Spy X -- The Code

By: Peter Lerangis

Short on pages, long on mysteries.

Kelly: ☻☻
Boy Reader: ☻☻☻

We checked out Spy X because we're fans of Peter Lerangis from reading the 39 Clues books. It did not disappoint in providing action, mystery and encryption puzzles. There are parts that are believable (one twin ambushes the other in the house with a water gun -- that would totally happen) and others that never quite seem right (the mom sends a coded message saying she's in danger and needs the kids to help her and they can't tell their dad -- whaaaaat?). I guess if you're going to read a book about 12-year-old twins who turn into spies, more than the usual suspension of disbelief is necessary. The mom never actually appears in the book, but rocks it as a woman who manages to maintain a high level career in intelligence while raising twins and moving around the country to support her husband's career.

Boy Reader is into encryption, so he dug the code stuff. All I learned is that it is probably for the best that no spy agency has ever tried to recruit me. He gave it three stars, with a thumbs up for the mega cliffhanger ending, but iffy marks for a storyline that tempts, but never really takes off.