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The 39 Clues: Rapid Fire #4
Crushed
The fourth of seven brand new 39 Clues stories, leading up to one explosive reveal.
Ian Kabra has an embarrassing secret. It's not that he once accidentally ate at Burger King. It's not that he still has his childhood teddy bear, Mr. Buttons. It's that he can't stop thinking about a certain grubby American orphan. But just when he's about to take action, a dangerous person from his past stages a dramatic midnight break-in, forcing Ian to accept that there's something worse than an embarrassing crush---a secret that won't stay buried.
Ian Kabra has an embarrassing secret. It's not that he once accidentally ate at Burger King. It's not that he still has his childhood teddy bear, Mr. Buttons. It's that he can't stop thinking about a certain grubby American orphan. But just when he's about to take action, a dangerous person from his past stages a dramatic midnight break-in, forcing Ian to accept that there's something worse than an embarrassing crush---a secret that won't stay buried.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2011
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2750 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 28, 2012
Crushed. The title really fits the story. Gosh, Ian! You're such a coward and you worry too much! Yes, Ian Kabra just got crushed. Not only for letting his mother get away but also hurting Amy's feelings wherein he felt the same way! **continues mumbling**
On the brighter side, in this eBook it is revealed that . Evan was also mentioned on the end.
Here's a short plot:
It was many months after the Clue Hunt. Ian stood in front of a stand mirror, practicing what he should say when he'll finally see Amy. He plans to confess to her! Natalie came and said how sappy his speech was. Then while watching TV, news said that Isabel Kabra was released in prison. Natalie shivered and was scared to death. She wanted Ian to just stay. The boy hesitated into going to America and visit Amy or not. It was funny how he made his butler tired for not knowing if he'll go or not.
In the Kabra mansion, there was a part where no one should enter. It was the Lucian part. Ian thought he heard Natalie and went inside. Suddenly, he saw someone in a black suit stealing something! He quickly chased after it. They even fell off the roof and to the garden below. Ian realized it was a girl not a boy and instantly he knew it was Isabel. He blocked her way out of the mansion. Isabel knew that Ian's scared of her and with just a simple "Step aside", Ian did so and he let Isabel go away.
Back inside, he saw Natalie on the library reading. He made a some sort of excuse and decided he'll not go to America and visit Amy. He then called her.
On Amy, she was busy preparing the house for Ian's visit. She was so excited. Then, her phone rang. She answered it and it was Ian. Ian became a jerk once again saying he couldn't go. Amy's face fell. She asked if he can visit some other time but Ian said he doesn't have any plans to do so. He even asked," Is that disappointment I hear on your voice Amy?" (Urgh! I really want to strangle Ian while reading that!) Amy hung up and she cried.
Back to Ian, he pitied himself. Saying Amy won't like him back because he was the son of a murderer who killed her parents and blah blah blah. Jeez! Ian's so so so stupid!
Back to Amy, Nellie comforted her saying Ian was a jerk and he'll ever be. Amy was really sad, she tried to do everything she could to impress Ian. She tried heating a water not on the microwave but on the stove. She tried to cook, do household chores and many more! And this was all she'll get? Nellie mentioned that maybe Amy should give someone a call, a classmate of hers and even told her if his name is Ethan! Amy corrected Nellie that it's Evan and Nellie just winked at her. Amy then ran to her room and gave Evan a call.
"Hello, Evan. This is Amy," Amy said. "You're glad that I called. So am I."
And that's how the story ended!
And now, I keep thinking, what if Ian did visit Amy? Will Evan and Amy even be together? Is there another chance for Amian?
This story is really heartbreaking especially for the Amian fans. No wonder it is called, Crushed.
On the brighter side, in this eBook it is revealed that . Evan was also mentioned on the end.
Here's a short plot:
It was many months after the Clue Hunt. Ian stood in front of a stand mirror, practicing what he should say when he'll finally see Amy. He plans to confess to her! Natalie came and said how sappy his speech was. Then while watching TV, news said that Isabel Kabra was released in prison. Natalie shivered and was scared to death. She wanted Ian to just stay. The boy hesitated into going to America and visit Amy or not. It was funny how he made his butler tired for not knowing if he'll go or not.
