The Twelfth Ring

by Sam Clarke

Fifteen-year-old Noah is shipped off to the Bahamas to spend time with a man he barely knows: his biological father Magnus.

His mother had always depicted Magnus as a penniless drifter so Noah is surprised to discover that he runs an archaeological consultancy from an amazing yacht equipped with military-grade security. Desperate to forge a bond with his father, Noah asks to be included in the consultancy’s next assignment – the search for a mysterious medieval ring.

Together with young uni drop-out Viggo and unrequited crush Isabelle, he follows the ring’s trail from Mexico to Sicily. But someone else is after it. Someone who will stop at nothing to lay his hands on it.

As Noah faces danger after danger to delve into the ring's mystery, he discovers the truth about his father. And it’s a revelation that will change his life forever.

#1 in Teen & Young Adult Thrillers and Suspense (Kindle Store)

PRAISE FOR THE TWELFTH RING

“A great suspense mystery drama played out in the Bahamas. A cross between a Dirk Pitt and Indiana Jones adventure.”

“A seamless blend of adventure and comedy. Yet it is gripping you at every twist.”

“Great read. Compelling story, adventurous and fun! Looking forward to the next one.”

"For fans of Uncharted and Indiana Jones.'

A Page Turner Award Finalist and BBNYA Semi-Finalist

Genres: Fiction

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2017

About the author

Sam Clarke is addicted to rock music, coffee, and Japanese manga. Her gardening skills are abysmal and she is rumoured to have killed a potted cactus. She currently lives in London next to a very noisy bar. Her first novel, The Twelfth Ring (a Page Turner Awards finalist and a BBNYA semi-finalist) reached #1 in the Amazon Young Adult Thrillers charts. Her second book, The Templar Sword (a Page Turner Awards finalist and Ink and Insights Judges' Favourite) was released on 7 June 2022 and hit the #1 New Release spot on Amazon US a week later. The Walls of Shimar, her first YA fantasy novel (also a Page Turner Awards finalist), was released in June 2024. It sequel, The Towers of Xakya, is out now.
Follow Sam on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sam-c...

Reviews

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess this book has been written with a YA audience in mind but despite my sixty plus years I loved the book. This is a fast moving mystery with an interesting collection of characters. The central character is a 15 year old boy but his father and his father's assorted employees / friends plus the villains make this an entertaining read for all ages. Despite growing up barely ever seeing his father, the son is sent to stay with him for six months when the mother's work takes her abroad. He is surprised to find his father lives on an amazing boat in the Bahamas. He is also obviously wealthy and has a decidedly unusual lifestyle. I could relate to the boy's 15 year old thoughts about girls and family but the book far transcends a typical coming of age story and is an action packed mystery full of suspense and twists. While their is plenty of action there is also quite a bit of humor which made me chuckle. At the heart of the plot is ..... Whoops I mustn't spoil the plot. Suffice to say it is a fascinating mystery at the heart of the story and the boy's family has many secrets. I eagerly await the next book in the series.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW 


Review for 'The Twelfth Ring' by Sam Clarke. 


Read and reviewed for Sam Clarke. 


Publication date 14th June 2017.


This is the first book I have read by this author. 


I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover and gripping sounding synopsis and title. 


This novel consists of 50 chapters. The chapters are short in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!


This book is based in the Bahamas 🇧🇸, Italy 🇮🇹, Mexico 🇲🇽 and several other locations. 


This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonist being Noah Larsson. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. 


Well I must say that if I hadn't read it I would have never believed this was your first book Sam!! What an absolutely fantastic beginning to what promises to be a best selling series! 


I will start by saying that this isn't my usual choice of genre so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the storyline but I was looking forward to trying it out and I am very please to say I did as I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!! The storyline is unique, fast paced, action packed and Sam's fantastic writing skills and descriptions take you on an adventure with Noah. I was so engrossed in this book that I seemed to completely disappear into the storyline where I felt the sea spray against my skin and the wind blowing in my hair. I absolutely loved travelling around to different places with Noah and the gang and when I came to the end I was devastated to unpack my suitcase!! As I previously stated, I was completely shocked when I realised this was Sam's first book as it is written so extremely well and she manages to completely captivate the readers attention throughout. The storyline is filled with crime, fantasy, mystery, friendship, suspense, action and everything you could ask for in an unputdownable page turner. There was a great mix of laughter, tears, annoyance, romance and a range of emotions between the characters, some of which easily transfer to the reader. 


