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The 39 Clues: Doublecross #1
Mission Titanic
The Outcast was banished from the Cahill family, never mentioned again. For years, he’s been lurking, watching, recruiting, waiting for the chance for revenge. And now he strikes, with a diabolical plan. The Outcast recreates four of history’s most infamous disasters, and gives the Cahill kids just days to stop them. There are innocent lives on the line, but what might be worst of all is the doublecross that the Cahill kids don’t see coming…
Will Amy be able to take orders from Ian, now that he’s the head of the family? What famous Cahill villain from the past turns out to have an even deadlier brother? And will Saladin ever get a dish of red snapper again?
Will Amy be able to take orders from Ian, now that he’s the head of the family? What famous Cahill villain from the past turns out to have an even deadlier brother? And will Saladin ever get a dish of red snapper again?
240 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2015
163 people are currently reading
2520 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
April 29, 2025
I was honestly a bit anxious about this next spinoff installment in the Cahill adventures just because of the sole point that so many franchises can’t make it that long but I think the charm of all the books being written by multiple authors each taking and crafting a unique piece of the whole especially with exceptional talents like Jude Watson we get successes like this one where somehow I was brought in and completely sold on the premise, tension, and cast work and aside from some expected slightly cheesy moments this was a solid wind up book to what might become a strong sleeper contender for the best spinoff series. I just hope moving forward we get a tad less of Ian but that’s a bit of nit picking. 3.75/5
May 22, 2018
Ian used to be really cool, but in the 20 pages that I managed to read of this book, Ian was a lovesick, whiny, and cliche rich British dick.
WHERE IS THE BAD ASS LUCIAN IAN?.
I loved that Ian...GIVE HIM BACK.
Now I'm just going to pretend everything ended with Into the Gauntlet
I'm officially done with the 39 clues.
Feels Good.
WHERE IS THE BAD ASS LUCIAN IAN?.
I loved that Ian...GIVE HIM BACK.
Now I'm just going to pretend everything ended with Into the Gauntlet
I'm officially done with the 39 clues.
Feels Good.
July 12, 2015
After many disappointing books in the 2 previous series (and perhaps the arc of the previous 2 series), this book is really a good start for Doublecross. Action-packed and you'll meet the other previous characters like and the
March 8, 2015
I don't do this very often, but I'm going to review MISSION TITANIC on Goodreads and not my blog. I can't work up the energy to write a big "official" review for my blog, but I still wanted to get some quick thoughts down.
I have read every single one of the many, many 39 Clues books. I read the ten original books eagerly; the Cahills vs. Vesper books had only a piece of the old spark, but I managed to fool myself into believing I loved it as much as the originals. I barely made it through the third series (I can't even remember what it was called) because it had become so depressing, violent, and scary. I mean, seriously. When Irina died in the first series it was a huge deal. By the third series, people were dropping like flies and it wasn't entertainment anymore.
So that's the background coming into this series. I probably wouldn't have read MISSION TITANIC at all if it didn't have the word "Titanic" in the title. The idea of a recreation of the famous disaster was what pulled me back into the Cahill universe. Of course, what I didn't realize is that they would spend half of the book wandering around chasing leads on land that had nothing to do with the Titanic. I also didn't know that the "Titanic II" was an eco-friendly floating marine lab. What a dissapointment!
Speaking of dissappointments, the whole book was just kind of . . . flat. There really is nowhere else the authors can take the series; it's all been done before. Betrayal? Dishonest family members? The placement of great responsibility on the shoulders of a teenager? A guy with a creepy alias from the Cahills' past taking control of the day and threatening the lives of innocent people? Been there, done that! I don't want to critisize Watson with all of this: she wrote the book and created the story arc, and I'm sure it will be as good as it possibly can be with what is left to be dealt with. But they are seriously scraping the bottom of the idea barrel here. I may continue the series out of a respect for the earlier books (and the nagging perfectionist in me who won't let me quit something I've started), but I don't see any possible way I could be compelled to rave about any of the books in the series.
I have read every single one of the many, many 39 Clues books. I read the ten original books eagerly; the Cahills vs. Vesper books had only a piece of the old spark, but I managed to fool myself into believing I loved it as much as the originals. I barely made it through the third series (I can't even remember what it was called) because it had become so depressing, violent, and scary. I mean, seriously. When Irina died in the first series it was a huge deal. By the third series, people were dropping like flies and it wasn't entertainment anymore.
