Addison Cooke and the Tomb of the Khan

Addison Cooke #2

by Jonathan W. Stokes

Addison's second adventure! A journey through Asia in pursuit of the legendary tomb of Genghis Khan.

Fresh off of a victorious treasure hunt and rescue mission in South America, Addison Cooke just can't seem to steer clear of rogue bandits, pesky booby traps, and secret treasure troves. But it sure beats sitting around in school all day.

Addison's aunt and uncle, on the other hand, are none too happy about their habit of attracting kidnappers. When they become pawns in a dangerous gang's plan to steal the most prized possession of the notorious Mongolian leader Genghis Khan, Addison and his friends find themselves once again caught in the middle of a multi-million-dollar international heist. Armed with nothing but their wits and thirst for adventure, they travel across Asia in an attempt to rescue Addison's family and stop the treasure from falling into the wrong hands.

Genres: Adventure, Middle Grade, Mystery, Childrens, Audiobook, History

451 pages, Hardcover

First published November 14, 2017

About the author

Jonathan Stokes is a screenwriter living in Los Angeles. He has written on assignment for Fox, Paramount, Universal, Warner Brothers, New Line, and Sony. He is the author of several upcoming kids' books being published by Penguin Random House. Jonathan is a street taco aficionado, an urban explorer, and koala enthusiast.

Reviews

[Lily (Night Owl Book Cafe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schools out, summer is in, and Addison and his group of friends are off to Asia!

Trouble seems to follow Addison no matter where he goes, fresh of a treasure hunt and rescue mission in South America – Addison finds himself in a whole new set of trouble out in China.

When Addison and Molly’s Aunt and Uncle get kidnapped in China by the mysterious Madame Feng, they must use their knowledge as survival skills in order to beat Madame Feng to what she really wants – the Golden Whip from the lost grave of Ghenghis Khan.

This was a really fun read. At over 400 pages, the pace was steady and exciting. Addison is a very interesting 13 year old boy, who is witty, but a bit quirky at times. He hates germs, he loves to read and seems to always have the knack of knowing how to get his friends out of trouble.

The story and the progression was kind of interesting for me, because I was always interested in Mongolia and Ghenghis Khan. I actually did not know that his tomb/grave was purposely done so not even the Mongols could find it. I had to google that bit myself and the author did mostly stick to the fact at the beginning of the book about the possible locations and how he was buried.

I thought that was fun because not only does it provide middle grade kids with a fascinating plot, fun characters, great adventure and a strong set of friendships, it also educates quiet a bit.

I did have to take my time time with the rating because I wasn’t sure about a few things. I did have to keep in mind that this was a middle grade adventure novel and a lot of it does seem a bit out there, but that’s okay, because to me, it allows the children to get caught up in the excitement and imagination. That part I am fully aware of and perfectly fine with, despite some scenes. I especially loved how the author took the fact that they are kids into consideration and during a lot of scenes he limited their capabilities of what they can or cannot do. I love how they think it would play out in their head and how it actually happens is completely different because at the end of the day, Addison and his friends are still children. That kind of line of thinking was awesome and I think something that can be related to.

I wasn’t sure how the kids would relate to Addison thought because for a 13 year old, he is witty, he can talk circles around you and get himself out of sticky situations. He is also the type of kid that will read The Art of War. But, despite being a sort of prodigy (?) Addison still uses tactics that are childlike and it just makes you giggle.

This was a great book. It was fast paced. There is action, adventure, a mystery and it is really, really well written you guys. I absolutely loved the writing, Stokes just does a wonderful job that it even makes it really enjoyable for an adult because I forgot at several places that this was a middle grade book.

My favorite character I would have to say is Dax’s (the adult in this book) copilot Mr.Jacobsen a goofy Great Dane.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't remember when I read this. Took me a while to get through it, though. Whenever I put it down, I didn't really feel like picking it up again.


