If You're Reading This, It's Too Late

Cass and Max-Ernest go on a field trip to the seashore and end up tied-up aboard a luxury yacht. They escape with an object that looks like a crystal ball but is actually a Sound Prism that allows them to overhear voices from a long distance. It also leads them to Pietro, a long-standing member of the Terces Society, which Cass and Max-Ernest want to join very badly, and to ancient story of a wizard who was able to grow a man from a pile of horse dung.

This is the second of the series and I haven't read the first, which would have been handy as the story keeps referring back to what happened before, and lots of footnotes encourage the reader to read in order. The book is narrated by an unknown person who is filled with anxiety over show more talking about the situation and it's overall a lightweight book with a bit of charm and some mystery. show less

This is a great audiobook with some music and different actors doing character voices. (I often dislike "full cast" audio, but this was an exception.)

I listened to this with my 8-year-old. She found some parts scary, though I'm sure they were intended to be silly. I'm talking bout the homunculus being a cannibal and eating villains. Overall, we enjoyed it and will continue reading the series. Note: my daughter is obsessed with the Mysterious Benedict Society series and I'm glad to get her into something different, so I forgive this book its weaker moments.

This was originally written in 2008 and it shows. There are some cringe bits, particularly when the carnival workers are being described and the narrator says things like, "They were show more little people, which is a polite way of saying midgets," etc. (The chapter is called "A Polite Way of Saying Weird".) There's also a part where Cass says Yo-Yoji would never have a bar mitzvah because he's Japanese -- fair enough, but nowadays I think we'd recognize that a person can be Jewish and Japanese.

On the other hand, this series was ahead of its time in that Cass has two grandpas who are a couple and it is treated as unremarkable (though gay marriage was not legal throughout the US until 2015). show less

Reviewed by LaLeesha Haynes for TeensReadToo.com

This is a fun book with an interesting narrative. Cass and Max-Ernest are young adults who have recently been involved with a secret society, the details of which are located in the previous book in the series. Although you do miss out on some details of the protagonists, you could read this book without having read the previous installment, THE NAME OF THIS BOOK IS SECRET.

When you read IF YOU'RE READING THIS, IT'S TOO LATE, it is as though you are being told a story by the campfire.

The characters are well-developed, easy to relate to, and have a good sense of humor. Because of the short chapters and common footnotes, I see this as a great book for a reluctant reader. It is easy to pick up show more where you left off and it takes you down many paths at once, keeping you interested. The footnotes typically add a humorous aspect to an interesting mystery, allowing the reader to venture in a new direction before continuing on with the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had a strong storyline with characters that took risks and maintained and created friendships. show less

Cas and Max-Ernest are still fighting the evil Midnight Sun forces while now trying to get themselves initiated into the Terces Society. And track down a homunculus.
A fun-enough sequel to the first book. I think I would have thought the series immensely clever as a kid (as does Charlie, who insisted I read them).

I must admit, this book was better than the first. Both books have creative stories and top secret things in them, but I thought this one was scarier and had a more creative plot. I love the freaky author and I hope he make another book!

Well the secret series is one of the few happy series I have read.
I am not really sure what the secret is, but I think its about immortality.
I just realised the series is about the five senses. The second book is about sound and the first about smell.
Cassandra is a descendent of Hermes, so doesn't that make her a demigod???
Ooooooooooh she has to join CHB! She is twelve and her powers are also perking up. This is sooo cool.
There should also be a cross series The Terces Society X Camp Half Blood.

I have a soft spot for magical creatures who have a cute personality (Tyson, Number 1). So when Mr Cabbage Face (the homonculus ) got submerge in the grave by snow. I just couldn't take it. Nooooo.

Also we never found out what's inside the grave. show more
And Sound Prism sounds fun and I would like to own it.
Cassandra is a orphan (not a surprise)

Anyway I liked the book and that's main point. Yo. show less

Everything about what happens between the covers of this book is a secret...even the author's name! But it's ok...you'll soon get drawn into a tale of a man (or monster?) who was born over 500 years ago in a bottle!