Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ahead of publication date. I really enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the conclusion. It was even better than the first - enthralling, captivating, and unputdownable.

I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.

Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?

The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.

Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.

This book is so needed right now. I cried, I laughed, I read it in one day because I needed to know what happened. I absolutely loved it. After reading Max in the House of Spies, which I also loved, I knew the sequel would be good, but I didn't know just how good it would be, or just how much it would speak to our present moment. Not a day has gone by since I read it that I haven't thought about it. I think this book has so much to offer to all of us, not just middle-grade readers, although I certainly think middle-grade readers will love it, too. It was thrilling and heartfelt and so thought-provoking. I also appreciated the back matter, where Gidwitz notes which characters are historical figures—sometimes, I think authors find it difficult to fictionalize real people, but Gidwitz seamlessly integrated numerous historical figures into the plot, yet they still sounded like characters he would write. A must-read. 5 stars.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Max in the Land of Lies is a satisfying conclusion to Max's story. Although it doesn't necessarily stand on its own, the novel is gripping and offers a lot of exciting action for fans. It is perhaps a bit too intense for some younger readers but older middle grade readers will love it.

What worked:
The first chapter offers a surprise as Max gets help and advice from two creatures, one sitting on each shoulder. No one else can see Stein, a Yiddish-speaking dybbuk, and Berg, a German-accented kobold; these characters add humor and novelty to the story. They often question Max’s decisions especially when he makes decisions that may endanger him. These characters have been alive since before there were countries or civilized humans. They provide historical context for Max and readers as they verify or debunk information shared by the Germans. Stein and Berg are stuck to Max and supply him with moral support until he no longer needs it.
The book includes facts about Germany during WW II; some may not be familiar to young readers. They will undoubtedly have heard of Hitler but this story takes place on the streets among everyday German citizens. These people aren’t universally behind the Fuhrer but it’s dangerous for them to speak against their leader. Citizens are on the lookout for traitors so individuals don’t know who might turn them in for something overheard. The story sheds light on how Hitler could take over the country with German citizens angry and struggling after the international community’s WW I sanctions. The book’s last few pages provide factual information about several characters and their roles in WW II. There’s also a section about the horrifying concentration camps.
Max progresses through his mission much faster than expected so the story has a good pace. The early parts of the book share life among the citizens living on the streets of Berlin while the later chapters find Max interacting with various military figures. Meeting German soldiers creates inherent suspense since Max could be executed at any moment for being a Jewish spy. Max (and especially Stein and Berg) is paranoid when meeting military officers since he’s never sure how much information they have on him. Max is alarmed when Hitler’s chief intelligence officer asks Max to confirm details he’s collected about rumors of a young spy entering Germany. Max survives his first encounter but readers will anticipate the inevitable moment when their paths cross again.
What didn’t work as well:
Max frequently takes risks that might reveal himself as a spy. Stein and Berg try to warn him but Max continues to say and do things that could put him in danger. There are times when these risks make sense but he’s rarely careful. The German officers always react in his favor so it feels like Max is unusually lucky. However, the positive outcomes provide insight into the minds of German citizens and help the plot move along.
The final verdict:
The author does a masterful job of sharing Max’s adventure as a spy, navigating Nazi Germany like a small fish in a pool of sharks. A big takeaway from the book is how it enlightens readers about the thoughts and feelings of German people while Hitler rules. It’s a thought-provoking story and I recommend you give it a shot.

Adam Gidwitz does it again in this series, it was a everything that I was hoping for from a sequel in the Max series. It uses the spy element perfectly and enjoyed getting back to Max’s world. It had that writing style that I enjoyed and worked overall with had that danger to it that I expected from the historical setting.