So that's the background coming into this series. I probably wouldn't have read MISSION TITANIC at all if it didn't have the word "Titanic" in the title. The idea of a recreation of the famous disaster was what pulled me back into the Cahill universe. Of course, what I didn't realize is that they would spend half of the book wandering around chasing leads on land that had nothing to do with the Titanic. I also didn't know that the "Titanic II" was an eco-friendly floating marine lab. What a dissapointment!
Speaking of dissappointments, the whole book was just kind of . . . flat. There really is nowhere else the authors can take the series; it's all been done before. Betrayal? Dishonest family members? The placement of great responsibility on the shoulders of a teenager? A guy with a creepy alias from the Cahills' past taking control of the day and threatening the lives of innocent people? Been there, done that! I don't want to critisize Watson with all of this: she wrote the book and created the story arc, and I'm sure it will be as good as it possibly can be with what is left to be dealt with. But they are seriously scraping the bottom of the idea barrel here. I may continue the series out of a respect for the earlier books (and the nagging perfectionist in me who won't let me quit something I've started), but I don't see any possible way I could be compelled to rave about any of the books in the series.
April 19, 2018
Synopsis: The Cahill family is back! When a mysterious entity known only as the Outcast usurps power over the family, it's up to the remaining members--including Dan and Amy, protagonists of the original series--to regain control! However, the Outcast is bent on staying in power, and decided to recreate four of history's greatest disasters. Will the other Cahills be able to stop him?
The Good: I had missed this series; it brings the action and intensity, like an old-school-style Saturday morning serial. More length means a more convoluted story that, as you may have guessed, continues into the next novel; I can't wait to see what happens next!
The Bad: A disappointing use of profanity--well, something I consider to be in that category, anyway--messed things up, and seemed completely out of place for a book like this.
Content Concerns:
Sex: Flirting, at worst.
Nudity: None.
Language: A disappointing use of the p-word; words such as "butt" are sprinkled in occasionally.
Violence: Action violence throughout.
Drugs: None.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: Scary villain; emotional intensity; scenes of peril.
The Good: I had missed this series; it brings the action and intensity, like an old-school-style Saturday morning serial. More length means a more convoluted story that, as you may have guessed, continues into the next novel; I can't wait to see what happens next!
The Bad: A disappointing use of profanity--well, something I consider to be in that category, anyway--messed things up, and seemed completely out of place for a book like this.
Content Concerns:
Sex: Flirting, at worst.
Nudity: None.
Language: A disappointing use of the p-word; words such as "butt" are sprinkled in occasionally.
Violence: Action violence throughout.
Drugs: None.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: Scary villain; emotional intensity; scenes of peril.
May 18, 2015
When I first found out that this book was coming out, I was reluctant to pick it up because it was the beginning of the fourth series. Like many others, I thought four series was going a little bit too far. But when I actually got to reading it, all my doubts disappeared. This book did not disappoint, and was one of the best in the entire 39 Clues series in my opinion.
As usual, this book follows the Cahills, "the most powerful family in the world." The leadership has changed, and the new leader, Ian, doesn't seem to be handling things too well. Then one day, a mysterious person calling themselves "the Outcast" takes over the Cahill mansion, and the family itself. Much to Ian's dismay, the Cahills have to request Dan and Amy's help, even though they resolved never to get involved with Cahill business again. The Outcast plans to recreate four major disasters from history, and will carry them out in the Cahill family name if Ian and his crew don't stop it in time.
For the fist disaster, the Outcast recreates the Titanic disaster and gives it to them in the form of a riddle. Ian and his fellow Cahills misinterpret the riddle and make a costly mistake. Will they get there in time?
-
What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the fast-paced action. There was a lot of movement and activity throughout, and that really contributed to the suspense and thrill. And although this is standard for all 39 Clues books, I particularly liked the switching of narrators in this book. Especially in this kind of novel, getting to know what's happening all around is useful for the reader.
Overall, very enjoyable book. If you liked the previous books, you'll like this one too.
As usual, this book follows the Cahills, "the most powerful family in the world." The leadership has changed, and the new leader, Ian, doesn't seem to be handling things too well. Then one day, a mysterious person calling themselves "the Outcast" takes over the Cahill mansion, and the family itself. Much to Ian's dismay, the Cahills have to request Dan and Amy's help, even though they resolved never to get involved with Cahill business again. The Outcast plans to recreate four major disasters from history, and will carry them out in the Cahill family name if Ian and his crew don't stop it in time.
For the fist disaster, the Outcast recreates the Titanic disaster and gives it to them in the form of a riddle. Ian and his fellow Cahills misinterpret the riddle and make a costly mistake. Will they get there in time?
