Book Review: 39 Clues: The Black Circle by Patrick Carman

39 Clues: The Black Circlefinds Amy and Dan seeking clues in Russia.  They manage to team up with some unlikely allies for a time, but when they find themselves in the heart of dangerous territory, they get help from a most unexpected source.

Things I Liked:
The story still has lots of action and adventure, with plenty of twists and turns throughout to keep you guessing.  It will definitely have the kids entertained and engrossed.  I like that we keep getting further information about the lives of other characters in the game.

Things I Didn't Like:

I think I'm getting tired of the series. Each books seems like the same thing every time, with slightly different plot points and a new clue.While I will probably continue to read the series, I think I won't post a review for each one individually, since the plots are so similar and my reactions about the same.

Read-alikes:

Read the first four books in the 39 Clues series first

It is a bit like the Percy Jackson series, but for younger readers

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:

s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ***

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The 39 Clues: Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson

The 39 Clues Book 4: Beyond the Gravefollows the Cahill kids Amy and Dan in another terrifying race to find the next clue before the rest of their vicious family. In Egypt, the Cahills venture into ancient tombs and into their worst fears - betrayal from those they love.

Things I Liked:
I think this series is a lot of fun. They are packed with adventure, clues, mystery, and humor. I also liked that in this book there was more depth and feeling from Amy and Dan. They actually sat down and thought about their grandmother. Some of the other evil family members had some interesting internal debates that provide insight into their motivations. I think this series will be a big hit for reluctant readers - short, quick, fast-paced adventure.

Things I Didn't Like:
This episode used a lot of foreign words that might throw kids off or just become annoying. It was (usually) quite easy to figure out the clues, twists, and mysteries. But, I still enjoyed the ride.

Read-alikes:
First three in the series: The Maze of Bones, One False Note, and The Sword Thief
A little like The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
might be a teeny bit scary for really young kids

Overall rating: ****

Got any great books you hand to reluctant readers (adults or kids)?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The 39 Clues: The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis

Description of The 39 Clues: The Sword Thieffrom Amazon:

"ATTENTION! Amy and Dan Cahill have been located once again, this time in the company of the notoriously unreliable Alistair Oh. Could they have been foolish enough to make an alliance? Spies report that Amy and Dan seem to be tracking the life of one of the most powerful fighters the world has ever known. If this fearsome warrior was a Cahill, his secrets are sure to be well-guarded . . . and the price to uncover them just might be lethal."

This is more of the same jam-packed adventure that the previous two have been (reviewed here and here). It is a short, quick, and fast-paced book, suited best, I think, to kids who have short attention spans (what kid doesn't) and a craving for non-stop adventure. The mystery elements are quite simple and would probably not be interesting to teens. As an adult, it was not terribly thrilling to me, but I can see why kids are devouring them!

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
They are always in danger and violence seems to follow them.

Overall rating: ***

Book Review: The 39 Clues: One False Note by Gordon Korman

The 39 Clues: One False Notecontinues the exciting story of Amy and Dan Cahill as they race against their vicious family to get the next clue. They travel through Europe chasing and being chased as they seek hints and leads to the clue. Sometimes, they even have to do a little breaking and entering, not to mention flat-out stealing to get ahead. Will they manage to find the clue before the others?

The series continues to please (first book reviewed here), delivering adventure, mystery, and cryptic messages. It is packed with non-stop excitement as the Cahill family goes from danger to danger. I was a little disappointed they stooped to stealing, but I still had to finish the book to know what happens. It was a quick read and grade school to middle school kids will love figuring out the clues and playing online.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none.

mrg-factor: none.

v-factor: ->
Some mild fighting.

Overall rating: ***

Book Review: The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bonesis the first book in a new exciting kids series. It sets the stage for an enormous scavenger-hunt-type mystery. Amy and Dan Cahill, along with other members of the vast Cahill family, are chosen to solve the 39 clues to become the most powerful of the Cahill family history. But, are they prepared to face the danger involved in this task?

This series is a unique attempt at combining online information with a print book. I like the story and the mysterious/adventurous clues. I personally was not interested in doing all of the online stuff, so the accompanying cards were useless to me. I think kids will probably really get into the story and the online adventures. It was pretty fun, even if I had most of the surprises already figured out.

RATINGS:
s-factor: none.

mrg-factor: none.

v-factor: ->
Mild scary stuff.

Overall rating: ***