In the Kabra mansion, there was a part where no one should enter. It was the Lucian part. Ian thought he heard Natalie and went inside. Suddenly, he saw someone in a black suit stealing something! He quickly chased after it. They even fell off the roof and to the garden below. Ian realized it was a girl not a boy and instantly he knew it was Isabel. He blocked her way out of the mansion. Isabel knew that Ian's scared of her and with just a simple "Step aside", Ian did so and he let Isabel go away.
Back inside, he saw Natalie on the library reading. He made a some sort of excuse and decided he'll not go to America and visit Amy. He then called her.
On Amy, she was busy preparing the house for Ian's visit. She was so excited. Then, her phone rang. She answered it and it was Ian. Ian became a jerk once again saying he couldn't go. Amy's face fell. She asked if he can visit some other time but Ian said he doesn't have any plans to do so. He even asked," Is that disappointment I hear on your voice Amy?" (Urgh! I really want to strangle Ian while reading that!) Amy hung up and she cried.
Back to Ian, he pitied himself. Saying Amy won't like him back because he was the son of a murderer who killed her parents and blah blah blah. Jeez! Ian's so so so stupid!
Back to Amy, Nellie comforted her saying Ian was a jerk and he'll ever be. Amy was really sad, she tried to do everything she could to impress Ian. She tried heating a water not on the microwave but on the stove. She tried to cook, do household chores and many more! And this was all she'll get? Nellie mentioned that maybe Amy should give someone a call, a classmate of hers and even told her if his name is Ethan! Amy corrected Nellie that it's Evan and Nellie just winked at her. Amy then ran to her room and gave Evan a call.
"Hello, Evan. This is Amy," Amy said. "You're glad that I called. So am I."
And that's how the story ended!
And now, I keep thinking, what if Ian did visit Amy? Will Evan and Amy even be together? Is there another chance for Amian?
This story is really heartbreaking especially for the Amian fans. No wonder it is called, Crushed.
March 3, 2023
Ahhh young love
I get new why Ian and Amy's relationship is so strained in the Medusa. I had no idea their feelings were this strong after the Hunt.
I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed they didn't end up together. I was rooting for them throughout the books.
Oh well, girl can hope it will happen in the future, right?
I get new why Ian and Amy's relationship is so strained in the Medusa. I had no idea their feelings were this strong after the Hunt.
I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed they didn't end up together. I was rooting for them throughout the books.
Oh well, girl can hope it will happen in the future, right?
August 21, 2014
Well this book is too short to give a proper rating but AHH I SHIP AMY AND IAN SO HARD and the last part was just heartbreak ughhh stupid Isabel just run back to jail and let your son confess to Amy already D8
But whoa confronting Isabel was just... unexpected. What was the point of her breaking into the Kabra's house if all she did was to scare them? And from the description she didn't even seem to expect Ian to discover her presence.
Me:
Ah well plot twists are plot twists. I thought Ian's dilemma was also kinda strange but I guess I sympathise with him. ._.
But whoa confronting Isabel was just... unexpected. What was the point of her breaking into the Kabra's house if all she did was to scare them? And from the description she didn't even seem to expect Ian to discover her presence.
Me:
Ah well plot twists are plot twists. I thought Ian's dilemma was also kinda strange but I guess I sympathise with him. ._.
February 6, 2025
gosh I love the kabras' character arcs 🥹
April 4, 2014
its very good. enjoy :).
February 4, 2022
Ian has such an ego. Amy will be thrilled his crushing on her? Really? Although he is trying to be a better person - lol "growing a conscience from scratch is hard going". Poor Bickerduff (the butler) getting the blame for doing what he's told. I enjoyed this one, although I was disappointed that Ian decides not to visit Amy - I can never quite decide if I like the idea of them together or not. Ian is a total mess - sometimes good, sometimes bad - and I find it hard to decide if I like him or not. But I do feel sorry for him and Natalie, growing up with his family must have been tough and being all alone now, even more so. 3.5 stars.
March 5, 2024
We’ve never seen amy this crazy for ian except maybe at grace’s funeral
And how could ian just let his mom go after what happened in the gauntlet?? Wtf?
- Ian is practicing how to tell amy he likes her
- Isabel is free from jail
- Ian can’t make his mind off now is a good time to visit amy. Natalie isn’t coping with being poor
- Dan’s friend Atticus
- Excited about ian coming while blushing over evan
- Someone is in the Lucian base in the kabra house
- ISABEL!!!
- Ian let her escape
- Ian isn’t coming to visit but amy still wants him to
- Amy feels that she’s to blame for ian not coming
- Calls evan
And how could ian just let his mom go after what happened in the gauntlet?? Wtf?
