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The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers #2
A King's Ransom
Amy and Dan are in a race for their lives . . . and the enemy may be even closer than they think.
When seven members of their family were kidnapped by a sinister organization known as the Vespers, thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his older sister, Amy, vowed they'd stop at nothing to bring the hostages home. But then the ransom comes in and the Vespers demand the impossible. Amy and Dan have just days to track down and steal an ancient map. The only catch? No one has seen the map for half a century.
Now Amy and Dan are on a desperate search that will lead them to the Nazis, spies, a mad king and some of history's dirtiest secrets. It's the race of their lives . . . and one misstep will mean certain death for the hostages.
When seven members of their family were kidnapped by a sinister organization known as the Vespers, thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his older sister, Amy, vowed they'd stop at nothing to bring the hostages home. But then the ransom comes in and the Vespers demand the impossible. Amy and Dan have just days to track down and steal an ancient map. The only catch? No one has seen the map for half a century.
Now Amy and Dan are on a desperate search that will lead them to the Nazis, spies, a mad king and some of history's dirtiest secrets. It's the race of their lives . . . and one misstep will mean certain death for the hostages.
190 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2011
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5787 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
December 24, 2011
This is what I looked like when I found out about this book:
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Oh my God WHY THE HECK IN THE NAME OF SWEET MOTHER MARY OF BABY JESUS IS A KIDDIE SERIES (FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE) soooooooooooo ENGROSSING??
I mean, I knew the new series was coming out, but I didn't know the cover for the second book was already out!!!
Gack! Hurry up and release the first movie, Steven Spielberg!!
edit Dec 23, 2011
Waaaay funny, total intense-ness, AWESOME ACTION!!!
edit Dec 24, 2011
Hamilton and Jonah are just hilarious! I wanna see more of them in action!!
And ok, nevermind the movie, someone should make the 39 Clues series into a tv show!! (Animated or live action, I don't care!) Or graphic novel, or manga... Whatever it's adapted into, it'll probably come out faster than the movie.
I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG THERE HAS TO BE AN ADAPTION.....AND SOON!!!!!
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Oh my God WHY THE HECK IN THE NAME OF SWEET MOTHER MARY OF BABY JESUS IS A KIDDIE SERIES (FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE) soooooooooooo ENGROSSING??
I mean, I knew the new series was coming out, but I didn't know the cover for the second book was already out!!!
Gack! Hurry up and release the first movie, Steven Spielberg!!
edit Dec 23, 2011
Waaaay funny, total intense-ness, AWESOME ACTION!!!
edit Dec 24, 2011
Hamilton and Jonah are just hilarious! I wanna see more of them in action!!
And ok, nevermind the movie, someone should make the 39 Clues series into a tv show!! (Animated or live action, I don't care!) Or graphic novel, or manga... Whatever it's adapted into, it'll probably come out faster than the movie.
I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG THERE HAS TO BE AN ADAPTION.....AND SOON!!!!!
February 3, 2012
This is one of my favorite books ever! It is full of adventure, suspense and thriller! I totally recommend everyone to read this! Such a masterpiece! Totally worth buying! You can see how faithful and loyal Evan is to Amy, how Dan and Atticus value their friendship and many others! But the last sentence on the book is totally striking. (Warning! Spoiler!) Who would've thought that Amy and Dan's father was alive all this time, eh? Not to mention he's one of the Vespers! There's also a high possibility he's Vesper One or the Vesper spymaster! I don't say that he is. It's just a wise guess.
Anyway, I can't wait for the third book on the "Cahills vs Vespers" series!
Anyway, I can't wait for the third book on the "Cahills vs Vespers" series!
May 8, 2017
Disappointing that the bad guys did an on-page murder of one of the minor good guys. Yes, the bad guys are one hundred present ruthless asshats, and yes, it was well disguised as a possible kidnapping. But having my 10-year-old ask "So, what, then they KILLED him?!?", well, that was more than I really wanted out of a middle-grade/YA tale.
September 16, 2020
William McIntyre deserved so much better =( Poor old man.
February 27, 2023
Ahhh the famous Atticus. Boy genius. What is his connection to the Cahills?
I have to admit, Mad King's castle - aptly named. Especially with all the running they had to do from Casper and Cheyenne. These two, they're a piece of work.
I also want to take a moment to commemorate how hard this all is for Jonah, to run around the globe, but having to keep a low profile and disguise himself so his fans don't recognize him. That poor man lives off of adoration his fans give him. I want to hate him for being so narcissistic but he's simply so loveable.
