Tag: Caramel’s reviews

Through these last few weeks of 2023, Caramel has been reviewing the Spy School novels by Stuart Gibbs in their chronological order. Today he reviews Book Seven: Spy School: British Invasion, first published in 2019. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

[Before reading this book, readers might like to check out the earlier books in the series. Here are Caramel’s reviews of the earlier books: Spy School; Spy Camp; Evil Spy School; Spy Ski School; Spy School: Secret Service; Spy School Goes South. Caramel also read and reviewed the graphic novel versions of the first two: Spy School: The Graphic Novel and Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel.]

Sprinkles: So Caramel, we are on Book Seven. What can you tell us about it?

Caramel: Of course I loved it.

S: Again?

C: Yep, again.

S: That’s wonderful! So tell us a bit about the book. What is going on this time?

C: Ben and his friends find Orion and make him hack a USB.

S: Wait, who is Orion? And what does it mean to hack a USB?

C: Orion is a hacker. And a USB is a file storage device.

S: I know what a USB is, but what do you mean by hacking one? Do you mean Orion helps them read the contents of a specific USB device? Or do they ask Orion to create a virus or something that can invade someone’s computer via its USB drive?

C: The first one. They find a USB device that belonged to Joshua Hallal, and they want to access the information in it.

S: I remember you mentioned Halal when you were talking about Spy School Goes South.

C: Yes, but he first appeared in the second book, Spy Camp.

S: I see. He is not a new character at all then. Do we meet any interesting new characters in Spy School: British Invasion other than Orion?

C: Yes. We also meet Mr. E, who is the leader of SPYDER.

S: Oh, that is exciting! Did we hear about him before?

C: No. It is a revelation.

S: That is really exciting!

C: It is!

S: Okay, before we move on, can you tell me why the book is titled British Invasion?

C: Well, because the book is mainly taking place in Britain. Ben is working with someone from MI6 to catch Mr. E who is hiding there.

S: What did you like most about Spy School: British Invasion?

C: I liked the part where Ben finds out SPYDER’s evil plan again.

S: Why?

C: Because it was hilarious to see Mr. E freak out about it.

S: So the book is pretty funny again, right?

C: Yep, it is.

S: So if I asked you to describe the book using three to five words, I am guessing “hilarious” would be one of them.

C: You know me well, Sprinkles. My description would be “hilarious, action packed, and suspenseful”.

S: Those work well! Does this book make you want to keep reading the rest of the series?

C: Yes!

S: So let us wrap up this review so you can move on to the next book. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel has already reviewed the first five books of the Spy School series of Stuart Gibbs. Today he is talking to Sprinkles about Book Six: Spy School Goes South, first published in 2018.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, here we are, with yet another Spy School book. What is this one about?

Caramel: So in this one, Ben goes to Mexico because he was told by Murray that the leaders of SPYDER would be there. Then he gets shot at with a missile.

S: Why would he listen to Murray? Isn’t Murray an untrustable character?

C: Yes he is a baddie, but for some reason Ben trusts him to be telling the truth in this case.

S: I see. Was he?

C: At least that is what Murray knew to be the truth. And it did turn out that at least some of the leaders of SPYDER were there, so yes, he was telling the truth after all. But Ben never gets to see them.

S: You said he gets attacked. So does he figure out how to get out of it?

C: Yes.

S: And most of the story is taking place in Mexico?

C: Yep. I guess that is the going south in the title.

S: I guess so. So are there any new characters in this book?

C: Yes, Erica’s mom Catherine Hale.

S: What can you tell us about her?

C: She is very helpful. Maybe even more than Erica.

S: Interesting! So how old is Ben in this book?

C: I think he is thirteen now. It is one year after the first book.

S: Wow! so a lot has happened in that one year, right?

C: Yes. This is the sixth book after all.

S: What did you like most about Spy School Goes South?

C: I liked the part where Ben finds out and foils SPYDER’s evil plan again.

S: Why?

C: Because it was hilarious to see Joshua Hallal freak out about it.

S: Wait, who is Hallal?

C: Joshua Hallal is an evil dude.

S: Hmm, so I guess it is good that he freaks out then.

C: Yes.

S: Does this book make you want to continue to read the rest of the series? 

C: Of course!

S: Okay, then maybe we should wrap up this one. Can you describe Spy School Goes South using three to five words?

C: Reprehensible. Repugnant. Odious. Loathsome. Abhorrent. Subhuman.

S: Wait, what? That’s what you think about the book?

C: No of course not! I’m just quoting Erica! That is what she says about Murray!

S: You did surprise me there Caramel! So honestly, would you try to describe the book now?

C: Okay, okay. How about “spyfull”, “adventurous”, and “page-turner”?

S: Those will work fine Caramel, thank you! What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel is on a roll, reviewing the Spy School books of Stuart Gibbs one by one. Today he talks about the fifth book in the series: Spy School: Secret Service, first published in 2017. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, here we are, talking about yet another Spy School book. What is this one about?

Caramel: Ben is re-activated and saves the chairman of Joint Chief of Staff and the president from being assassinated by SPYDER.

S: Wow, that sounds serious and dangerous!

C: It is! Spying is dangerous business!

S: So reading these books is not giving you any ideas of becoming a spy?

C: No, definitely not. I just like reading about Ben’s adventures and misadventures.

S: That’s fair. So do we meet any new characters in Spy School: Secret Service?

C: Yes. Kimmy, Jemma, Jason, and President Stern.

S: So who are all those people? I’m guessing President Stern is the president of the United States and the person Ben will save. So who are the other three?

C: Jason and Jemma are the President’s kids. Kimmy is a person who is on the staff of the White House. She gives Ben a tour of the White House and introduces him to Jason.

S: Okay. I am assuming these people all play some important roles in the adventure?

C: Yep.

S: Do any of the characters from the earlier books show up too?

C: Yes of course. Ben’s friend Erica is there, and his nemesis, the evil genius Murray Hill is there. And so on.

S: What did you like about this book most?

C: I liked the part when Ben and Murray fight with swords the most.

S: Why?

C: Because it was really funny. And I like it when Ben can beat Murray in something.

S: I see. I guess it is normal to root for the main character. So Id you were to describe this book in three to five words, what would you say?

C: Funny, fight scenes, and somewhat tense.

S: I like that recap! So is it tenser than the earlier books?

C: Not really. It is a little higher stakes maybe, but then again, I know Ben will figure things out. So it is not that bad.

S: I see. I guess we do know there are quite a few more books in the series, so surely Ben will make it out of this one.

C: Yep.

S: So does this book make you want to continue to read the rest of the series? 

C: Yes. I am ready for the next book!

S: Alright, then. Let us wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!