CONS OF ADDISON COOKE AND THE TOMB OF THE KHAN

There was another attempt at character development. At least this time it was started at the beginning of the book. But it was totally forgotten about for most of the middle, then picked up again at the end, as if the author was like 'oh wait, need this! haha'. Me at him: haha NO.

Addison really seems to like girls who have black hair and come from a foreign country based on their LOOKS. He's not a good role model.

Again, none of these characters are good role models. They steal constantly.

Most of the humour was 'meh'.


PROS OF ADDISON COOKE AND THE TOMB OF THE KHAN

"You can sleep when you're dead."


OVERALL

This book was pretty 'meh' to me. I didn't hate it with passion, and I didn't even really like it. It's like it wasn't worth feeling over??

I noticed in the back that it mentioned the author is a screenwriter, so I think that, while this maybe might have been okay on screen, not so much in book form. He's more suited to movies than books. But I did see a *slight* improvement to his writing from book one.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indiana Jones for younger audience. Kind of forgot how his parents died

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the Addison Cooke series and it was a good read. My 12 year old grandson and I have been reading this for our summer reading program. It is full of action and clue solving. Very appropriate for a tween boy or girl. Looking for the third in the series.

[hiraeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book series with all my heart. The character dynamics. The fast-paced action. The endless amount of witty comments and jokes that will make you laugh out loud as you read. It's an incredible series.
But the end of the Tomb of the Khan will leave you completely stunned. 😨

[Allison Tebo · Rating 2 out of 5]

RTC

[Daria Tetcu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genială...

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

when I read Addison Cooke, I always learn new things about history, after I read Addison cooke and the Tomb of the Khan, I became fascinated in history

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addison Cooke's Aunt Delia and Uncle Nigel have been invited to come to Hong Kong and then join an archaeological dig in China. One of their fellow archaeologists has uncovered a new clue that just might point the way to Genghis Khan's missing tomb. Addison manages to convince his guardians that taking him, Molly, Raj, and Eddie along is a fabulous idea. But of course, Cookes can't have a normal trip to Asia. Mere hours after landing the tweens witness the Cooke adults being kidnapped by Chinese Triad gang members wanting Genghis' alleged treasure for themselves. As if that weren't enough, angry Russians eager for revenge and gold ALSO show up. And so with the smuggler/pilot/adventurer named Dax whom Uncle Nigel had lined up for the dig, Addison, Molly, Raj, and Eddie once again find themselves in a race to solve a string of clues before the bad guys to save a priceless relic and the adults.

There's a slight shift in the adventuring in this book. Whereas the first book seemed like a one off adventure, readers learn that the man the Russians work for is concerned about some prophecy involving the Cookes and doesn't just want their treasure, he wants all Cookes dead too. This overarching plot isn't resolved and there are a lot of questions left about it to be pursued in the next book, which makes things a touch more serious. Not that Addison (or Stokes) can stay serious for long. There's still plenty of word play and crazy antics to make you smile along the way as you traipse all over Hong Kong, China, and Mongolia with Addison (who is still trying to be debonair and a smooth talker), Molly (who has upped her sports game and studied some martial arts in the time since the last book), Eddie (who is ruled by his stomach, as graceful as a baby giraffe, but the linguistic genius of the group), and Raj (who has a gungho attitude and wishes he were Rambo and Bear Grylls rolled into one, but often is more apt at accidental genius than purposeful genius). Joining the quartet of tween adventurers on this adventure are Dax, a washed up former military man and pilot you aren't sure they should trust, and his co-pilot/Great Dane, Mr. Jacobsen. They later pick up two Mongolian friends, Nobody and I Don't Know, who have serious warrior and survival skills. Overall, this was another wild, zany, and fun adventure. Readers get to learn more about Genghis Khan, the knights Templar, ancient China, and modern Mongolia along the way which I liked.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some battles in which people are injured and there are some possible deaths (this is assumed, as there's a serious fall but you aren't sure).