And we finally are introduced to Atticus and Jake Rosenbloom. Atticus is just so adorable. I know he's a genius, but whenever I read about him, I always think of an overeager puppy with huge brown eyes, flittering about. Still not sure about Jake. He kind of comes off too full of himself. I get that it's because he feels responsible for his little brother, but he can back off of Amy.
Another book full of suspense and breath-witholding. What should they do now? And what will the Vespers make them do next?
I have to admit, Mad King's castle - aptly named. Especially with all the running they had to do from Casper and Cheyenne. These two, they're a piece of work.
I also want to take a moment to commemorate how hard this all is for Jonah, to run around the globe, but having to keep a low profile and disguise himself so his fans don't recognize him. That poor man lives off of adoration his fans give him. I want to hate him for being so narcissistic but he's simply so loveable.
And we finally are introduced to Atticus and Jake Rosenbloom. Atticus is just so adorable. I know he's a genius, but whenever I read about him, I always think of an overeager puppy with huge brown eyes, flittering about. Still not sure about Jake. He kind of comes off too full of himself. I get that it's because he feels responsible for his little brother, but he can back off of Amy.
Another book full of suspense and breath-witholding. What should they do now? And what will the Vespers make them do next?
December 14, 2011
I hate, HATE books that are written just for the sake of raking in the money. HATE! Unfortunately, the 39 Clues "franchise" seems to be heading down that path. While I enjoyed the "39 Clues" series, the spin-off series, "Vespers vs. Cahills" is just plain annoying. The plot is stretched beyond reason and is SO CONTRIVED! What could have been wrapped up in one book is now being dragged over five! It's ridiculous.
When the first book ended, Vesper One had Nellie, Fiske, Alastair, Ted, Reagan, Natalie and Phoneix captive, and he had sent Amy and Dan on a treasure hunt of sorts to bring him five ancient artifacts for some unknown reason. Nothing had changed by the end of book two. In book one they found one artifact, in book two they found the second one. I'm guessing they'll take five books to find all five artifacts and until then the seven Cahills will still be held captive.
Meanwhile, to fill up the pages inbetween, new characters are being introduced and connections are being forced between them and the Cahills and/or Vespers. All of a sudden we are told that a random character we met in the last book ONLY NOW remembers that he is a "Guardian" or some such and is vital to the plot, and that Amy and Dan's dad is still alive and is a Vesper, who ONLY NOW decides to surface.
The fact that each book is being written by a different author is the series' main downfall. The plot seems to be barely connected and though the authors try very hard to mantain the essence of the characters, each author seems to introduce new traits in the characters and the effect is very jarring (Did anyone else get irritated by Jonah's newfound constant phrase "Dawg"? *eyetwitch*)
It's almost as if the authors sat down at a table and went "Ok, people! We have FIVE books to fill. How do we manage that? Let's throw some ideas around. What can we have two teenagers do that even the most skilled soldier can't accomplish without losing a limb? How can we stretch the plot so that nothing of consequence happens till book five and STILL keep the reader interested enough to buy our books? Any ideas? Any at all?"
I'm dangerously close to writing this series off.
When the first book ended, Vesper One had Nellie, Fiske, Alastair, Ted, Reagan, Natalie and Phoneix captive, and he had sent Amy and Dan on a treasure hunt of sorts to bring him five ancient artifacts for some unknown reason. Nothing had changed by the end of book two. In book one they found one artifact, in book two they found the second one. I'm guessing they'll take five books to find all five artifacts and until then the seven Cahills will still be held captive.
Meanwhile, to fill up the pages inbetween, new characters are being introduced and connections are being forced between them and the Cahills and/or Vespers. All of a sudden we are told that a random character we met in the last book ONLY NOW remembers that he is a "Guardian" or some such and is vital to the plot, and that Amy and Dan's dad is still alive and is a Vesper, who ONLY NOW decides to surface.
The fact that each book is being written by a different author is the series' main downfall. The plot seems to be barely connected and though the authors try very hard to mantain the essence of the characters, each author seems to introduce new traits in the characters and the effect is very jarring (Did anyone else get irritated by Jonah's newfound constant phrase "Dawg"? *eyetwitch*)
It's almost as if the authors sat down at a table and went "Ok, people! We have FIVE books to fill. How do we manage that? Let's throw some ideas around. What can we have two teenagers do that even the most skilled soldier can't accomplish without losing a limb? How can we stretch the plot so that nothing of consequence happens till book five and STILL keep the reader interested enough to buy our books? Any ideas? Any at all?"
