Coda

Spencer #2

by Ted Staunton

When his brother Bunny vanishes from the Toronto City Hall skating rink, Spencer, a budding filmmaker, finds himself plunged into the stuff of movie thrillers: kidnapping, terrorists, intrigue, a missing document, a world-famous pop star, disguises, romance and a rogue alligator. As he races the clock to save his brother, he must sort the real from the make-believe and unravel a murder mystery involving his grandfather. The last time Spencer got tangled up in an adventure from his grandfather’s past, he didn’t believe it was for real. Now he can’t get anyone to believe him when he says that Bunny has been kidnapped and that someone is going to die.

Genres: Adventure, Young Adult

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2014

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “CODA” an exciting novel in the “Seven” series, Spencer O’Toole’s brother Bernard (aka Bunny) has disappeared from Toronto’s City Hall skating rink still wearing his skates. What Spencer quickly discovers is that Bunny’s been kidnapped by a radical terrorist group from a weird country in Europe called Pianvia. Teaming up with Amberlea, the granddaughter of old movie actress Gloria Lorraine from “Jump Cut” and her friend Troy, Spencer is plunged into a thrill-ride that blends conspiracy, intrigue, and espionage into an absorbing adventure.

Intensity and suspense build as the action heats up when Spencer confronts an alligator in a seedy hotel, negotiates with terrorists and cons a renowned teen rock star into helping him as time runs out to save his brother. Using GPS co-ordinates and disguising his identity the tension mounts when he uses the Fifteenth Street Posse to penetrate a home where he believes Bunny’s being held only to be swept into the arms of a bizarre cult. Excitement and high adventure resonate throughout a novel that often vibrates with romance and humor as it flows to a surprising ending.

Spencer O’Toole a first year at film school is an awkward, geeky seventeen-year-old who’s resourceful, guided by his inner James Bond persona. Amberlea his sidekick and romantic interest in the adventure is clever, capable and helpful when Spencer least expects it. These and other characters including rich and preppy Toby breathe life into a fascinating quest that becomes more dangerous as the plot progresses.

I liked “CODA” and will recommend it to teens at my library.

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, Ted Staunton’s books have been my least favourite of the series. All of the Seven Sequels are about grandfather David McLean’s secret life as a spy. However, this one did not match the other two that I’ve read. Spencer is just not the most believable character. Also, the secondary characters were not written terribly well as well. What interests me is how this story will be linked to Bunny’s story that I will be reading next. That part of the series (linking stories between authors) has been done very well, and I give all 7 authors credit for their creativity.

[Dalton Shatzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok but whenever there was a not an exciting part I just wanted to stop reading.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book of the seven that I picked up to read. It was fine.
I preferred From the Dead. This one wasn’t as exciting.

[Aurélie]

Wtf

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A continuation of the saga of a grandchild trying to fulfill his grandfather's wish. Part of the seven series.

[Eden Grey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spencer discovers in the first few pages of the novel that his little brother, Bunny (or Bernard), has disappeared. Because of Bunny's sketchy past and strange behavior, this isn't too unusual, until Spencer gets a call from the person who kidnapped his brother. Then he races around Toronto trying to figure out who has his brother and why, meanwhile spending as much time as possible with his friend AmberLea, who he has a serious crush on. AmberLea is cool enough to help Spencer with his search, even rescuing him from an alligator in a motel room. This book is outrageous, fast-paced, and sometimes downright silly. The kidnappers and enemies were not convincing in the least, most of the plot points were just too silly to believe, and the only thing that kept me reading was Spencer's funny narrative.

I can only recommend the SEVEN SEQUELS series for very special cases of reluctant readers. While the content would appeal to older readers, in high school or even college-age, the writing is too full of complex vocabulary and context-specific jargon to work in this context. Another issue is that despite it being a series, the exposition regarding the main character's family and history are rehashed in every single book - this was boring to me, and I fully expect it to be a boring turn-off for readers. However, if that hadn't been the case, and the exposition had been left out, the reader wouldn't have been able to just pick up one of the sequels and "read one, read them all, you choose the order" like is advertised everywhere in the book - because they would have been missing key plot points and character relationships. It's unfortunate, because I can see this series filling a gap in interesting series for reluctant readers.

Grades: 8 - adult
Characterization: Poor
Literary Merit: Poor
Recommended: No

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The allure of this series is that it doesn't matter what order you read the books. I chose this as the next book to read because I'd just finished "The Wolf and Me" which features Spencer's brother Bunny. These two books actually go hand in hand and tell the same story from each brother's point of view. It wouldn't matter which you read first but I recommend reading them concurrently as one further explains the events in the other. This was a wild spy/espionage tale that involved a freedom fighting group from a fictional Balkan country. Just like the others I've read in this series so far references to James Bond are plenty and also other spy writers of the cold war sixties such as Len Deighton. This is just the type of book that would have had me as a teenager searching out those other books. This is an over-the-top wild spy story where suspension of belief has to be held to truly enjoy the ride, but enjoy it I did. DJ keeps being mentioned in each book I've read so far so I might look for his to read next.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, bonus points for representation!

Two, this and Bunny's book worked together really well.

Thirdly, I hate when people don't check their facts. Roll up the Rim is in February/March, not December. Also Spencer couldn't have had a birthday in January (perhaps February) and be seventeen in his first year of university.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sequel to a book I did not read, but I still had no problem following along thanks to the authors quick recaps of characters and their shared background. Decent, action-adventure read for those teens who either want a one-sit read, or needing a Hi-Lo read (though I don't think this is technically a Hi-Lo read).

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story appears to be written for the pre-teen age bracket but falls way short. If someone read this to a bright 5-year-old it might go over. For anyone older than that this story is pretty silly. As a matter of fact, I think it's beyond ridiculous. Unbelievable places, situations and characters doing ludicrous things.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spencer begins to channel his hero James Bond when he realizes that his missing brother Bunny has actually been kidnapped. Problem is, no one really believes him. Was Grampa a spy? Does it run in the family? Some of the answers are revealed! Fans of the 7 series will not be disappointed.