In The Hypnotists, Gordon Korman spins a science fiction tale that seems entirely, and disturbingly, plausible.  Hypnotism is something that has mystified us for generations, and Korman ramps the possibilities up to a whole new level with the concept of a hypnotist superpower.  The action, danger and mystery begin from page one and build progressively straight through to the end.  The main character, Jackson Opus, is a likeable and believable teenaged boy; and while some background characters are not particularly fleshed out and difficult to picture, the primary characters seem authentic.  Korman leaves many of the details of the physical characteristics of the story and people to the imagination of the reader, which is both frustrating and freeing; yet the pros outweigh the cons, since this lack of detail also keeps the book moving at a rapid pace and the reader engaged.  The most significant factor of this book is it’s thought-provoking possibilities.  With the interior machinations, political subterfuge, and nonstop action, Kormon hooks the reader and keeps them engrossed to a satisfying end– but also excited to read the next installment.  This is definitely a book for all budding conspiracy theorists out there, as well as anyone who likes a highly entertaining and thought-provoking adventure!

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic Press (A Scholastic Imprint)

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:None 

Violence/Gore:  Character steps in front of a bus to make it stop, no injuries; Several un-described car accidents; two instances where one character tackles another, no injury; verbal threats of death; A character is shoved and falls down a flight of stairs and is knocked unconscious; 5 Characters almost commit suicide through mind control–no injuries.

Sex/Nudity:None 

Mature Subject Matter:

Mind control; Attempted suicide (involuntary); Threat of murder.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None