Greystone Secrets #3: The Messengers
Greystone Secrets #3: The Messengers book cover

Greystone Secrets #3: The Messengers

Price
$17.99
Format
Hardcover
Pages
416
Publisher
Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0062838438
Dimensions
5.5 x 1.29 x 8.25 inches
Weight
1.05 pounds

Description

PRAISE FOR BOOK 1, THE STRANGERS: “A satisfying third-person narrative thatxa0portrays the complex anxieties and internal lives of close, caring family members grappling with a single set of extraordinary circumstances—separately and together. A secret-stacked, thrilling series opener about perception, personal memories, and the idiosyncrasies that form individual identities.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Maintains suspense from the beginning to the cliffhanger ending. A high-stakes adventure full of teamwork with a multifaceted mystery and complex themes.” — Kirkus Reviews “Haddix returns with another mystery/adventure/science-fiction hybrid filled with twists, turns, and political undertones in the nefarious intentions of the alternate world. This first installment ends expectedly with a cliffhanger that is sure to leave readers wanting more.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Bestselling Haddix launches a new middle-grade series that blends adventure and sf elements into an engrossing mystery. The kidnapping alone could have made a compelling mystery, but Haddix throws in secret rooms, alternate realities, and a cliff-hanger ending to raise the stakes and delight fans new and old.” — Booklist “Masterfully plotted and filled with so many jaw-dropping twists and turns, you’ll be racing toward the end—and begging for the next book. Put simply: this is Margaret Peterson Haddix at her absolute best.” — Shannon Messenger, author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series “With more twists than a spiral staircase, The Strangers kept me up way past my bedtime! This thrilling, page-turning adventure will keep you reading, and keep you guessing. Full of codes and clues, love and logic, this book will make you a part of the Greystone family.” — Amie Kaufman, author of the Elementals series “A hair-raising, mind-twisting adventure full of intrigue, humor, and charm. The spunky, quirky Greystones are easy to cheer for and relate to, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.” — John David Anderson, author of Posted and Ms. Bixby’s Last Day “Readers will come for the mystery, stay for the suspense, and linger in the Greystone kids’ world long after the final page. The Strangrs will take readers on an amazing ride they will not soon forget.” — Jennifer Nielsen, author of The Traitor’s Game and The Ascendance Trilogy “A highly suspenseful, delightfully clever thriller with a tinge of creepiness. Give yourself a few hours to calm down after you finish this gem!” — Lisa McMann, author of the Unwanteds Quests series PRAISE FOR BOOK 2, THE DECEIVERS: "Readers will have a ball scurrying through the secret passageways as the tense caper unfolds, but Haddix also gives plenty of page time to the kids’ inner musings. Thus readers are ensured a rich mystery-adventure that will activate their brains and sense of empathy." — Booklist "This sequel never slows in pace, thrusting the characters into new, treacherous mysteries. In this sequel, Haddix explores themes of honesty and love as the children compare their experiences to those in the alternate universe. A perilous, high-action plot—with a cliffhanger." — Kirkus Reviews "This mystery and science fiction adventure features sleuthing reminiscent of Lemony Snicket’s 'A Series of Unfortunate Events.' Haddix weaves a dystopian tale about government control, prison reform, fair trials, scapegoats, and the importance of believing people are innocent before proven guilty. " — School Library Journal Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm in Ohio. As a kid, she knew two girls who had the exact same first, middle, and last names and shared the same birthday—only one year apart—and she always thought that was bizarre. As an adult, Haddix worked as a newspaper reporter and copy editor in Indiana before her first book, Running Out of Time , was published. She has since written more than forty books for kids and teens, including the Greystone Secrets series, the Shadow Children series, the Missing series, the Children of Exile series, and lots of stand-alones. Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, where they raised their two kids. You can learn more about her at www.haddixbooks.com.

