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An unexpected saviour ensures Sam lives to continue his search for the last 13. His next all-too-real nightmare leads him to Paris and the Council of Dreamers. With Solaris seemingly one step ahead of Sam's every move, unlikely alliances form. Treasure beyond belief beckons, while tragedy strikes at the very heart of the Academy. Will Sam and his friends survive and stay ahead of the game, or is the world doomed?
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2014
18 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
James Phelan
36 books257 followersJames Phelan is the award-winning author of twenty-four novels and one work of non-fiction. He first studied and worked in architecture before turning to English/Lit, working five years at The Age newspaper, obtaining an MA (Writing) and PhD (Young Adult Literature).
Hachette has published his five geo-political thrillers: FOX HUNT, PATRIOT ACT, BLOOD OIL, LIQUID GOLD and RED ICE.
From 2010-2011, Hachette published the widely acclaimed ALONE trilogy of Young Adult post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels.
In 2013/2014, Scholastic published James' thirteen-book adventure series about the dream work THE LAST THIRTEEN. The multi-award winning series (2014 YABBA, COOL, KOALA awards) has been highly successful around the world, selling over a million copies in 18 months.
THE SPY (Hachette, 2013), was the first instalment in a new series of suspense thrillers with the protagonist Jed Walker, and is followed by THE HUNTED (2015), and KILL SWITCH (2015).
James is currently working on a follow-up trilogy to THE LAST THIRTEEN, more thrillers, and an illustrated middle-grade series titled GRANDPA SPIES.
James has taught writing at post-graduate level and regularly talks at schools, libraries and universities around the world. Since 2006 he has sold over 4 million copies of his books.
Hachette has published his five geo-political thrillers: FOX HUNT, PATRIOT ACT, BLOOD OIL, LIQUID GOLD and RED ICE.
From 2010-2011, Hachette published the widely acclaimed ALONE trilogy of Young Adult post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels.
In 2013/2014, Scholastic published James' thirteen-book adventure series about the dream work THE LAST THIRTEEN. The multi-award winning series (2014 YABBA, COOL, KOALA awards) has been highly successful around the world, selling over a million copies in 18 months.
THE SPY (Hachette, 2013), was the first instalment in a new series of suspense thrillers with the protagonist Jed Walker, and is followed by THE HUNTED (2015), and KILL SWITCH (2015).
James is currently working on a follow-up trilogy to THE LAST THIRTEEN, more thrillers, and an illustrated middle-grade series titled GRANDPA SPIES.
James has taught writing at post-graduate level and regularly talks at schools, libraries and universities around the world. Since 2006 he has sold over 4 million copies of his books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 13, 2024
I was expecting a different 13 to be revealed than the one featured in this book. Still, I might not be wrong yet. By now, I feel like the books are a little formulaic in there always being a cliffhanger ending that invites you to jump to the next book. My verdict on it is still the same as when I encountered it in the first book of this series: I don’t hate this ploy but I don’t love it either. But I’m still on board with the series.
January 6, 2021
This one was really good! The story with Zara in Paris was fast paced and exciting! I’m enjoying learning more about the da Vinci aspect. Looking forward to the next book and seeing how Sam’s going to get out of this predicament!
December 7, 2024
I'm enjoying the evolution of these stories and the extra elements that are being woven in. I like that I know how things work but I'm still surprised and interested in the story. Definitely a page turner.
June 16, 2017
This book i finished within a day. The book kept me on the edge of my seat. Couldn't stop! Highly recommend this for children aged 12+
December 9, 2017
tOO inTenSe i LoVE
May 23, 2018
I am getting the sense that I could be one of these thirteen.
June 7, 2018
Book four of the series and more of the same.
May 29, 2019
it was a great book and i am looking forward to the next book which i hope is just as good as all the other books in the series
Read
June 12, 2019Very confusing but good sci-fi
September 7, 2020
This is the best book so far! It keeps you on edge almost the entire time, an emotional roller-costar.
September 24, 2020
LOVED IT!😍
February 5, 2021
So, so many baddies. And conspiracies and switched alliances and everything. Just... a lot.
September 9, 2021
This young man, Sam, has more lives than a cat.
February 28, 2017
The Last thirteen, by James Phelan, 2/28/2017
Have you heard of the last thirteen? The last thirteen is about 13 kids that are trying to save the world with their dreams. The main character Sam has to find new dreamers to help him save the world. He goes all around the world to find these teenagers. There are 2 enemies trying to either kill him or use him for something. Solaris one of the enemies is trying to kill them before they find the missing parts of the Da Vinci machine.
Never Give up! I think the main idea of this book is to never give up on something you believe in. Just like when Sam is trying to find the missing part of the machine, he doesn't let things stay in his head. Another thing the author is trying to tell the reader is to keep your friends close. Keeping friends close is big because, you never know when they could turn on you. Just like when Alex turned on Sam in the last book. So try to hold these main ideas in your head.
