These both get five bookworms! They are the first two books from a series I was just introduced to. I don’t know how this series flew under my radar for so long (Lawless was originally published in 2013). I am hooked on the story!

Lawless

By Jeffrey Salane

288 pages – ages 9+

Published by Scholastic Press; Reprint edition on February 24, 2015

Synopsis- Publisher’s summary: “Welcome to Lawless, where the head of the class is a dangerous place to be.

M Freeman is the newest student at the prestigious (and mysterious) Lawless School. All she really wants is to fit in, but from the moment she arrives, her unusual skills have the whole academy buzzing. M excels at escape tactics. She’s a whiz at spotting a forgery. But can she tell right from wrong? She’ll have to figure it out fast, because some of her teachers are planning the crime of the century . . . and M and her classmates might be the only people who can stop them.”

But, who can M trust?

What I Thought- This was a fun book. I liked the idea of a criminal school. This may sound kind of scary, but I would like to go there. It would be really cool. I am interested in criminology, and also activities like lock picking, pick-pocketing, etc. (Don’t ask why – I don’t know). Putting these skills to a use would be awesome (but for a good cause like counter-espionage or something like that – I digress…). M was a great character. She is everything I look for in a main character and Mr. Salane lets the reader really get into her head. Plus it was cool and mysterious how her name was only “M”. Her personality was well-developed. You feel like you really know M by the end of the book. I liked reading about her adventures in the school (and also outside of it). The book brings up incredibly strong self-provoking philosophical points – what is considered bad? -good? How far would you go on either way? I enjoyed reading this great debut every second. I read it in one day it was that good!

Justice

Book #2 in the Lawless series

By Jeffrey Salane

288 pages – ages 9+

Published by Scholastic Press on March 31, 2015

Synopsis- Publisher’s summary: “M Freeman thought she had finally found a place where she belonged: the Lawless School, where the children of master criminals trained to become master criminals themselves. She took her studies seriously, never suspecting she was a pawn in a dangerous game.

Now she knows the truth: The forces of Lawless are after a weapon that threatens all life on earth. M and her crew are determined to stop them – but they can’t do it alone. And that means joining the Fulbright Academy.”

But what if the Fulbrights aren’t as “good” as they seem? What is going to happen to M and her friends? And how does her deceased father play a part in this?

What I Thought- This was an amazing sequel. It was extremely well-crafted. You really feel sorry for M when she realizes that she can’t trust anyone, maybe not even her own friends! This one was kind of on the depressing side, but I’m assuming it is like the bridge between the ultimate final “battle” in the series. This is the book where all hope seems gone. The characters that you meet are intriguing and keep you guessing at their motives. Justice brings up more thought-provoking questions such as in Lawless. Mr. Salane has a great writing style. It really draws you in and holds you there. Like Lawless, I couldn’t put this book down! I can’t wait to read more from Mr. Salane!

Categories: Age 9+

Tags: bibliophile, book review, bookworm, jeffrey salane, justice, lawless, this kid reviews books