The 39 Clues: Storm Warning

In the ninth installment of the 39 Clues, Storm Warning is the first in the series written by Linda Sue Park, author of the Newbery Award winning novel A Single Shard . Throughout the hunt for the 39 Clues, Amy and Dan have encountered some of the darkest aspects of history . . . and had to deal with the role their family played. But are they ready for the truth? In this thrilling book, Amy and Dan hit the high seas as they follow the trail of some infamous ancestors to track down a long lost treasure. However, the real prize isn't hidden in a chest. It's the discovery of the Madrigals' most dangerous secret and, even more shockingly, the true identity of the mysterious man in black.

The 39 Clues have changed a lot throughout the series. Mostly because each author brings his or her own style to the novel. But the series has also evolved. The authors have learned what works and what doesn't. My main problem is the 2-d personalities of the characters; they all seem so fake. But there are a few characters I liked. And just the plot makes the book worth reading. Linda Sue Park has really brought her own style to the books -- very gritty, edgy, and matter of fact. It's the kind of book I cannot stop reading.I felt like some of the other authors failed to bring their own style into the books, which resulted in a boring collection of purely dialogue and unexciting sequences of action. This was one of my favorite books in the series, a fun, plot-twisting ride.

4/5