- Ian is practicing how to tell amy he likes her
- Isabel is free from jail
- Ian can’t make his mind off now is a good time to visit amy. Natalie isn’t coping with being poor
- Dan’s friend Atticus
- Excited about ian coming while blushing over evan
- Someone is in the Lucian base in the kabra house
- ISABEL!!!
- Ian let her escape
- Ian isn’t coming to visit but amy still wants him to
- Amy feels that she’s to blame for ian not coming
- Calls evan
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2025
Ian is one of my favourite characters- he goes from having a crush on Amy and being a bad guy trying to sabotage Amy and Dan to being one of the best allies they have . this book goes more into his character- it's about him crushing on Amy and thinking about visiting her but feeling conflicted since he was always so horrible to her but then at the end of the book his mother comes to break into his house and it destroys him - I really love that this book also goes more into the psychological effects his mother had on him and how much it molded his personality and the way he acted.
January 11, 2022
Arrasados indeed, não sei se mais Amy, Ian ou eu mesma. Nossa, que triste esse conto, eu gosto bastante do Ian e agora eu só fiquei com ainda mais pena dele e do modo como foi criado. Torcendo demais pra ele e a Natalie terem uma vida muito melhor depois disso tudo
July 13, 2023
Es una fase medio romántica por ahí, pero el temor y el cariño a la familia fue prioridad... Y aunque Natalie no es mi favorita, realmente es lista y sabe cuando mantenerse al margen.
Pero eso sí, es Fresa y Chillona comí ella sola😌
Pero eso sí, es Fresa y Chillona comí ella sola😌
July 6, 2020
Cute, short edition to the main series.
December 20, 2020
y'know who was crushed after this? me
April 27, 2022
Thanks for crushing my soul and any hope I had in Amy and Ian.
That's a lie, they are still my favorite ship in this book series.
But my soul is still CRUSHED
That's a lie, they are still my favorite ship in this book series.
But my soul is still CRUSHED
October 27, 2024
booo ian kabra, i liked you better after you grew a conscience
January 4, 2025
Closer to 3.5 stars
July 13, 2020
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
The Clue Hunt has been over for seven months and Ian Kambra is planning to go to America and tell Amy Cahill that he likes her. For the first time in his life he’s nervous and he doesn’t know why. But when the night before his trip he learns his mother have been released from prison, he wonders if the son of her parents killer should even go at all.
I was kind of into this story at the beginning because Amy and Dan Cahill were changed by the clue hunt, maybe everyone else was as well. So I was willing to accept that Ian’s personality might be a little different. I am not however willing to accept that Amy and Ian aged two years in seven months. Yes Amy is 16 during the Cahills vs Vespers series. However it says in book one of that series that two years have passed since the clue hunt, hence Amy would then be 16 since she was 14 during the clue hunt and Ian was her age. She did not turn 16 seven months after being 14 and neither did Ian. Next issue if Ian and Natalie’s parents disowned them, why do they have the family home? Daddy’s hiding, not in jail. And since when is the Lucian stronghold in the Kabra family home? We’ve been to the Kabra’s house before during the Clue Hunt, and the stronghold wasn’t there last time. And if you compare the descriptions between our Clue Hunt visit and this story it seems the children must have used their money for a total remodel. Also the story in Vespers Rising was like what – five months after the clue hunt? In that story Amy, Dan, Fiske and Nellie were living in the guest house on Grace’s property planning to rebuild the mansion. What did they like magic it built, fully furnished and trashed in two months? And while Amy does kind of lead the Cahills during the Cahills vs the Vespers she’s never proclaimed the head of family. Maybe if I could ignore all the things different in Riley’s version of the Cahill family I might have liked this story, but instead I was getting so irritated that I wanted to throw my Nook. The story offers nothing in educational value and little in action. It did however have a decent flow with fast pacing.
Characterization for Ian and Amy was decent. Amy was exactly how I’ve always pictured her and the changes in Ian were realistic. They both had flaws and strengths. The problem with this story wasn’t so much that characters that were off, it was everything else.
Overall this is another take it or leave it story that doesn't really add anything to the series. The best I can say is I liked the beginning.
The Clue Hunt has been over for seven months and Ian Kambra is planning to go to America and tell Amy Cahill that he likes her. For the first time in his life he’s nervous and he doesn’t know why. But when the night before his trip he learns his mother have been released from prison, he wonders if the son of her parents killer should even go at all.
