The Emperor's Code (The 39 Clues, Book 8)

by Gordon Korman

Book Overview

Tensions run high in the explosive 8th book of 39 Clues, the #1 New York Times bestselling series. As the race to find the 39 Clues builds to its explosive finish, Amy and Dan must explore an ancient... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0545060486
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.4" x 0.6" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Great book in an incredible series

Gordon Korman does an amazing job on this 8th book in this unique, creative series. The Cahills, Amy and Dan, start in China and the book ends with them heading off to the Caribbean in search of pirates. The main historical figures featured in this volume are the last emperor of China, Puyi, and a British climber named George Mallory. But they also travel back and forth across China and encounter different aspects of Chinese history. Dan and Amy finally think they find out what clan of the Cahill family they belong to. They have a fight and get separated in Tiananmen Square. Some of the family seems to be helping them and some they still mistrust. This is the first series I have read that was written in such a way - 7 authors in 10 books in under 2 years. The individual books are good but collectively they are great. If you combine the books with the online games and clue hunt, you have an amazing experience for children of all ages. I started reading these books because the concept was so unique and interesting. I keep reading them because they are so well written. The gift and skill of the authors contributing to this series amazes me, each picking up from the previous book and continuing the series while keeping true to the characters and the overall story arc. This series is truly wonderful.

Fabulous!

What a fab series this is! The Emperor's Code is an engaging and exciting read and the history is interesting as well. There are a lot of surprises in this one...so I won't mention those or that would rather defeat the object. Enjoy. I'd also recommend the excellent 'Godstone - The Kairos Boxes' which also has history and adventure: Godstone - The Kairos Boxes

Best Book in the Series So Far!

"But Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind them; so they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out to the LORD, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah." -- 2 Chronicles 13:13-15 (NKJV) After several books in a series, a pattern is established that's so clear that the average reader could write the next page pretty accurately without any notes. While such predictability makes a story rewarding by delivering what's expected, it also causes the experience to lose its tastiness . . . much like food without seasoning seems quite bland. The publishers of the 39 Clues books made a brilliant decision to change authors from one book to another (while having some repeat after a few books) so that there is more variety. That decision paid off beautifully for readers of The Emperor's Code. This book really rocks! If you have been reading the earlier seven books, you've come to expect a visit to a new country in each book and several references to the new clue. Along the way, there's some double-dealing among the competing contestants. There will probably be an entry into some forbidding place where more secrets are hidden and revealed. If that's what you expect from The Emperor's Code, you have some nice surprises ahead of you. The formula is shaken up in a way that makes the whole story line seem fresher and more interesting. I felt like I was back at the beginning of the first book when Amy and Dan had to decide whether to give up a million dollars each to engage in the contest. The story has more action and excitement than any other two books in the series. But the best part was . . . this book has some real surprises that you'll enjoy. I won't say more. Get this book today and have a ball!

Litland.com loves 39 Clues Book 8: The Emperor's Code!

One thing about this series...no matter who the author, you can count on a little humor to lighten up the adventure! Book 8 starts off with comments like Dan's lament "There's an international conspiracy to bore me." And while other books have bad guys chasing good guys, does the good guy almost get made into a lollipop? Amy and Dan are understandably having to adjust to finding out that they belong to the Madrigal family, renowned evil-doers. Then finding that their parent's aliases in Africa had criminal reputations was crushing. But deep inside remained hope, the hope that they, their parents, and their beloved grandmother were really the good guys. Any other series might have the characters longing to be evil with its false sense of power and control. This is an example of how good overshadows evil continuously throughout the story. See our review using character education criteria at www.litland.com and our commentary for discussion at [...] , we highly recommend this book!

Back to what the series should be!

Wow, this was such a great read. Before I get to the review, I want to give Gordon Korman props for this book. This is back to what the series should be, and what is expected to be. He did a fantastic job. Dan, Amy Nellie are in China in search of a clue. It stated when they were on a plane, and everybody was watching the same movie, except for Amy and Dan. They had a special movie, one only that was played for them. In it, they spot something, a sort of secret message, for them, if they saw it, and they did. That lead them to the first clue in China. In the process of solving the clue, it leads them throughout China. Solving the clue is hard, but it's not the hardest thing they have to face. Dan and Amy have to solve the clues apart. I don't want to say to much, but Dan and Amy are separated from each other, and as usual, people are after them. That's all I really wanted to say on the plot, because I don't want to spoil anything. What also makes this book so great to read is that it has wonderful characterization. Korman puts a lot of the focus on Jonah Wizard, and I'm glad that Korman did that. In the past few books, The young hip-hip-tv star has been missing from the books, and it was nice to see him again. He plays a pretty big role in the book, again, I don't want to say to much. Speaking of characterization, we're able to get into the thoughts of one character (I won't say who) but they've come to terms with who and what they are, and don't want to be in the race anymore, but certain forces are keeping that person in the race. It was nice to see the inside thoughts and feelings of that person. Korman turned the series to what is should have been, and some of the books haven't done that. He had clues that Amy and Dan had to solve, kept historic elements in the book, but it wasn't overdone. It was a nice blend of mystery and history. That was a very nice touch. Korman also did something that no other author has done in the series. He left a secret message with in the book. It's easy to follow, if you pay attention and put everything together. It was such a nice touch to add a hidden message in a book that deals with clues. Ways to go! This has some nice plot twists that will keep the reader glued to the pages. I'm glad to see what Korman did with this book. He brought it back to the basics, and to what it should, and how it was meant to be. Nice job! If you continue with this adventure, I know you won't be sorry, I sure wasn't!