By Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman & Jude Watson
Scholastic, $12.99, 240 pages
Sometimes it is hard to find a good point to join in on an already established series. The 39 Clues series is an excellent example with eleven best-selling books to date. Vespers Rising, by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman and Jude Watson is the eleventh book and already a fan favorite. If you don’t mind a little information overload at the beginning of the book, then this is an excellent starting point for new readers. It contains the origins of the various families, including the Madrigal branch. There is also an account of Grace Cahill’s first venture to help in the quest, as well as a short Dan and Amy adventure. Gideon’s ring features prominently in the book, as well as the rise of the Vespers.
With four different authors penning a story, one would expect one of the stories to fall flat. That doesn’t happen here, as each of the stories easily carries its own weight. Not only are the stories well written and pulse-pounding, but they easily combine into a small tapestry of their own. This book should please veterans of the series, as well as entice new fans into reading more of the 39 Clues books.
Reviewed by Jamais Jochim
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