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SCHOOL FOR S.P.I.E.S.
Thicker Than Water
Just when Max Segredo learned that his father is still alive, he also learned that Simon Segredo was working for LOTUS, an evil spy operation that wants to take down the Merry Sunshine Orphanage (a.k.a. the School for S.P.I.E.S.) and take over the world. Now Simon is on the run from LOTUS, and Max's surrogate family at the orphange is being threatened from without and within. LOTUS is trying to drive the school out of business, while the Ministry of Health is investigating an anonymous complaint about the orphanage.To top it all off, the trainee spies are riddled by fear and squabbling among themselves. Into this chaos strolls a mysterious billionaire who hires S.P.I.E.S. to steal a powerful mind control device. The fee for the job will help save the school, but there's a catch: they've got just three days to pilfer the device from an ultra-secure facility before LOTUS steals it first. Can the S.P.I.E.S beat their rivals to the prize before the orphanage doors close for good? In this action-packed sequel to PLAYING WITH FIRE, it is impossible not to root for Max, a spy-in-training with mad skills, a spunky attitude, a way with the ladies (well, okay, maybe not so much), and a big heart.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
17 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Hale
113 books132 followersA serious book addict, Bruce wanted to be a children's book author since he was in 4th grade (right after he got over wanting to be a pirate, Tarzan, and Daniel Boone). Today he's the author-illustrator of over 70 seriously funny books for kids, so some dreams do come true.
The Malted Falcon, one of his Chet Gecko Mysteries series, was an Edgar Award finalist, and Murder, My Tweet won a Little D Award for Juvenile Humor Writing. Bruce has written everything from picture books and easy readers, to graphic novels and novels.
Bruce's recent Monstertown Mysteries series blends horror and humor, based on his childhood love of monster movies. His other series include Class Pets, about the secret lives of classroom pets, and the forthcoming Outerspace Mystery Pizza Club books, due in 2024.
A Fulbright Scholar (in Storytelling), Bruce is also a popular speaker, both in the U.S. and internationally. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and knuckleheaded dog Riley. When he's not writing or reading, you may find him hiking, kickboxing, or singing with a latin-jazz band called Mezcal Martini.
The Malted Falcon, one of his Chet Gecko Mysteries series, was an Edgar Award finalist, and Murder, My Tweet won a Little D Award for Juvenile Humor Writing. Bruce has written everything from picture books and easy readers, to graphic novels and novels.
Bruce's recent Monstertown Mysteries series blends horror and humor, based on his childhood love of monster movies. His other series include Class Pets, about the secret lives of classroom pets, and the forthcoming Outerspace Mystery Pizza Club books, due in 2024.
A Fulbright Scholar (in Storytelling), Bruce is also a popular speaker, both in the U.S. and internationally. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and knuckleheaded dog Riley. When he's not writing or reading, you may find him hiking, kickboxing, or singing with a latin-jazz band called Mezcal Martini.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 16, 2019
Great book. Very interesting and he makes you feel annoyed at a certain character in this book.
May 27, 2020
Good book
Read
June 12, 2020Wow
September 12, 2020
This book about that max learns that his father is alive but is working for a evil society.
March 23, 2024
Kinda boring. Easy to understand, but boring. Not much storyline. No suspense really. Sorry.
June 26, 2015
The Plot:
In this second book in the School for Spies series, Max Segredo and his fellow orphans are living at the Merry Sunshine orphanage, which just so happens to be a training school for spies! (In fact, the acronym for the organization running the orphanage is S.P.I.E.S., which stands for Systematic Protection, Intelligence, and Espionage Services.) Max has recently discovered that his father, Simon Segredo, is actually alive and had been working for LOTUS, the enemy organization of S.P.I.E.S. In some ways, Simon has acted as a double agent, by fighting against Max but also helping him in dire moments. In this second installment of the story, Max learns that Simon may have been responsible for Max’s mom’s death.
As the story opens, S.P.I.E.S. is being investigated by a representative from the Ministry of Health, which leads to a number of tense scenes in which the teachers attempt to hide the true nature of the school and make it seem like a safe, normal place for children. (That explosion? That was for Chemistry class! That epic chase during our field trip? They’re filming a movie in town!)
In the middle of all the action, Max is also dealing with a very subtle preteen-friendly love triangle (no kissing, etc.). The new girl, Vespa, is beautiful and flirtatious, but Max already has a complicated, almost-relationship with Cinnabar, and this leads to tension in the orphanage.
In the middle of the investigation, S.P.I.E.S. is also competing against LOTUS to steal a mind-control device. A billionaire named Mr. Elbow is willing to pay very well for this device, which will help the school make enough money to stay open. After Max has used a disguise to break into a building to successfully steal the device, he and most of the rest of S.P.I.E.S. (along with Mr. Elbow) are taken captive by LOTUS. The story ends with the revelation that Vespa is a traitor from LOTUS and Max’s two friends (including his sort-of-crush) realizing that they are the ones who will have to save him!