I absolutely loved the mythological aspects in the book and there was just the right amount too. I really enjoyed looking into the subject more and I found that any mythical/fantasy elements were explained in just the right amount of detail for those readers who hadn't heard about the Creatures/God's/Faiths, etc previously. Although Amazon gives this book a reading age from 13-18 years it is definitely suitable for adults as I'm 35 years old and loved it!! 


Although I was devastated to come to the end, I was absolutely over the moon when I discovered this was the first book in a series and I cannot wait to get hold of the second one to read more of Noel's adventures. 


I wasn't only invested in the storyline but also the characters. I absolutely loved Noah who is 15 years old and is sent away to live with a father he barely knows and a group of strangers. Noah is very sweet, funny and completely tongue tied when it comes to females. Isabelle is also living on the yacht with her father Miguel. Isabelle is definitely larger than life and says it as it is, she's not afraid to speak the truth or insult the other members on the yaght. She is also very stroppy and moody!! It was intriguing to "see" how Noah and Isabelle reacted to each other, formed a friendship of sorts and I'm looking forward to see if it goes anywhere in the next installment of what promises to be an addictive series!! I didn't like Noah's mother at all who is completely heartless and has the emotions of a rock. Thankfully we don't see much of her once she has shipped her son off to go on her own holiday. Noah's father Magnus is not much better and although we later find out some of the reasons he uses for being so aloof and distant I still think it's wrong the way he treated and treats him. We also meet university drop out Viggo, who Isabelle has a huge crush on, and is a lovely character. I'm looking forward to reading more about him as he does seem to have a lost and vulnerable side at times. Lastly there is Ariel who is ex special forces and is extremely strict in his teaching. Each of the characters have their own personalities and I'm looking forward to meeting them all again!! 


Congratulations Sam on what promises to be a hugely successful series!!! I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your books!!! Here is to your next success 🥂 


Overall an absolutely addictive, action packed fantasy filled with crime, humour, action, mystery and will keep you turning the pages. 


Genres covered in this book include Adventure, Humour, Mystery, Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Mystery, Teen & Young Adult Adventure and Action Fiction, Fantasy and Action & Adventure Literary Fiction amongst others. 



I would recommend this book to the above as well as absolutely everyone looking for an absolutely addictive and unputdownable page turner, Uncharted and Indiana Jones. 



278 pages



This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle free on kindle unlimited and £7.79 in paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain. 



Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook. 




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[Ken Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me smiling in many places ... excellent similes and metaphors abound, guaranteed to make you grin. If you don't, hard luck to you!

Basically a Y/A story of a fifteen year old with a dad and grandad you just wouldn't believe. There's a lot of surprising action on and off and amazing boat. Sam Clarke's research is also first rate. I recommend it as an easy and relaxing read..no problems with a 5* rating.

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twelfth Ring

Noah is a fifteen year old visiting his father for the summer. His father is a treasure hunter. The goal is to find a Kinghts Templar ring hidden by its last holder. The Villian is a Russian billionaire who willing to use any means to gain the ring! A seat of the pants adventure.

[Sara Geloni · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Enid Blyton did for us Sam Clarke does for Millennial kids

It is not an overstatement. If you can recall building thrilling expectations whilst navigating through the pages of the Famous Five novels, envying their adventures on British isles or in the moors, then you stand where I stand. You know that Enid Blyton turned generations of kids into avid readers and wonder who can exercise that invaluable power today.

I have the answer for you. Sam Clarke's first novel will keep an entire class of demotivated teenagers enthralled throughout its beguiling 273 pages.

She has created a modern story that is short of ... literally nothing. Noah's complicated family and unexpected experiences are as contemporary as they can possibly get. His adventures are clad in the most sophisticated technology that will make kids' jaws drop in awe.

The historical, geographical and artistic references in the book will gain the approval of both discerning parents and teachers.

Finally, her crispy and elegant writing flows evenly and is guaranteed to NOT make anyone lose their concentration - and that says a lot nowadays, we must sadly admit.

[Hailey Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to my ninety-fifth review!

(Fifteen-year-old Noah is shipped off to the Bahamas to spend time with a man he barely knows: his biological father Magnus.

His mother had always depicted Magnus as a penniless drifter so Noah is surprised to discover that he runs an archaeological consultancy from an amazing yacht equipped with military-grade security. Desperate to forge a bond with his father, Noah asks to be included in the consultancy’s next assignment – the search for a mysterious medieval ring.