Features & Highlights

  • In the dazzling conclusion to the Greystone Secrets series from
  • New York Times
  • bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix, the Greystones and their doubles, the Gustanos, must team up to save the alternate world—before both worlds are lost. All secrets are revealed in this page-turning, suspenseful story that shows the importance of teamwork, telling your story, and taking action when it matters most.
  • As book three of the Greystone Secrets series opens, the Greystone kids have their mother back from the evil alternate world, and so does their friend Natalie. But no one believes the danger is past.
  • Then mysterious coins begin falling from unexpected places. They are inscribed with codes that look just like what the Greystones’ father was working on before he died. And with the right touch, those symbols transform into words: PLEASE LISTEN. And FIND US, SEE US, HELP US. . . .
  • The coins are messengers, telling the Greystones and their allies that their friends in the alternate world are under attack—and that the cruel, mind-controlling forces are now invading the better world, too.
  • After another spinning, sliding journey across worlds, the Greystone kids must solve mysteries that have haunted them since the beginning: what happened when the Gustanos were kidnapped, what created the alternate world, and how a group of mismatched kids can triumph once and for all against an evil force that seems to have total control.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(280)
★★★★
25%
(117)
★★★
15%
(70)
★★
7%
(33)
-7%
(-34)

Most Helpful Reviews

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The Messengers (Greystone Secrets #3)

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2021. I've been waiting for this for over a year. It was not a disappointment. It ended very nicely, and happily. This is good for die-hearts like me who love happy endings. The only complaint I have is that Natalie was only in the book for a few paragraphs. A few small paragraphs in an over 400 page book. I love Natalie. Natalie and Chess are my favorite characters. There still was the regular suspense, twists, and action that is always in Margaret Peterson haddix' books. Anyway, I still loved it. The Deceivers will always be my favorite, though. Anyhow, read this as soon as you can. It's a great end to this trilogy! And, I can't wait for more new books from Margaret peterson haddix!
3 people found this helpful
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Perfect for a family read aloud together or to read apart

This book was absolutely unputdownable. This was a beautiful book and unlike most new books, it had morals and values. Many of these were under the surface. I loved the use of the need to share stories, work together, focus on beauty, and especially the focus on what’s really important in life. In a day when many are addicted to screens, the entire family needs this book! It was very enjoyable and the characters were multi-dimensional. I love that this is enjoyable for all ages. I love that I can share this series with my children and we can have good discussions about it. The whole series is wonderful but this book is certainly my favorite. It’s complex enough to be enjoyed several readings over and I know I will glean something new each time. If you’re looking for an enjoyable series to read along side or aloud with kids (or even on your own), this one is the one to read.
1 people found this helpful
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Imaginative series!

Greystone Secrets is an imaginative middle grade series. The Messengers concludes the series with loads of action, tension, and excitement for the Greystone kids and their friends and families. An enjoyable read appropriate for most readers 10+ (or could be enjoyed as a family read aloud for ages 8+)!
1 people found this helpful
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Love this Author’s work Story keeps getting better and better!

Love this Author’s work Story keeps getting better and better! The story line moves along quickly and keeps the attention of the reader.
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Lovely

Great story.
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Nice book

My kids like it a lot
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Great book series!

Son loved it!
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compelling

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

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

I have read and enjoyed quite a few of Margaret Peterson Haddix’s books. The Messengers is the third book in her Greystone Secrets series. I have not read the first two books, which would have helped me better understand the plot. However, it did not stop me from enjoying The Messengers and I was able to figure out the plot. For pre-teen and teen readers I would recommend reading the books in order.
In this series, Haddix has successfully created an alternate universe where the residents of one world have doubles in the other world. There are ways to pass between the two worlds. Some doubles meet and become friends and work together to fight the evil. The kids realize that the most important thing is love - that is what helps them fight the evil that has made one of the worlds seem bad. Haddix is a very creative author and pre-teens and teens love her books. I’m sure The Messengers will be loved by that age group as well.
Haddix’s books have made me think about how the government can become corrupt. The plot takes place in a fictional fantasy world so there is no connection to any specific government, but the plot is enough to make you think.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. This is my honest review.
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Coins contain messages

The third and final book in the Greystone Trilogy did not disappoint. I think out of the three books; it is the most creative. The last book is set up for the showdown between the good world and the evil world. Or is either world evil or good? This book takes the concept of dopple gangers and multiple worlds to a whole new level. It keeps what I love about this series codes, mystery, and determination to the core of the story. The unique concept of using coins to talk to another world was mind-blowing for a middle-grade novel. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the twists, turns, and clue finding that unfolding in each of these books. This series has everything I love in a mystery novel but doesn't;t include a considerable amount of violence and death. If you have middle-grade readers who love playing detective and like unique concepts in their stories, this is the perfect series for them.