Book Review: 39 Clues, Maze of Bones

39 Clues: Maze of Bones
A Book Review
By: Roro


39 Clues: Maze of Bones is written by popular children's book writer, Rick Rioardan (author of the Percy Jackson books) and released by the every popular Scholastic Books, a company well geared towards the creation of educational yet entertaining books. So right off the bat, I expected this book to be delivered with the same wit, adventure and excitement that Riordan always uses with his works and delivered with the same value that Scholastics has placed on other popular children's book like, Adventure of Captain Underpants, Geronimo Stilton, Heartland and so much more!

What is totally different, cool and innovative about 39 Clues is, apart from the online aspect of the game where you get to play games, forge teams and solve the mystery of the 39 Clues on your own, each sequel will be written by different popular children's book authors. To note, 39 Clues has had the pleasure of being dipped in ink by Rick Riordan, Jude Watson, Jordan Korman, Patrick Karman and promises to be written by other very talented authors in the succeeding books to come.

I have two reasons to want to read 39 Clues. One is being able to play the game online and be a part of the story. Each 39 Clues Book comes with 6 Collectible Trading Cards that readers can use to solve the quest on their own. Each card has a code that you can use online to be a part of the game as the 8th team, racing for the ultimate prize. You will be considered the Cahill family's newest member. There you can meet other 39 Clues enthusiasts, forge alliances of your own, go on missions and aim for the ultimate goal, earning you a chance to win real CASH prizes!

The second reason is for its brilliant array of authors. But what of the story itself? And can it really be lauded as being a Scholastic Creation? How fun is 39 Clues to read and how educational is it really?

Let's review the book.

39 Clues: Maze of Bones is packed with adventure, excitement and danger from the moment I turned the page and read about Grace Cahill's death; and from the changing of the will to Mr. McIntyre's unmentioned visitor. Take note, this has all happened on the first chapter alone! Surely, with the succeeding chapters, the thrills and spills will intensify? And so it has!

Each chapter just seems to build up the suspense more and more. When the will was read and the question raised to all the would-be descendants: one million dollars or a clue, I was faced with the same dilemma as well. Faced with that decision, knowing you could really use the money, would you take it? Or embark on the same quest Amy and Dan did, with nothing but a clue to tide you along?

You can read the very will that Dan and Amy read, and decide for yourself, if you want to! Here's the soft copy that Mr. McIntyre gave out to everyone.



Now that you read it, what do you think? Before you make any sudden decisions, how about getting to know the other teams first?

Dan and Amy Cahill are the grandchildren of Grace Cahill, the eldest matriarch of the Cahill line. According to the story, the Cahills are the most powerful people on the planet and everyone who's anyone from the past on to the present, who has made a significant impact on history has been a Cahill. Albert Einstein, Mozart, Benjamin Franklin, Lewis and Clark - you name it, they're Cahills! It might be hard to believe but well, apparently its true.

Now with the death of Grace Cahill, the secret to the world's ultimate power now lies in wait for its next owner. As to who its owner will be, we're still not sure. It could be Amy and Dan, it could be you or it could be any of the other teams who will take the quest with you.

Be warned though, as not all teams are as upstanding as the Cahill siblings. In fact, all others are as dangerous as can be. Dear uncle Alistair Oh (the Korean Cahill) may seem like he's all hands on deck but be careful! Alistair only makes alliances that can benefit him. Once he finds you're no longer of any use to him, the alliance is over and done with.

The Holt Family might seem like they're all brawns and no brains but tread lightly when you're around because they won't hesistate to punch your lights out should the need suit them.

The Starling triplet might seem cute, decked in their matching outfits but don't forget that cute does not always equate to nice.

Irina Spasky, the Russian Cahill is the one who's most experienced in the art of recconnassaince and espionage, being a former KGB member. So watch out for her treacherous plots.

