H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education

Beau Carlson H.I.V.E.: The Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden (Author) Hive is a comedy, mystery and adventure novel all in one. It is a fast paced book. When the characters are not dodging hazards, they are making jokes about the teachers. What I found surprising in the book was that there is not one reference to evil laughs. I think that Hive is an excellent book for all ages, though there are some hard words. On a scale of one to ten Hive is an amazing nine. I will continue to read the series with an evil vengeance.

This is much better than Harry Potter. Otto not only wrestles with wanting to be back home, but if he wants to follow his 'teachers' at H.I.V.E. and truly become evil. For in this universe, people are trained at the academy, suggesting that even a 'bad person' was humane at one prior point. Redemption comes through recognizing and reconnecting with common humanity. The 'otherworldly' elements throughout this series are a muted backdrop to the author's running commentary on morality and the option-specific consequences of choosing one's fate. Because there is a pre-disposition in youth literature to create a simplistic good/evil binary, Walden deserves an A+. He sincerely presumed that readers would be interested in and capable of actively understanding a multifaceted plot. Readers are not supposed to want to become evil as a result of this series, but they are supposed to compassionately realize how people can become 'evil' over a complex process of time and training. Additionally, it genuinely held the interest of myself and older readers. I would love to see this series made into a Hollywood movie.

This is one of my favorite newer books. The copy that I read was from the library, but then I bought it to share with others. It is a fabulous book for parents looking for novels for GATE kids. My son is 8, and he read it in about four days. It has a lot of twists, and good character development. The second in the series is also great and I am looking forward to the third. It is a thriller, but not scary. Has a bit of the "Young James Bond" fell, but not as intense or violent.

There are far too many books on the shelves with flat, two-dimensional villains. You follow the hero's journey, and don't particularly care about the villain, since you know that a hero must ultimately defeat the dull antagonist. This book is different. Although its premise that all the main characters are villains within a school that will teach them to become supervillains still requires a protagonist (otherwise, why bother reading?), his antagonist is suitably villainous while actually managing to be a well-rounded character. So we get a flawed hero set against a sympathetic villain. Will wonders never cease!

Welcome to Hogwarts for bad guys, minus the magic. H.I.V.E. is a school set on a deserted island where brilliant young adults who have come from criminal families or have taken part in criminal projects are taught to become the worst that they can be. Otto Malpense remembers nothing about how he came to be on the H.I.V.E. island, and neither does him Asian friend, Wing. The H.I.V.E. staff explains to the young criminals that their parents agreed to let them join the school - and that they are under the highest security and scrutiny. Otto, being an extremely smart Alpha, wonders if they were kidnapped and are being held hostage until they graduate. Throughout their time at H.I.V.E., Otto and his friends are enrolled in a number of courses you will not find in your average school. Subjects such as Tactical Education, Stealth and Evasion, Villainy Studies, and many other classes (meant for other students, such as Henchmen). Wanting to be off the island, Otto and his friends, Wing (a martial arts fighter), Shelby (a jewelry store sleuth), and Laura (a technological genius) devise a plan that has never been pulled off before - escaping H.I.V.E. This is a feat that no student has ever accomplished. H.I.V.E. is a great book and the ending leaves it open for a sequel, which i will be more than happy to buy. Although some parts were scattered, it all led to a great, courageous ending. Reviewed by: Jeremey