-
What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the fast-paced action. There was a lot of movement and activity throughout, and that really contributed to the suspense and thrill. And although this is standard for all 39 Clues books, I particularly liked the switching of narrators in this book. Especially in this kind of novel, getting to know what's happening all around is useful for the reader.
Overall, very enjoyable book. If you liked the previous books, you'll like this one too.
April 30, 2023
Maybe they should have stopped expanding the universe, it's getting predictable.
I am sure I can predict all of what is going to happen and I think I already know who the Outcast is. Perhaps they should have stopped writing this series and focused on something else.
You know what would have surprised me? If the entire world finally found out about Cahills and their influence on the world, the effect that would have, now THAT is the next story I want to read about. I will finish it for the sake of finishing, but I would rather it's done and over with.
I am sure I can predict all of what is going to happen and I think I already know who the Outcast is. Perhaps they should have stopped writing this series and focused on something else.
You know what would have surprised me? If the entire world finally found out about Cahills and their influence on the world, the effect that would have, now THAT is the next story I want to read about. I will finish it for the sake of finishing, but I would rather it's done and over with.
March 10, 2015
I have lost count of how many 39 clues books I have read but they don't get old for me. The history is always so interesting
September 5, 2016
It was a fun book , might get into the series more when the kids are a bit older.
March 18, 2019
Read for #MarchMysteryMadness
Interesting adventure, but I do feel like I missed out on a bit by not reading the previous series. They do refer to things from that series quite a bit. All the branches of the Cahill Family were interesting, though I'm not quite sure I enjoy this power play between the adults and the teens. This is the second book I've read this month that has a Titanic II in it, which was a little hilarious. Will probably start the initial series before I continue with this one.
Interesting adventure, but I do feel like I missed out on a bit by not reading the previous series. They do refer to things from that series quite a bit. All the branches of the Cahill Family were interesting, though I'm not quite sure I enjoy this power play between the adults and the teens. This is the second book I've read this month that has a Titanic II in it, which was a little hilarious. Will probably start the initial series before I continue with this one.
June 19, 2015
Quick read. Lots of action as you would expect from a 39 Clues book. Great story. Only complaint is the ending is unresolved. It's setting up readers to keep going but the next book is not available yet (as far as I can tell) and it was as if it was mid chapter in my opinion. I like resolution. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
January 9, 2015They that this series is "the fourth and last Cahill ark." Hard to believe.
July 29, 2022
A pretty good start to a new series very well narrated.
Although it leaves the end a little loose and dangling, leaving it up to the sequel writer to pick it up, the characters have been meticulously portrayed and the sense of adventure and urgency is quite prominent as is the sense of danger.
Apart from that, perhaps one of the things I disliked is how Scholastic started cutting costs with this book onwards. The paper quality, while still pretty good, has degraded and is no longer the glossy paper it was in the previous books. They haven't even provided any cards with this book and the only cards to be obtained are digital, which you can no longer own since the site went down a few years ago.
Apart from the obvious cost-cutting we've started on a good foot for a new adventure and I can't wait to see where it takes us.
Although it leaves the end a little loose and dangling, leaving it up to the sequel writer to pick it up, the characters have been meticulously portrayed and the sense of adventure and urgency is quite prominent as is the sense of danger.
Apart from that, perhaps one of the things I disliked is how Scholastic started cutting costs with this book onwards. The paper quality, while still pretty good, has degraded and is no longer the glossy paper it was in the previous books. They haven't even provided any cards with this book and the only cards to be obtained are digital, which you can no longer own since the site went down a few years ago.
Apart from the obvious cost-cutting we've started on a good foot for a new adventure and I can't wait to see where it takes us.
Read
June 5, 2020One smaller problem Amy, Dan, Hamilton, and Ian are facing at the moment is that Alek Spasky is sinking their boat, and almost hitting them too. A smaller problem Nellie and Sammy are facing is that they discovered that Tiffany and James Chen, Sammy's godparents and their hosts at the moment are in a league with the Outcast. Also, they heard footsteps outside the room they are in and are in potential danger. The big problem that appears in the whole book and applies to all of them is that the Titanic II is about to sink and they have to stop it. Jonah and Cara are also trying to stop it but are pretty much powerless because they are not near anywhere they can stop the disaster, but they can relay information to all of the others.