Then there's Jonah Wizard, international popstar! But a good guy? We think not! These teams may certainly rile you up for a challenge but be forewarned, they are not your strongest and most dangerous rivals. In fact that title goes to the Kabra siblings, the most well-mannered teenagers you'll ever hope to meet, and the deadlist as well. Don't believe us? Try turning your backs on them for a second and be sure to find a poisoned needle embedded in your spine courtesy of the beauteous Natalie Kabra.

As for the Cahills? To be sure you can trust them the most. But don't forget that this is a game you must win and in the end, all alliances will be broken when it comes to the finish line.

So now you've met the teams. Did it help in forging your decisions?

For their part, Amy and Dan chose the clue and faced off with the wrath of their clan, as well as the formidable Aunt Beatrice. But will their decision pay off? For now it seems it did, as their smarts and intelligence led to avoid a scary bombing (poor Starlings!), evade Aunt Beatrice's investigator, avoid Irina's trap, the Holt's arson attempt, Jonah's conniving methods, Alistair's treachery and most of all, the Kabra's deathly grip that finally led them to the first clue, hidden in the catacombs of Paris by the late great Benjamin Franklin.

Ah.. Benjamin Franklin.

A Cahill master born under the Lucian Crest, this book has been all about uncovering his life. Poor Richard's Almanac started this quest off on the right track and led the Cahills to Philadelphia where they were directed to Paris. I was amazed at the historical accuracy regarding Big Ben, well except for the Cahill part but who knows? It might well be true. It was a great idea to introduce one historical figure at a time, and thanks to the Maze of Bones, we've gotten to know Ben a little bit better. If you were related to the famous Ben Franklin, would you be as proud of him as Amy was or do you think that his achievements were not so much to be proud of? Let me know!

But did you really agree with all of their decisions? I didn't, not everything anyway. There were parts in the book where I was saying no Amy don't! or Dan do this, do this! I guess that's why 39 Clues has been such an interesting read for us. All of the characters are so alive, distinct and personal that you can't help but associate them with someone that you know. However, the stereotypes have been played to such an alarming degree tht you can't help but wonder if its not such a gross exagerration. Then again, this has only been book one. its doubtful if these characters will just stay this way for long. In fact, I've already seen Amy starting to stand up for herself and Nellie becoming more than just a rebellious teen. But what of the others? Will Alistair continue building alliances with whomever can help him? Is Reagan's noted sensitivity the best way to break through the Holts?

And most importantly, the man in black - friend or foe? Read the second book to find out!

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Tell me what your favorite part of the book was! Who's your favorite character? Do you think you're a Tomas, Lucian, Ekatarina, Janus or Madrigal? What do you think was the most memorable part of the book? Let's get this discussion rolling! I've told you how I thought of the book and now it's your turn! So what are you waiting for? Get to typing!

While you're thinking of your favorites scenes in the book, or wondering when you finally get to read it, how about engaging BGF's version of the 39 Clues? Bearville Guide is giving away Card Packs for 39 Clues Online! Enter Contest Here


Thanks to Scholasitc and Contemplayshuns for the pawsome images!

Nice review

Hey Guys and Gals!

In case you're stumped as to what you want to talk about regarding our book, why don't you try answering one or two of these questions? I'd love to hear your thoughts and share with you mine!

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?

2. If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be?

3. One million dollars or a clue - what would you pick?

4. Who do you think the Madrigals are, why should the Cahill be wary of them?

5. Share us something you know about Ben Franklin!


Oohh and, while I was reading the Maze of Bones, I found a couple of words that I wasn't familiar with and gotten their meanings from my favorite dictionary! Did you find any words that you didn't understand too? Let me know!

(Special thanks to Scholastics for providing an awesome guide!)

3. The clue.... It depends on what that clue is. If idont know then i will definetly pick a million dollars

Wow! This sounds good, I might read it.
Thanks for the amazing review, I enjoyed ever minute of it.

