I received a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it and review it.

Keeper Chance has a major problem. His grandmother, who doesn't really want him to do anything, or have an interesting life. He maintains his exactly 75% average (could get 100%, but why invite attention) and fliesunder the radar...

Until he's invited to join EVIL. Who turn out to...well, not be so evil, as is shown when Keeper (and his fellow apprentice in EVIL, Toby)'s initiation turns up a much bigger plan.

A fun adventure novel that will definitely appeal to MG boys who like Percy Jackson...or potty humor. This book would be welcome in libraries and classroom collections, although it probably won't make it on the core curriculum list any time soon.

Is it the most consequential book ever? No. Does it do the job of likely making kids want to read? Yes. Does it have the potential to be a well loved series, yes.

Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos by Alex Evanovich is a fast-paced, action adventure teen novel where the villains are the good guys and the good guys are… a little bit scary!

Sixteen-year-old Keeper Chance has a problem-- his nana. She’s mean, she doesn’t allow anything resembling junk food, she won’t buy Keeper new clothes, and worst of all, she will only pay for college if Keeper agrees to major in accounting. Keeper doesn’t want to be an accountant; he wants to be an inventor. There is no winning against Nana, so Keeper shows up to his meeting with State College-- the only Nana-approved choice of schools-- with no idea that his entire life is about to change. Keeper finds himself face-to-face not with a college rep, but a villain of E.V.I.L. who is bent on recruiting him. Keeper isn’t sure if he is EVIL material, but one thing is for sure-- he doesn’t have a lot to lose. Keeper’s introduction to Chapter 626 of E.V.I.L. is nothing like he expects. It turns out, these “bad guys” aren’t actually all bad. Unfortunately for Keeper, they are also not the only ones looking to recruit him. If Keeper wants to join Chapter 626 and keep his new friends safe, he will need all of his skills, including one very special one he doesn’t yet understand or have a name for.

Keeper Chance is at its best when it is focused on the friendship between Keeper, Toby, and Y. The banter between the trio of friends is witty and charming, and the friendship that blossoms between them is nothing short of heartwarming. All three characters are easy to root for, providing ample fuel for rising tension and suspense in the middle of the book. Evanovich also peppers in a few delightful secondary characters, including Toby’s ever-supportive mom who is always there for anything from ice cream money to car keys. It is the adult E.V.I.L. characters Evanovich seems to struggle with, most of them doing little more than complaining and getting bested by an antagonist who at times feels a little too successful for his abilities and resources.

Overall, the storytelling is good, but the writing can be uneven. I imagine the follow-up books will be stronger. Keeper Chance doesn’t stand out as particularly innovative or unique, but it is a quickly paced story with plenty of action that might just capture the interests of some reluctant middle and early high school students.