H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education (1)

First, I have to say that I'm an adult and not the target audience for this book series. I find the authors style an easy read and have finished the series in a few days.The problem that I have with the story as a whole is that if these are the most brilliant, sinister minds on the planet, they sure are incompetent. Throughout the entire story line they are constantly being hood winked by their opposition, whoever that may be in the particular book. In addition, without these 13-year-old trainees, the whole organization would have been destroyed many times over, thank God for devious teenagers. I know, I'm reading too much into this, but stories do have to make a certain about of common sense, even if it is fiction.You'll find no surprises throughout, since the story line is rather predictable. It would be enjoyable for any age under 10. The most ruthless people in the world don't use words like "darn", etc. which is of course used to keep the story withing the age bracket it was designed for.The very young will find it entertaining, anyone older will have difficulty following the incompetent moves, one after the other.

Good book

The book takes place at Hive, or the Higher Institute of Villainous Education in the present day. Otto gets captured and sent to H.I.V.E, where he doesn’t want to be, and makes some friends who also want to escape. To do so, they have to outsmart Dr. Nero, who is the founder of Hive and an evil mastermind. Will they outsmart Dr. Nero to escape Hive, and return to their normal lives? Read the book to find out. I think it’s a great book for readers who are in 4th grade and older and who love the Harry Potter series. This book does contain some mild language, but it doesn’t appear very often.

I loved every second of it,especially the climax.My absolute favorite part was the 'funny turn' of the PM.I don't care if some people say it's a rip-off of Harry Potter,in my opinion it's much better. I would recommend this book for anybody with a good sense of humor and a love for the 'villainous hero' genre.There are only three faults with it and they are:1.The other three streams don't feature much in it,with the exception of Block and Tackle,two thugs from Henchman stream.I don't think the Alphas should completely dominate it.2.Book one doesn't really connect much with the plot of the other books,a trait which it shares with Pirates of the Caribbean.3.Some parts of all the books are rather predictable.However I'd recommend H.I.V.E for anybody.

I got this for my 10-year old grandson, who is reading everything he can get his hands on right now. I decided to read the book to make sure that it had a lot of adventure and action in it, and it doesn't disappoint. However, I had to get through about half the book before I saw any original plot line. It reads like a combination of Harry Potter, James Bond, Star Trek, and The Prisoner (for those of you who are old enough to remember that show). Worth buying, and I know my grandson will love it.

I started reading this and I couldn't leave it. I loved it and it is highly recommended by me! Mostly for the age range 8-14.

This is one of my favorite newer books. The copy that I read was from the library, but then I bought it to share with others. It is a fabulous book for parents looking for novels for GATE kids. My son is 8, and he read it in about four days. It has a lot of twists, and good character development. The second in the series is also great and I am looking forward to the third.It is a thriller, but not scary. Has a bit of the "Young James Bond" fell, but not as intense or violent.

I got my reluctant reader tween son into reading with this series. It's a bit like Mission Impossible meets Spy Kids- but for bad guys. The point of the books is the bonds between the kids, but there is enough action, suspense, and cool gadgets to keep them turning the pages. They are also so well written that even adults will enjoy the series.In fact, my son and I are anxiously waiting the release of the latest book in the U.S., as it is written and published in the U.K. first...

Just as I like it. I bought it for my son aged 12 quite a while back and bought all the other books in the series too. Higher Institute of Villainous Education is just over the top and it is great.Do not think that the author condones crime. To the contrary, the Institute is the brainchild of Dr Nero (yes, you read right) to preserve the old fashion type of villains (you know , the refined, highly intelligent ones, the ones who will never grab an old lady's handbag but are most ruthless and devious and think of the most evil plots in the world) as the world was taken over by really bad mannered villains.It is funny but there is also the underlying theme of camaraderie and loyalty. Well, imagine Harry Potter and his side kicks, and you have the essence of the brightest student in HIVE, Otto Malpense. (But far from me to compare the two, no way, totally different books and plots). You have the blundering Nigel Darkdoom, the always starving Franz, ninja wannabe Wing, Laura the hacker and Shelby the Barbie doll.You have all the ingredients you need to have the perfect ''book'' boarding school.And of course, you have Raven. The most feared assassin in the world, who now acts as Dr Nero's bodyguard and ''problem solver''. And Raven is a ''she''. Which is good, because in HIVE, Mark Walden has made a good balance between girls and boys power.I recommend it to girls and boys alike. Teens and adults alike.

I was looking for a series for my don after he'd finished the Percy Jackson, Kane and Charlie Bone series.Took a gamble on the HIVE series, as I'd never heard of them, but SO glad we did.Brilliant kids adventure stories. Great characters and great baddies.We are 3/4 way through right now.Pretty much about a load of gifted (in a slightly naughty way), kids who are kidnapped and taken to a secret island to be trained as furure James Bond type villains!This book focuses on Otto and his friend's arrival and subsequent determination to escape.Great story. My 10 year old son is ploughing through it.

Another of my try in the 99p sale purchases, loved it so much I bought the rest of the series so far straight away and have the next one due out on pre order. Think harry potter meets bond meets alex rider meets dr evil! Just fantastic sci fi escapism read.I would say a great book to get a reluctant young reader into books, I am an adult who loves a good young adult book and this whole series are amazing books (and not just me who thinks it got 3 other adult friends to buy and they all love the series too)treat a teenager or indulge your inner teenager and give it a go

I purchased this book among with others in the series for my grandsons when they come to visit, as the classic 'Disney stories' are now far too young a read for them. I think they appreciated having something more of their own age to read at bedtime, and are the sort of books they read from their school libraries. So yes, I think they were a good buy.

H.I.V.E is a Very very good book, lots of twists and turns and lots of action too there are many dangers that Otto faces and i love this series of books and i also love the fact that there is so many of them too ! i could read these over and over again without getting bored ! I would reccomend this to anyone who loves a good read.- Jon