be great for older children and adults, and maybe the book could be read together and interesting discussions can be had. I look forward to looking at other books Jinks has written and maybe re-reading the series later on.
June 12, 2018
Holy mother of-
You know what, forget it? All I want to say that I love this book so freaking much
and that this book, (the series, in fact) is absolutely well-written, so engaging and so freaking, goddamn awesome that I want to scream for the whole day.
Well done, Ms. Jinks. I really, really, really loved this series. Thank you so much for writing such a jewel.
You know what, forget it? All I want to say that I love this book so freaking much
and that this book, (the series, in fact) is absolutely well-written, so engaging and so freaking, goddamn awesome that I want to scream for the whole day.
Well done, Ms. Jinks. I really, really, really loved this series. Thank you so much for writing such a jewel.
May 9, 2017
Perhaps not QUITE as good as Genius Squad, but still good. Prosper's motivation got kinda lost, didn't make sense anymore. Not enough Sonya, she's great, she was just furniture in this book. Gazo was probably the best character in this book.
July 5, 2021
I can’t decide if this series was brilliant, or infuriating.
The first book was a bit slow to start, but then a wild ride that I couldn’t put down. The cast was intriguing, and the twists and turns were genuinely surprising and kept me guessing everyone’s motives and who was good vs. evil.
Book two was less action-packed, and the characters were less engaging, but there was some great character growth and heartwarming moments.
This final installment felt like everyone had forgotten everything they learned about Prosper English and each other! All of the growth from the second book was gone, Cadel didn’t trust anyone, and the bad guys seemed superhuman in their abilities (only to be foiled easily in the end... maybe?)
The ending was left purposefully open-ended, but felt cheap rather than profound. Where is Prosper now, and what was his actual goal this whole time? What was the point of all the shell companies/schemes that kept falling apart? Why was he more interested in Cadel than any scheme? Why does the Vee (the apparent super genius) work for anyone?
What else did Saul know, and why does he make these choices? What does it mean that Dot and Com were “more assembled than born”, is that literal? And what’s up with Gazo (or any of the slightly modified humans) - why did he have this ability, and why was he so ok with doing whatever anyone else told him?
All in all, an interesting series that ended too soon.
The first book was a bit slow to start, but then a wild ride that I couldn’t put down. The cast was intriguing, and the twists and turns were genuinely surprising and kept me guessing everyone’s motives and who was good vs. evil.
Book two was less action-packed, and the characters were less engaging, but there was some great character growth and heartwarming moments.
This final installment felt like everyone had forgotten everything they learned about Prosper English and each other! All of the growth from the second book was gone, Cadel didn’t trust anyone, and the bad guys seemed superhuman in their abilities (only to be foiled easily in the end... maybe?)
The ending was left purposefully open-ended, but felt cheap rather than profound. Where is Prosper now, and what was his actual goal this whole time? What was the point of all the shell companies/schemes that kept falling apart? Why was he more interested in Cadel than any scheme? Why does the Vee (the apparent super genius) work for anyone?
What else did Saul know, and why does he make these choices? What does it mean that Dot and Com were “more assembled than born”, is that literal? And what’s up with Gazo (or any of the slightly modified humans) - why did he have this ability, and why was he so ok with doing whatever anyone else told him?
All in all, an interesting series that ended too soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2025
I did enjoy the series more as I read books 2 and 3. A little disappointed in the ending. As it was the end of the trilogy, I expected a more clear cut ending. The way it ended felt like she was leaving an opening for another book.
March 6, 2017
Cadel is a very interesting child who knows a lot, and is smarter than most adults. This is a very good book.
April 17, 2018
the best so far absolutely loved it but it was sad
January 4, 2019
This is an amazing book for a teen reader. I loved it and I hope people enjoy it as much as I did.
March 3, 2021
I wish there was more books in the series :(
May 13, 2014
After being groomed from childhood to become a supervillain bent on world domination, Cadel Greeniaus, formerly Cadel Piggott, is just trying to blend in and live a normal life. He goes to computer programming classes at the University of New South Wales, as if he hasn't already achieved fiendish levels of hacking skills. He lives in a little weatherboard house with the foster parents who are trying to adopt him. And he refuses even to think about having anything to do with the global manhunt for Prosper English, the criminal mastermind who raised him. He figures that if he keeps his nose clean, Prosper won't have any reason to try to kill him. Again.
But then Prosper turns up on a bunch of CCTV cameras in Sydney. What is he up to? Cadel can't stay out of it now, because the tweed-jacketed creep might be targeting him. This impression grows into a certainty when Cadel survives several attempts on his life, each of which ends up injuring someone he cares about. What makes these attacks especially fiendish is that they are all being triggered by remote control, using internet connections and bluetooth devices in diabolically clever ways. With CCTV cameras everywhere, and many of them connected to the internet, Cadel can hardly stir outside his house without being recognized by a biometric program. Home appliances, the controls on his friend Sonja's wheelchair, traffic control devices, and even the trajectory of a city bus can all become weapons in the hands of a brilliant programmer. Somehow, somewhere, Prosper must be behind it.
