Fabulous, I tell you. Fabulous. 
 As of right now, this series, the Shadow Children series, along with the Harry Potter series, have been the only series whose first three books all got 5 stars from me. This is probably going to change with my planned reread of the Percy Jackson series (but when that reread will happen I have no idea), but whatever. That's something to be proud of. 
 Perhaps it's my nostalgia from this series that's pushing me to do it, or maybe it's the fact that my EC teacher recommended this series to me and, as she has now retired, that's how I remember her. In a way. 
 But anyway. Enough about that. 
 I felt that this was much better than Among the Impostors, its predecessor (but Among the Impostors is still pretty gosh darn freakin' good). It's the first book in this series that finally gains that dark feeling, the feeling of despair, the bleak hopelessness hole that you feel emanating from the characters. And it is a wonderful experience. 
 I'm not even sure how I can express how good this book is. It's just...good. 
 There are quite a few plot twists in this book, and as I see it that's what Haddix specializes in. Her plot twists are crafted so well, make so much sense, are so very surprising, and leap out at you so suddenly that you just have to admire them. I couldn't EVER put such great plot twists into motion. 
 This book is told in Nina's perspective, and thus we get to learn more about her character. She does seem a little...stupid...compared to Mattias (or however you spell his name), Percy, and Alia, but I'll accept that. And she is a little better at figuring things out instead of thinking things up on the fly, which I think adds diversity to her character even more. She could be a fantastic detective, really. Just a little training and she'd be great. 
 The pace was much quicker in this book than in Among the Impostors. You are immediately thrust into a crazy situation, and it just escalates from there. 
 Plus, we got introduced to more characters! Mattias, Percy, and Alia--the three kids that Nina finds herself with for most of the book--are skilled, intelligent, and awesome. Even Alia, who's around six years old. 
 I'm highly anticipating reading Among the Barons, and I'm lucky to own that book. Just gotta...get it out of that cupboard and wipe the dust off of it. 
 My review of Among the Hidden 
 My review of Among the Impostors