The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum
by Lisa Yee with Dan Santat

The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee with Dan Santat

Note: I do not use affiliate links, if that’s of concern.
Please consider purchasing any books you like from
your local independent books store.

Book Description:

Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school a former castle turned prison that’s now a “reforming arts school”!

But nothing could’ve prepared Olive for RASCH ( not “rash”). There, she’s lumped with a team of other kids who never quite fit in, and discovers that the academy isn’t what it seems—and neither is she. In fact, RASCH is a cover for an elite group of misfits who fight crime . . . and Olive has arrived just in time.

Turns out that RASCH is in danger of closing, unless Olive’s class can stop the heist of the century. And as Olive falls in love with this wacky school, she realizes it’s up to her new team to save the only home that’s ever welcomed them.

My Take:

I received a digital copy of this book from Random House Books for Young Readers and NetGally. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Surprisingly great book starting off a new middle-grade series.

Only surprising for how much was neatly wrapped up in a book designed for those middle-grade readers. We’ve got action and suspense; friend and family interactions and drama; a city-wide robbery ring; confusion and trying to figure out one’s own way in the world; life lessons on ALL sorts of problems and dilemmas; and learning how to trust yourself and those around you. SO great of a read.

Really good lesson on learning about yourself and what you thought you knew.

Each character in this book was an entire person unto themselves. They interact with each other in very human ways. There are great lessons on avoiding assumptions, trusting yourself AND your friends, learning that things are WAY more complicated than they seem, and sometimes asking for help is really the best course of action.

The Final Verdict

My rating: 5 stars

Would I recommend? Yes

Exciting, action-packed, and fun – with a healthy dose of learning about yourself along the way. Highly recommend!

You Might Like These Posts, too

Book Review – Shakti Girls

Book review of Shakti Girls by Shetal Shah, which I found to be educational, entertaining, and delightful. This is a wonderful choice for anyone who enjoyed She Persisted, the Little Leaders series, or the Ordinary People Change the World series.

Keep reading

Book Review – Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor

Book review of Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao, which is an incredible adventure from the get-go, with lines being blurred of everything the main character thought he knew.

Keep reading

Book Review – Great or Nothing

Book Review of Great or Nothing – a revisiting of the March sisters of Little Women if they were living during World War II, instead of the US Civil War.

Keep reading

Subscribe

Recent Posts

• Book Review – The Joker Is Wild
• Book Review – Semi Sweet
• Book Review – The Spellshop
• Book Review – The Rebel Romanov
• Book Review – And They Were Roommates