Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Scholastic Inc. (2010), Edition: Gmc Har/Cr, 192 pages
Description
Shaken by a shocking loss, Amy and Dan flee to an exotic land and trace the footsteps of their most formidable ancestor yet: a military leader of mythic proportions.
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LibraryThing member Reacherfan
This may contain some small spoilers.
This is the second book that Lerangis wrote for this series, and I thought he'd correct the mistakes that he made in his earlier book, sadly this isn't the case. There are so many problems with this book.
The Characters: All of the main characters (Dan, Amy,
Also, the characters weren't true to form. In The Viper's Nest, Dan had a lot of the answers to solve the clues and codes, but we're never told how he does, just that he does. There's no trial and error, looking it up on line, or in a library. It's just all of a sudden he knows it. One part was really laughable. I don't want to say what part, because I don't want to have any big spoilers. Also, he knew a lot about African history. Let me say that again, Dan (who really doesn't like school or research) knew about African history. I just didn't get that part. It's not within his character to know things like that. I'd say it's more in line with Amy, and not Dan. I just couldn't believe some of the things Dan was doing.
I also didn't really like Lerangis' writing style. He used caps far to much. Some examples are GAHHHH!!! EEEKK!!! DUDE!!!! RUN!!! ATTACK!!!! GET OUT OF HERE!!!! This was done all through the book and was really annoying. There wasn't any real plot twists that made and sense. There were some, but it really didn't follow or have any logic to it. It was as if Lerangis had an idea, and just stuck it in, if it made sense or not.
Over all, this was a let down. I didn't expect to much from Lerangis because of the earlier book he wrote. This is a weak installment of the series.
This is the second book that Lerangis wrote for this series, and I thought he'd correct the mistakes that he made in his earlier book, sadly this isn't the case. There are so many problems with this book.
The Characters: All of the main characters (Dan, Amy,
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Nellie) are very annoying and snapped at each other throughout the book. I don't think that Lerangis has the right mind for the characters. It has the feeling that he just wrote it without reading the other books to know what the characters should be like. Nellie and Dan said, "Dude" and "like" far to much. Something like this, "Dude, like, you really need to check this out dude. It's like totally cool." UG! I guess Lerangis was trying to make Dan and Nellie hip, but iin reality, it was very annoying. Even Amy was grouchy in this. book. Also, the characters weren't true to form. In The Viper's Nest, Dan had a lot of the answers to solve the clues and codes, but we're never told how he does, just that he does. There's no trial and error, looking it up on line, or in a library. It's just all of a sudden he knows it. One part was really laughable. I don't want to say what part, because I don't want to have any big spoilers. Also, he knew a lot about African history. Let me say that again, Dan (who really doesn't like school or research) knew about African history. I just didn't get that part. It's not within his character to know things like that. I'd say it's more in line with Amy, and not Dan. I just couldn't believe some of the things Dan was doing.
I also didn't really like Lerangis' writing style. He used caps far to much. Some examples are GAHHHH!!! EEEKK!!! DUDE!!!! RUN!!! ATTACK!!!! GET OUT OF HERE!!!! This was done all through the book and was really annoying. There wasn't any real plot twists that made and sense. There were some, but it really didn't follow or have any logic to it. It was as if Lerangis had an idea, and just stuck it in, if it made sense or not.
Over all, this was a let down. I didn't expect to much from Lerangis because of the earlier book he wrote. This is a weak installment of the series.
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LibraryThing member jugglingpaynes
This was not the best written of the series. Some of the characters lacked continuity with other books in the series. I felt like the author wasn't sure what happened in the book before his. On the plus side, I found some of the clues more challenging. My kids were looking up the Morse code
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alphabet to decode the page clue. It gets credit for having good puzzles. Show Less
LibraryThing member prkcs
Shaken by a shocking loss, Amy and Dan flee to an exotic land and trace the footsteps of their most formidable ancestor yet: a military leader of mythic proportions.
LibraryThing member beckers
The Vipers Nest is a fiction book. It doesnt have anything to do vipers at all. it is a six point book. the charectors Amy, Dan, and the au pair Nellie go on a trip to find clues to the treasure that there rich grandmom gave clues to find.( Zack barnes)
LibraryThing member porch_reader
This is book #7 in the 39 Clues series, and in my opinion, it is one of the stronger entries. Lots of excitement plus a little history in South Africa. Some heart-stopping cliffhangers. And a major secret revealed at the end. Dan and Amy continue to be the most resourceful children I've ever met.
