The Forbidden Stone (The Copernicus Legacy #1) by Tony Abbott
Expected publication:
January 7th 2014
by Katherine Tegen Books
Hardcover, 432 pages
Series: The Copernicus Legacy
Genre: Middle-Grade FantasyAmazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads
Summary from Goodreads
The Copernicus Legacy
has everything middle-grade readers love-an international adventure, a
compelling friendship story, and a mission that draws on history and
astronomy. Readers who loved Percy Jackson will be eager to follow our
heroes on this six-book, six-novella journey and excited to enter a
sweepstakes to participate in a real-life scavenger hunt hosted by Tony
Abbott that lets the reader become part of the story.
It all began when four friends-Wade, Lily, Darrel, and Becca-received a strange, coded email from Wade's uncle Henry shortly before the old man's sudden death. They set off for Germany to attend the funeral with Wade's father, Roald, and discover that Uncle Henry left them yet another baffling message that they suspect is the key to figuring out how and why he died.
The message leads to a clue, and the more clues they discover, the farther they travel down a treacherous path toward an ancient, guarded secret. Soon they are in a breathless race across the globe, running for their lives as a dangerous shadow organization chases them around every corner. Their only hope of saving themselves-and the world that they know-is to find twelve magical relics from a hidden past that will unlock the Copernicus Legacy.
It all began when four friends-Wade, Lily, Darrel, and Becca-received a strange, coded email from Wade's uncle Henry shortly before the old man's sudden death. They set off for Germany to attend the funeral with Wade's father, Roald, and discover that Uncle Henry left them yet another baffling message that they suspect is the key to figuring out how and why he died.
The message leads to a clue, and the more clues they discover, the farther they travel down a treacherous path toward an ancient, guarded secret. Soon they are in a breathless race across the globe, running for their lives as a dangerous shadow organization chases them around every corner. Their only hope of saving themselves-and the world that they know-is to find twelve magical relics from a hidden past that will unlock the Copernicus Legacy.
The Forbidden Stone is the first book of six in The Copernicus Legacy. It follows the adventure of four friends, Wade, Darrel, Lily and Becca after they receive a strange coded message from their 'uncle' Henry shortly after the man's death. When Wade's father Roald travels with the children to Germany in order to attend the funeral they find another strange message left by their uncle and a couple of dangerous people that would stop at nothing at finding them and eliminating the group from discovering the truth and the rest of the mysterious relics.
Ah not even sure where to begin. I did enjoy the story, but I enjoyed it after the 50% of the book. I thought the first half dragged a little bit and then the second half was more fun and took off on a high adventure.
I was a little confused by how old these kids are. I felt like the clues and the resolution that they came up for them was a bit complicated and might feel like that to some children reading this. Unless it was meant for the oldest middle-grade children because I myself had to go back and reread their findings a couple of times to make sense of it. Also they relied heavily on phones and an Ipad at times. I guess I am still trying to get use to the fact that kid's use Ipads these days.
I liked the fact that they mixed in astronomy into the book, at least the part that was believable. There was a bit of a history and astronomy lessons in there and I found myself really enjoying that part. It was amazing to realize how much I remember from the time I took astronomy classes myself.
I liked that the book took off and became more exciting after the first half. It did draw me in and I did have a hard time putting it down in the end. Even if the ending might have been a little unbelievable (their escape especially) - it's still a book that is filled with adventure and excitement for the right group of kids. I love how it emphasizes the friendship between the four children, and there is even a bit of puppy love going on that I found adorable. Overall I am looking forward to more adventures from Wade, Darrell, Lily and Becca - since the book ended with a mini cliffhanger, it seems that there are more relics to discover and more danger to dodge.
Ah not even sure where to begin. I did enjoy the story, but I enjoyed it after the 50% of the book. I thought the first half dragged a little bit and then the second half was more fun and took off on a high adventure.
I was a little confused by how old these kids are. I felt like the clues and the resolution that they came up for them was a bit complicated and might feel like that to some children reading this. Unless it was meant for the oldest middle-grade children because I myself had to go back and reread their findings a couple of times to make sense of it. Also they relied heavily on phones and an Ipad at times. I guess I am still trying to get use to the fact that kid's use Ipads these days.
I liked the fact that they mixed in astronomy into the book, at least the part that was believable. There was a bit of a history and astronomy lessons in there and I found myself really enjoying that part. It was amazing to realize how much I remember from the time I took astronomy classes myself.
I liked that the book took off and became more exciting after the first half. It did draw me in and I did have a hard time putting it down in the end. Even if the ending might have been a little unbelievable (their escape especially) - it's still a book that is filled with adventure and excitement for the right group of kids. I love how it emphasizes the friendship between the four children, and there is even a bit of puppy love going on that I found adorable. Overall I am looking forward to more adventures from Wade, Darrell, Lily and Becca - since the book ended with a mini cliffhanger, it seems that there are more relics to discover and more danger to dodge.
lol - yeah, it seems cell phones and tablets are a part of children's lives now. Have you seen the ipad baby seat? Oh brother. This sounds like a fun series though.
ReplyDeleteBummer, I was set to buy this for my niece, but I think I will hold off for reviews of the second book, since this dragged in parts and was a little confusing.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a story my son would enjoy. I wonder if he would make it past the 50% mark, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the helpful review, Lily!
New series can be so hard when there is so much world building and info to dump on the reader. I am glad you at least enjoyed the last half of this one.
ReplyDeleteThese books are sometimes the reason I wanted to stay a kid forever. I mean I'd love this years ago now I'd probably have same issues like you. We need that time-travel machine so I can go back and forth. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteUgh. I rarely finish a book if the first part doesn't work for me. I get so easily distracted! And I was somehow drawn to this one because it sounded so great.
ReplyDeleteAh, well, i think I'll pass.