The Invisible Spy (The Forgotten Five 2) by Lisa McMann

What worked:

The children are the main characters and they possess various super abilities. One boy’s skin shimmers and makes him appear invisible to others and a girl can communicate with animals. Another girl moves about in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy but she’s able to transport herself short distances away. She can also use crutches to walk short distances and has secret compartments within them to hold gadgets and tools she might need. Unlike some other middle-grade novels, the kids’ powers don’t give them any advantages when it comes to fighting so learning stealth and surveillance are more useful skills.

The kids’ lives are complicated because their parents are master criminals with powers of their own. The parents were a gang of thieves that carried out major heists although the first book reveals there was dissension within their ranks. The kids aren’t sure what to think of having parental criminals and they feel some guilt for the damage their parents have done. A couple of the kids discover their parents are still alive but they’re not sure if they should feel joy, anger, or disgust. One father reappears with his powerful x-ray vision so the kids know they must now be extra careful and vigilant as they move about the city. The reconnection with parents answers some ongoing questions but then creates more complications for the future.

The plot is presented like an adventure mystery as the kids try to figure out what the president is up to. In the previous book, he convinced everyone that supers are bad and that they should be arrested or exiled from the country. However, the president is secretly using supers, including some parents, to commit crimes in other countries. The kids are surprised when the president announces a more welcoming attitude toward supers so they’re not sure what it all means. The kids go into hiding but realize they must make dangerous choices to investigate the president’s plans. Infiltrating the enemy’s hideout builds tension into the plot and unexpected incidents amp the anxiety level even higher.

What didn’t work as well:

There are many different characters but none of them stand out as the main characters. Main characters can center readers’ attention in the plot and give a focus to the story as new events pop up. The lack of a small group of main characters makes it more difficult to connect with them thus eliminating emotional attachments to the story. Some moments will evoke feelings but it’s more effective to develop bonds with main characters.

The final verdict:

Readers should expect to continue reading future books as the story leaves unanswered questions and unresolved problems. The kids’ super abilities give them advantages over other humans but they’re still presented as underdogs in the series. I suggest you read the first book before this one as it doesn’t provide clear information about prior happenings. Overall, this book continues the “super” story and I recommend you give it a shot.