[Mark Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

My name is Eddie, and I don't know why I ever listen to Addison. He promised me an eating tour of authentic Chinese food, but there's not much to eat while stumbling through the Gobi Desert. Last year, we were running for our lives in South America, and now we're being chased again by Russian and Chinese gangs. Addison's aunt and uncle have been kidnapped, again, because the bad guys want to find Genghis Khan's treasure. It looks like the only way out of this mess is for Addison, Molly, Raj, and me to find it first. This may prove to be impossible, since everyone who ever knew where Khan was buried were killed. Then, there's supposedly a curse saying a bunch of ghost warriors will kill anyone who might actually find the treasure's location. Why did I listen to Addison?

This book told an entertaining adventure to find an ancient treasure and revolved around Addison Cooke. Addison's smart, but not super smart, and he doesn't have any superpowers. His most powerful talent is an ability to talk his way out of any situation. While this is amusing, it also challenges my tolerance for the unbelievable. Surprisingly, I find it easier to accept characters in other books fighting off monsters and supernatural beings than it is to believe Addison can talk and/or fight his way past gang members and assassins. It gets old and tries my tolerance after happening for the first time. The cast of characters are enjoyable with their individual personalities. Addison takes risks and won't accept anything being impossible. His sister Molly trusts him and is willing to use her skills learned from eight weeks of karate training. Raj is a daredevil and constantly jumps in when others are in danger. Finally, Eddie manages to whine and find the worst in any situation. The group is joined by a haggard pilot and his Great Dane dog. Overall, the book is entertaining, and I recommend you give it a shot. You can still enjoy it without having read the first book in the series.

[Georgiana-Laura Gheorghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for “Addison Cooke and the Tomb of the Khan” by Jonathan W. Stokes:

It’s the second book from the “Addison Cooke” series written by Jonathan W. Stokes. The story focuses on another adventure of the Cooke children and their friends.
The author attracts his readers through his simple style that can be easily understood. The world that he created resembles a mix of Indiana Jones and The Goonies taking the readers on a ride across Asia this time.
We all have a little bit of each character in us. We’re optimistic and clever like Addison, bold and quick learners like Molly, talented and with quite an appetite like Eddie, risk takers like Raj, loyal like Dax, honorable like Tony or respectful of history and traditions like the two Mongolian children.
The story is educational, full of suspense, mysteries, dangers and adventures, and it’s a great opportunity to learn about friendship, loyalty, determination and bravery. No only they will have a few laughs with every page read, but they will also learn that there is more to the Cooke clan than meets the eye.
Together with Jules Verne, Hergé, James Patterson, Sir Steve Stevenson and many others, Jonathan W. Stokes revolutionized children’s literature through the wonderful world he created awakening the readers’ curiosity about history and geography too.
I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Cooke book down.

Yet another book that, had I read it for myself, would have elicited a lower score. Maybe even lower than I had wanted for the first in the series. The author has picked up some affectations that quickly get weary. There are now extremely frequent flourishes of floundering fiction, where weak wisps of weary words in consonance bounce off sentence after sentence. Alliteration aspires to act awesomely, only awkwardly achieving the asinine. Rhyme tries to repeat the beat in a feat of elite prose, but falls to calls of the broken. FOR SO MANY PAGES.

And it’s trope laden. And almost formulaic.

But reading it with my boys - none of that really matters. Because it’s fun, and it’s a rich adventure for all that, and the characters are memorable, and every day when we finished they would beg to have it read just a few more minutes.

And there was a break from the formula that really mixed things up and I won’t spoil it, but obviously when we finished this book we immediately grabbed the third one from the library.

