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The Cooper Kids Adventures #6
The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey
Lila and Jay Cooper have joined their dad on a mission to the jungles of Central America, where a group of American treasure hunters have already become the victims of the deadly curse of Toco-Rey. Before Dr. Cooper can solve the mystery, his children are kidnapped and his integrity is put to the test. What price will he pay to get his children back? Is the treasure in the burial tomb of Kachi-Tochetin really worth more than gold? Follow the Coopers as they explore unknown ruins, plunge through dangerous jungles, face hostile natives, and battle ancient evil forces. Will their courage and faith in God bring them through?
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
28 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Frank E. Peretti
85 books3,854 followersFROM HIS WEBSITE:
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
With more than 12 million novels in print, Frank Peretti is nothing short of a publishing phenomenon and has been called “America’s hottest Christian novelist.”
Peretti is a natural storyteller who, as a youngster in Seattle, regularly gathered the neighborhood children for animated storytelling sessions. After graduating from high school, he began playing banjo with a local bluegrass group. He and his wife were married in 1972, and Peretti soon moved from touring with a pop band to launching a modest Christian music ministry. Peretti later spent time studying English, screen writing and film at UCLA and then assisted his father in pastoring a small Assembly of God church. In 1983, he gave up his pastoring position and began taking construction jobs to make ends meet. While working at a local ski factory, he began writing This Present Darkness, the book that would catapult him into the public eye. After numerous rejections from publishers and a slow start in sales, word-of-mouth enthusiasm finally lifted This Present Darkness onto a tidal wave of interest in spiritual warfare. The book appeared on Bookstore Journal’s bestseller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti’s two spiritual warfare novels, This Present Darkness (1998) and Piercing the Darkness (1989), captivated readers, together selling more than 3.5 million copies. The Oath was awarded the 1996 Gold Medallion Award for best fiction.
For kids, Peretti wrote The Cooper Kids Adventure Series (Crossways and Tommy Nelson), which remains a best-selling series for children with sales exceeding 1 million copies. In August 2000, Peretti released the hilarious children’s audiocassette series titled Wild and Wacky Totally True Bible Stories, reprising his role as Mr. Henry, the offbeat substitute Sunday School teacher found in two Visual Bible for Kids videos.
Peretti released his first-ever non-fiction book, The Wounded Spirit in 2000, which quickly became a best-seller. The book addresses the pain of “wounded spirits” and was written as a result of painful childhood experiences.
Frank Peretti and his wife, Barbara Jean, live in the Western U.S. In spite of sudden fame and notoriety, Frank still lives a simple, well-rounded life that includes carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking. He is also an avid pilot.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 13, 2017
Indiana Jones for Christian kids. A well-plotted action adventure with thrills galore - dead people, a disease that turns people green and raving mad, poison darts, bombs, golden treasure, a deadly animal - this has it all. My eight year old was gripped. And best of all it affirms faith in God - faith in dangerous circumstances, God answering prayer and the importance of integrity. The Christian content is integral and meaningful but kept to a minimum and does not slow down the non-stop action. An exciting story for middle-grade readers and older.
May 31, 2018
It feels like forever that I've had a book make me this flail-and-scream like. Ha! I seriously enjoyed this little book and it was sooo good, y'all.
The Epic Stuff:
- GOD WAS THE SAVING GRACE!
- Dr. Cooper is an amazing Dad (reminds me of my own!) and THIS BOOK SHOWED SUCH A GREAT STRUGGLE WITH HIM AND HIS KIDS! I loved the danger and how he didn't stop.
- Jay and Lila, though. Sibs, am I right? ;D
- The risks were all cool. I loved the bits with the creature and the poisons and how it all worked.
- The other characters were like 'love them to bits' or 'FIGHT ME' and that's the only way to go. I loved it all.
So, yes. Loved this book. It was fast paced and the struggles were epic.
The Epic Stuff:
- GOD WAS THE SAVING GRACE!
- Dr. Cooper is an amazing Dad (reminds me of my own!) and THIS BOOK SHOWED SUCH A GREAT STRUGGLE WITH HIM AND HIS KIDS! I loved the danger and how he didn't stop.
