richie’s Reviews > A Royal Conundrum > Status Update

i’m almost done. it’s sweet, definitely random and silly at times but i’m guessing that’s the point. the characters really come together as friends and it’s nice to see them grow into more secure versions of themselves. i am curious to know what’s up with olive’s mom tho, like why did she just dump her child at this school and switch their luggage?

oh MAN. i’ve had a crazy 2 months of school reading and have completely abandoned this book. i will say, it’s a really good palette cleanser. i really needed a page turner, something easy to read and this definitely provides. i recognize im not the target audience so my opinion is a little nuanced but it’s something i would have been obsessed with as a kid.

wow i have not touched this book in almost a month and a half. school has been crazy. as for the plot, it’s more childish than i initially thought it would be but i feel like it’s something ivan would enjoy when he’s a little older. i should like to read it to him in a few years. he’ll probably love spies and the like.

okay, it’s grown on me. the chemistry between the kids is funny, the characters stopped feeling one-dimensional and the plot is alright. i like how everyone is their own individual but they’re also just pre-teens. i do think that their “skills” are crazy played up but, it makes for a fun contrast between them all. the kid spies trope will forever reign supreme.

it’s been slow (clearly), but fun. i find it very similar to the last book i read (the mysterious benedict society) in which children are tasked with saving the world, but then again, when are they not? the main character’s name is olive, and her gang’s are james, iggy, phil, james and theo.