12

The Last Thirteen #2

by James Phelan

The Last Thirteen #2: 12 by James Phelan, 9789351036630

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Dystopia, Childrens, Science Fiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2013

About the author

James 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.

Reviews

[Luce]

This series has such a cool concept (and awesome covers), and I love how it was marketed. I just wish it had been executed better. To me, the mark of a good children's book is that it can be enjoyed by anyone of any age, and no one is made to feel too old for it. But with this series it is so obvious that I'm not the intended demographic. The writing is so simple that it becomes tedious, and there's an abundance of "telling not showing" which usually doesn't bother me but oh boy, in this it did. James Phelan also writes adult books so I'd be interested to read some of those to see if his style is any different when he writes for a different age group.

I didn't love the first book but decided I'd give the series another chance before I passed judgement. Unfortunately, it seems this is a children's series that can only be enjoyed by children. Which is such a shame because this is the kind of plot that I usually love. Judging by most of the recent reviews here on goodreads, I'm not alone in feeling this.

DNF'd at page 28 of 185.

[Maria Carmo · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this second volume the story begun to "take off" and I enjoyed better this sequence than the first volume. Of course, one tends to get interested and then wonder about the characters and their adventures. Looking forward to the next one...

Maria Carmo,

Lisbon, 10 March 2015.

[dinah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, but the cliffhanger at the end is frustrating

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now that I've read the 2nd in this series, I can see why it may be popular with the tweens (8-12yr old readers), but it is a little 'thin' for me and I would hate to think it becomes formulaic? However, for all the kids who feel safer or love being immersed in a series they enjoy, The Last Thirteen will definitely hit the spot.

[Parker P · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last 13
James Clancy Phelan

The last thirteen is a very solid book series. The book has a lot of twists and turns. The book has all the original character plus one. The plus one's name is, Gabriella. Gabriella is a dreamer like Sam, Eva, and Alex. Sam and the others have to find we and get her back to the academy before the enterprise or Solaris. Gabriella is a teen pop singer who lives in Rome with her family. She has a dream of finding Sam and a book and seeing Solaris.

The theme of this book is a great theme. It is all about committing and not giving up. Like Sam and the others, the dreams have to do whatever they can to fulfill their dreams. They have to commit to everything they do or they will probably die. That is why the theme of the book is the always commit.

[Abby Grace27 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. It was just as good as the first one and didn't disappoint me. I didn't realize that Sam was going to have 13 nightmares. I thought he was going to meet people with one nightmare each. I'm just wondering weather Gabriela will make it into the rest of the series. Will there eventually be a group of dreamers helping to find the rest? I think that, that should be a very good possibility

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading this whole series aloud to my 11 and 13-year-old kiddos this summer. We read through them pretty quickly. The kids love all the action. I'm not ABSOLUTELY LOVING this series myself, but the kids both actually are really into it, so we're reading on. I liked this one better than the first one, so maybe they just get better and better. There really is a lot of action and a bit of suspense. Right now we're not exactly sure who are the "good guys" and who are the "bad guys."

[Steph ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Phelan has managed to capture my interest from the very first line, and kept me absolutely hooked until the very end.

Sam continues his journey with the Academy to pursue the prophecy, find the remaining dreamers of the Last Thirteen, and fulfil his destiny.

Sam and his friends travel across the globe, making new allies along the way. As Dreamers stray from their “chosen” paths it seems as if the Enterprise may not be as evil as the Academy makes them out to be.

[Sean Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast paced (not always good) filled with action (ditto) read that just passes you by and then you think did anything really happen. Second entry in the thirteen book series felt like it was padding a lot with chase sequences in order to ensure there was enough material for thirteen books. It wasn't bad but it really wasn't that brilliant and fairly forgettable.

[Lenora · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was totally a wow!!! Are you kidding the twist of the story was amazing....I thought that it was Solaris all along but when Sam lifted the mask it was a deep shock for me.....I love how the writer adds in Gabriella, I did not know her at first (no offense) but it was surprising when I learnt about her. Its a really great book....I can't wait to see what happens in the third book!!!

[Harper Hamdorf · Rating 1 out of 5]

ain’t no way

read this in a 30 min english lesson bc our teacher got mad at us for not reading much (obvs not me)

character development was not there
romance almost got there but then declined like HELLO I LOVE A LITTLE SPICE

0.75/5 never again

author should quit and stop writing
there are 12 more of these 💀

[Christine Ku · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have forgotten the previous novel somewhat but thankfully there was a “previously section” that moved me seamlessly into this book. In this book, we continue with the adventures of Sam and the ride with him is certainly enjoyable. I can now see that each book possibly ends with a cliffhanger for Sam and not sure how I feel about that but I guess time will reveal all.

[Joe Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far the series is following the premise well and doing well in character development. I'm betting there will be a lot of redundancy in dangerous quests and narrow escapes as the series progresses.

[Dana Gisser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series isn't bad but it's definitely seeming to take me longer to get through them than I expected? The Impossible Quest series and Conspiracy 365 both seem to move at a quicker pace that holds my interest but I'm going to stick through this series

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't Same just deal with all his problems. I am still mind-blown

[Anna Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thrill continues. I read this one much faster than the first. Couldn't put it down.

[Bryson s · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a great and easy read and it was full of action and made me stand at the end of my chair reading it it is full of suspense.

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I kept reading this series and it was all good.

[Lightwhisper · Rating 3 out of 5]

O segundo livro desta saga, em que o ritmo da acção continua rápido e quase sem se respirar termina-se o livro.

[Chloé Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! I didn't put the book down once lol. I legitimately kept reading this book after I was supposed to be asleep! I highly recommend

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series! The second book was as exciting as the first. I enjoyed the addition of Gabriella and the Italian backdrop. Interested to see what happens with Alex too. Onto the next!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s such a good read it flies by. I’m blown away by how much I feel apart of Sam’s journey.

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequel with new possibilities. Let's see where this goes.

[Melva Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one gets a little more violent. There are bombs, car crashes and many chases. So Far our Hero is hanging in there even though his friends may change sides.

[Mandi Corder-banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm opening #11 right away! Mr. Phelan keeps you wanting more!

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, Personally my favourite character was Lora. (Nothing like me, But someone I wish I could be, Always relaxing/calming everyone) I think it would be better if it stuck to one topic, rather then the topic's changing every chapter. Thanks.

[xoxo_lils · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series is progressively getting better

[Aliec · Rating 2 out of 5]

On its own not a fantastic book. But would be a good book for younger readers

[Molly Heath]

Awesome! This is a very good book for those who like mystery!

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great continuation from the first book, setting the tone very well for the rest of the series while still being relatively light.