May 1, 2019
It was great to read what might have happened on the titanic
June 9, 2021
I wanted to read this middle grade book because when I was of the middle grade audience age I read the original series and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, I never finished the series as my younger self discovered the Alex Rider series, Twilight and more YA reads… and my middle grade books were forgotten. However, I wanted to try this third series and see if I could rekindle my love for the series or the middle grade genre in general. Unfortunately, I wasn’t quite moved and here’s why…
I felt quite nostalgic when we returned to the characters I knew from the first series. I was pleasantly surprised that they were more or less the same. However, the characters had changed and developed – that’s fair, that’s what happens in a series. But some of my favourite characteristics of the characters were gone? Which just made them all a bit mellow and uninteresting. What made them unique had been stripped away, and that isn’t necessarily the good kind of development I would’ve wanted to read about. Ian’s cunning and sly self has definitely been mellowed out. He’s become ‘good,’ which misses out the opportunity of having a grey area character who dithers between good and bad. Also, Dan is a lot less of his nerdy self, and a lot more talkative and fun. He didn’t really drop as many facts or really seem ‘himself’ and I missed that. He used to be so great!
I did still manage to like the characters but didn’t care about them as much as I did before. There were quite a few stereotypes embodied and I wanted them to have more depth. The characters were simply 2D and stayed that way. Which is disappointing for a character driven reader like me.
But at the same time, I did go on to discuss this book with a friend of mine who I know has read it too. And she rightly mentioned how this book bounces between being young middle grade and mature middle grade. The jokes are definitely young middle grade and might not be found funny by some more mature children. But then at the same time there is some violence (not major, minor violence and fighting) in this one, and scenes where people are held at gunpoint or have died. Before, death and murder were rare in the series and was a huge deal when it happened. Now, they come across a lot more casual death than before. Which seems more suiting for a mature middle grade audience. So, hmm… where should it fall? I think that combination of it being mature and juvenile at the same time is what didn’t work for me.
Onto the plot! Nothing much seemed to happen for the large majority of the book, and then the ending was quite rushed and anticlimactic? I was like – wait, what? That’s it?! I very much could see how this book was a set up for the rest of the series. A solid set up and it did lay down the scenario and challenge for the future well enough. But I’m reading this book first and want to be able to enjoy this experience too.
The villains here did manage to intrigue me a bit, and I wonder what their end goal is with everything that they are doing. But my interest doesn’t quite outweigh how much I didn’t enjoy reading the rest of the book, so it’s a hard pass for this one. I won’t be reading any more books in this series :/
I felt quite nostalgic when we returned to the characters I knew from the first series. I was pleasantly surprised that they were more or less the same. However, the characters had changed and developed – that’s fair, that’s what happens in a series. But some of my favourite characteristics of the characters were gone? Which just made them all a bit mellow and uninteresting. What made them unique had been stripped away, and that isn’t necessarily the good kind of development I would’ve wanted to read about. Ian’s cunning and sly self has definitely been mellowed out. He’s become ‘good,’ which misses out the opportunity of having a grey area character who dithers between good and bad. Also, Dan is a lot less of his nerdy self, and a lot more talkative and fun. He didn’t really drop as many facts or really seem ‘himself’ and I missed that. He used to be so great!
I did still manage to like the characters but didn’t care about them as much as I did before. There were quite a few stereotypes embodied and I wanted them to have more depth. The characters were simply 2D and stayed that way. Which is disappointing for a character driven reader like me.
But at the same time, I did go on to discuss this book with a friend of mine who I know has read it too. And she rightly mentioned how this book bounces between being young middle grade and mature middle grade. The jokes are definitely young middle grade and might not be found funny by some more mature children. But then at the same time there is some violence (not major, minor violence and fighting) in this one, and scenes where people are held at gunpoint or have died. Before, death and murder were rare in the series and was a huge deal when it happened. Now, they come across a lot more casual death than before. Which seems more suiting for a mature middle grade audience. So, hmm… where should it fall? I think that combination of it being mature and juvenile at the same time is what didn’t work for me.
Onto the plot! Nothing much seemed to happen for the large majority of the book, and then the ending was quite rushed and anticlimactic? I was like – wait, what? That’s it?! I very much could see how this book was a set up for the rest of the series. A solid set up and it did lay down the scenario and challenge for the future well enough. But I’m reading this book first and want to be able to enjoy this experience too.
The villains here did manage to intrigue me a bit, and I wonder what their end goal is with everything that they are doing. But my interest doesn’t quite outweigh how much I didn’t enjoy reading the rest of the book, so it’s a hard pass for this one. I won’t be reading any more books in this series :/
February 22, 2017
I'm liking the new villain in this series so far.
July 16, 2018
I knew this was a long series but I didn't know it was made up of multiple series XD. So I'm not going to lie it's probably my fault that I didn't enjoy this as much as other people have.
So the first part of this novel I was immensely confused which is completely understandable. As a new comer I had no idea who all these families were and the back stories behind them. The whole book was kinda one big mess to me if I'm being honest. But I pulled through and it actually wasn't half that bad.