The Characters:
Thicker than Water boasts a large, diverse cast of characters, but they feel a bit stereotypical. Because there are so many characters, the use of the stereotypes almost seems like a device to help the reader to keep track of everyone. Many of the characters come off as cartoonish and one-note, but this works well enough with the story’s larger-than-life, unrealistic plot. Max deals with some degree of inner struggle and conflicting motivations, which makes him slightly more interesting than the other characters. There is little intrigue and suspense regarding characters, as the plot twist regarding Vespa being untrustworthy was obvious from the beginning.
Overall Evaluation:
Pre-teens/Young teens will enjoy reading about Max’s adventures in espionage, and the gentle hints of romance along with the cliffhanger ending will give readers something to look forward to in future books in the series. Though the story is completely unrealistic and unbelievable, it’s also fun and entertaining, and will provide young readers with a nice escape from reality.
In this second book in the School for Spies series, Max Segredo and his fellow orphans are living at the Merry Sunshine orphanage, which just so happens to be a training school for spies! (In fact, the acronym for the organization running the orphanage is S.P.I.E.S., which stands for Systematic Protection, Intelligence, and Espionage Services.) Max has recently discovered that his father, Simon Segredo, is actually alive and had been working for LOTUS, the enemy organization of S.P.I.E.S. In some ways, Simon has acted as a double agent, by fighting against Max but also helping him in dire moments. In this second installment of the story, Max learns that Simon may have been responsible for Max’s mom’s death.
As the story opens, S.P.I.E.S. is being investigated by a representative from the Ministry of Health, which leads to a number of tense scenes in which the teachers attempt to hide the true nature of the school and make it seem like a safe, normal place for children. (That explosion? That was for Chemistry class! That epic chase during our field trip? They’re filming a movie in town!)
In the middle of all the action, Max is also dealing with a very subtle preteen-friendly love triangle (no kissing, etc.). The new girl, Vespa, is beautiful and flirtatious, but Max already has a complicated, almost-relationship with Cinnabar, and this leads to tension in the orphanage.
In the middle of the investigation, S.P.I.E.S. is also competing against LOTUS to steal a mind-control device. A billionaire named Mr. Elbow is willing to pay very well for this device, which will help the school make enough money to stay open. After Max has used a disguise to break into a building to successfully steal the device, he and most of the rest of S.P.I.E.S. (along with Mr. Elbow) are taken captive by LOTUS. The story ends with the revelation that Vespa is a traitor from LOTUS and Max’s two friends (including his sort-of-crush) realizing that they are the ones who will have to save him!
The Characters:
Thicker than Water boasts a large, diverse cast of characters, but they feel a bit stereotypical. Because there are so many characters, the use of the stereotypes almost seems like a device to help the reader to keep track of everyone. Many of the characters come off as cartoonish and one-note, but this works well enough with the story’s larger-than-life, unrealistic plot. Max deals with some degree of inner struggle and conflicting motivations, which makes him slightly more interesting than the other characters. There is little intrigue and suspense regarding characters, as the plot twist regarding Vespa being untrustworthy was obvious from the beginning.
Overall Evaluation:
Pre-teens/Young teens will enjoy reading about Max’s adventures in espionage, and the gentle hints of romance along with the cliffhanger ending will give readers something to look forward to in future books in the series. Though the story is completely unrealistic and unbelievable, it’s also fun and entertaining, and will provide young readers with a nice escape from reality.
Read
June 23, 2016Since I haven't read book 1: Playing With Fire, I think the "Thicker Than Water Book 2" is about Max Segredo learning that his father Sim Segredo is still alive. Max also learns that his father was working LOTUS (an evil spy operation). Now, his father is on the run. Max and the Merry Sunshine Orphanage are facing two threats: LOTUS is trying to drive the school for S.P.I.E.S., and The Ministry of Health is is investigating an anonymous complaint about the orphanage.
Into this chaos strolls a mysterious billionaire who hire S.P.I.E.S. to steal a mind control device. The fee for the job will save the school. Not only that, LOTUS is after the mind control device too!
-Tamara
Into this chaos strolls a mysterious billionaire who hire S.P.I.E.S. to steal a mind control device. The fee for the job will save the school. Not only that, LOTUS is after the mind control device too!
-Tamara
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2015
Fantastic!
I love this book! Terrific, suspenseful, terrifying, satisfying! The ONLY( yes, only) thing I don't like is the cliffhanger! June? I have to wait for the next boo until JUNE?! Other wise- Amazing!
I love this book! Terrific, suspenseful, terrifying, satisfying! The ONLY( yes, only) thing I don't like is the cliffhanger! June? I have to wait for the next boo until JUNE?! Other wise- Amazing!
March 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It had a good plot twist though it was quite ovious. I wonder what LOTUS will do to Max while he is their captive and whether he will seek revenge against Simon.
It would also be interesting to find out If Max joins LOTUS
It would also be interesting to find out If Max joins LOTUS
December 15, 2014
Great
This book is great for 9-12 year olds. Just like all other Bruce Hale books this is one of the best
This book is great for 9-12 year olds. Just like all other Bruce Hale books this is one of the best
April 5, 2016
good book
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews