Well... let's just say it wasn't my favorite installment of the series so far. It kept up the fast-paced momentum, and the writing style was surprisingly consistent (they must have incredible editors working on these books, considering each one is by a different author), with the inevitable minor character glitch. All was going well until Lerangis seemed to decide the series would be better with a little love interest thrown into the mix... and I do mean thrown. It was out of place, awkward (in the "doesn't belong here" way), and distracting. I wondered if it might actually cause young boys to put the book down and walk away... I certainly hope not, because it had a good thing going with being appealing to the younger male crowd.

The issue was semi-resolved at the end of this book, but not really... so I'm hoping the next author writes it off in a few sentences and gets back on track, or at least handles it in a more subtle way that won't bring the momentum to a screeching halt. I'm still on board with the series at this point, and am looking forward to book #4. ( )

Definitely not as good as the first book of the 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones but still a good book. It is very simple and I recommend it for weaker readers. It can be an amusing read for stronger readers as well. ( )

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

Amy and Dan have been waylaid at the airport en route to Japan. Instead of boarding the plane, they're taken to a room for a random search.

Meanwhile, Natalie and Ian Kabra board the plane in their place. Nellie, their au pair, has already boarded. Unsure of the next step, Amy and Dan leave the airport and find a car waiting for them. Uncle Alistair wants to work with them again, but can they trust him?

Together they head to Japan using Uncle Alistair's private jet. When they arrive in Japan, they meet up with Nellie and the Kabras. In order to find the clues, Amy and Dan know they have to compromise and make alliances, but they do not know who to trust.

Are their lives once again in danger while searching for the next clue?

THE SWORD THIEF is the third book in THE 39 CLUES series (each written by a different author - so far). I'm addicted to this series, and while a different person pens each book, they each contain so much action that it's almost impossible to differentiate between the writers.

This series has a fabulous online component, too, that you must check out if you haven't yet. ( )

In the third book, Amy and Dan Cahill join forces with Alistair Oh, their uncle. Although wary at first, the Cahills decide that Alistair really does want to help them. Do the Kabras as well? ( )

Dan and Amy head to Japan, but their trip is sabotaged by rival family members Ian and Natalie Kabra. With assistance from their uncle, Alistair Oh, they make it to Japan. There they discover the Kabras want to form a temporary alliance. This may be Amy and Dan's only hope to stay safe in Japan and to find the next clue in the hunt.

There were a couple elements to the storyline that caused me disappointment, but overall it was a good book and I look forward to the next installment coming in June. ( )