I was kind of into this story at the beginning because Amy and Dan Cahill were changed by the clue hunt, maybe everyone else was as well. So I was willing to accept that Ian’s personality might be a little different. I am not however willing to accept that Amy and Ian aged two years in seven months. Yes Amy is 16 during the Cahills vs Vespers series. However it says in book one of that series that two years have passed since the clue hunt, hence Amy would then be 16 since she was 14 during the clue hunt and Ian was her age. She did not turn 16 seven months after being 14 and neither did Ian. Next issue if Ian and Natalie’s parents disowned them, why do they have the family home? Daddy’s hiding, not in jail. And since when is the Lucian stronghold in the Kabra family home? We’ve been to the Kabra’s house before during the Clue Hunt, and the stronghold wasn’t there last time. And if you compare the descriptions between our Clue Hunt visit and this story it seems the children must have used their money for a total remodel. Also the story in Vespers Rising was like what – five months after the clue hunt? In that story Amy, Dan, Fiske and Nellie were living in the guest house on Grace’s property planning to rebuild the mansion. What did they like magic it built, fully furnished and trashed in two months? And while Amy does kind of lead the Cahills during the Cahills vs the Vespers she’s never proclaimed the head of family. Maybe if I could ignore all the things different in Riley’s version of the Cahill family I might have liked this story, but instead I was getting so irritated that I wanted to throw my Nook. The story offers nothing in educational value and little in action. It did however have a decent flow with fast pacing.
Characterization for Ian and Amy was decent. Amy was exactly how I’ve always pictured her and the changes in Ian were realistic. They both had flaws and strengths. The problem with this story wasn’t so much that characters that were off, it was everything else.
Overall this is another take it or leave it story that doesn't really add anything to the series. The best I can say is I liked the beginning.
January 4, 2023
Seven Months After The Clue Hunt
Seven months after the Clue Hunt ends is when this story is set. Unlike most of the other short stories in this collection, so far this one focuses almost entirely on Ian Kabra, and his life after turning on his mother and growing a conscience. He realizes that he has feelings for Amy Cahill and he is unsure what to do with them. As he is wrestling with himself about visiting Amy across the pond, he encounters a burglar and chases him down only to discover it is his mother recently released from jail. This was an interesting story. It gave us a much deeper look into Ian and his growth as a person, and also the struggles he has. And as stated earlier, unlike the rest of the Rapid Fire Short Stories to date, this one has a much narrower focus, both in looking mainly at one member of the Cahill's family and in that it takes place in less than a day.
I love the original 39 Clues books, and have on my short list to read the second series The Cahills vs. Vespers, but this short series released between December 25th and December 31st 2011 really caught my attention. 7 Days 7 Short Stories each give us part of a clue and more background information on some of the characters from the books. These are great little short stories and they are more than worth the price of $0.99 each.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books in the 39 Clues series on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Seven months after the Clue Hunt ends is when this story is set. Unlike most of the other short stories in this collection, so far this one focuses almost entirely on Ian Kabra, and his life after turning on his mother and growing a conscience. He realizes that he has feelings for Amy Cahill and he is unsure what to do with them. As he is wrestling with himself about visiting Amy across the pond, he encounters a burglar and chases him down only to discover it is his mother recently released from jail. This was an interesting story. It gave us a much deeper look into Ian and his growth as a person, and also the struggles he has. And as stated earlier, unlike the rest of the Rapid Fire Short Stories to date, this one has a much narrower focus, both in looking mainly at one member of the Cahill's family and in that it takes place in less than a day.
I love the original 39 Clues books, and have on my short list to read the second series The Cahills vs. Vespers, but this short series released between December 25th and December 31st 2011 really caught my attention. 7 Days 7 Short Stories each give us part of a clue and more background information on some of the characters from the books. These are great little short stories and they are more than worth the price of $0.99 each.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books in the 39 Clues series on my blog Book Reviews and More.
July 9, 2012
As a teenage girl, this is what I consider myself, despite the age that I truly am, I was yearning for something like this in The 39 Clues series: romance!
I started reading them because of Rick Riordan and because I love history and I never pass up a chance to brush up my knowledge with books like these, but I completely fell for the whole Ian and Amy concept.
