The 39 Clues #7: The Viper’s Nest Book Review

The Viper's Nest Rating:

Author: Peter Lerangis

Last time Peter Lerangis had control of The 39 Clues, he brought us to Japan in The Sword Thief. Now, four books later, he is back in the driver’s seat. And this time he’s bringing the Cahill kids to South Africa. Check out The 39 Clues #7: The Viper’s Nest.

Twisted Alliances

Dan and Amy Cahill don’t know who to trust; sometimes their friends become enemies, and other times their enemies become friends. Their suspicions about their au pair Nellie’s disloyalty were proven wrong. And now they’re questioning Uncle Alastair’s faithfulness. But one thing is absolutely certain: The Kabra’s, particularly Isabel Kabra, is still their number one threat.

Helpful Sacrifices

Just before she sacrificed her life for Dan and Amy, Irina Spasky sang a song—a song which guides them to their next clue. They travel to South Africa and have a dangerous encounter with some of their vicious relatives. Then, with the help of a few locals, they follow a hint by left another ancestor, a famous military leader, to uncover the next ingredient in the elixir of life.

Clever Decoding

Eleven year old Dan takes the lead in this book. He uses his fantastic problem solving skills to find the meaning behind a series of coded messages, not to mention saving them from situations where escape seems impossible.

The Bottom Line

The Viper’s Nest by Peter Lerangis is a thrilling adventure. You certainly won’t be bored. The story doesn’t give you a great picture of the South African culture. But the intense race for the 39 clues totally makes up for that. There’s even a new love story brewing. But if you want to know more, you’ll have to read the book!

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