One thing I would like to mention is why on earth the author would include paragraphs of these long experiment sciency stuff. Unless the readers are all mad scientists I don't think they're going to have any idea what it means. I understand she had to include some of it so it would make sense but keep it short would you?
Also why were there like nearly two pages of Dan talking about penguins and stuff? I'm sorry but I don't care about that shit.
The thing I enjoyed most about this novel was the characters and the way they interacted with each other. You could tell they'd known one another for a while and the banter was all around fun.
The action was nice when it was there and the last boat chase was thrilling but the over all execution of the finale of the book wasn't quite there.
It sounds like I've trashed this novel to no end but it was actually an alright book just not a series I would continue.
So the first part of this novel I was immensely confused which is completely understandable. As a new comer I had no idea who all these families were and the back stories behind them. The whole book was kinda one big mess to me if I'm being honest. But I pulled through and it actually wasn't half that bad.
One thing I would like to mention is why on earth the author would include paragraphs of these long experiment sciency stuff. Unless the readers are all mad scientists I don't think they're going to have any idea what it means. I understand she had to include some of it so it would make sense but keep it short would you?
Also why were there like nearly two pages of Dan talking about penguins and stuff? I'm sorry but I don't care about that shit.
The thing I enjoyed most about this novel was the characters and the way they interacted with each other. You could tell they'd known one another for a while and the banter was all around fun.
The action was nice when it was there and the last boat chase was thrilling but the over all execution of the finale of the book wasn't quite there.
It sounds like I've trashed this novel to no end but it was actually an alright book just not a series I would continue.
March 20, 2016
NOTE: This is a DNF review.
I just couldn't finish this book. I gave it an honest try. I read through 25% but I just could not connect with the characters. I hadn't read anything else in this series, so I don't know if that would have made any difference or not, but honestly the main character, Ian, just irritated me to know end. He came across as an irritating, spoiled and entitled brat who was used to getting everything handed to him.
And the Cahills are supposed to be this super-powerful family, and yet it is run by a bunch of kids? And before the current kids, it was run by another pair of kids? One of whom is currently 13 years old?
And Ian's role model is Napolean. What is that exactly? What teenager idolizes a tyrant, anyway?
Even for a middle grade book, one expects historical facts to be checked and accurate, and it references all of these people that Ian is related to, and yet there is no way that in reality these people would really be related. That just bothered me.
I wanted to really like this book but I couldn't find anything to connect to, anything to like about it. Even for an ARC it was written and edited well, and the idea was unique and well thought out, but I just couldn't get into it. My 12 year old loves this series, but for me, it just fell flat.
I just couldn't finish this book. I gave it an honest try. I read through 25% but I just could not connect with the characters. I hadn't read anything else in this series, so I don't know if that would have made any difference or not, but honestly the main character, Ian, just irritated me to know end. He came across as an irritating, spoiled and entitled brat who was used to getting everything handed to him.
And the Cahills are supposed to be this super-powerful family, and yet it is run by a bunch of kids? And before the current kids, it was run by another pair of kids? One of whom is currently 13 years old?
And Ian's role model is Napolean. What is that exactly? What teenager idolizes a tyrant, anyway?
Even for a middle grade book, one expects historical facts to be checked and accurate, and it references all of these people that Ian is related to, and yet there is no way that in reality these people would really be related. That just bothered me.
I wanted to really like this book but I couldn't find anything to connect to, anything to like about it. Even for an ARC it was written and edited well, and the idea was unique and well thought out, but I just couldn't get into it. My 12 year old loves this series, but for me, it just fell flat.
August 16, 2016
This Book is a college student that love to solve mystery.there are so many book in this series there are mystery book if you like a mystery book I recommend you read this series. So about this book. This book is a group of a student there were call from a secret department this do the mystery that have not been solved and has happen a long time ago. Then these college student were in a mission.they is actually going in the titanic. in the end They solve they were involve in the secret department a got a certificate from the leader of the department
February 20, 2022
What I didn't like:
1) There were too many characters to keep track of. It was hard to distinguish between the character.
2) This is part of a series The 39 clues and I didn't read the original series. This was a spin off series dealing with the characters in the 39 clues.
3) The writing was ok. The book had many actions sequences. There was no real threat and characters keep complaining and would act like a kid.
What I liked:
1) I liked the mention of history (the titanic).
2) I liked the open-ended ending.
1) There were too many characters to keep track of. It was hard to distinguish between the character.
2) This is part of a series The 39 clues and I didn't read the original series. This was a spin off series dealing with the characters in the 39 clues.