I know that this isn't one of the series main focus points and God forbid it should ever be. I mean it would take all the fun out of the adventures. I think the balance The Medusa Plot introduced with the whole Amy and Evan relationship is pretty much perfect.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good romance book, check my shelves for Hush, Hush, Pride and Prejudice and the like. But I don't like it when someone takes a perfectly good series and turns the spotlight on the romantic relationships. With The 39 Clues, starting to focus on a love triangle or something that would involve Amy would be...awful, like The Left Hand of God's Cale turning all gooey eyed because some girl didn't love him. Tragic!
Anyway, my overly-long rant aside, this was the first Rapid Series book I read and I liked it, a lot. My advice: if you like Ian (and not just for the male model-ish picture the authors have painted for him), you'll like this too.
I started reading them because of Rick Riordan and because I love history and I never pass up a chance to brush up my knowledge with books like these, but I completely fell for the whole Ian and Amy concept.
I know that this isn't one of the series main focus points and God forbid it should ever be. I mean it would take all the fun out of the adventures. I think the balance The Medusa Plot introduced with the whole Amy and Evan relationship is pretty much perfect.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good romance book, check my shelves for Hush, Hush, Pride and Prejudice and the like. But I don't like it when someone takes a perfectly good series and turns the spotlight on the romantic relationships. With The 39 Clues, starting to focus on a love triangle or something that would involve Amy would be...awful, like The Left Hand of God's Cale turning all gooey eyed because some girl didn't love him. Tragic!
Anyway, my overly-long rant aside, this was the first Rapid Series book I read and I liked it, a lot. My advice: if you like Ian (and not just for the male model-ish picture the authors have painted for him), you'll like this too.
July 2, 2012
I didn't like this one as much as I liked the previous ones. Again, it does explain some things, but there are things in this book that I didn't realize had happened in the original series. I guess it explains a little bit, but the others had those "Ah ha!" moments that this book didn't have. Still interesting and I'd still recommend it to anyone who has read the 39 Clues series.
April 2, 2020
2020: I loved this one. Ian is one of my two favourite characters in this series, and any time he's the focus, I automatically like it. This time it was a glimpse at Ian and Natalie after their mother was arrested, and how they're fairing. Just seeing the two of them struggle with having a conscience was fun.
August 18, 2013
Seeing from Ian Kabra`s point of view to know more about how the Kabra`s life has changed from being very rich to poor and having their parents to disowned them as really affected their lives. It was also quite interesting to see a little chemistry between Ian and Amy even though at the end it didn`t worked out.....
February 15, 2012
This book... was either heartbreaking or exciting to me.
When it began I thought It was going to be a cliche Amian story but it wasn't.
IT.WAS.AWESOME
It showed why Ian hadn't made his move yet and why Amy started dating Evan,
So, applause for Clifford Riley!
When it began I thought It was going to be a cliche Amian story but it wasn't.
IT.WAS.AWESOME
It showed why Ian hadn't made his move yet and why Amy started dating Evan,
So, applause for Clifford Riley!
Want to read
October 31, 2012Omg... The guy on the cover is supposedto be 16. He doesn't even look good, too. Male model, huh? These Scholastic people should get someone to make sure all the models they picked look ok(namely me).
August 19, 2013
It was amazing, it was kind of an Amian but not really. We get to see how Ian really feels about Amy and the reason why they aren't together. Didn't like at the end though, how Nellie suggested to Amy that she should be with Evan to help her heartbreak, but it was a really good book!
May 6, 2013
Why do guys do this? It's not a teenager thing because this happens at any age. Do guys get trained or is it in their DNA to be jerks? Why can't Ian just tell the truth of canceling his visit to Boston?
March 21, 2014
I was devastated when I read that the Rapid Fire books would be ebooks because I didn't have an ereader at the time. The first thing I did when I bought my Kindle was buy these books too. I love them!
July 9, 2014
I cried a ton while reading this book. This was my favorite book in the Rapid Fire series. It has tons of Amian in it and I totally ship Amy and Ian so this was my favorite book. I cannot wait to read the next book.
December 28, 2014
It was a good insight
I loved it in the sense that you saw insight into the characters lives and that helps you understand them son I thought like all other 39 clues books that it was amazing.
I loved it in the sense that you saw insight into the characters lives and that helps you understand them son I thought like all other 39 clues books that it was amazing.
January 5, 2012
EW. The cover of this book is gross. I did NOT imagine Ian that way...
Anyways, Clifford did a great job with the short story. 5/5 stars.
Anyways, Clifford did a great job with the short story. 5/5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews