Book Review: Spy School
Description: Ben Ripley was recruited to an elite and secret school for spies. While it sounded like his dream situation, it was not exactly what he expected. From day one of spy school, things kept going wrong, and his life always seemed in danger, and not for the usual spy school reasons. Without knowing who to trust, he must figure out the reason behind the threats to his life as well as a larger mystery at the school.
Perfect For
- Fans of James Bond
- Fans of Unique Schools
- Action Stories
- Mystery Lovers
- Winter
Spy School is the first of any Stuart Gibbs books I have read, and I have quickly become a fan. Bringing in our love of a story with hidden schools, new and unique skills for the mysteriously talented, and action, of which there were plenty. Sprinkle in everyday middle-grade problems, a mystery, and a greater plot in the works, and you have yourself a beautifully written middle-grade spy novel.
Plot
Brilliantly executed and written. I wasn’t sure where the plot would go, which is perfect for a spy novel. Sure, I knew there was a mystery, and I knew it involved the main character, but who did it was beautifully hidden until the very end. Not to mention, the plot was very well paced and had enough momentum in each chapter to keep you reading.
Characters
- The main character was enjoyable and a pretty accurate representation of middle-grade. Or, at least, what I remember of being in middle-grade. Filled with curiosity, a healthy dose of fear, and, of course, teenage hormones, I never felt annoyed with the character and thought he was incredibly well balanced.
- The perfect mixed bag of secondary characters. Everything from the badass heroine to the bully to the incompetent teachers and everything else in between. This caused for a good selection of who Ben could trust or not trust.
- Also brilliantly done. Plenty of antagonists that could keep you guessing on who could be trusted or not be trusted. Then the reveal was spectacular and made you want to read more. Very James Bond in the antagonists.
World Building
The world building was pretty good for the first book, with a good amount more that I look forward to being built upon. It was pretty realistic and relatable (taking place in the real world), but it gave you enough to make it feel different and special. I look forward to seeing the character grow as we grow with the world in the next installment of the series.
Prose
An incredibly talented writer who can easily convey the thoughts and images in their mind. There was never a moment that I questioned the scene. Plus, I even learned a new word or two myself, which I always enjoy and look for in any book. It was smooth, to the point, and descriptive at the same time.
Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed Spy School by Stuart Gibbs. A fun read for anyone looking for a new ability school but doesn’t want it revolved around magic, fantasy, or sci-fi. At the end of the day, I think this is a brilliant collection for any reader’s library.
***This is not a paid review. This review is my own personal opinion and thoughts. However, please note that links in this site contains product affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