Have you heard of the last thirteen? The last thirteen is about 13 kids that are trying to save the world with their dreams. The main character Sam has to find new dreamers to help him save the world. He goes all around the world to find these teenagers. There are 2 enemies trying to either kill him or use him for something. Solaris one of the enemies is trying to kill them before they find the missing parts of the Da Vinci machine.
Never Give up! I think the main idea of this book is to never give up on something you believe in. Just like when Sam is trying to find the missing part of the machine, he doesn't let things stay in his head. Another thing the author is trying to tell the reader is to keep your friends close. Keeping friends close is big because, you never know when they could turn on you. Just like when Alex turned on Sam in the last book. So try to hold these main ideas in your head.
May 10, 2014
This book nice change of pace from the earlier ones in the series. Ten focusses more on the dangers that beset the team rather than just a quest to an exotic location to find a new dreamer and new piece of the machine.
Ten takes Sam and the Professor to Paris to meet with both the Council of Dreamers, and conveniently this is where Zara, the newest dreamer that Sam has dreamt about, lives. I think the Parisian setting was exciting, and it was certainly very cool to have the protagonists do some of the things they did (like jumping off the Eiffle Tower!).
I’m enjoying the way the author is building on the Enterprise and the Academy as the series goes on. We’re finding out more with each book and it’s great to have two nuanced forces rather than just labelling one good and one evil. I like the examination of the ideologies both groups have. Alex really helps in this regard because he’s been enfolded into the Enterprise and you can tell through his experiences that they aren’t horrible and they could really help Sam and the other dreamers out.
Sam. He’s so horrible to Eva! I know he didn’t mean it, but wow. It’s quite unfair that he dismissed her in the way that he did. I’ve found that Sam consistently has no problems taking the male dreamers out on missions with him, but he wants the female dreamers like Eva and Gabriella at the Academy all safe and sound. This allow them to become the heroes they could be. Although Eva really stepped up in this novel and showed us why Sam is wrong in overlooking her. Hopefully the girls get more of a role soon!
The books continue to be a little flat plot-wise, with Ten using the same formulaic approach as the rest: Sam dreams about the next dreamer, he goes out to meet them and finds a piece of the puzzle, is cornered by Solaris only to escape (usually not because of his own actions). It would be really awesome later books ended with something else for a change, or if he failed to find one of the dreamers and the Enterprise got there first. Although I concede that he has lost quite a few pieces of the machine to Soalris now.
I liked Ten, and can’t wait to see where Sam gets to go next in Nine and Eight! The Last Thirteen is an action packed adventure that fans of Conspiracy 365 and The 39 Clues will love.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
Ten takes Sam and the Professor to Paris to meet with both the Council of Dreamers, and conveniently this is where Zara, the newest dreamer that Sam has dreamt about, lives. I think the Parisian setting was exciting, and it was certainly very cool to have the protagonists do some of the things they did (like jumping off the Eiffle Tower!).
I’m enjoying the way the author is building on the Enterprise and the Academy as the series goes on. We’re finding out more with each book and it’s great to have two nuanced forces rather than just labelling one good and one evil. I like the examination of the ideologies both groups have. Alex really helps in this regard because he’s been enfolded into the Enterprise and you can tell through his experiences that they aren’t horrible and they could really help Sam and the other dreamers out.
Sam. He’s so horrible to Eva! I know he didn’t mean it, but wow. It’s quite unfair that he dismissed her in the way that he did. I’ve found that Sam consistently has no problems taking the male dreamers out on missions with him, but he wants the female dreamers like Eva and Gabriella at the Academy all safe and sound. This allow them to become the heroes they could be. Although Eva really stepped up in this novel and showed us why Sam is wrong in overlooking her. Hopefully the girls get more of a role soon!
The books continue to be a little flat plot-wise, with Ten using the same formulaic approach as the rest: Sam dreams about the next dreamer, he goes out to meet them and finds a piece of the puzzle, is cornered by Solaris only to escape (usually not because of his own actions). It would be really awesome later books ended with something else for a change, or if he failed to find one of the dreamers and the Enterprise got there first. Although I concede that he has lost quite a few pieces of the machine to Soalris now.
I liked Ten, and can’t wait to see where Sam gets to go next in Nine and Eight! The Last Thirteen is an action packed adventure that fans of Conspiracy 365 and The 39 Clues will love.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
May 18, 2014
At the end of Eleven, we left Sam and the others....where? I couldn't remember SO it was lucky that there was a handy little guide at the front of the book to jog my memory. Sam and Xavier were fighting Solaris at a zoo in Berlin, Alex is working with the Enterprise, Eva is pining over Sam (it didn't actually say that, I surmised it myself).
These books are all fast-paced, action-packed and easy to read, which will make them appeal to the middle grade age range, particularly with kids who are reluctant to read. However, for me the fact that they are short makes it feels like a lot has been glossed over when more time could be taken with character development rather than just the pace of the plot and for the sake of making things happen. The books are also too short to try and juggle multiple perspectives. Up until now I haven't been too impressed with the books but for some reason I have found myself enjoying this one more than the previous three. I enjoyed particularly the historical aspect and the idea of hidden da Vinci works.
