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While I didn't quite like The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey as much as I liked its predecessor, I still found it to be a clever, quirky read that kept me on the edge of my seat with its intelligent riddles and jokes throughout.

It's been a year since the events of The Mysterious Benedict Society have taken place; and Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance are about to start a reunion scavenger hunt put together for them by Mr. Benedict. Right before they begin, however, they realize Mr. Benedict has gone missing; with only the clues in the scavenger hunt giving any hints to his whereabouts, leading the foursome on an around-the-world trip to find their beloved leader.

As always, Stewart's riddles and puzzles are absolutely amazing. Just like in the first book, whenever a riddle or a clue is revealed, you can't help but try to decipher it on your own alongside Reynie, Sticky, and Constance. While the amount of riddles in this particular book are, unfortunately, a bit less frequent than they were in The Mysterious Benedict Society, they are still every bit as clever and fun to solve.

The characters in this installment are superbly written. They are real children - children with strengths and weaknesses; and this particular installment really is about each of the four children facing their flaws and trying to become better individuals. Reynie struggles to be a good leader, Stick struggles with pride, Kate struggles against her want for vengance, and Constance struggles with moodiness (she is only three after all!). Their character growth is both realistic and articulate, and I commend Stewart for that.

The men in the Salamander, powerless to do anything else, bent down and shielded their heads with their arms. They were sitting ducks. This would be the easiest thing in the world...

Except that Milligan was right.

Kate was not like Mr. Curtain and his nasty associates. Not at all. Seeing those men there, helpless to stop her from doing what they themselves would never hesitate to do, Kate realized - with a certain degree of disappointment but also with a degree of pride - that she could never do it, could never do something that would make her more like her enemy and less like her father.

Another clever story filled with conundrums, riddles and brain-teasers alike. Fans of the first book will not be disappointed in reading where Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance's journey goes next.

..but is it not heartening to know that so many are willing to fight for the good? Think of that young librarian, Sophie, who made certain you escaped. Think of S.Q., who risked my brother’s wrath to make me more comfortable. Think of Captain Noland, and Joe Shooter, and all the others � even strangers � who were prepared to sacrifice their safety, perhaps even their lives, on our behalf. That’s something, is it not?