Book Review: Spy School Revolution by Stuart Gibbs (Spy School #8)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Strong characters, story, action, laughs

Cons: As usual for this author – none

The Bottom Line:

Ben faces danger

From an old conspiracy

Great entry again

Is Erica a Traitor?

The previous book in the Spy School series wrapped up some storylines that we’ve been following since the series began, so I was wondering just where Stuart Gibbs was going to go with Spy School Revolution.  The one thing I knew was I’d enjoy the book no matter what direction the book went, and I was right.

If you are new to the series, it follows Ben Ripley, a young spy in training, and the friends he’s made at Spy School, the secret CIA training facility for the next generation of spies.  Ben has gotten much more real-world experience than most students his age as he’s been targeted by secret organizations.  They’ve even worked out his identity and gone after his parents, too.

And that’s why the CIA has decided to pull them in, tell them the truth, and then relocate them via the Witness Protection Program.  Ben and agent Alexander Hale have just started that conversation when the CIA building they are meeting in is attacked.  More shocking is the identity of the attacker – Alexander’s daughter and Ben’s friend Erica.

Erica wouldn’t be the first friend of Ben’s to turn out to be working for an evil organization, but Ben doesn’t think Erica is actually working for the enemy.  However, as far as the CIA is concerned, she must be found at all costs.  Can Erica be trusted?  If so, why did she attack the CIA?

And just like that, we are off on another wild and thrilling ride.  I love how this book weaves a conspiracy going back to the days of the American Revolution, a period of history I love, and makes it seem real.  Yes, it’s all fiction, but it was plausible enough that I had no trouble believing it as I read the book.

Of course, I wanted to believe it.  Why?  Because the book itself is so much fun.  There is plenty of action to keep the pages turning.  In between the action, we get a tightly plotted mystery that kept me guessing until we reached the logical climax.

And we get plenty of laughs.  These books always include lots of humor, quite often in the middle of the action.  I grinned and laughed multiple times over the course of the book.

None of this takes away from the characters at all.  They are sharp and grow as a result of what happens here.  I’m very anxious to see where some of these relationships go, in fact.

These books are aimed at the middle grade audience.  That hasn’t stopped me from enjoying them at all.  In fact, Stuart Gibbs is on my auto buy lists – for me.  His books are that enjoyable.

If you are looking for an entertaining read for you or the child in your life, you’ll be thrilled you picked up Spy School Revolution.  The change of focus hasn’t changed the enjoyment level for this series in the slightest.

Enjoy more action and fun with the rest of the Spy School series.

This review is part of this week's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.