The Messengers Book Review and GIVEAWAY

Book Review and GIVEAWAY

The Messengers: Greystone Secrets 3
By Margaret Peterson Haddix
Published April 6, 2021

Review 

First, I need to point out that this is the conclusion to a trilogy and I have not read the first two books. Even so, Haddix's references to prior events caught me up in no time, and I was reading as fast as I could by the second chapter. It's that engrossing. I knew right off that T will want to read this series!

The premise of Greystone Secrets is that of duplicate worlds – one (ours) is basically good and one is basically bad. Our protagonists originate in the bad world, but live in the good world. These heroes are three siblings, Chess, Emma, and Finn. In The Messengers, they are being chased by people from the bad world as they try to figure out how to overthrow a corrupt government and thwart its use of mind control. They team up with friends old and new from both worlds to dismantle the mesmerizing TVs and convey the truth to citizens in the bad world. They do not have a smooth road, and the questions readers ask are echoed by the children themselves. Haddix has thoroughly developed the alternate reality and the characters – fans will recognize her style and talent. So captivating is her writing that I suffered from OMC* late into the night. I won't include spoilers, but I will say that fans of dystopia, mystery, and child-heroes will not be disappointed. I wish I had begun the series from book one, and I will look forward to doing so with T in the future.

Part of what has drawn me to Haddix's writing over the years is her incisive critique of the role of government and technology. Haddix's works prompt readers to examine their own  situations and question where lines are drawn. At what point have we allowed government, police, or big business too much power? When does a particular piece of technology go from being a beneficial tool to a dangerous weapon? The answers are not clear, nor should they be. Rather, Haddix prompts readers to judge for themselves and weigh the shades of grey in Greystone Secrets and other books alike.

*One More Chapter Syndrome: the condition where a reader decides to read one more chapter before going to to bed, only to repeat the decision at the end of every chapter read

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Click that link above!

Enter for a chance to win a set of the Greystone Secrets series, including Greystone Secrets 3: The Messengers.
One (1) grand prize winner receives: 

- A paperback copy of Greystone Secrets 1: The Strangers
- A paperback copy of Greystone Secrets 2: The Deceivers
- A hardcover copy of Greystone Secrets 3: The Messengers

The giveaway begins April 6, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT, and ends April 22, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

Note: Per FTC guidelines, I hereby disclose partnership with The Children's Book Review and HarperCollins Publishers.