The Invisible Spy (Forgotten Five #2)

 
3.8 (3)
 
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The Invisible Spy (Forgotten Five #2)
Author(s)
Age Range
8+
Release Date
November 08, 2022
ISBN
978-0593325438
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X-Men meets Spy Kids in the thrilling second installment in The Forgotten Five fantasy/adventure series that began with the instant New York Times bestseller Map of Flames.

The forgotten five have made it to Estero to search for their missing supernatural criminal parents. With the help of their new allies, Lada and The Librarian, they’ve managed to find Birdie and Brix’s mother, Elena, and free her from captivity in the presidential palace. Now the president’s henchmen are searching everywhere for the children who broke out Elena, driving the group into hiding in the ancient underground tunnels beneath the city.

Meanwhile, President Fuerte is making headlines for his nighttime flights to other countries accompanied by an invisible man. But why would the president who outlawed supernaturals be working with the people he supposedly hates? And could it be that some of the five’s own parents are helping him?

The fantasy adventure that began with the New York Times and Indie bestseller Map of Flames continues as the five join the fight against the oppression of supernaturals in Estero, face off against an unexpected enemy, and undertake a new mission that will put all of their abilities—and their loyalties—to the test.

Editor reviews

3 reviews
Overall rating
 
3.8
Plot
 
3.7(3)
Characters
 
3.7(3)
Writing Style
 
4.0(3)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A(0)
Action Packed Super Spies
(Updated: January 05, 2024)
Overall rating
 
3.7
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
3.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
The Invisible Spy was an intriguing sequel to Forgotten Five #1 The Map of Flames. This book starts right after the events in book one where the 5 supernatural children, with the help of an ex-military turned spy named The Librarian and a supernatural teen girl named Lada, have finally rescued Birdie and Brix’s mother Elena.

The beginning of the book started a little slowly in regards to character development. There are eight characters which is a large cast. With so many characters and a fast-moving plot, I felt like there was initially little definition to make them stand out like they had in the first book. However, that was a short-lived problem and Cabot, Lada, and Seven took the focus this time.

There are many suspenseful mysteries to which the children and their allies are trying to find answers. They need to discover what happened to all their “bad parents,” the stolen loot, and the shady dealings of President Fuerte. Some of the answers the children receive pack an emotional punch when they discover which parent died, and that the parents are in deep with the President. Parents they thought were good seem to be the most culpable and the one that was awful on the island had some softer moments towards the children. These discoveries lead to an unexpected parting in their ranks.

Lada’s character was interesting. She has a disability that limits her mobility and causes pain leading to split time between a wheelchair and crutches. I like that it discusses how she must evaluate situations to see how she can accomplish the same goals which raises awareness of things most people do not have to consider. I also like that she has a cool supernatural ability and is one of the leaders of the group.

Seven was a compelling character. His ability to camouflage is incredibly useful but he loathes it. He shines in this book when he ends up in danger during a mission. His ability and quick thinking lead him to discover many of the answers they have been trying to find. His interactions with his father are unfortunate but overall, the events lead him to a new appreciation and confidence in himself and his ability.

I continued to enjoy the children’s interactions with the modern world. Having grown up isolated on an island they do not have the common knowledge of how technology and city life work. Reading about their wonder, bewilderment, and failures while also trying to take on professional criminals was endearing.

Overall, this book was a nice continuation of the series. Some answers are found making this book feel complete but it also sets up the third book nicely so that a reader wants to jump right into it. The children are learning about their world and coming into their powers at a good pace keeping the reader wanting to find out what happens next. There were realistic emotional reactions that helped keep this supernatural world grounded and believable. I am excited to read the next book.
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Secrets are revealed, but new questions arise
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
What worked:
The children are the main characters and they possess various super abilities. One boy’s skin shimmers and makes him appear invisible to others and a girl can communicate with animals. Another girl moves about in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy but she’s able to transport herself short distances away. She can also use crutches to walk short distances and has secret compartments within them to hold gadgets and tools she might need. Unlike some other middle-grade novels, the kids’ powers don’t give them any advantages when it comes to fighting so learning stealth and surveillance are more useful skills.
The kids’ lives are complicated because their parents are master criminals with powers of their own. The parents were a gang of thieves that carried out major heists although the first book reveals there was dissension within their ranks. The kids aren’t sure what to think of having parental criminals and they feel some guilt for the damage their parents have done. A couple of the kids discover their parents are still alive but they’re not sure if they should feel joy, anger, or disgust. One father reappears with his powerful x-ray vision so the kids know they must now be extra careful and vigilant as they move about the city. The reconnection with parents answers some ongoing questions but then creates more complications for the future.
The plot is presented like an adventure mystery as the kids try to figure out what the president is up to. In the previous book, he convinced everyone that supers are bad and that they should be arrested or exiled from the country. However, the president is secretly using supers, including some parents, to commit crimes in other countries. The kids are surprised when the president announces a more welcoming attitude toward supers so they’re not sure what it all means. The kids go into hiding but realize they must make dangerous choices to investigate the president’s plans. Infiltrating the enemy’s hideout builds tension into the plot and unexpected incidents amp the anxiety level even higher.
What didn’t work as well:
There are many different characters but none of them stand out as the main characters. Main characters can center readers’ attention in the plot and give a focus to the story as new events pop up. The lack of a small group of main characters makes it more difficult to connect with them thus eliminating emotional attachments to the story. Some moments will evoke feelings but it's more effective to develop bonds with main characters.
The final verdict:
Readers should expect to continue reading future books as the story leaves unanswered questions and unresolved problems. The kids’ super abilities give them advantages over other humans but they’re still presented as underdogs in the series. I suggest you read the first book before this one as it doesn’t provide clear information about prior happenings. Overall, this book continues the “super” story and I recommend you give it a shot.
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Unique Skill Set
Overall rating
 
3.7
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
What I liked:
Invisible Spy is the second book in the Forgotten Five Series. This one is unique in focusing mainly on our supernatural catalog character and his relationships with his father or nonrelationship. Trapped on an airplane, hoping not to be discovered, unexpected information is revealed about President Fuerte.
Final Verdict:
This action-packed sequel does not hold back on the emotional punches as the forgotten five learn more about their parents and who is aligned with the president. The kids want to believe their parents all left for good reasons, but that gets harder to think about as they learn more about life in Estero. Hard choices are made about who to trust, who to stay with, and why things are playing out the way they are. If you enjoy spy novels that are great for this age group, buckle up for a great story.
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