Book Reviews and More: Flashpoint - Gordon Korman

Flashpoint

The 39 Clues Unstoppable Book 4

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780545597197

eISBN 9780545540056

ASIN B00I5T2IBC

Flashpoint - Gordon Korman - 39 Clues Unstoppable Book 4

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 7 to go. It reminded me how good this set of series is, and I have added the remaining books to me ‘to be read’ pile (for after I have completed Korman’s canon). I read this book out of order to complete my way through Korman’s works. It was strong enough to stand on it’s own, but I will circle back and read the preceding three volumes. But back to the volume at hand, the description of this volume states:

“The final adventure in this explosive 39 Clues story arc.

Tick tock. Fifteen-year-old Amy Cahill has only a few days to live. There's a poison coursing through her, and her only chance is to collect ingredients for an antidote. Too bad the antidote's ingredients are scattered around the world. And too bad that survival is by far Amy's smallest problem.

The antidote she needs is also the only thing capable of stopping a deadly enemy. J. Rutherford Pierce is on the brink of becoming the most powerful man in the world, and if he does, no one will be safe. Amy and her younger brother, Dan, will do everything it takes to bring Pierce down. Even if Amy must pay the ultimate price.”

This is the final story in a four book series for the 39 Clues Unstoppable story arc. As mentioned I had not read the previous three and even the 5 other volumes in The 39 Clues Cahills vs. Vespers series since Korman’s last work in the series. This story starts with pure action. Amy has consumed Gideon Cahill’s formula. And the various branches of the Cahill’s are working together to gather the ingredients of an ancient antidote. It is proving quite a challenge. They are trying to get their hands on the last ingredient, venom from a now nearly extinct snake in South America. They need to not only gather the ingredients to save Amy, they also need to stop Pierce a man set on first the presidency and then conquering the whole world. They need to make the antidote, test it, and find a way to get it on Pierce and his whole jacked up family and goons. No small task for a group of teens and young adults no matter how gifted a family they come from.

This was the third novel I have read in this series in 13 years. Reading this volume and the other three after a 13 year break was like a visit with old friends. The plot is breakneck, the pace almost non-stop action. And the characters are masterfully written. Another thrilling adventure featuring Dan, Amy, Ian, Alistair, Hamilton, Jonah and other friends are on the team in this concluding adventure. I can easily recommend the book and books across all the 39 Clues 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

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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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