Honestly, that enjoyment of theirs is worth some extra stars.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addison Cooke convinces his Aunt and Uncle to take him, Molly, Raj and Eddie with them to Hing Kong. Aunt and Uncle promptly get kidnapped again. This time by the Triad led by Madame Feng.
The Russians get involved too, and the race is on to find Genghis Khan's tomb.
I swear these kids must be the engergizer bunny come to life. The story is nonstop action and destruction. They crash a plane, blow up an airport, set fire to a museum, blow up a palace and reset the course of a river.
The ending leads the reader to believe that there will be a third adventure.
You can definitely tell the author is a screen writer because the book would do very well as a movie with all the fast paced action.
It is laugh out loud funny in places. I don't think you should introduce children who have a destructive bent to this book. It's likely to give them ideas.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! Addison, Molly, Raj, and Eddie are off again on an adventure across China. Of course the A & U get themselves kidnapped quite quickly in the book and the kids are left to their own devices. This time, they are off to find the tomb and massive treasure of Ghengis Khan. Chock full of adventure, action, humor, and suspense. Can the 4 kids scramble their way out of the Thousand Buddha Caves? Throw in a horse race across Ulaanbaatar and several explosions, you’re in for a wild plane ride!

[Joseph Dubey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good mystery for a young reader. Addison and his cohorts seem to always be getting into trouble everywhere they go. This book has it all, drama, suspense, hilarity, and sadness. I like the way the author uses the marketing ploy to get the reader to read the next volume (Hint here author, although not so subtle, send me the others to review please.) Pick this up for your kid to read, I think they will really enjoy it, I did, and hopefully the young boy I passed it on to will to.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great adventure, with a precocious young man and his gang, through the Gobi desert and into the mouth (and beyond) of the Khan's tomb! What more could you want from a middle-grade story? Adventure, comedic banter, and dozens of perilous situations. It did not disappoint! Just as good as the first Cooke adventure. And if they decide to tackle another relic, we'll be sure to tag along!

[Adrian Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Please note, I liked this series enough to read the second book, which is not true of some of the other books my 8 yo has read) Liked it a lot right up until the ending. Then at the ending his parental figures die in front of him, and he swears revenge. A little too grown up for my taste for kids. Really? Swearing revenge?

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written for the middle grade kids who enjoy reading about adventure. Addison Cooke and his sister and 2 friends follow clues to solve the mystery of the tomb of Genghis Khan. But as they follow clues in Asia they must thwart gangsters that are also pursuing the treasure and try to save their aunt and uncle who have been captured by the gangsters. Lots of action and fun for young readers

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exciting, fast paced archeological adventure many young teens will enjoy. It's in the vein of Indiana Jones, with some historical attributes, but much wild and somewhat unbelievable adventure. The story is enjoyable and Addison is an engaging, smart main character.

[Rohan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Addison Cooke Series. They are very similar, but instead of taking place in the Americas, it takes place in Eastern Asia. In this sequel, Addison and his crew encounter many other challenges, to find a different type of treasure.

[File de Poveste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. From my point of view, the ending was a little too sad and a little too short (it all happened all of a sudden, it was unpredictable, which I appreciated very much). I recommend this book with great love to anyone! 🤗You will have a lot to learn.

[Jill]

DNF at 50%. My 8yo, who enjoyed the first Addison Cooke, couldn’t get into this one, and this mom was grateful to give it up. A ridiculous story line that was impossible to follow, with the characters moving around every chapter, defeating enemies in one improbable fashion after another, etc.

[Andrew Coffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

We almost stopped reading this one halfway through because it was a carbon copy of the first. But after the plane crash, it got really good. We loved the 2nd half of the story. Left us on the edge of our seats for the 3rd

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10 year old boy loves this book. He has recommended it to many of his friends, both boys and girls. Great for fans of Indiana Jones or adventure stories in general. As a parent, I love to see him so engaged in a book that he doesn't want to put it down. Please write more in this series!

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

good adventure!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Can’t wait till next one!

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, but not very deep. Like reading an action movie for 12year olds, so obviously my boys loved it.

[Viola Sung · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book was funnier, but this story's plot does not fail as well. It took a darker twist near the ending but I'm looking forward to the third book all the same!

[willo · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can tell that the author loved The Goonies as he admits in his bio.

Still, an enjoyable read. The silly wordplay is my favorite part of these pleasant, generally unsurprising children’s books.

[Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

So good. I recommend this to adventure and realistic fiction lovers. All in all, READ THIS AMAZING BOOK NOW !