The Secret Cipher: A Humorous Magical Adventure About Cousins and Family Rivalry for Kids (Ages 8-12) (Secret Box Book 2)

My 11 year old daughter and my 12 year old son were both hooked following all the plot twists and turns. It's a great pick for a class read for that age group. This would have been five stars, but we could have done without the way the author portrays allergies (and the need for allergy shots) as some kind of character flaw. Also, the ending leaves way too many loose ends. I realize the author wants to get us to buy the next book, but this is just so blatant. I'm fine with hinting at the next book, but there should be some obligation to make each book also be able to stand alone. This one doesn't even attempt that.

This is a great read that continues the story from the Secret Box. I like the way the author tells the story from the different character's point of view. This was a page turner all the way through. I can hardly wait for the release of the third book, The Secret Fire, to find out how the story ends!

Great read for a nine year old. My Grandson got this book after doing a report on the previous book "The Secret Box". He really likes these books.

I luv it! It was cool! But the ending though!!! I can't believe that just happened! Well played author!! Can't wait for the next one!

This mystery is so awesome!!!! I had a lot of fun reading it. I would definitely read another secret box book!!

Jax, Ethan, and Tyler return in a second adventure. Since they returned the urn of hope to their great-aunt, things have been quiet. But then a mysterious girl shows up at a comic book store where Tyler in taking part in a tournament, they get a phone call that an unidentified woman had a stroke and had Jax's phone number on her, and Jax gets emails from the father she has never met.The kids learn that the urn they found was one of three and an evil genius named Ricardo wants to gather them all so that he can rule the world. They need to find the other urns before he does. Searching for it takes them to a comic book convention complete with Klingons and a myriad of other costumed characters.Like the first book, this book is also told in alternate chapters by Jax and Ethan. But this time, Tyler gets a couple chapters too. All of the characters reveal themselves in their chapters. I have to admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for Ethan who is cautious, shy, and anxiety-ridden. I like the way he tries to be the voice of reason between fantasy-obsessed Tyler and hyperactive Jax.The story is fast-paced and inserts just the right amount of mythology for a middle grade audience. My only complaint is that the ending is a major cliffhanger and now I have to wait for the next book.