Review: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan 
Published: October 1st, 2008 (Scholastic)
Pages: 220
Source: bought
Challenge: none
Series: The 39 Clues, #1
Buy the book: Bookdepository
Rating: ★★★★☆


Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her decendants an impossible decision: You have a choice - one million dollars or a clue.

Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.

I had been eying these books for a long time, and somehow, I was unsure about picking it up. I'm so glad I did, because The Maze of Bones sets up the storyline brilliantly for the next books in the series, all written by different authors.

After Aunt Grace dies, the vultures sweep in - everyone wants a piece of the fortune of the last matriarch of the Cahills. When it's announced that there's the possibility of getting a clue instead of a piece of her fortune, a part of the family grabs that opportunity for a chance at power. What ensues is an exciting adventure, with several members of the family trying to gain trust of the others - but can anybody be trusted in this?

Riordan set this book up brilliantly, creating a fast paced storyline with pinch of humor and plenty of excitement. I really enjoyed myself while reading this book and honstly, I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. I'm a bit weary of that since it's written by Gordon Korman (I haven't read anything by him yet), but I'm sure it'll continue perfectly from the point that Riordan left us at.

What I loved about this series was that it's an interactive kind of series; there are trading cards in the inside cover of the book, so you can hunt clues together with the characters in the book. I haven't actually done anything with mine yet, but I love that they put it in there!

If you are looking for a fast paced story packed with excitement, possibly to overcome the time until Mark of Athena comes out, I'd definitely recommend it!