Cadel soon realizes that there can be no escaping the death warrant Prosper has issued for him. The police can't protect him, even with his adoptive father on the force. His former associates from the Genius Squad can no longer be counted on, as he learns in a terrifying incident of a basement slowly filling with cement. His only chance is to disappear off the grid and take control of the hunt for Prosper English himself. He struggles with his conscience as he does this, knowing that as he uses the skills he learned at the Axis Institute for World Domination, each step he gains on Prosper also brings him a step closer to becoming like him. And just when he seems to be on the point of getting his guy, the trap springs and the guy gets him instead.
When Prosper turns the tables on Cadel, it should come as no surprise to those who have followed the Genius trilogy so far. Always with him it's plans within plans, secrets within secrets, tricks within tricks, traps within traps. If I say any more, I risk spoiling the surprises that remain—such as, how Prosper does it, and exactly how deep his evil plan goes. And in the final crisis, we remember once again that Cadal is just a small, gentle, vulnerable boy, a boy whose fear and danger bring out the protective instincts of all the good people who know him. Including you.
Catherine Jinks' other series of books for children and teens include the "Pagan" quartet (named after its main character, medieval hero Pagan Kidrouk), beginning with Pagan's Crusade; a quartet called "Allie's Ghost Hunters," beginning with Eglantine; the ongoing "City of Orphans" trilogy, whose first book is either A Very Unusual Pursuit or How to Catch a Bogle, depending on where you live; and the "Reformed Vampires/Abused Werewolves" series, which I think will grow into at least a trilogy. Some of her many magical, spooky, or speculative stand-alone titles are Witch Bank, Eye to Eye, The Paradise Trap, and most recently, Saving Thanehaven.
But then Prosper turns up on a bunch of CCTV cameras in Sydney. What is he up to? Cadel can't stay out of it now, because the tweed-jacketed creep might be targeting him. This impression grows into a certainty when Cadel survives several attempts on his life, each of which ends up injuring someone he cares about. What makes these attacks especially fiendish is that they are all being triggered by remote control, using internet connections and bluetooth devices in diabolically clever ways. With CCTV cameras everywhere, and many of them connected to the internet, Cadel can hardly stir outside his house without being recognized by a biometric program. Home appliances, the controls on his friend Sonja's wheelchair, traffic control devices, and even the trajectory of a city bus can all become weapons in the hands of a brilliant programmer. Somehow, somewhere, Prosper must be behind it.
Cadel soon realizes that there can be no escaping the death warrant Prosper has issued for him. The police can't protect him, even with his adoptive father on the force. His former associates from the Genius Squad can no longer be counted on, as he learns in a terrifying incident of a basement slowly filling with cement. His only chance is to disappear off the grid and take control of the hunt for Prosper English himself. He struggles with his conscience as he does this, knowing that as he uses the skills he learned at the Axis Institute for World Domination, each step he gains on Prosper also brings him a step closer to becoming like him. And just when he seems to be on the point of getting his guy, the trap springs and the guy gets him instead.
When Prosper turns the tables on Cadel, it should come as no surprise to those who have followed the Genius trilogy so far. Always with him it's plans within plans, secrets within secrets, tricks within tricks, traps within traps. If I say any more, I risk spoiling the surprises that remain—such as, how Prosper does it, and exactly how deep his evil plan goes. And in the final crisis, we remember once again that Cadal is just a small, gentle, vulnerable boy, a boy whose fear and danger bring out the protective instincts of all the good people who know him. Including you.
Catherine Jinks' other series of books for children and teens include the "Pagan" quartet (named after its main character, medieval hero Pagan Kidrouk), beginning with Pagan's Crusade; a quartet called "Allie's Ghost Hunters," beginning with Eglantine; the ongoing "City of Orphans" trilogy, whose first book is either A Very Unusual Pursuit or How to Catch a Bogle, depending on where you live; and the "Reformed Vampires/Abused Werewolves" series, which I think will grow into at least a trilogy. Some of her many magical, spooky, or speculative stand-alone titles are Witch Bank, Eye to Eye, The Paradise Trap, and most recently, Saving Thanehaven.
August 25, 2012
Summary
Cadel is a 15 year old progeny of an evil genius. Now that he's free of his evil genius mentor, Cadel has been living a normal suburban life, with a normal suburban family, going to a normal university with normal responsibilities. Cadel loves it right up until his mentor, Prosper English, comes out of hiding and starts trying to kill him, his friends, and his family.
One by one as his friends and family end up severely hurt in the hospital, Cadel comes to the tough realisation that he has to do something quicker than the speed of bureaucracy. He takes off to end things with Prosper, freeing himself, once and for all.
Characters
I normally have a problem or two with the characters in YA books. They are generally unrealistic, and the circumstances they are thrown into are hard to swallow. However, not so with this book. Jinks does a masterful job of setting up a backstory to explain why Cadel is able to do amazing things at the youthful age of 15 years. After all, Jinks mentioned how his training with an evil genius began when he was merely a toddler. You're bound to pick up a trick or two even at that young age, making the learning curve much, much better.
Cadel isn't a flat character, either. In the beginning he's careful, happy, and quite relieved to be free of his upbringing. When all the action starts happening, Cadel struggles with changing back into old habits. Even at the end, when the drama is highest, Cadel is still struggling with his identity between being a minion and being the kind of person he wants to be.
There are a metric crap tonne of secondary and tertiary characters. I couldn't keep them all straight, to be honest with you. There are a core of secondary characters, then there are others that are introduced for a few pages in this book. I've not read them, but I'll work under the assumption that these scattered characters have shown up in the first two books.
Story
I don't often read books that have technology in the centre of their story plot. This one has hackers as both the antagonist and hero. It is quite refreshing, to say the least, to get a new type of story in that there aren't the usual love interests, paranormal this or that, unrealistic scenarios, or anything else of the sort. I can actually believe this story is possible, and that makes it all the more fun.
Some key features of this story that make it worth reading are:
1.) It's action packed. I didn't find it to keep me up at night until the last two chapters, but I also went back to it ASAP when I could.
2.) The story is modern. There aren't any truly outrageous things in it, making it believable. Sometimes that's just a nice change from your paranormal fare that's pushed out there lately.
3.) Hackers. Who doesn't love a story with good and bad hackers?
4.) It makes you think. It isn't often when a few paragraphs in a story make you think. This one has the ideas that "by any means necessary" and "the end justifies the means" have both good and bad points, and we have to be aware of what kind of person we are developing into when push comes to shove.
Notes
While this book was good, it wasn't great. The reason for that probably lies in the fact that I was asked to read and evaluate the third book in series, and I missed some stuff. It was rather confusing to have so many other characters that were never addressed for more than one scene, then discarded for the most part.
Cadel is a 15 year old progeny of an evil genius. Now that he's free of his evil genius mentor, Cadel has been living a normal suburban life, with a normal suburban family, going to a normal university with normal responsibilities. Cadel loves it right up until his mentor, Prosper English, comes out of hiding and starts trying to kill him, his friends, and his family.
One by one as his friends and family end up severely hurt in the hospital, Cadel comes to the tough realisation that he has to do something quicker than the speed of bureaucracy. He takes off to end things with Prosper, freeing himself, once and for all.
Characters
I normally have a problem or two with the characters in YA books. They are generally unrealistic, and the circumstances they are thrown into are hard to swallow. However, not so with this book. Jinks does a masterful job of setting up a backstory to explain why Cadel is able to do amazing things at the youthful age of 15 years. After all, Jinks mentioned how his training with an evil genius began when he was merely a toddler. You're bound to pick up a trick or two even at that young age, making the learning curve much, much better.
Cadel isn't a flat character, either. In the beginning he's careful, happy, and quite relieved to be free of his upbringing. When all the action starts happening, Cadel struggles with changing back into old habits. Even at the end, when the drama is highest, Cadel is still struggling with his identity between being a minion and being the kind of person he wants to be.
There are a metric crap tonne of secondary and tertiary characters. I couldn't keep them all straight, to be honest with you. There are a core of secondary characters, then there are others that are introduced for a few pages in this book. I've not read them, but I'll work under the assumption that these scattered characters have shown up in the first two books.
Story
I don't often read books that have technology in the centre of their story plot. This one has hackers as both the antagonist and hero. It is quite refreshing, to say the least, to get a new type of story in that there aren't the usual love interests, paranormal this or that, unrealistic scenarios, or anything else of the sort. I can actually believe this story is possible, and that makes it all the more fun.
Some key features of this story that make it worth reading are:
1.) It's action packed. I didn't find it to keep me up at night until the last two chapters, but I also went back to it ASAP when I could.
2.) The story is modern. There aren't any truly outrageous things in it, making it believable. Sometimes that's just a nice change from your paranormal fare that's pushed out there lately.
3.) Hackers. Who doesn't love a story with good and bad hackers?
4.) It makes you think. It isn't often when a few paragraphs in a story make you think. This one has the ideas that "by any means necessary" and "the end justifies the means" have both good and bad points, and we have to be aware of what kind of person we are developing into when push comes to shove.
Notes
While this book was good, it wasn't great. The reason for that probably lies in the fact that I was asked to read and evaluate the third book in series, and I missed some stuff. It was rather confusing to have so many other characters that were never addressed for more than one scene, then discarded for the most part.
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