I'm dangerously close to writing this series off.
September 5, 2024
this was so fun!
But the thing I ADORED as a history enthusiast was the amount of historical info (accurate)!
Like our girl COOKED ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS
An other thing that got me in was how she wrote her sceneries across the whole Europe I literally felt like a tourist in some pages 📸
Overall really fun with its mystery AND plot twist 🫶🏻
3⭐
But the thing I ADORED as a history enthusiast was the amount of historical info (accurate)!
Like our girl COOKED ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS
An other thing that got me in was how she wrote her sceneries across the whole Europe I literally felt like a tourist in some pages 📸
Overall really fun with its mystery AND plot twist 🫶🏻
3⭐
December 8, 2020
The predictability sucks but I'll keep reading .
A King's ransom follows the kids through Italy with more secrets to unravel. Dan has gone through some serious character development and I can't wait to see where it goes. But the one good thing about this book is Dan. The plot , characters , turns , everything's so predictable. Amy has been left with no character development and just a card board cut of an action figure plus the development she had in the 39 clues.
A King's ransom follows the kids through Italy with more secrets to unravel. Dan has gone through some serious character development and I can't wait to see where it goes. But the one good thing about this book is Dan. The plot , characters , turns , everything's so predictable. Amy has been left with no character development and just a card board cut of an action figure plus the development she had in the 39 clues.
October 25, 2015
Эта часть заставляла меня несколько раз восклицать "вот это поворот"! Честно, удивили. Читать пока что все так же интересно. Больше всего понравилась середина книги. Йона с Гамильтоном убойная смесь, надеюсь их и дальше будут посылать на задания вместе. Тайн становится все больше, а разгадки плавают на периферии, но не поддаются.
Итог: 9 из 10
Итог: 9 из 10
March 16, 2021
I loved this series so much for the first few books, but it seems like now they just run together.
Amy and Dan once again have to go on a super fast-paced quest to locate a rare item for some obscure villain that they really don't know. For the 12th time. Also, they learn more secrets about their dead (?) parents and get tricked by people claiming to either be their friend or not know who they are.
It would be different if the formula ever changed. The only difference is that now the Cahills are working together. However, it is also worth noting that they are working together to save themselves. It isn't like they are going out of their way to save each other.
I did enjoy the interactions between Hammy and Jonah though. They have an interesting dynamics which basically consists of Hamilton making fun of Jonah for his flaunting of his celebrity status and Jonah flaunting his celebrity status.
Not sure whether or not I'll continue. I want to know how it ends but getting a little tired of the same story over and over getting there.
Amy and Dan once again have to go on a super fast-paced quest to locate a rare item for some obscure villain that they really don't know. For the 12th time. Also, they learn more secrets about their dead (?) parents and get tricked by people claiming to either be their friend or not know who they are.
It would be different if the formula ever changed. The only difference is that now the Cahills are working together. However, it is also worth noting that they are working together to save themselves. It isn't like they are going out of their way to save each other.
I did enjoy the interactions between Hammy and Jonah though. They have an interesting dynamics which basically consists of Hamilton making fun of Jonah for his flaunting of his celebrity status and Jonah flaunting his celebrity status.
Not sure whether or not I'll continue. I want to know how it ends but getting a little tired of the same story over and over getting there.
May 25, 2020
Definitely a great continuation to the first book. This one was very action-packed, hardly even giving the characters time to breath. I might continue with this series sometime but not for a while because the libraries and closed and I'm not in a rush. This series holds no priority for me.
November 7, 2024
Now Watson did exactly what I was asking for from the previous novel in this spinoff series! I mean the actual tension, the two huge surprises they actually threw in both unexpectedly and so smart I didn’t even see them coming… along with this growing angst forming in Dan and these wonderful new editions to the cast and the guardians. I’m just so in now, so in.
July 21, 2017
The twist in this one was new and enjoyable. Let's see how it pans out. Oh and by the way, how cute is Atticus?
September 11, 2020
I love this book so much!
October 28, 2020
It was really good! The whole plot is great and the relationships. My only complaint is how fast things happen. They don't take enough time to let things develop in my opinion.
October 16, 2025
I completely forgot about the Arthur being a vesper and alive plot line and I’m shook
November 7, 2017
I love this book because of all the things that make you feel better than them. This would be a good choice for 3/5grades. If you like the mudsu files you will like this one this story focuses on revenge and family.