3) The writing was ok. The book had many actions sequences. There was no real threat and characters keep complaining and would act like a kid.
What I liked:
1) I liked the mention of history (the titanic).
2) I liked the open-ended ending.
September 16, 2020
The Outcast was banished from the Cahill family, never mentioned again,until now. For years, he’s been recruiting other "outcasts", banished by Grace Cahill, waiting for the chance for revenge on the Cahill family. And now he strikes! The Outcast recreates the Titanic disaster, and gives the Cahill kids just days to stop it. There are innocent lives on the line, but what might be worst of all is the double-cross that the Cahill kids don’t see coming!
March 11, 2015
So good! You'd think I'd be tired of the 39 clues books after so many, but in reality I'm sad this is the last series. Love Amy and Dan and love David Pittu, the narrator.
Also, I'm so happy Amy is back to normal again. Last series she was too whiny for me.
Can't wait for the next book already! I want to know who the Outcast is!!!
Also, I'm so happy Amy is back to normal again. Last series she was too whiny for me.
Can't wait for the next book already! I want to know who the Outcast is!!!
September 19, 2016
This was a pretty good book. I like the 39 Clues books so this is really interesting to me. I can't wait to find out who the Outcast is and how the team is going to stop him. I would definitely recommend this book to a 39 Clues lover.
September 13, 2017
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 1.5 of 5
I don't know anything about this series other than that there appear to be a lot of books in The 39 Clues series and this is a 'Book One' so I figured it would be a good place to start. I realize now that I'm wrong. This is the first book in the fourth sub-set in the 39 Clues series. And... I think you really need to read the rest of the series to really get a grip on what is happening here because the central characters all have a history that is referred to in the book.
The Cahills are the most powerful family in the world. 'The Outcast' was banished from the family and now he's out for some vengeance. He's been planning and recruiting and he intends to recreate four (in)famous disasters unless the Cahills can figure out the clues he leaves for them and stop the disasters from occurring. But of course it's not quite as straight-forward as that... Ian, at seventeen, is now the head of this most powerful family, but he hasn't yet earned the respect of Amy and Dan. However, in order to figure out the clues and save lives and stop the disasters, they will have to work together.
I know that this is a popular series and some pretty big names in YA literature have had a hand in the series, but ... oh, my ... I didn't care one bit about any of these characters and I was bored all the way through. A result, I suspect, of my not having read the series from the beginning and so the characters were not already familiar to me.
It was a struggle to read this book. I'd pick it up, struggle to find a reason to keep reading, then put it away. I did that maybe three times before I just forced myself to read it. Yeah...forced myself to read it. That's not a very glowing recommendation!
There are youngsters out there who love this series, and that's great. Anything that gets kids interested in reading deserves an extra star, but I most definitely wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who hasn't already developed a love for the series.
Looking for a good book? Keep looking - Mission Titanic by Jude Watson relies on the reader already being interested in, and caring about the central characters before even starting the read.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know anything about this series other than that there appear to be a lot of books in The 39 Clues series and this is a 'Book One' so I figured it would be a good place to start. I realize now that I'm wrong. This is the first book in the fourth sub-set in the 39 Clues series. And... I think you really need to read the rest of the series to really get a grip on what is happening here because the central characters all have a history that is referred to in the book.
The Cahills are the most powerful family in the world. 'The Outcast' was banished from the family and now he's out for some vengeance. He's been planning and recruiting and he intends to recreate four (in)famous disasters unless the Cahills can figure out the clues he leaves for them and stop the disasters from occurring. But of course it's not quite as straight-forward as that... Ian, at seventeen, is now the head of this most powerful family, but he hasn't yet earned the respect of Amy and Dan. However, in order to figure out the clues and save lives and stop the disasters, they will have to work together.
I know that this is a popular series and some pretty big names in YA literature have had a hand in the series, but ... oh, my ... I didn't care one bit about any of these characters and I was bored all the way through. A result, I suspect, of my not having read the series from the beginning and so the characters were not already familiar to me.
It was a struggle to read this book. I'd pick it up, struggle to find a reason to keep reading, then put it away. I did that maybe three times before I just forced myself to read it. Yeah...forced myself to read it. That's not a very glowing recommendation!
There are youngsters out there who love this series, and that's great. Anything that gets kids interested in reading deserves an extra star, but I most definitely wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who hasn't already developed a love for the series.
