Melissa De La Cruz does it again! I absolutely adore her middle grade novels and this audiobook perfectly embodies the personality of each character.

This book is an incredibly fun and exciting middle grades book. The characters were developed very well and are likable and believable in their respective roles. The action is constant and the twists and turns keep the reader waiting for what is next.

3 1/2 stars. This was a fun listen. A cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, and The Mysterious Benedict Society. A group of “extraordinary” kids are chosen to go to the Octogon Valley Institute, not knowing exactly what they will find. Turns out that they have an escape room adventure weeding out those who do not belong. Lots of twists and turns, but good for 8-12 year olds.

Puzzles and scavenger hunts are a solid choice for middle grade reading. This one relies perhaps a bit too heavily on narrator opinion for humor. And the plot is sort of madcap. It takes a plot like Mr. Lemoncello's Library or Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and escalates it to a more extreme degree.

I love this book! I love the message about teamwork, and belonging, and second chances. I love the culturally diverse characters (next time, maybe the author could consider diversity outside of culture). This book might be the one exception I have for a book which clearly leads to a sequel - it seamlessly lends itself to future stories, rather than shamelessly promoting the next book at the expense of the current one.
This is one of the few audiobooks I've ever listened to that was adapted as an audiobook, not just a reading of a book. The narrator addresses the audience directly - and does it as "dear listener," not "dear reader." Instead of being annoying or taking me away from the story, it brought me in more and gave me some agency in what was happening.
This is definitely geared to middle school students, and it doesn't pretend otherwise. It's not sophisticated or intellectual, it's fun and it features a good, not subtle, in-your-face message clearly pointed at tweens.
I want to be a part of the (Super Secret) Octagon Valley Society, but I'm too old, so I'm hoping some of my students can get an invitation! And, maybe someday, they'll open an adult version!!
Thanks to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to Disney for this ARC. I did not know what to expect when I first started to listen to this audio. The narrator starts as an observer and tells of the children who have tested into a program for supernatural 6th graders. This book reminded me of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, with the challenges and kids leaving and not coming back. I loved the narrator in the story and her sarcastic attitude. Fun read.

This was a fun middle-grades read perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and other fantasy adventures. The omniscient narrator is conversational (lots of 4th wall breaking) and so engaging; this would be a fun listen for not only the most reluctant reader but also the dedicated bookworm.

I very much enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The (Super Secret) Octagon Valley Society. The story was unique, the characters (mostly) interesting, and the audiobook’s narrator fabulous. This was a hit for me!

A bunch of sixth graders have been chosen to spend a weekend at the Octagon Valley Institute doing what? No one is saying, and Edwin is just happy to be around kids that must be like him, photographic memory and odd quirks. But soon he meets the others and they come from all different backgrounds and all different skills. What they finally learn is the tests are made so the have to use teamwork to get through.
I really loved this book and at times it seemed like a scientist was writing this, you know the scientist I mean, the squirrely one bouncing around a bit here and there, but in a fun way with this book. But Charlie and his soon to be friends figure things out and show teamwork is the way to get through all of it. I can’t say much more for fear of spoiling it but I can’t wait to see what the Super Secret Octagon kids get up to next.

If you love The Mysterious Benedict Society series you are going to love this fast-paced book about some kids with mysterious abilities. A secret question on a test allows children to get a chance to go to the amazing Octagon campus run by none other then Onasander Octagon. It is here that he creates and finds some of the most amazing scientific discoveries. So, who wouldn’t want a sneak peak into his mind. Yet upon arriving the kids are thrown into a test. One that seems to have some real-life consequences. Can the kids pass the test, or is there something else going on?
This is a great read for kids looking for a fast-paced mystery. There are a lot of twist and turns in this book. As stated above it reads along the lines of The Mysterious Benedict Society meets Willy Wanka. I think that kids are really going to enjoy discovering all that really happens at the Octagon Campus. This will be a fun book to recommend.
Thank you to Disney Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

PS there is a spot in the audiobook that it cut part of the book off. I had access to the digital copy as well so I was able to read what was skipped in the audio book. It is right towards the end of the book.