February 17, 2023
This book was really good, everything is coming together like a perfect puzzle! And what suspense!
January 14, 2012
Ahem...ahemm..... ahem!
whew! What a big blast! Two Thumbs-Up for Jude Watson!
A King's Ransom....,
I would say that 39 clues is not only for kids but in every ages. It is a superb series of books! Full of action-packed, shocking revelations and most of all thrilling story.
For all the books of Jude in 39 clues, A King's Ransom is the most HMMMM! book of all! i can't get rid the book, it is so HMMMM!
New quest for Amy and Dan by V-1. To get the original copy of de Virga world map. Still the Vespers are getting info and some secrets from the Cahill family. Who is the Vesper Spymaster?
Who is V-1?
The story is getting more serious about the kidnapping of the 7 members of the Cahill. The stakes are getting bigger and heavier.
Dan, I know he is very intelligent when it comes to codes and photographic memory, but sometimes he is getting more emotional when it comes to Nellie and Fiske. He is eager to complete the 39 clues while the mission of V-1 for them is on going. maybe he should be careful for all he is doing, V-2 is spying him, and if he will not be careful the 39 clues will be held by Vespers!
Amy, she is getting confused on who what we she prioritize, it is Evan? The hostages? The ring? The clues?
Evan, who are you? what is your role for the Cahill family? Are you the Vesper Spymaster?
Atticus, OMYGAD! He is awesome! C'mon. He is a big help for the mission. All about his past, about his mother, Astrid, what si Guardian all about? Who are they? Another family? What is their mission?
WILLIAM MCINTYRE, REST IN PEACE...... CAHILL FAMILY WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
Praise for the second book of the Cahills Vs Vespers: A King's Ransom
whew! What a big blast! Two Thumbs-Up for Jude Watson!
A King's Ransom....,
I would say that 39 clues is not only for kids but in every ages. It is a superb series of books! Full of action-packed, shocking revelations and most of all thrilling story.
For all the books of Jude in 39 clues, A King's Ransom is the most HMMMM! book of all! i can't get rid the book, it is so HMMMM!
New quest for Amy and Dan by V-1. To get the original copy of de Virga world map. Still the Vespers are getting info and some secrets from the Cahill family. Who is the Vesper Spymaster?
Who is V-1?
The story is getting more serious about the kidnapping of the 7 members of the Cahill. The stakes are getting bigger and heavier.
Dan, I know he is very intelligent when it comes to codes and photographic memory, but sometimes he is getting more emotional when it comes to Nellie and Fiske. He is eager to complete the 39 clues while the mission of V-1 for them is on going. maybe he should be careful for all he is doing, V-2 is spying him, and if he will not be careful the 39 clues will be held by Vespers!
Amy, she is getting confused on who what we she prioritize, it is Evan? The hostages? The ring? The clues?
Evan, who are you? what is your role for the Cahill family? Are you the Vesper Spymaster?
Atticus, OMYGAD! He is awesome! C'mon. He is a big help for the mission. All about his past, about his mother, Astrid, what si Guardian all about? Who are they? Another family? What is their mission?
WILLIAM MCINTYRE, REST IN PEACE...... CAHILL FAMILY WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
Praise for the second book of the Cahills Vs Vespers: A King's Ransom
December 14, 2011
Okay, so these are pretty much my favorite books EVER besides the Hunger Games. I own EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, plus the Black Book of Buried Secrets and the Agent Handbook.
So here I was, strolling along in B&B, when I see it, in it's trophy on the shelf. I'm like, Oh wow, Oh wow, I can't believe I haven't read that yet!!!! So long story short I buy the book, read it in that same night, and by the time I'm done I've literally exploded.
Thought #4: Those stinkin', stupid Wyomings. I hate them so **** much.
Thought #3: I can't believe they took ATTICUS. The devils...
Thought #2: I can't believe they killed off MCINTYRE!!! The story gets only 4 stars just for that. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm thinking Erasmus might be evil...
THOUGHT #1: THEIR DAD IS STILL ALIVE!!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!! Although I kind of knew it after the whole V-1/ arm burn thing, it was still amazing to discover.
Dunno about you, but this book is going on my Fave-book list and I'm staying up all night reading book #3...
So here I was, strolling along in B&B, when I see it, in it's trophy on the shelf. I'm like, Oh wow, Oh wow, I can't believe I haven't read that yet!!!! So long story short I buy the book, read it in that same night, and by the time I'm done I've literally exploded.
