The 39 Clues: Vepsers Rising

This book is the crossover novel between the two series about the 39 Clues. Four great authors -- Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman and Jude Watson -- team up.

Summary: The Cahills thought they were the most powerful family the world had ever known. They thought they were the only ones who knew about Gideon Cahill and his Clues. The Cahills were wrong. Powerful enemies — the Vespers — have been waiting in the shadows. Now it’s their time to rise and the world will never be the same. In Vespers Rising, a brand new 39 Clues novel, bestselling authors Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman and Jude Watson take on the hidden history of the Cahills and the Vespers, and the last, terrible legacy Grace Cahill leaves for Amy and Dan.

I really liked this book, my main problem with it though is the writing style. The first two parts [by Rick Riodan and Peter Lerangis] were very blunt and boring, which is disappointing because I know that both of them [especially Riordan] are truly good writers. But the parts by Gordon Korman and Jude Watson were super exciting and fun. Amy and Dan have finally adjusted to their environment, and it's interesting to be with them when they aren't so clueless.

Though there is nothing special about this book, it does really make for a fun, exciting ride.

4/5

The 39 Clues: Into the Gauntlet

In the 10th and final book in the 39 Clues series, Marget Peterson Haddix, author of The Shadow Children series takes the helm.

Summary: Amy and Dan Cahill are in London on the last leg of the Clue hunt, investigating the lost years of William Shakespeare. But as they close in on a shocking discovery, all the rules change. Who is an enemy and who is a friend? With the fate of the world in their hands, Amy and Dan have to make devastating choices. A single mistake could lead to fatal consequences and an unthinkable end to the hunt.

This book was fascinating. Shakespeare is one of my favorite historical figures and I was really happy he was incorporated into the series. I thought all the characters were a lot better portrayed, showing the many parts of them, not just the ones they're best known for. I thought the plot was perfect [though at times it's very confusing]. I thought that the villain or villains were perfectly depicted, and it was very easy to believe that they truly did the deeds that took place. This book is a fun, fast-paced novel; Probably my favorite of the series.

4.5/5

P.S.: I just got this book, but was too excited to wait to post it in a "In My Mailbox." Sorry folks!

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

WAITING 2 READ- March 2011

Okay so this month I can't wait to read "The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood" by the MASTER of horror Darren Shan, one of my favorite authors. Ever since the first book in this series came out last October I have been waiting for SO LONG to read this book. And hopefully it won't disappoint. Anyway here is a summary:

The epic tale of the vampire Larten Crepsley continues. The question is -- how far can Larten go! alone? Free from their mentor Seba Nile, Larten Crepsley and Wester Flack join the Cubs -- wild young vampires with little respect for human life, and a taste for mindless enjoyment. For the Cubs, everything is easy. But nothing has ever been easy for Larten, and soon fate throws his life into another spin. With dark paths to travel, Larten finds himself far from the Vampire Mountain and its rules. A long way from home, sick and alone, he must decide what kind of vampire he will be. Whether he will stand firm, be true to his master and his principles -- or whether he will lose himself in blood!

Okay, so how awesome is that? Can't wait it comes out April 28.

Also coming out in April [that I am hyped up]:

The 39 Clues Book 11: Vesper Rising by Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis and Jude Watson: The final book in the 39 Clues series, can't wait. How can you go wrong with all these GREAT authors? Comes out April 5

Lucky Cap by Patrick Jennings: I will be doing a pre-review of this book because I'm friends with Patrick J.

The 39 Clues: The Emperor's Code

In the 8th book in the 39 Clues series, Gordon Korman retakes the helm [his first in the series was "One False Note"]. Amy and Dan are heading to China, on the trail of a clue. But when the two get separated each of them must chose to either- find each other, or hunt for the next clue. But when Dan gets taken captive by one of the biggest players in the race it looks grim for the two to find each other in a country of a billion people.

It has a good plot, correction it has a great plot. I think in this one it really lets you get inside the heads of the other Cahills not just Amy and Dan, and lets you see what they're thinking because sometimes it's not like the other clue hunters are these inhumane, power crazed lunatics. I really enjoyed Korman's writing style and I think he brought back something, I don't really know what, but something that was missing in some of the early novels [in the series]. Even though some people think that this is just a scam for kids to buy the cards, I still think the books are really pretty good. Korman crafts a fun adventure story that will get you hooked.

4/5

The 39 Clues: The Viper's Nest

In the 7th installment of the 39 Clues, this one is the second in the series written by Peter Lerangis [his first was "The Sword Thief"]; Amy and Dan have a lead with a new clue involving Shaka which takes them to South Africa. The two find a lead about Winston Churchill that will maybe give them a major league in the competition and the truth on their branch of Cahills.
This book was a fun adventure novel that really doesn't do anything but give you a good time, no thinking required. Though when you think about it [but you don't have to] it is pretty mind boggling. One of the flaws is that the two don't really share their feelings they just all like "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it", which gets REALLY BORING. But it is still a fun, enjoyable, and [on the most part] awesome. I really am fascinate with the [idea] of each book being written by a different author [although some authors have wrote two in the series], but the authors need to know that though they can each add their own writing style, they can't change the plot too much. All in all a fun read.

3.5/5