Bitten by Books
The Cordovan Vault is a novel about two fourteen-year-olds who are recently related by marriage, as their brother and sister have gotten hitched. Quinn and Kayla do not get along-at all. But they will have to learn to do so, especially when their brother and sister are killed on their honeymoon, and the kids find out their lives are in jeopardy, as well. They find a DVD recorded by their siblings telling them to get out of the house, and to follow a series of clues that lead them to Philadelphia on a historical scavenger hunt that will teach them to get along and about their very special shared heritage.
I appreciated the ideas behind this novel. I thought it had some fun elements, and I liked the concept of kids on the run, solving clues, and discovering that their parents were involved in secret societies. Quinn and Kayla were both good kids whom I rooted for and feared for their safety. I admired them both for the resourcefulness they exhibit, and how they put aside their mutual differences, and worked together for mutual survival in their tough situation.
On the downside, there were some issues with the writing that diminished the potential that I saw in this storyline. It seemed unfinished and unpolished. The sense of urgency established early on was not sustained, even though the author dropped hints about pursuers to remind the reader that they were in trouble. I felt this should have been shown and not told. Additionally, the writing seemed very basic, which did not match the appealingly sophisticated storyline. I think that this novel would have sang out loud and clear with more complexity, more plot twists, and more conflict.
I liked The Cordovan Vault enough to keep reading any forthcoming novels in the series, because the characters and the storyline were strong contenders. With more evidence of the author’s personal style and voice, and added complexity, this promises to be a standout series in young adult fiction.
Book Stats:
- Paperback: 314 pages
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 23, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1460956796
- ISBN-13: 978-1460956793
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Books in the Livingston-Wexford Adventures series in the order they should be read:
The Cordovan Vault
The Peacock Tale
Review Overview
Overall Rating
Total
Summary : I appreciated the ideas behind this novel. I thought it had some fun elements, and I liked the concept of kids on the run, solving clues, and discovering that their parents were involved in secret societies. Quinn and Kayla were both good kids whom I rooted for and feared for their safety. I admired them both for the resourcefulness they exhibit, and how they put aside their mutual differences, and worked together for mutual survival in their tough situation.