Together with young uni drop-out Viggo and unrequited crush Isabelle, he follows the ring’s trail from Mexico to Sicily. But someone else is after it. Someone who will stop at nothing to lay his hands on it.

As Noah faces danger after danger to delve into the ring's mystery, he discovers the truth about his father. And it’s a revelation that will change his life forever.

#1 in Teen & Young Adult Thrillers and Suspense (Kindle Store)

PRAISE FOR THE TWELFTH RING

“A great suspense mystery drama played out in the Bahamas. A cross between a Dirk Pitt and Indiana Jones adventure.”

“A seamless blend of adventure and comedy. Yet it is gripping you at every twist.”

“Great read. Compelling story, adventurous and fun! Looking forward to the next one.”

"For fans of Uncharted and Indiana Jones.'

A Page Turner Award Finalist and BBNYA Semi-Finalist) ~ Blurb from Goodreads

Magnus was interesting. So based on how he dresses and the vehicle he drives and how he drives it, it's clear that he's a laidback, fun loving guy. But he can also get quite serious, especially when it comes to dangerous situations. I also like how the novel shows him not really being used to the father role when he doesn't respond to Noah calling him "Dad" when he's being shot at and chased down after a meeting goes wrong in chapter five. It's a small touch, but by God is it clever.

I liked how Noah's character arc was done. So he goes from this awkward underachiever to an action hero, but it's done in a way where he really has to improvise and really think on his feet in order to get there. Honestly, it's a really clever and natural way to have a character grow and I'm all for it.

The interactions between Noah and Magnus were great. Unlike some other "kid goes to live with estranged parent" stories I've read, the novel actually provides a good amount of scenes where Noah and Magnus interact with one another, whether that be working on finding The Twelfth Ring or talking about the family's divorce or something else entirely. Also, they both have this drive to get to know one another better and really want to include the other in their lives. It doesn't always work out, but they don't let those speed bumps stop them from trying.

There were a few moments that were kind of hilarious. So in the third act of the novel, Noah and the gang are in Italy and at one point, Noah and Viggo grab cassocks while trying to hide out from the Russian bad guys who are pursuing them, effectively disgusting themselves as priests. I love how the disguises actually manage to fool so many people with little to no effort on Noah and Viggo's part, like the cassocks just hypnotize people into believing they're talking with priests.

The pacing was kind of rushed, particularly in the beginning. It tries to shove so much information about Noah's current situation into a single taxi ride to the airport and so much of this exposition violates the "Show, Don't Tell" rule. I think if there was maybe a scene where Noah was at school and tried and failed to get his crush's attention, and then later on, got a test back and had a frustrated reaction to the poor score he received, it would've helped the reader learn a little about Noah in a way that feels natural and cuts down on the infodumping.

The Russian bad guys were just boring. They have little to no character outside of being evil Russians and the motivation of the head Russian bad guy can basically be boiled down to "I want the ring so I can rule the world." I am not joking. Look, a story doesn't need to provide every single little detail about a character to make them interesting or fleshed out, but there should still be a little bit more than this. Like, take Scar from The Lion King. He can be an over the top diva, but at the same time, he is fully capable of being subtle, of being an excellent manipulator. In other words, if the Russian bad guys just had a little more personality, I think they could've actually been interesting and less generic.

Overall, The Twelfth Ring was a kind of flawed, yet fun little adventure that I'm glad I decided to dive into.

Overall Grade: B-

[Bena Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read fiction like this for a very long time. It was a breath of fresh air! I laughed out loud at some things and was hooked on others.

The story itself is a tale about a boy whose mother sends him to his dad's place for six months. This means leaving England and heading to Nassau, living on a boat, having stolen kisses, guns, Russians, Sicily, Knights and adventure.

I loved the "painting fingernails with tipex" as that brought back my own teenage memories! Also the fact that the Knight of the Templar part becomes modern regarding Yoda.

I could go on.. but won't!

This took me a longer time to read than my usual genre as the pace differed. I loved the faster-paced chapters with lots of action before the family-focused ones. Although, that is only because this renewed my love for adventure! My son will read this next, and I really recommend.

[Lorine Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly a wonderful tale that captured my imagination and somehow I kept picturing it as a movie. Mysterious and thrilling, this book held my attention from the very first chapter. The main characters were very well written and developed, which with them being mostly kids, is a great thing. The dynamics and relationships between them is something that made me stand up and cheer, and sometimes cry. Ms. Clarke did an amazing job of completely pulling you into this crazy world. Great job and I am eagerly waiting for the next in series. Can we say movie adaption?

