KEEPER CHANCE AND THE CONUNDRUM OF CHAOS - Alex Evanovich

Keeper Chance doesn't know what life holds in store for him, but he does know that he isn't enjoying school and he really isn't enjoying his grandmother nagging him about it, so when he's approached by a member of E.V.I.L. (Evil Villains International League) with an offer to join their ranks (as a trainee). It sounds interesting enough that he chooses to move forward, meeting another trainee, Toby, who's excited by the opportunity, having wanted to join EVIL for as long as he can remember. Their first EVIL mission, which could dictate whether or not they'll ever become full members ... steal enough cookies for the membership meeting. This should be pretty easy and straightforward, but the life as an EVIL henchman always takes disastrous turns.

During their EVIL efforts, Chance and Toby encounter the enigmatic girl, Y, who's perhaps more capable than either boy. The simple crime of stealing cookies quickly snowballs into something much more dangerous and Keeper Chance, Toby, and Y will learn more about themselves, and each other as they look to a future with E.V.I.L.

I was not enthralled with this book.

First, I have to admit that I am not a fan that in any way supports or makes heroes of criminals.  This can be a gray area, I know.  Is Robin Hood a criminal? The difference is that Keeper Chance is willingly choosing evil and crime for selfish purposes rather than doing something criminal for moral good. Keeper's moral compass, at least, is still seeking its direction which provides some hope for a positive outcome, but it looks like we're going to have to read more than just one book to see that come to fruition, which is, frankly, more than I'm willing to give. 

Aside from what I would consider a questionable lead character (the best character in the book is Y - now if this were HER story, I might have much more positive feelings about the book) we really have some goofy scenarios.  E.V.I.L. comes across more like C.H.U.M.P. - Criminal Headquarters for Underworld Master Plan (anyone else old enough to remember Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp?). Okay, I get it, this is a light-hearted, YA, spy-comedy, but ... is it really?

I'm not clear on whether or not to take any of this seriously (stealing cookies is the big mission?) or not. It's goofy and silly, and yet Keeper Chance is making a big, life-changing decision. As is Toby (though he's made that decision long ago). Evil is where it's at! Let's be bad guys! Yeah!  ...This is not simple comedy.

I have no doubt that there's an audience out there for this book.  Kids who read are always looking for books with characters who 'get' them. But I have to think (or hope?) that kids who read aren't also the same kids who are thinking that 'evil' is the more fun way to go.

Looking for a good book? Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos by Alex Evanovich is a YA adventure with 'bad' boys and a club geared toward evil as the central figures.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

2-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos

author: Alex Evanovich

publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9781665960045

hardcover, 336 pages

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