I picked up Spy School: British Invasion by Stuart Gibbs because it looked clever and witty, which it is. I didn't notice "A Spy School Novel" at the bottom of the cover, or I would have realized this book is part of a series.
In fact, it's part of a serial. British Invasion begins with the end of one espionage operation as it sort of bleeds into another. The book ends with an escape that, while it does have some closure, leaves things up in the air. Literally.
For all that, the book is still readable and enjoyable. But it would have been even more so if I'd read the seven books that came before it and knew all the characters' back stories. Since it is the seventh book, it has great binge potential. In fact, there is a boxed set.
This book reminded me some of the Artemis Fowl books. It's an over-the-top thriller with humor. No fairies, though.
Gibbs books are WILDLY popular in my library for some reason! I had to buy second copies of the first volumes of all of the series because kids were always recommending them to friends. They are fun (over the top, to be sure), and I did enjoy going to London. The new Charlie Thorne series has even more adventure!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that I hadn't heard of this book until I stumbled upon it this fall is probably an indication that I am getting too out-of-touch with children's literature.
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