[Lorine Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly a wonderful tale that captured my imagination and somehow I kept picturing it as a movie. Mysterious and thrilling, this book held my attention from the very first chapter. The main characters were very well written and developed, which with them being mostly kids, is a great thing. The dynamics and relationships between them is something that made me stand up and cheer, and sometimes cry. Ms. Clarke did an amazing job of completely pulling you into this crazy world. Great job and I am eagerly waiting for the next in series. Can we say movie adaption?

[Estelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Twelfth Ring' is one of my favourite books. Generally witty, and combined with certain darker elements, it creates an engaging read.
A real page-turner. :)

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

New and Old

I loved reading this book. Some of it was like an old friend. Some of it felt brand new. I always loved reading about secret societies. And I always love reading new story lines. If you like the same, you'll love this story.

[Christy Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twelfth Ring captured my attention almost instantly. It is a well written with a pervasive, witty, dry sense of humor I enjoyed a great deal.

I consider it a mysterious, thriller-suspense novel that would take you to the next level of reading experience. It includes a great set of characters with interesting personalities -- all extremely well-drawn. The pacing was just right for me.

I hate spoiling stories, all I can say is that, there are many unexpected twists. I would recommend starting the book when you have a generous amount of time as every page of this book will make you turn to the next one. I read it in one day.

I love how Sam Clarke cleverly wrote the book. And I'd like to commend the author for resolving most of the unknowns, wrapping up the story, while at the same time paving the path for the follow-on book.

If you are looking for a fresh, unique novel with bizarre twists all throughout the story, you should definitely give this book a try! I highly recommend it. (I would rate it PG)

[Scott Groff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts out YA and quickly transitions into a good thriller. Didn't like how long it took find out why the dad left the family.

[Keith Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enthalling

A great suspense mystery drama played out in the Bahamas. A cross between a Dirk Pitt and Indiana Jones adventure

[laura simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, exciting plot.

Humorous, fast spaced story of young man suddenly living a life of thrills in this action packed adventure with his father and a team of highly trained modern Knight Templars.

[Alejandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primero de todo, darle las gracias a Sam por meterme en esta alucinante historia. Hay que decir que este libro fue escrito para young-adult y aunque no suelo ser fan de estos mundos, tengo que decir que este libro me sorprendió gratamente. Es un libro de "misterio" con una gran colección de personajes, el personaje principal es un chico de 15 años, pero los personajes que complementan la historia la hacen bastante más entretenida.
En sí la historia no es complicada, y cuenta con bastante acción y humor.
A parte ¿hay algo mejor que leer un libro que ya tiene publicada su segunda parte? Así que animo a leerlo dado que no decepciona, y que si podéis leáis el siguiente, del cual haré una reseña pronto.

##REVIEW IN ENGLISH##

First of all, thanks to Sam for getting me into this mind-blowing story. It must be said that this book was written for young-adult and although I am not usually a fan of these worlds, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is a "mystery" book with a great collection of characters, the main character is a 15 year old boy, but the characters that complement the story make it quite a bit more entertaining.
The story itself is not complicated, and has plenty of action and humor.
Besides, is there anything better than reading a book that has already a second part published ? So I encourage you to read it since it does not disappoint, and if you can read the next one, which I will review soon.

[Johanna Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is aimed at a YA audience, I can safely say that adult readers will love it too. I was immediately drawn in by Sam Clarke's easy-going writing style and dry, witty humour. The characters in this story are multi-faceted and very real. While there is plenty of action, it's the characters who really drive the book forward.
The plot is fascinating, surprising and really well researched. I can't wait for the next instalment!

[Lisa Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story that was easy to put down.
The characters were interesting enough, but not much happening for it to hold my interest till about half way through.
I love a good pirate story or treasure hunt and hope if there is a sequel that it improves on this.

[Lara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A YA adult story perfect for adults too. Clever, humorous, and beautifully written, with a truly distinctive voice. The characters are very convincing, quirky, unique human beings. If you love the fast-paced travels of James Bond and the treasure hunting of Indiana Jones, you'll love this book!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Quick Read

Not exactly what I expected from the teaser. But, it turned out to be a nice six hours. I recommend this book.

[Barbara Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twelfth Ring keeps your interest

I enjoyed the Twelfth Ring it was full of action all the time. It was fast moving and it kept your interest all the time.

[James Scotsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and enjoyable