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
Remi's Answer: Well, power means ability or strength. If you say you have power of ice that means you control ice. What could make me the most powerful person in the world...? Hmm... maybe if I was queen of the world (highly unlikey) then that would give me great power. Even though that's not likely.

If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be? Allison AShley Arm. Shes cool


Great Review! I might read it.

Remi11 wrote:Wow! This sounds good, I might read it.
Thanks for the amazing review, I enjoyed ever minute of it.

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
Remi's Answer: Well, power means ability or strength. If you say you have power of ice that means you control ice. What could make me the most powerful person in the world...? Hmm... maybe if I was queen of the world (highly unlikey) then that would give me great power. Even though that's not likely.

If you were the queen of the world, what would you do?

I have read the first book, its really good. I'm trying to get the second book in the series from the library. It's a really interesting book!

This is a great review! I think I might read it sometime

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
To me, power means being respected by a great number of people. To be the most powerful person in the world, you would need to greatly influence a large number of others.

2. If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be?
Hmm... Selena Gomez!

3. One million dollars or a clue - what would you pick?
I would pick a clue. I love solving puzzles and riddles!

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
Power means...being repected by a large group...-Thats the only meaning i could think of
The most powerful person would be a queen on BigBird Land
2. If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be?
Demi Lovato!
3. One million dollars or a clue - what would you pick?
I agree with CheerBear! I would pick a clue,I just love solving riddles and stuff[Just like CB!]

5. Share us something you know about Ben Franklin!
he broke relations with his son

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
Power equals money. That is what I learned. No matter what you look like, money can always make you have power. Do I like this? Nope. Our economy is based of money and that is the only thing that helps us survive.

2. If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be?
Bill Gates, oh boy. My Christmas gifts would be amazing. LOL!!!

One million dollars or a clue - what would you pick?
One million dollars!

Share us something you know about Ben Franklin!
He flew a kite and then lightning struck.

When I'm done reading the book I'm reading now I'm going to start reading the 39 clues series!
I think I would probley be under Janus but idk

Wow Roro. A wonderful book review you have there. I really enjoyed reading the Percy Jackson books and I am sure others did as well therefore I believe many people will like this book 39 Clues, Maze of Bones because it is by the same author. One look at the cover, it does sound like a fascinating story and to add to that your detailed book evaluation makes it even more suspenseful.

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?

Personally to me power doesn't have to be a physical thing, it can also be a spiritual thing. I am not going to go through the spiritual version just in case we have some controversy eruptions. We all have heard of physical power. The kind where the King and the Queen have power which in other words is political or national strength, but does it always have to be bad? Can it be good? Of course it can. Some of us find ourselves weighing power as a bad thing. Power like money. We all want riches and wealth, but do we not understand having control of all the money could just lead us to a wasted life. We wouldn't be able to see what else life brings if we shower ourselves in money.There are many definitions to the word power itself. Power doesn't have to be the authority you have over someone, but it can also mean the ability to control your attitude, your words, and your actions. You don't have to have the strength over objects, but also emotions and feelings. Using the privileges you have you sometimes misuse it. You have the power to control yourself from doing things you weren't intended or expected to do which is the type of power where you have the ability to do or act. Power can be a person's weakness or strength. Elaborating on that topic, power is a strength when you feel you have the whole world or country wrapped around your finger kind of like the president(don't be offended. I mean it in a good way), but it is weakness when the power of poverty gets to someone who isn't capable of getting everyday necessities. Now, those aren't the best examples, but basically what I am trying to say is that power isn't just an objective thing. I believe it is the strength you have over something that can slow you down as well.
The thing that would make me the most powerful person in the world would be to be able to look at everything in the same perspective as other people. You wouldn't have so many disagreements if you agreed with someone else. There would be more equality and peace. It is impossible to live in total equality because someone else will always be either smarter then you, have more control over things, or be visually or physically greater then you.

2. If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be?

If I could be related to one famous person then I am not sure who would I pick. I have never really wanted to meet a celebrity, actor, or singer because I have felt that they are no different then me. They may have the "power" to have everyone believe they are famous, but really that is because of their occupation. They have a job just like a doctor or a teacher.

3. One million dollars or a clue - what would you pick?

If I had to pick between one million dollars or a clue, I would pick a clue becausehe outcome of that clue could be far more greater then just those simple one million dollars. It is as simple as that. I don't think I need to elaborate on that. =]

4. Who do you think the Madrigals are, why should the Cahill be wary of them?

I am not quite sure what this question is trying to ask. Mainly because this might have to do with reading the book and I haven't read it yet.

5. Share us something you know about Ben Franklin!

Ben Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Not only was he one of our presidents, but he was also multiples things like a scientist. He was responsible for creating theories regarding electricity. What a coincidence. We are brought back to the initial subject: power. This power is more like energy. The transformation of electrons and force.

I also do believe that force and power are quite similar in a way. Just to get you thinking on that one. Maybe you all know the differences and similarities between the words force and power.

3. A clue because it's very exciting to go on adventures and learn new things.

5. Ben was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts.
He died on April 17, 1790 (aged 84) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Admin wrote:

Remi11 wrote:Wow! This sounds good, I might read it.
Thanks for the amazing review, I enjoyed ever minute of it.

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
Remi's Answer: Well, power means ability or strength. If you say you have power of ice that means you control ice. What could make me the most powerful person in the world...? Hmm... maybe if I was queen of the world (highly unlikey) then that would give me great power. Even though that's not likely.

If you were the queen of the world, what would you do?

Good question. First off all, I woundn't want to be queen of the world only for the riches. Also, because I could help the world. I could donate to a million charities and help homeless animals, and people. I could donate money to churches and schools, that needed supplies and food. I could many more things also.

HeatherHeart wrote:3. The clue.... It depends on what that clue is. If idont know then i will definetly pick a million dollars

What if its like in the story? The only thing they know is that it might make them the most powerful person on earth? Would you pick the money or the clue?

Remi11 wrote:Wow! This sounds good, I might read it.
Thanks for the amazing review, I enjoyed ever minute of it.

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
Remi's Answer: Well, power means ability or strength. If you say you have power of ice that means you control ice. What could make me the most powerful person in the world...? Hmm... maybe if I was queen of the world (highly unlikey) then that would give me great power. Even though that's not likely.

What kind of queen would you want to be? Will you be like the glorious Elizabeth of England or a warrior queen like Boadicea?

BriannaBallet wrote:If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be? Allison AShley Arm. Shes cool


Great Review! I might read it.

I hope you do! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I think I saw her in Sonny With a Chance. Yeap she's cool but what about her do you like?

honeydew wrote:I have read the first book, its really good. I'm trying to get the second book in the series from the library. It's a really interesting book!

I haven't read it myself. I'm still reading The Diary of a Wimpy Kid lol.

CheerBear43 wrote:This is a great review! I think I might read it sometime

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
To me, power means being respected by a great number of people. To be the most powerful person in the world, you would need to greatly influence a large number of others.

2. If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be?
Hmm... Selena Gomez!

3. One million dollars or a clue - what would you pick?
I would pick a clue. I love solving puzzles and riddles!

The sounds like Gandhi or Mother Therasa , in terms of power

If you enjoy solving puzzles and riddles , what do you think your chances are of solving the 39 Clues ? How would you solve it? Would you work alone or on a team?

bellastylin3 wrote:1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?
Power equals money. That is what I learned. No matter what you look like, money can always make you have power. Do I like this? Nope. Our economy is based of money and that is the only thing that helps us survive.

2. If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be?
Bill Gates, oh boy. My Christmas gifts would be amazing. LOL!!!

One million dollars or a clue - what would you pick?
One million dollars!

Share us something you know about Ben Franklin!
He flew a kite and then lightning struck.

