Looks a little meh, but it's popular. Sort of like a cross between the Mysterious Benedict Society and Harry Potter?

Otto Malpense, un joven superdotado —capaz de sabotear el discurso del primer ministro británico—, es secuestrado por unos desconocidos para ser trasladado a HIVE, una organización internacional oculta en una isla infranqueable y cuyo diabólico objetivo es dominar el mundo. Allí conocerá a Wing, a Laura, a Shelb y... Por sus talentos extraordinarios y sus historiales de fechorías, han sido seleccionados para formar parte de la primera y única escuela especializada en la instrucción de malhechores. Solo cuando hayan completado su formación podrán abandonar el centro; pero Otto y sus compañeros se negarán a colaborar con sus captores, tratarán de eludir el sofisticado sistema de seguridad e intentarán huir de la isla.

I expected a lot more action and adventure from this book written with a male protagonist, Otto. The first two thirds of the book is a little slow, explaining how and why each character has been brought to the island headquarters of H.I.V.E., The Higher Institute of Villainous Education.
The main character, Otto and his friends spend most of the book trying to figure out what made those in charge believe that they would each make good villains. After that, all of the main characters focus their energies on an attempt to escape the island, even though most of them have little to go home for. The real action begins when the teachers and the students of the institute find a common foe that they must learn to fight together.
The characters seem underdeveloped in this story as do their relationships, but that could be because there are several sequels to this book that offer future opportunities for character development. Overall, this book wasn't bad, but I expected more. ( )

I read this because it was a "Reader's Also Like" for Anthony Horowitz's excellent Alex Rider series. While perhaps written for the same audience, I found it lacking. The premise of kids being snatched to be taught how to become master criminals was decent and the previous accomplishments of the students was probably the highlight of the book; however, now at the school, they seem to become incompetent bumblers despite their prodigious skills -- constantly out-maneuvered by their foes. Otto, Wing, Laura and Shelby decide they need to escape from the school's remote island location and regain their freedom.

I had to laugh though, reading the following description of a teacher's hairstyle "that would require an architect, not a hairdresser. It was a monument to hairspray: vast, immobile, indestructible." The teachers were also above average (a la Harry Potter), including a cat. 2.5 stars.
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I love these books! i like the premise and adventure every book has. I can't wait to read more! ( )