*BOOK REVIEW* The Secret Series, by Pseudonymous Bosch.

When you open the cover of Pseudonymous Bosch’s first book, The Name of This Book is Secret, these huge words greet you: “WARNING! Do not read beyond this page!”

And if you dare to turn the page, you’ll read “Good. Now I know I can trust you.”

After those fifteen words, I was hooked.

The Name of This Book is Secret stars eleven-year-old Cassandra, known to her friends as Cass, and her friend Max-Ernest. Cass is a self-proclaimed survivalist, determined to be prepared for any and every disaster. When she discovers a mysterious box called the Symphony of Smells in her grandfather’s junk shop, the box leads her and Max-Ernest on a dangerous adventure, during which they tangle with the mysterious society of alchemists known only as “The Midnight Sun.”

In the next three books, If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late; This Book is Not Good for You; and This Isn’t What it Looks Like, Cass and Max-Ernest are captured by and escape from the Midnight Sun multiple times, rescue Cass’s mom from a prison in a jungle, and even go back in time.

Throughout all this, the mysterious narrator continues to make snide comments and add interesting footnotes. By the fourth book, you can figure out the secret identity of the narrator. If you paid attention, that is.

Each book has an object in it that focuses on one of the senses. In the first book, it’s The Symphony of Smells (Smell). In the second, it’s the Sound Prism (Sound). In the third, it’s the Tuning Fork (Taste), and in the fourth it’s the Monocle (Sight). I don’t know what the object will be in the fifth and final book, which will be coming out some time later this year.

There’s a character named Owen who shows up, in disguise, at least once per book. Figuring out which minor character Owen is masquerading as is one of my favorite things about reading the Secret Series.

In conclusion, these amazing books do not receive nearly the publicity they deserve.

                                          ~Hannah

P.S. But if you dare to read them, be careful. It could put your life in danger. And watch out for people with gloves!