Book Reviews and More: Memory Maze - Gordon Korman

Memory Maze

The Hypnotists Book 2

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780545503297

eISBN 9780545503334

ASIN B00I11F07I

Memory Maze - Gordon Korman - The Hypnotists Book 1

This book was originally published in 2014. According to Goodreads there are 14 editions of this second volume in this series, including editions in English, French and German editions listed. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read over 85 of his books including this volume, a few of them more than once. I set the goal of reading all his books about 2020. I am now down to 23 left in his canon, and have completed all the stand alone books and am now just working my way through the remaining series. Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged, and I am always entertained. My son, who is 17 often, reads these books to me or with me, and he still loves them. When I posted my review of book 1 in this series a few weeks ago, several people commented they read it in school, but did not know it was part of a series. Looking forward to hearing their feedback because I loved book 2 and look forward to the final instalment. But back to the work at hand.

The description of this volume states:

“Jax Opus knows he's not like other kids. And it isn't his skill on the basketball court or his test scores that set him apart. No, Jax is different because he can hypnotize people. In fact, he might be the best hypnotist the world has seen in a very long time.

You would think Jax would be happy about this. But really? It's ruining his life. He and his family are hiding from a master hypnotist who wants Jax out of the picture . . . forever. And the FBI is also starting to ask questions about Jax and his abilities.

Jax thinks life might be getting a little better when a very rich, very powerful man asks him to help out with something. The reward will be great. And the price -- well, the price is that Jax starts taking on the man's memories. And some of them are pretty deadly.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Gordon Korman keeps the thrills coming and the adventure nonstop as the past and the present collide to build a memory maze that Jax Opus may never escape...”

About the author at the back of this volume we are informed:

“Gordon Korman is the #1 bestselling author of four books in The 39 Clues series as well as six books in his Swindle series: Swindle, Zoobreak, Framed, Showoff, Hideout, and Jackpot. His other books include This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! (published when he was fourteen); The Toilet Paper Tigers; the trilogies Island, Everest, Dive, Kidnapped, and Titanic; and the series On the Run. He lives in New York with his family and can be found on the web at his website.”

I was always hesitant to give this series a try, it was the second to last series for me to start from those still in print. I have to admit I was greatly surprised by this story and the series. I made the mistake of judging a book by its cover, and I feel this is a pretty cheesy cover. From what I have read this story is about the middle of the road for intensity among Korman’s books, but there are some pretty dark events or attempted events in this work, and things in volume two amp it up a level from book 1.

Jax Opus has a strong pedigree, one he is completely unaware of until some surprising events take place and bring him to the attention of meeting Dr. Elias Mako and his institute. Now he and his parents are hiding out, under different names, and with a friend trying to come to teams with their family history. Jax’s powers, and living in a small town after the move from New York City. Soon Jax is giving a chance to turn their life around financially but trying to use his gift to help someone out. But things are not as they appear. And once they start going sideways they really jump the curb.

This book and series has wonderfully written characters, a great pace, and this is an excellent second volume in a wonderful series. This story is another great read from Korman’s masterful pen.

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

(formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)