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And the pace makes these books excellent for reading aloud. My fourth-grader loves them! Show Less
LibraryThing member JaBu815
This book was a good book. I have read better but this was still a good book
LibraryThing member benuathanasia
The way the authors of this series blend fact with fiction is absolutely astounding to me. I feel compelled to look up every little "fact" stated to see if it's true or simply part of the Cahill canon, but I stop myself because I REFUSE to destroy the temporary suspension of disbelief with this
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series (at least until I've finished it). Show Less
LibraryThing member nmhale
This story picks up minutes after the last one ended. as Dan and Amy are preparing to leave the island near Krakatoa where they watched Irina sacrifice her life for them. The tragic calm is soon broken as the boat driver informs them that the police are on their tail, and the kids, along with
Events in Africa happen fast. The Holts chase them out of the airport (even though they hoped to have thrown off the competition with their false tickets to Peoria), before Alistair tries to lure them in a trap for the Holts, and then Amy and Dan have to save Alistair from being blown up by the Holts. They finally manage to shake everyone off, and decipher the mysterious postcard given to them at the airport. It seems that the clue in South Africa is tangled up with Churchill, who was a Lucian, and Shaka Zulu, who was an honorary Tomas. They find a hidden letter from Winston Churchill, that Grace left for her relatives in a museum in Constitution Hill, and they read a secret message from Churchill, written in a mine where he hid in Witbank. All of the information leads them to Shaka's grave, buried deep in a Tomas stronghold. Relying on their ingenuity and skills, and help from new allies, they escape the stronghold and discover another clue.
Another exciting addition to the series. The books have been very strong lately. The plots have always been fast-paced, but now the stakes are higher and the tension more palpable. The story lines are tighter, and the clues feel like they really could exist, and do a great job of meshing history with treasure hunting. Part of my heightened interest is that I have spent more time with the characters, who are developing into complex people. Amy had a rough time in this story, dealing with dark feelings, like wanting Alistair to die because he was involved with her parents' death. Dan helps her to process these painful emotions, and she is able to come through true to herself, while still honestly admitting that she is angry at these people who have taken away her parents. Hamilton is proving himself a friend, helping Amy and Dan covertly, and Ian is still following his mama's orders but visibly struggling with it. Everything is rumbling along to a showdown, and I am eager to see how it ends.
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Alistair and Nellie, are dumped in the ocean. The police still catch them, but it turns out they are after Alistair. Once he is gone, Amy and Dan confer with Nellie, and realize that the clue to their next destination is Pretoria, not Peoria. Off to South Africa they fly.Events in Africa happen fast. The Holts chase them out of the airport (even though they hoped to have thrown off the competition with their false tickets to Peoria), before Alistair tries to lure them in a trap for the Holts, and then Amy and Dan have to save Alistair from being blown up by the Holts. They finally manage to shake everyone off, and decipher the mysterious postcard given to them at the airport. It seems that the clue in South Africa is tangled up with Churchill, who was a Lucian, and Shaka Zulu, who was an honorary Tomas. They find a hidden letter from Winston Churchill, that Grace left for her relatives in a museum in Constitution Hill, and they read a secret message from Churchill, written in a mine where he hid in Witbank. All of the information leads them to Shaka's grave, buried deep in a Tomas stronghold. Relying on their ingenuity and skills, and help from new allies, they escape the stronghold and discover another clue.
Another exciting addition to the series. The books have been very strong lately. The plots have always been fast-paced, but now the stakes are higher and the tension more palpable. The story lines are tighter, and the clues feel like they really could exist, and do a great job of meshing history with treasure hunting. Part of my heightened interest is that I have spent more time with the characters, who are developing into complex people. Amy had a rough time in this story, dealing with dark feelings, like wanting Alistair to die because he was involved with her parents' death. Dan helps her to process these painful emotions, and she is able to come through true to herself, while still honestly admitting that she is angry at these people who have taken away her parents. Hamilton is proving himself a friend, helping Amy and Dan covertly, and Ian is still following his mama's orders but visibly struggling with it. Everything is rumbling along to a showdown, and I am eager to see how it ends.