- Jay and Lila, though. Sibs, am I right? ;D
- The risks were all cool. I loved the bits with the creature and the poisons and how it all worked.
- The other characters were like 'love them to bits' or 'FIGHT ME' and that's the only way to go. I loved it all.
So, yes. Loved this book. It was fast paced and the struggles were epic.
December 17, 2022
3⭐️
The Coopers travel to South America to help preserve and protect history from treasure hunters. While there, they learn about the curse of Toco Rey and Carpies that secret colour changing mucus that can kill humans instantly.
The Coopers travel to South America to help preserve and protect history from treasure hunters. While there, they learn about the curse of Toco Rey and Carpies that secret colour changing mucus that can kill humans instantly.
November 17, 2019
The deadly curse of Taco-Rey if you hear that sentence would you try and find out what it is??
Well the Cooper kids did, I would read this one again.
Well the Cooper kids did, I would read this one again.
June 30, 2017
Still love it as much as I did when I was a kid, but I still can't help wondering what's become of the character introduced in book 4... I wonder if this mystery will be solved.
September 27, 2014
Recommended for: 10-14
Rating: PG (for some scary situations)
The Cooper Kids Adventure books are enjoyable reads suitable for middle grade readers. The Christian worldview shines through in Indiana Jones style adventures, and makes for some good books. I did very much enjoy The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey, though it didn't quite make it onto my favorites list.
Writing: 4/5
The Cooper Kids books are fairly well written, and suitable for the target age group. The description is sufficient and the story is well told. My only complaints are the use of sound effects, which there was thankfully less of in this one, and the lack of deep character point of view. Not every book needs deep character point of view, C. S. Lewis employed omniscient narration as if he was relating a story told him by the characters and I love that, but in the Cooper Kids books, it feels as if it is supposed to be deep character point of view without going as deep as it should.
Setting: 4/5
The setting of The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey was certainly interesting and well developed. How realistic it is, I'm not sure, I haven't done any research to find out, but it seemed fairly plausible and definitely intriguing. How could I not be interested in an archaeological site in the middle of nowhere supposedly protected with a deadly curse?
Plot: 5/5
The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey had many twists and turns and strange revelations. It wasn't too complicated, nor was it overly simplistic. It kept me hooked, which is more than I can say for the previous book in the series. It rather bored me, and the only reason I continued with the series is because of a challenge in a Goodreads group I am a part of. I'm glad I did, though, because I did really enjoy this one. Not to give any spoilers, but the explanation for the curse is quite interesting, especially when you consider that this supposed curse turns people green.
Character Development: 4/5
I like Dr. Cooper and Jay and Lila quite a bit. I don't, however, feel like I know them as well as I would like. Perhaps it's just coming back to the series after a long break, but I feel like the story just doesn't give time to really get to know them.
All in all, The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey was a good book that I recommend for middle grade readers.
For more reviews from me and my sisters, visit www.shirereviews.blogspot.com
Rating: PG (for some scary situations)
The Cooper Kids Adventure books are enjoyable reads suitable for middle grade readers. The Christian worldview shines through in Indiana Jones style adventures, and makes for some good books. I did very much enjoy The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey, though it didn't quite make it onto my favorites list.
Writing: 4/5
The Cooper Kids books are fairly well written, and suitable for the target age group. The description is sufficient and the story is well told. My only complaints are the use of sound effects, which there was thankfully less of in this one, and the lack of deep character point of view. Not every book needs deep character point of view, C. S. Lewis employed omniscient narration as if he was relating a story told him by the characters and I love that, but in the Cooper Kids books, it feels as if it is supposed to be deep character point of view without going as deep as it should.
Setting: 4/5
The setting of The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey was certainly interesting and well developed. How realistic it is, I'm not sure, I haven't done any research to find out, but it seemed fairly plausible and definitely intriguing. How could I not be interested in an archaeological site in the middle of nowhere supposedly protected with a deadly curse?
Plot: 5/5
The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey had many twists and turns and strange revelations. It wasn't too complicated, nor was it overly simplistic. It kept me hooked, which is more than I can say for the previous book in the series. It rather bored me, and the only reason I continued with the series is because of a challenge in a Goodreads group I am a part of. I'm glad I did, though, because I did really enjoy this one. Not to give any spoilers, but the explanation for the curse is quite interesting, especially when you consider that this supposed curse turns people green.
