Name: Logan Keehn
Period: 5
Date: 5-24-18
Instructor Siron
Goodreads review draft
WARNING: MIGHT HAVE SOME SPOILERS!
In the book The 39 Clues: Mission Hurricane by Jenny Goebel, The Outcast has given reason to believe that he will unleash another disaster on the world, but on the city of Amsterdam. Amy, Dan, and their friend's race to find a solution to stop this disaster, while dealing with most people treating them as incompetent kids. All of this happens while Sammie and Nellie are discovering hidden histories of both (and between) the Outcast and Grace.
I definitely thought the setting was a successful aspect of the writing in this book. Jenny Goebel provided vivid descriptions of Mount Fuji and the Stronghold within it. She also described Amsterdam as a joyful and celebratory place with so many people celebrating, just by her description of the crowds gave me an image of how much of an obstacle the crowds of people posed to Amy’s team. It pulled me into the story’s drama and really did make me feel like I was there, and when the countdown began, it enticed my excitement even more.
There is always that story that changes points of view when you wish it didn’t, and this is one of those stories. For instance, when Nellie and Sammie are in range of a massive avalanche, it immediately changes to Amy, Jonah, and Hamilton in Grace’s Mansion, which depicts them hiding from a mysterious person who they think knows they aren’t supposed to be their, which really drove me nuts, but all the while kept me interested in the story, it also made me happier to actually get back to that part of the plot and made me enjoy it that much more.
And something that kind of bums me out about this book and its series is that it is repetitive in it’s progression through the plot. Even though the characters have their own unique progression in their lives, it just doesn’t make up for it. The plot so far has always gone from a unique introduction, then the main characters going through their lives, then, boom! Something happens that arouses suspicion through their team that the Outcast is up to something. Then the plot thickens with urgency and adds information that makes it harder for the characters to succeed, then after some exciting plot twists (that I do love) come, and then they succeed. This isn’t always favored for me, but I guess what matters is the journey, right?
For people who love a good book with climactic events, then you should really read this, but just be aware that it is one of the books that is a little repetitive throughout the series. I still really love the advancements of the characters because the characters are put in dramatic situations that really question myself on how I would react to them. I also loved it because of the graphic description of the setting. It really goes hand in hand with the books dramatic scenes because it adds to the drama, like if I was on an iceberg in Antarctica, then I described the bone-rattling wind penetrating my skin, then it would be more interesting. If you love spy movies, that just happens to be a bit cleaner, then this is definitely, the book for you.