There's just a couple of things getting on my nerves: the way every book ends in an inevitable 'cliffhanger' of sorts (that is not at all believable because you know there's so many more books to come and Sam is sort of the main character!) and also how sloppy a particular character death was handled. It just sat wrong with me. I also still stand by my original thought that these books would have been better combined, rather than as a serial release. I forget about them and then get behind and then read three at once, then forget about them for another three months.
3.5 stars and I'm on to the next one!
These books are all fast-paced, action-packed and easy to read, which will make them appeal to the middle grade age range, particularly with kids who are reluctant to read. However, for me the fact that they are short makes it feels like a lot has been glossed over when more time could be taken with character development rather than just the pace of the plot and for the sake of making things happen. The books are also too short to try and juggle multiple perspectives. Up until now I haven't been too impressed with the books but for some reason I have found myself enjoying this one more than the previous three. I enjoyed particularly the historical aspect and the idea of hidden da Vinci works.
There's just a couple of things getting on my nerves: the way every book ends in an inevitable 'cliffhanger' of sorts (that is not at all believable because you know there's so many more books to come and Sam is sort of the main character!) and also how sloppy a particular character death was handled. It just sat wrong with me. I also still stand by my original thought that these books would have been better combined, rather than as a serial release. I forget about them and then get behind and then read three at once, then forget about them for another three months.
3.5 stars and I'm on to the next one!
April 28, 2014
Book number four takes Sam to Paris in hot pursuit of Zara, the next of the last thirteen. The Academy is also under threat from a breakaway contingency of the Enterprise. Can Sam reach her safely before Solaris finds them and help keep his friends safe?
I really enjoy this series and when the next one arrives on my desk I take it home and read it that night. I actually gave this book 3.5 stars as I am hoping that James Phelan can find a way to avoid the repetitive nature of Sam dreaming about the next dreamer, finding them and then escaping from Solaris.
This series would be great for those who loved "Conspiracy 365" or a bit of action and history and are looking for something new to read.
I really enjoy this series and when the next one arrives on my desk I take it home and read it that night. I actually gave this book 3.5 stars as I am hoping that James Phelan can find a way to avoid the repetitive nature of Sam dreaming about the next dreamer, finding them and then escaping from Solaris.
This series would be great for those who loved "Conspiracy 365" or a bit of action and history and are looking for something new to read.
August 18, 2018
We like these books, because we're going on the adventure together. I'm reading them aloud to my kids. But we wonder how it's going to keep going, like, if the author will switch tactics in the revealing of things and the finding of new characters. Because it has to change; so far it's pretty much been the same and with 13 books...that would be so redundant. So yes, we liked it, but we didn't absolutely find ourselves ever-so-eager to get our hands on the next one, and we weren't ever on the edge of our seats or anything. Some of this one was exciting, some funny, some sad even, but...meh. We'll give the next one a read; maybe it'll pick up or there will be something we NEVER saw coming.
March 16, 2016
3.5 stars
These books just get better and better as the series goes on. They continue to be fast paced and action packed. I think this is the main reason why my daughter and I are going through them so fast. That, and each book ends in a cliffhanger, where you just want to pick the next book up and start reading right away.
I have been able to read around the annoying writing a little easier with each book. It can still have been written better though.
These books just get better and better as the series goes on. They continue to be fast paced and action packed. I think this is the main reason why my daughter and I are going through them so fast. That, and each book ends in a cliffhanger, where you just want to pick the next book up and start reading right away.
I have been able to read around the annoying writing a little easier with each book. It can still have been written better though.
April 15, 2014
Awesome, but I hate books that end on cliffhangers! All the books so far except the first have, but I solved that by having the next book ready right beside me, but 9 came out yesterday, so I haven't got it yet.
September 4, 2014
If you're planing on reading this series I advise you start from the start. I just saw this book and thought it looked interesting and when I started reading it I got lost but after I kept on reading it I got a basic understanding and if became a great book!
April 23, 2014
Did not see the ending coming in this book. I say it every time but I love the covers on these books. I really like how the Last Thirteen are progressing and I can't wait for the next one. :)
April 25, 2014
Thrilling series with each story becoming more complex.
May 4, 2014
Couldn't get into this probably need to start with the first book rather then jump straight to this one
August 20, 2014
James. Stop being so good at cliffhangers. Lucky I've got the next 4 books ready to go. Particularly since I probably get to meet you soon. Yay!
October 9, 2014
This book had a lot of action on several fronts: the academy, the enterprise, Mac, Hans and henchman, Paris and of course the ever present and lethal
Solaris.
Solaris.
December 31, 2014
I don't even remember why I picked up the first book in this series but I wish I hadn't. Now I have to finish it.
They aren't the worst books I've ever read but the writing drives me nuts.
They aren't the worst books I've ever read but the writing drives me nuts.
June 7, 2015
The race moves to Paris, another player enters, there's more action, and another cliffhanger.
The complexity is continuing to build, and the good versus evil dynamic is blurring further.
The complexity is continuing to build, and the good versus evil dynamic is blurring further.
March 29, 2016
Great read for boys.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews