Book Reviews and More: Vespers Rising - Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson

Vespers Rising

The 39 Clues - Book 11

Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780545290593

eISBN 9780545339797

ASIN B004AE3R4I

Vesperes Rising - Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson - 39 Clues Book 11

I absolutely loved the beginning of the 39 clues books. I read 18 volumes across two of the series between 2009 and 2012. But then life got very busy with a change in roles at work and 3 young children at home; and they sort of fell off my radar. But I have been on a mission to read and review the complete works of Gordon Korman. I picked this one up when I had a little over 30 to go. It reminded me how good this series is, and I have added the remaining books to me ‘to be read’ pile (for after I have completed Korman's canon). But back to the volume at hand.

The description of this volume states:

“The Cahills aren't the only family searching for the Clues. . . .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.”

The chapters in this work are:

Gideon Cahill 1507 - Rick Riordan

Madeleine Cahill 1526 - Peter Lerangis

Grace Cahill 1942 - Gordon Korman

Amy and Dan Cahill Present - Jude Watson

Each author has contributed a long short story or novella to the collection. The stories span over 500 years of history. The first three provide a lot of back story for us, both about the Cahills and their sworn enemies the Vespers. The biggest difference is the Cahills keep it in the family, and the Vespers recruit the brightest, the best and even the wicked, but they always have some members from the Vesper family line.

Each story builds upon the last and across the four they provide a lot of information about the 2 families, their longstanding feud, and the final piece picks up just after the last of the original 39 clues stories.

Riordan’s piece does an excellent job setting the stage and giving us information about the families we encountered in the previous 10 volumes. Peter L’s story was deeply tragic and helps us understand the lack of trust within the family that we have previously read about. I absolutely loved Korman’s offering about Grace as a precocious 13 year old and her encounter with a great general. And the final piece leads us into the second of the 39 Clues Series Cahills vs. Vespers. It really leaves you desperate for the next story!

Reading this volume after a 13 year break was like a visit with old friends. During that visit we learned some old family stories, and then got caught up on the latest news. It is wonderfully written and it an excellent addition to the series. I can easily recommend the book and series great fun for the young and young at heart!

The 39 Clues:
The Maze of Bones - Book 1 - Rick Riordan
One False Note - Book 2 - Gordon Korman
The Sword Thief - Book 3 - Peter Lerangis
Beyond the Grave - Book 4 - Jude Watson
The Black Circle - Book 5 - Patrick Carman
In Too Deep - Book 6 - Jude Watson
The Viper's Nest - Book 7 - Peter Lerangis
The Emperor's Code - Book 8 - Gordon Korman
Storm Warning - Book 9 - Linda Sue Park
Into the Gauntlet - Book 10 - Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Black Book of Buried Secrets - Rick Riordan
Vespers Rising - Book 11 - Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson

Midnight Ride - Clifford Riley

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Card Pack #1 - Books 1-3
Card Pack #2 - Books 4-6
Card Pack #3 - Books 7-9
Rare Card Pack

...

The 39 Clues Cahills vs. Vespers
The Medusa Plot - Book 1 - Gordon Korman
A King's Ransom - Book 2 - Jude Watson
The Dead of Night - Book 3 - Peter Lerangis
Shatterproof - Book 4 - Roland Smith
Trust No One - Book 5 - Linda Sue Park
Day of Doom - Book 6 - David Baldacci

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The 39 Clues Unstoppable Series:

Nowhere to Run - Jude Watson

Breakaway – Jeff Hirsch

Countdown – Nattalie Standiford

Flashpoint - Gordon Korman

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The 39 Clues Doublecross Series:

Mission Titanic - Jude Watson

Mission Hindenburg - Jenny Goebel

Mission Hurricane - Alexander London

Mission Atomic – Sarwat Chadda

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The 39 Clues Rapid Fire:
Legacy - Book 1 - Clifford Riley
Ignition - Book 2 - Clifford Riley
Hunted - Book 3 - Clifford Riley
Crushed - Book 4 - Clifford Riley
Turbulence - Book 5 - Clifford Riley
Invasion - Book 6 - Clifford Riley
Fireworks - Book 7 - Clifford Riley

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The 39 Clues The Cahill Files:

Operation Trinity - Clifford Riley

The Submarine Job - Clifford Riley

The Redcoat Chase - Clifford Riley

The Houdini Escape - Clifford Riley

Silent Night - Clifford Riley

Spymasters - Clifford Riley

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The 39 Clues Super Special Books:

Outbreak – C. Alexander London

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