Thought #4: Those stinkin', stupid Wyomings. I hate them so **** much.
Thought #3: I can't believe they took ATTICUS. The devils...
Thought #2: I can't believe they killed off MCINTYRE!!! The story gets only 4 stars just for that. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm thinking Erasmus might be evil...
THOUGHT #1: THEIR DAD IS STILL ALIVE!!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!! Although I kind of knew it after the whole V-1/ arm burn thing, it was still amazing to discover.
Dunno about you, but this book is going on my Fave-book list and I'm staying up all night reading book #3...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2011
I'm a huge fan of this series but I seem to like the other authors' work better than Watson's. She is a talented writer but she tries to build a suspense that readers aren't looking for in The 39 Clue, They want constant action scenes and chases. Watson has this and the scenes she writes for them are great but I just wish she would cut to the chase more. She spends a little much time having Amy and Dan solving puzzles. On a more positive note, there were many parts of this book I liked. I wanted to cheer out loud when Amy kicked the knife out of Casper's hands. It was such an empowering feeling to see Amy doing that (It didn't help that I was listening to a very peppy Christmas song). Amy is my favorite character mostly because I like seeing her develop. She has changed so much since the first book. Dan used to do all the fights but Amy's got a few tricks under her sleeve too.
February 23, 2012
Have you ever watched Desperate Housewives? It's funny and ridiculous. I find it hard to watch when the plot turns serious and the characters take themselves seriously. I watch it to laugh and if you take out the laughter then it's no fun. The Cahills vs. the Vespers takes itself too seriously and the fun of the series is gone for me. At least in this book, Dan has most of his wise-cracking ways back; however, he now has a "dark side" - oooh - and people are getting killed and shot while the kids are pulling off impossible heists. Amy has a boyfriend and the plot is pretty prescribed. I also liked the history peppered into the first series but even that is taking a back seat to the action in this series. Some kids will like that better and I know this series will be popular in my library, but I'm done with it.
January 21, 2012
Watson continues her trend of being one of the best authors in this multi-author series. She does a terrific job of both developing the characters and writing a great story with a lot of action and suspense. It's interesting to watch the main characters grow and change as they face more adversity; Amy gets more confident and Dan gets more depressed. Watson made both character feel very real and relatable despite the crazy circumstances. There were some great twists and turns in this book that had me frantically turning the page, especially toward the end. And she did a terrific job of working the history into the story, no infodumps in this book.
January 22, 2012
This book is the continuing of making Amy and Dan do whatever the Vespers pease as they have their loved ones. This time the ransom takes them into olden days and mad kings. As they steadly find more information about the Vespers and the Cahills, Dan finds out that his father is still alive.
I picked this book up because I have been waiting for this book very long.
I finished this book because it was very interesting.
I recommend this book to Patrick who loved the Medusa Plot.
I picked this book up because I have been waiting for this book very long.
I finished this book because it was very interesting.
I recommend this book to Patrick who loved the Medusa Plot.
December 7, 2011
My status before reading:
Hello, you have reached Katie. Katie is reading the book that she has been looking forward to for months and is unable to take your call right now, so please leave a message after the beep. BEEEEEP!!!
My status after reading:
Did you hear an explosion off in the distance? That was my mind...being blown.
Hello, you have reached Katie. Katie is reading the book that she has been looking forward to for months and is unable to take your call right now, so please leave a message after the beep. BEEEEEP!!!
My status after reading:
Did you hear an explosion off in the distance? That was my mind...being blown.
January 31, 2012
Hmmm....It might just be me, but I felt like the only time the pacing was on in this book was when we were back with Nellie&co. Amy and Dan were...not very exciting until about the last chapter...hopefully the next will be better (i.e. Evan (I think that's his name? I don't like him...) is exposed as a spy/dies/both).
January 15, 2012
OKAYOKAYOKAYOKAY.
WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT.
WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT.
December 22, 2011
Another very exciting 39 Clues book. Amy and Dan along with their support team back at Attleboro are still taking orders from Vesper 1 in the hopes of saving the hostages. However, the Casper twins are after them with a vengeance (along with Interpol), and Dan is on the verge of giving up hope.
February 7, 2016
Gets a way better. from beginning till end. Much more exciting than The Clue Hunt, but still with more despair
May 29, 2015
This book was so much fun. And it was darker. And it keeps getting interesting !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews