This is a book for former gifted kids, and I love that about it.

Is it as good as the original Mysterious Benedict Society books? No. Absolutely not. But how could it be?

The plot is barely existent, the ending is sort of meh, and there are a LOT of info dumps.

But this book really feels like a love letter to fans of the characters who have now grown up somewhat and are trying to figure out what to do with themselves. I loved seeing how everyone has changed or stayed the same as they grew up. I loved that the found family doesn’t completely un-find itself. I even really appreciated the direction Mr Curtain headed in (in terms of character growth, not physical direction). 

I did kind of feel like I’d been queerbaited when Rhonda’s spouse was revealed to be a man, though.