Character Development: 4/5
I like Dr. Cooper and Jay and Lila quite a bit. I don't, however, feel like I know them as well as I would like. Perhaps it's just coming back to the series after a long break, but I feel like the story just doesn't give time to really get to know them.
All in all, The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey was a good book that I recommend for middle grade readers.
For more reviews from me and my sisters, visit www.shirereviews.blogspot.com
April 16, 2018
The Coopers are in mortal danger again!
There is some interesting science stuff in this one.
Listened to the audio with my boys.
2018 - A book of my choice
There is some interesting science stuff in this one.
Listened to the audio with my boys.
2018 - A book of my choice
January 15, 2021
Such a fun adventure! Just as exciting as The Door in the Dragon's Throat and Escape from the Island of Aquarius. This story had great twists and turns within the plot even though it is written for a younger audience. It's so fun to continue the adventures series of characters I first read about when I was 10 years old but never read beyond the first book. Now that time has come finally to find out what happened to Dr. Cooper, Jay and Lyla and I'm enjoying every moment!
July 8, 2023
My twelfth birthday was definitely one for the books (figuratively and literally!). I think I got five book series to read - and this was one of them!
The Cooper Kids series are the perfect thrillers for a twelve year old - or at least for me when I was twelve. I would find myself starting to get decently spooked and wanting to put the book down, but at the same time unable to tear myself away. Uh, it was agony for sure, but it was sure fun agony, if you know what I mean. (My second go around of reading these as an adult has me smirking at my young self - I scared easily I guess, ha!).
Peretti does a fabulous job of taking a couple of Bible passages, mixing them with some pretend legends/superstitions and wrapping them up in a tween’s Indiana Jones styled adventure story.
This particular title deviates somewhat from the other tales, meaning there isn’t an abstract Bible versus its based on - just an intense action jungle story!
I highly recommend these! This particular title was a favorite in the series!
Ages: 10+
Cleanliness: there are mentions of an ancient race conducting human sacrifice. Several people die in this book and a few bodies in decay are described.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
The Cooper Kids series are the perfect thrillers for a twelve year old - or at least for me when I was twelve. I would find myself starting to get decently spooked and wanting to put the book down, but at the same time unable to tear myself away. Uh, it was agony for sure, but it was sure fun agony, if you know what I mean. (My second go around of reading these as an adult has me smirking at my young self - I scared easily I guess, ha!).
Peretti does a fabulous job of taking a couple of Bible passages, mixing them with some pretend legends/superstitions and wrapping them up in a tween’s Indiana Jones styled adventure story.
This particular title deviates somewhat from the other tales, meaning there isn’t an abstract Bible versus its based on - just an intense action jungle story!
I highly recommend these! This particular title was a favorite in the series!
Ages: 10+
Cleanliness: there are mentions of an ancient race conducting human sacrifice. Several people die in this book and a few bodies in decay are described.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
May 28, 2023
Reread in May 2023
The drama! The action! The cheese! Is it biblical? No. Is it a classic? No. Is it the most skilled writing worthy of awards? No. But I liked it when I was a kid, and I can still appreciate it now.
Take it for what it is: Respects the reader enough to offer background, setup, and payoff. Fascinating settings with hints of complex culture. The two-dimensional characters give off a shade of something deeper. Lots of good hype in the third act. Indiana Jones-light. Good, clean fun. Glad my reread didn't destroy the nostalgia I have for the series.
This is one of my favorites in the series. We're back to the action, a ticking clock, a deadly mystery, a friend-turned-enemy, and ancient archaeology. Peretti has taken an idea from book two, and expanded on it, doing it again with some twists -- a fun oxymoron with a toxin and antidote.
On to book seven: The Legend of Annie Murphy.
The drama! The action! The cheese! Is it biblical? No. Is it a classic? No. Is it the most skilled writing worthy of awards? No. But I liked it when I was a kid, and I can still appreciate it now.