Looking for a good book? Keep looking - Mission Titanic by Jude Watson relies on the reader already being interested in, and caring about the central characters before even starting the read.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2017
In the book The 39 Clues: Mission Titanic, by Jude Watson, Ian Kabra who is the head of the Cahill family, the most powerful family in the world know he is the leader already. Problem is, he has already messed up a lot in his life. Ian and his two friends Dan and Amy, were up for a mission; a big thrill. The three friends found out that there was going to be a replica of the Titanic on a voyage starting tomorrow, from a news report. They had been wanting to solve a mystery for many weeks. When they found out about this voyage, they were up to find out why it sank and what exactly happened to the Titanic. It was supposed to be unsinkable. Now, this replica was a little smaller, so they had to see what they were in for. They decided to take a walk later in the evening and discovered they were being followed by someone. Someone unusual, where you get the feeling that nothing is right. That feeling that you get when you know something is going to jump out and attack you.It was that exact feeling, accept it was scary too. They continued on trying to ignore the fact and caught up to a bus, hoping they could feel a little safer in the bus. They had only felt this way because it was past six in the evening and the streets were packed with cars, people, and stands on the side of the roads. They decided to go back home and just wait to the next day to see the replica of the Titanic. They soon discovered exactly what happened to the Titanic thanks to Dr. Jeff. they could NOT let the Titanic Replica sink again or the doctors would never have known what happened to the Titanic. . .
My Opinion:
I didn’t love this book, but it did keep me reading it. I don’t recommend this book to an older audience. I think this book is meant towards an elementary schooler or an early middle schooler. What I didn’t like about this book is that most of the action happened towards the middle of the book. Those were the main downsides of the book for me. Other than those two downsides, the main plot to the book is okay. All in all i don’t think this is book is meant for an older age group, but more towards and elementary school kid.
My Opinion:
I didn’t love this book, but it did keep me reading it. I don’t recommend this book to an older audience. I think this book is meant towards an elementary schooler or an early middle schooler. What I didn’t like about this book is that most of the action happened towards the middle of the book. Those were the main downsides of the book for me. Other than those two downsides, the main plot to the book is okay. All in all i don’t think this is book is meant for an older age group, but more towards and elementary school kid.
July 10, 2023
📖Mission Titanic📖
Y bien estamos en la penúltima vuelta con estas patoaventuras, y aunque vemos un poco las de lo mismo, me alegra ver que mínimo se notan cambios.
Pará empezar esta historia inicia con Ian, ya que los manitos Cahill están jubilados (Aunque no les dura mucho😅)
Ahora el villano...al parecer son los adultos de la familia Cahill, ahora es cuando deciden aparecer y en vez de hablar y ser como adultos, son como niños chiquitos queriendo humillar a NINOS!!! (Con esos adultos, con razón dejaron la familia en manos de niños)
Aunque por fin hay algo diferente, empezamos con la lista cliché qué debe cubrir en la Saga y como primer punto es un villano chillón;es que en serio, solo por una rivalidad con Grace, este caprichoso quiere tener el ppder de la familia, humillar y castigar a los niños, qué porque no tienen la madurez para eso, que ojo yo también me preguntaba porque los niños gobernaban la familia y ya tuve respuesta, poco ilógica, pero respuesta finalmente.
La cosa es asi:
1era Saga: Búsqueda de pistas y descubrimientos
2da Saga: Persona ajena a Cahill quiere la reliquia familiar
3era Saga(qué bien pudo no existir) : Búsqueda del antídoto para una poción peligrosa.
4ta Saga: Adulto Cahill VS Niño Cahill(como por? 🤔🤔)
Y por extraño qué parezca... Este libro me gustó más que los de la Saga anterior quiza porque había mucho drama en los anteriores, pero aquí al limitarlos de tener ayuda foránea, los obligan a usar sus cerebros y habilidades.
Vamos a ver el 2do libro.
Y bien estamos en la penúltima vuelta con estas patoaventuras, y aunque vemos un poco las de lo mismo, me alegra ver que mínimo se notan cambios.
Pará empezar esta historia inicia con Ian, ya que los manitos Cahill están jubilados (Aunque no les dura mucho😅)
Ahora el villano...al parecer son los adultos de la familia Cahill, ahora es cuando deciden aparecer y en vez de hablar y ser como adultos, son como niños chiquitos queriendo humillar a NINOS!!! (Con esos adultos, con razón dejaron la familia en manos de niños)
Aunque por fin hay algo diferente, empezamos con la lista cliché qué debe cubrir en la Saga y como primer punto es un villano chillón;es que en serio, solo por una rivalidad con Grace, este caprichoso quiere tener el ppder de la familia, humillar y castigar a los niños, qué porque no tienen la madurez para eso, que ojo yo también me preguntaba porque los niños gobernaban la familia y ya tuve respuesta, poco ilógica, pero respuesta finalmente.