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LibraryThing member pussreboots
The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis is the seventh of the original 39 Clues books. Of the original set, this one is my favorite. Although it did leave me humming "Marching to Pretoria" for about a week after finishing the audio book.
After their disastrous trip to Indonesia, Amy and Dan are
Lerangis doesn't gloss over South Africa's history. Dan, initially taken in by a slim biography of Shaka Zulu ends up taking the lead on this piece of the clue hunt. Along the way they learn about Winston Churchill, the Boer War, Apartheid, and Grace Cahill's time in South Africa.
After their disastrous trip to Indonesia, Amy and Dan are
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understandably on edge. Nellie's new skills (like being able to fly a plane) is also making them suspicious.Lerangis doesn't gloss over South Africa's history. Dan, initially taken in by a slim biography of Shaka Zulu ends up taking the lead on this piece of the clue hunt. Along the way they learn about Winston Churchill, the Boer War, Apartheid, and Grace Cahill's time in South Africa.
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LibraryThing member martensgirl
Interesting inclusion of the history of South Africa.
LibraryThing member lkmuir
When Amy and Dan Cahill trace the footsteps of a formidable military leader from the Cahill bloodline, they uncover a devastating secret about the family that changes everything.
LibraryThing member cyderry
As Amy and Dan Cahill are leaving, they are informed that the police are after them. Realizing that Alistair is the fugitive, the kids head to Pretoria to continue their search.
Their adventure in Africa leads them to some disturbing realizations after their discovery of the clue left by Winston
This is a fun series of children exploring the world with puzzles to solve. Great descriptions of exotic locations as well as historical facts all mixed in with a treasure hunt.
Their adventure in Africa leads them to some disturbing realizations after their discovery of the clue left by Winston
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Churchill in the Tomas stronghold.This is a fun series of children exploring the world with puzzles to solve. Great descriptions of exotic locations as well as historical facts all mixed in with a treasure hunt.
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LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
The hunt for 39 hidden Clues that lead to an unimaginable power have taken a heavy toll on fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan. They've just seen a woman die. They're wanted by the Indonesian police. They're trapped on an island with a man who knows too much about the death of
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their parents. And a tropical storm is rolling in. Just when they think it can't get any worse, it does. Because the Cahills have one more rattling skeleton for Amy and Dan to discover . . . the terrible truth about their family branch. Show Less
LibraryThing member funstm
This was fast paced and action packed and it was wickedly good. Unlike Alex Rider it's not overly sad and unlike Cherub - I like the main characters. As a reader, I relate to Amy but I love Dan's way of looking at things. They're a great team. Nellie, the au pair, is hilarious. She's laid back and
I was thinking how good this was compared to the Sword Thief (which I consider to be one of the best in the series) and realised this is by the same author, Peter Lerangis. Clearly - Lerangis has talent. This was a fast ride with lots of history and action and clues. I like the work they have to put in to solve the puzzles and how they go about and Lerangis is very good at writing them. I don't know what's up with Alistar - he's a mess. Hamilton Holt is back! He's kind of becoming my favourite family member (besides Amy and Dan, of course). Although he didn't do as much in this one as he has in other books. Nellie - is she or isn't she? It's killing me not to know...
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loyal and can speak a seemingly million different languages. The rest of the Cahill family kind of suck, but what's an adventure story without a villain? Or ten? The plot is riveting - the mix of fiction and history is fascinating and I'm flying through the series. They're not particularly long - but then this kind of book never is - or at least never feels like it is. I can't wait to read the rest. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.I was thinking how good this was compared to the Sword Thief (which I consider to be one of the best in the series) and realised this is by the same author, Peter Lerangis. Clearly - Lerangis has talent. This was a fast ride with lots of history and action and clues. I like the work they have to put in to solve the puzzles and how they go about and Lerangis is very good at writing them. I don't know what's up with Alistar - he's a mess. Hamilton Holt is back! He's kind of becoming my favourite family member (besides Amy and Dan, of course). Although he didn't do as much in this one as he has in other books. Nellie - is she or isn't she? It's killing me not to know...
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010-02-02
Physical description
192 p.; 5.04 inches
ISBN
9780545060479