Very straight forward answer, yes money does seem to equate to power these days but that remember this: Money is only a conduit, a neutral matter. It is still dependent on the wielder, like fire it can either be good or bad for us .

Haha I think you should read 39 Clues, you'll find out about Franklin and the lightning thing.

CarlyAllHeart261 wrote:When I'm done reading the book I'm reading now I'm going to start reading the 39 clues series!
I think I would probley be under Janus but idk

How do you know? Oooh did you take the Which Cahill Are You test?

BasketballLuver wrote:Wow Roro. A wonderful book review you have there. I really enjoyed reading the Percy Jackson books and I am sure others did as well therefore I believe many people will like this book 39 Clues, Maze of Bones because it is by the same author. One look at the cover, it does sound like a fascinating story and to add to that your detailed book evaluation makes it even more suspenseful.

1. What does power mean to you? What could make you the most powerful person in the world?

Personally to me power doesn't have to be a physical thing, it can also be a spiritual thing. I am not going to go through the spiritual version just in case we have some controversy eruptions. We all have heard of physical power. The kind where the King and the Queen have power which in other words is political or national strength, but does it always have to be bad? Can it be good? Of course it can. Some of us find ourselves weighing power as a bad thing. Power like money. We all want riches and wealth, but do we not understand having control of all the money could just lead us to a wasted life. We wouldn't be able to see what else life brings if we shower ourselves in money.There are many definitions to the word power itself. Power doesn't have to be the authority you have over someone, but it can also mean the ability to control your attitude, your words, and your actions. You don't have to have the strength over objects, but also emotions and feelings. Using the privileges you have you sometimes misuse it. You have the power to control yourself from doing things you weren't intended or expected to do which is the type of power where you have the ability to do or act. Power can be a person's weakness or strength. Elaborating on that topic, power is a strength when you feel you have the whole world or country wrapped around your finger kind of like the president(don't be offended. I mean it in a good way), but it is weakness when the power of poverty gets to someone who isn't capable of getting everyday necessities. Now, those aren't the best examples, but basically what I am trying to say is that power isn't just an objective thing. I believe it is the strength you have over something that can slow you down as well.
The thing that would make me the most powerful person in the world would be to be able to look at everything in the same perspective as other people. You wouldn't have so many disagreements if you agreed with someone else. There would be more equality and peace. It is impossible to live in total equality because someone else will always be either smarter then you, have more control over things, or be visually or physically greater then you.

2. If you could be related to one famous person, who would it be?

If I could be related to one famous person then I am not sure who would I pick. I have never really wanted to meet a celebrity, actor, or singer because I have felt that they are no different then me. They may have the "power" to have everyone believe they are famous, but really that is because of their occupation. They have a job just like a doctor or a teacher.

3. One million dollars or a clue - what would you pick?

If I had to pick between one million dollars or a clue, I would pick a clue becausehe outcome of that clue could be far more greater then just those simple one million dollars. It is as simple as that. I don't think I need to elaborate on that. =]

4. Who do you think the Madrigals are, why should the Cahill be wary of them?

I am not quite sure what this question is trying to ask. Mainly because this might have to do with reading the book and I haven't read it yet.

5. Share us something you know about Ben Franklin!

Ben Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Not only was he one of our presidents, but he was also multiples things like a scientist. He was responsible for creating theories regarding electricity. What a coincidence. We are brought back to the initial subject: power. This power is more like energy. The transformation of electrons and force.

I also do believe that force and power are quite similar in a way. Just to get you thinking on that one. Maybe you all know the differences and similarities between the words force and power.

Thank you for this very detailed response! I just love discussing!

I agree, there are different types of power and I love the thought that power is about controlling of one's self and emotions. Its very thought provoking. If that were the standard to which we equate power, then do you agree that the people we call powerful today are in fact quite the opposite?

You should definitely read this book! Riordan has done another stunner, I believe.