This book is engaging and fast paced; perfect for reluctant readers in grades 4-6.
Think Willy Wonka meets Bertam’s “Book Scavenger” with a heavy splash of Generation Alpha culture and a science fiction twist.
Eight kids from all different backgrounds with all different interests and popularity (or lack of) are chosen from an exam given to all sixth graders to meet bazillionaire, genius, recluse Onasander Octagon and visit the super exclusive Octagon Valley Institute. While they’re there they need work together to move through a scavenger hunt and find puzzle pieces to solve a big riddle. If they don’t solve the riddle it might mean catastrophe for the whole planet!
I can’t wait to see more of this series and it will be a great summer reading recommendation.

Nationwide, there's a test to see if students are smart enough to join the Octagon Valley Society's ranks. Once a student passes, they are invited to Onasander Octagon's exclusive retreat at this headquarters. 8 students have passed the test (the trick is to able to answer the 108 questions) and have arrived at the designated time in a very Willy Wonka vibe. Each kid is there for a different reason and each is eager to prove themselves (except for Harold.. he cheated his way in and doesn't really want to help in intense situations). They meet Onasander who gives them a cryptic mission and poof! The kids are on an epic quest to solve riddles, escape rooms and narrowly escape death at times. With each challenge, the kids start to become more and more extraordinary.

Read on for all the twists and turns. I totally didn't see the ending coming with ONE major EXTRAordinary twist.

I appreciated the humor and unreliable narrating. The narrator breaks the 4th wall a few times too which I found entertaining. The beginning is hard to get into, but once the challenges happen, I was into it. I did like the narrator for the audiobook too!

Melissa de la Cruz took some of my favorite things and blended them into a book that is entertaining for any age. You have to read this book just to see how many topics are blended together in her imagination to create a engaging story that you won't want to end. I had so many feels during my audio book experience, which is the only way to "read" this book. The narration by Marni Penning is superb and brings so much more to the story. I can't imagine having the same experience without the narration. The story is excellent, the narration takes it to another multiverse.
There's a little bit of everything in this book: a hint at a Willy Wonka like leader, 8 highly intelligent middle schoolers, escape rooms to other dimensions. So much to share, but I don't want to ruin the adventure.
Thanks for the roller coaster ride through Octagon Valley! I'm ready to jump back into the next adventure as soon as it's available.

Every sixth grader in the United States takes an assessment. The 8 students who made a perfect score are all invited to the mysterious Octagon Valley Institute for a weekend. When they arrive, the 8 middle schoolers are challenged to a scavenger hunt through a labyrinth where they must work together and use their unique abilities to make it to the end.

This reminded me a lot of a mix between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. I loved how diverse the characters were, with a mix of backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities. The one thing that sometimes grated on my nerves were the narrator's side comments. I felt like they disrupted the flow of the story. Otherwise, this was a highly engaging book that I look forward to reading the sequel of.

This is the start of a quirky middle grade series with a narrator voice as distinctive and fourth-wall breaking as Lemony Snickett. It's sure to appeal to kids who love their books with a dash of humor, a side of adventure, and an ensemble cast of memorable characters. A quick, fun read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC for review, all opinions are my own.

Thank you Disney Audiobooks and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this fabulous book! Fast-paced action, great adventure, nicely written characters who must work together to problem solve and work as a team to complete tasks. This was a delightful read and a great start to the new series. Highly recommend!

The (Super Secret) Octagon Valley Society is a fast-paced, humorous middle grade romp that lovers of series like Mr. Lemoncello's Library & A Series of Unfortunate Events will enjoy.

I love the Mysterious Benedict Society and so I was intrigued when I read this was similar. Melissa de la Cruz is a fantastic writer as . This book did not disappoint. It was funny, entertaining, creative and extraordinary! My eight year old daughter and I listened to this together. She hated when we had to stop and always begged for me. Such a fun book.