La cosa es asi:
1era Saga: Búsqueda de pistas y descubrimientos
2da Saga: Persona ajena a Cahill quiere la reliquia familiar
3era Saga(qué bien pudo no existir) : Búsqueda del antídoto para una poción peligrosa.
4ta Saga: Adulto Cahill VS Niño Cahill(como por? 🤔🤔)
Y por extraño qué parezca... Este libro me gustó más que los de la Saga anterior quiza porque había mucho drama en los anteriores, pero aquí al limitarlos de tener ayuda foránea, los obligan a usar sus cerebros y habilidades.
Vamos a ver el 2do libro.
August 6, 2024
**2.5**
There is no reason why this book needed to be so much longer than the others. The events were told is close to real time instead of making them seem like geniuses and figuring it out quickly. But, it made the story go slowly
- someone came to warn ian of a threat. She got shot
- Nellie is on a cooking show but was taken before she was introduced
- “The outcast” crashes a cahill meeting and recreates disasters because he is mad that children are in charge
- Amy and dan changed their last name and have been traveling the world
- The outcast is an ekat
- Grace is the one who started “the outcasts”
- Need to contact aunt beatrice
- Ian asks qmy about love and happiness
- Track down who they think the outcast will reach out to
- Sinead undercover!
- Titanic copycat is heading for Antarctica
- Quick breakdown how the ship sank
- Got tickets on board because of jonah’s fame
- Doctor onboard helps amy and dan
- Outcast decreases the deadline down to 2 hours
- The doctor double crossed them (haha… get it?). He’s working with the outcast
- The outcast knows his way around the mansion. Gets a box from a safe
- Exclusive: looking into ian’s expenses as leader
- Someone other than ian authorized work to the madrigal stronghold
There is no reason why this book needed to be so much longer than the others. The events were told is close to real time instead of making them seem like geniuses and figuring it out quickly. But, it made the story go slowly
- someone came to warn ian of a threat. She got shot
- Nellie is on a cooking show but was taken before she was introduced
- “The outcast” crashes a cahill meeting and recreates disasters because he is mad that children are in charge
- Amy and dan changed their last name and have been traveling the world
- The outcast is an ekat
- Grace is the one who started “the outcasts”
- Need to contact aunt beatrice
- Ian asks qmy about love and happiness
- Track down who they think the outcast will reach out to
- Sinead undercover!
- Titanic copycat is heading for Antarctica
- Quick breakdown how the ship sank
- Got tickets on board because of jonah’s fame
- Doctor onboard helps amy and dan
- Outcast decreases the deadline down to 2 hours
- The doctor double crossed them (haha… get it?). He’s working with the outcast
- The outcast knows his way around the mansion. Gets a box from a safe
- Exclusive: looking into ian’s expenses as leader
- Someone other than ian authorized work to the madrigal stronghold
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2018
Another whole series review.
June 1, 2020
I loved this.
Whatever weird feeling I had about the last series (Unstoppable) wasn't here. I loved getting to see Ian in charge. I loved that the adult Cahills *finally* noticed how strange it was for teenagers to be in charge. I love that the kids are all a team, and Jonah isn't as obsessed with his fame, and Hamilton is my favourite, so having him be around consistently was lovely.
It's just everything I wanted the last series to be. It gives me that giddy feeling of excitement that the first series gave me back when I first read them. I didn't think any book in the 39 Clues universe would be able to recreate that feeling (as I'm so much older this time around (nearly 30!)) but the fact that it has just has me grinning so wide right now.
My audiobook loan from the library for the fourth book in this series is expiring soon, so I've been listening to 39 Clues all day, and can't quite remember what happened character-wise in which book, so I'm not going to say anything about it, but I'm loving everything that's happening!
Whatever weird feeling I had about the last series (Unstoppable) wasn't here. I loved getting to see Ian in charge. I loved that the adult Cahills *finally* noticed how strange it was for teenagers to be in charge. I love that the kids are all a team, and Jonah isn't as obsessed with his fame, and Hamilton is my favourite, so having him be around consistently was lovely.
It's just everything I wanted the last series to be. It gives me that giddy feeling of excitement that the first series gave me back when I first read them. I didn't think any book in the 39 Clues universe would be able to recreate that feeling (as I'm so much older this time around (nearly 30!)) but the fact that it has just has me grinning so wide right now.
My audiobook loan from the library for the fourth book in this series is expiring soon, so I've been listening to 39 Clues all day, and can't quite remember what happened character-wise in which book, so I'm not going to say anything about it, but I'm loving everything that's happening!
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