Imagine waking up and realizing your entire life—your parents, your neighbors, your very DNA—is a lie. That’s the terrifying premise of the Mastermind book by Gordon Korman, and honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle it hasn’t been turned into a blockbuster movie franchise yet. Most kids’ books deal with school bullies or magical wardrobes. Korman decided to go a different route. He wrote about a town called Serenity, New Mexico, where everyone is "perfect," but the perfection is actually a massive, illegal social experiment involving the most dangerous criminals in history.
It’s creepy.
The story follows Eli Frieden, a kid who has never left his small town because, well, why would he? Serenity is a utopia. There’s no crime, no poverty, and everyone has a job. But things get weird when Eli tries to ride his bike to the town limits and collapses in inexplicable agony. It turns out Serenity is a "bottled" environment. The kids living there aren't just random students; they are clones of some of the most prolific masterminds and villains the world has ever known.
The Dark Reality of Project Osiris
The Mastermind book by Gordon Korman centers on a concept called Project Osiris. If you’re a fan of the "nature vs. nurture" debate, this is basically that argument on steroids. The scientists running the project believe that if you take the genetic material of a serial killer or a brilliant criminal strategist and raise them in a perfect environment, they’ll turn out to be good people.
But can you really outrun your genes?
Korman doesn't give you an easy answer. Eli and his friends—Amber, Malik, and Tori—start noticing cracks in the facade. They find out that their "parents" are actually security guards and researchers. The town is monitored 24/7. Even the internet they use is a fake, filtered version of the real world designed to keep them from learning about war, violence, or the fact that they are essentially lab rats.
The tension in the first book is palpable. It’s a slow burn. You feel Eli's confusion as he realizes his dad, the mayor of Serenity, is actually the lead scientist behind the whole charade. It makes you wonder what you'd do if you found out your father was essentially your creator and your jailer at the same time.
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Why Gordon Korman is the King of the Page-Turner
Korman has been writing since he was twelve. Seriously. He wrote This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall for a class project and got it published. That kind of longevity gives a writer a specific edge. He knows exactly how to pace a thriller. In the Mastermind book by Gordon Korman, he uses a multi-perspective narrative. This is huge. One chapter you're inside Eli’s head, feeling his betrayal. The next, you’re with Amber, who is a "perfect" rule-follower and absolutely terrified that the world she loves is a sham.
The short chapters usually end on a cliffhanger. You can’t just read one. You end up finishing the whole thing at 2:00 AM because you need to know if they make it over the wall.
Korman’s writing style is punchy. He doesn't waste time with flowery descriptions of the New Mexico desert. He focuses on the psychological weight of the situation. These kids are facing an existential crisis. If Eli is a clone of a mastermind criminal, does that mean he’s destined to become one? Or does the fact that he’s fighting back prove the experiment was a failure?
Breaking Down the "Mastermind" Clones
While Korman never explicitly names every real-world criminal the kids are cloned from—likely for legal and "middle-grade appropriateness" reasons—the hints are there. The "Masterminds" are described as some of the most cunning and dangerous people in history.
- Eli Frieden: The protagonist. He’s a natural leader, but he has a calculating side that scares him. He’s the one who figures out the "cycling" system (the way the town disposes of people who get too suspicious).
- Malik Bruder: He’s the muscle, but he’s also cynical. He never quite fit into the "perfect" vibe of Serenity, which probably saved his life.
- Amber Thorne: She’s the most interesting character arc. She loved Serenity. She believed in the rules. Watching her world crumble is actually more heartbreaking than Eli’s journey because she had the most to lose.
The interaction between these personalities is what keeps the story grounded. Even though they are clones of villains, they act like teenagers. They bicker. They have crushes. They make stupid mistakes. It makes the horror of their situation feel much more personal.
The Series Trajectory: Beyond the First Book
The Mastermind book by Gordon Korman is actually a trilogy.
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- Masterminds (Book 1): The discovery and the escape.
- Criminal Destiny (Book 2): The kids are out in the real world, but they have no money, no ID, and no idea how to survive. They have to use their "criminal" instincts to stay ahead of Project Osiris.
- Payback (Book 3): The final showdown. The kids decide they aren't going to run anymore. They’re going to take down the people who created them.
The second book, Criminal Destiny, is where the series gets really fun. Seeing "perfect" kids try to navigate a real-world city is hilarious and stressful. They don't know how to use a vending machine or what a commercial is. But they do know how to hack systems and plan a heist, because those skills are literally hard-wired into their brains.
Is It Too Dark for Kids?
Honestly, it’s borderline. Korman pushes the limits of middle-grade fiction here. There’s no gore, but the psychological implications are heavy. The idea of being "owned" by a corporation is a very adult fear. Yet, kids love it. They love the rebellion. They love the idea of outsmarting the adults.
Parents often ask if it’s okay for 10-year-olds. Yeah, it is. It’s basically The Truman Show meets Stranger Things. It triggers that "us against the world" feeling that every pre-teen feels, even if they aren't actually clones of international terrorists.
Real-World Themes in a Fictional World
Korman might be writing fiction, but the questions he raises are real. We are currently living in an era of CRISPR and genetic mapping. While we aren't cloning masterminds in secret New Mexico towns (at least, I hope not), the ethics of genetic engineering are a constant headline.
The book touches on:
- Ethical Science: Just because we can do something, should we?
- Identity: Are you who your parents say you are, or who you choose to be?
- Privacy: In Serenity, there is no privacy. The "Purple People" (security) are always watching. It’s a pretty on-the-nose metaphor for the modern surveillance state.
Korman manages to bake these heavy themes into a story that still feels like an adventure. It’s not a lecture. It’s a chase.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Series
A lot of readers go into the Mastermind book by Gordon Korman expecting a standard mystery. They think it’s going to be about a ghost in the school or a hidden treasure. When the sci-fi element hits, it catches them off guard.
It’s not a mystery; it’s a conspiracy thriller.
Another misconception is that because it's a kids' book, the ending will be wrapped up with a neat little bow where everyone is happy. Korman doesn't do that. The characters are changed forever. They can't go back to being the people they were. There is a lingering sense of trauma that makes the series feel much more "human" than your average YA novel.
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you’re looking to dive into the world of Serenity, don't just stop at the first book. Here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Read them in order: This isn't a series where you can skip around. The plot is a continuous line.
- Pay attention to the "Surveillance Logs": Between chapters, Korman often includes snippets of reports from the scientists. These contain huge clues about the kids' origins that the characters themselves haven't figured out yet.
- Discuss the "Nature vs. Nurture" aspect: If you’re a parent or teacher, this is the perfect book for a discussion. Ask: "If Eli was cloned from a bad person, does that make him bad?" It’s a great way to build critical thinking.
- Check out Korman’s other work: If you like the intensity of Masterminds, check out his Everest or Island trilogies. He’s the master of the survival story.
The Mastermind book by Gordon Korman remains a standout in modern children's literature because it doesn't talk down to its audience. It assumes kids are smart enough to handle a story about morality, betrayal, and high-stakes escape. It's a fast, gritty, and thought-provoking read that stays with you long after you close the cover.
If you want to start the series, look for the 2015 original printing or the updated paperback versions. The cover art usually features a fingerprint or a stylized town map—symbols of the identity crisis at the heart of the story. Grab the first book, clear your schedule for the afternoon, and get ready to question everything you know about Serenity.