Review: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby

I enjoyed this book so, so much. It's such a fun middle grade adventure. The writing is all kinds of gorgeous. The characters were amazing to read about. I adored them all so much. And the mystery in this book was lots of fun, and I wanted to know what would happen next so badly. Yess. So happy that I liked this one.

I'm giving this book four stars, as I enjoyed it a whole bunch, but didn't fully love it at all times. But it was an amazing story. I'm so glad that I read it. And I simply cannot wait to read the next one. Eee. I hope there will be many more books about these adorable characters. They were incredible to read about; to get to know.

This book tells the story of Tess, Theo and Jaime. It takes place in the summer before they start eight grade. Tess and Theo are twins, living with their parents. Jaime lives with his grandma most of the time. They all live in the same place, but they do not really hang out together. Until the start of this book. When they all learn that someone just bought their building, and they have a month to move somewhere else. No one is happy about this at all. But Tess, Theo and Jaime might be able to do something about it, because for the last about hundred and sixty years there have been a treasure hunt going on in their city. No one has ever found it, but lots have tried. These kids hope they might be able to solve the riddles, and find the treasure, to save their home.

Eee, this is such an amazing story. I loved reading about them getting to know each other and spending time together. They are all three adorable. I loved Tess the most, but both boys were awesome too, and the book is from all three point of views. Tess is all kinds of adorable. And I want to know more about her so badly. She's kind and fierce and brave and all kinds of perfect. She has this huge cat, Nine, which is also her service cat. And I loved that a lot. I loved reading about Tess and Nine together. The best cat.

Theo is also pretty awesome. He's great at building lego and other things. Tess might call him a robot at times, but he has a lot of feelings and he's all kinds of kind and sweet too. I loved reading about him. And ah, Jaime. He was awesome. And I might ship him and Tess a whole bunch. I loved getting to know him. I love how he loves his grandma, and how he wants his dad to come home. I love how awesome he is at drawing, especially superheroes. Oh, these kids were all just perfect. Also a very diverse cast, loved that.

This book takes place in an alternative world of ours. Not that different from New York our time. But some differences. There are a lot of mechanical objects, more tech things, and weird looking animals. Which was pretty awesome. I loved that this book was a little bit of fantasy, but not that much. But that's okay. It was still a really interesting story. I wish it had been a bit more exciting at times, but I also enjoyed it a bunch. I liked the mystery of the puzzle, what they did to try to figure it all out. It was interesting to read.

So much happens in this book. And I'm not going to talk too much about it all. Just that the book is long yet not nearly long enough. I loved how these kids just wanted to save their home. I loved reading about them all. And all the other characters too, because there are a bunch of them. Some nice, others not. Yet all interesting to read about. I loved that Tess and Theo had a great relationship with their parents. It was sweet. And aw, their grandpa. Made me so sad. Yet so amazing to read about too. Was written so well.

There were a lot of exciting and scary moments in this book. Like the train scene. That was pretty crazy and I enjoyed it a whole bunch. And when they went underground. A bit creepy, yet so awesome. These kids had so many adventures in this one month, and I loved reading about all of it. Gosh, I just hope that there will be lots more in book two, and that I don't have to wait too long to read it. I need more of Tess, Theo, Jaime and Nine so badly. So thrilled that I liked this book so much. I will love the next one a bunch.

If you are wanting to read this book, then you really, really should. Because The Shadow Cipher was an amazing adventure of a book. Stunning characters, fun story. The most awesome cat. It's a bit sad at times too, which was awesome. The mystery is all kinds of amazing. The ending was pretty evil yet so interesting. I can't wait to know what happens next. Eee. Huge thank you to the awesome HarperCollins International for sending me this lovely ARC. It's so precious to me. Must get the stunning hardcover too.

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