Take it for what it is: Respects the reader enough to offer background, setup, and payoff. Fascinating settings with hints of complex culture. The two-dimensional characters give off a shade of something deeper. Lots of good hype in the third act. Indiana Jones-light. Good, clean fun. Glad my reread didn't destroy the nostalgia I have for the series.
This is one of my favorites in the series. We're back to the action, a ticking clock, a deadly mystery, a friend-turned-enemy, and ancient archaeology. Peretti has taken an idea from book two, and expanded on it, doing it again with some twists -- a fun oxymoron with a toxin and antidote.
On to book seven: The Legend of Annie Murphy.
July 24, 2011
Absolutely amazing. Peretti is by far one of my favorite authors, and his "kids" books are just as entertaining / gripping as his adult books. Filled with action and suspense, this book is SO hard to put down! The series just gets better and better. I'm just disappointed I'm almost at the end of it.
Out of the series, I think this book may be my favorite so far ... not sure though since they've all been excellent.
In this novel Dr. Cooper and his children are sent in search of a treasure (even though they really are not treasure hunters). Turns out that the man who hired them really wasn't interested in the treasure after all, but in finding what caused the 'curse' that protects the treasure. The bat-slug carvies were creepy and added a lot of cool suspense and drama to the book. The best part is the over all lesson of the book - that integrity is something to be greatly treasured.
Out of the series, I think this book may be my favorite so far ... not sure though since they've all been excellent.
In this novel Dr. Cooper and his children are sent in search of a treasure (even though they really are not treasure hunters). Turns out that the man who hired them really wasn't interested in the treasure after all, but in finding what caused the 'curse' that protects the treasure. The bat-slug carvies were creepy and added a lot of cool suspense and drama to the book. The best part is the over all lesson of the book - that integrity is something to be greatly treasured.
November 10, 2022
Cooper Kids series by Frank Peretti
Recommend with some notes below.
I loved these as a kid! I don't remember how old I was when I read them, but the suggestion range on the cover is 10-14. Some of these are intense as kids books go so depending on the child some may ok earlier, but I think the stated range is probably accurate for most.
As an adult who just reread them, they aren't top tier literature. That's ok. They're still good reads & their aimed at kids. Not everything needs to be top tier.
One of my favorite things about the series is that it is solidly Christian. Not "oh we threw a prayer in over the meal so it's Christian" but scared: pray, thankful: pray, confused: pray for guidance, running for your life: pray as you run. But it's not hokey. It feels very real as a kid reading the books & is faith building!
The series is a mix of genres and this is where my age caution really comes from. If I had to categorize all of the books with one label is would be "Spiritual Thrillers (for kids)" though the adventure label definitely applies to all of them also. Breaking it out:
Book 1: Door in the Dragons Throat - spiritual thriller
Book 2: Escape from the Island of Aquarius - adventure/maybe a bit of science fiction ala Journey to the Center of the Earth
Book 3: Tombs of Anak - spiritual thriller
Book 4: Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea - adventure/"real life (unrealistic)" peril- this is the one book where you don't see the 3 Coopers getting along harmoniously & you see tensions and hurt feelings.
Book 5: Secret of the Desert Stone - adventure, definitely supernatural aspects but it's not a thriller
Book 6: Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey - thriller but not a spiritual thriller
Book 7: Legend of Annie Murphy - science fiction
Book 8: Flying Blind - adventure/realistic peril
As a kid the ones that stood out to me the most & were the scariest are books 1, 3, and 6. Book 7 was odd in a different way because of the time travel, but it wasn't scary. Book 8 was my least favorite as a kid - I almost (but not really) found it boring. That's just because they're not traveling anywhere this time. As an adult it's the only one of the books that brought tears to my eyes - it's much easier to create separation when you're looking at extremes and improbable situations like running for your life in an underground booby trapped tomb than something that feels more familiar like the possibility of an air plane crash.
If you're not familiar with Peretti please preread these books. They're pretty unique in Juevenile Fiction from my experience. If you are familiar with Peretti don't worry, he writes to kids just fine and while there are those spiritual thriller aspects theyre quite tame compared to his adult novels!
The Cooper Kids (age 13 & 14) are the only kids in the series, which I actually like & kids will too I think because they're given adult sized tasks and are responsible with them. The kids as well as thei father & various other adults pray & reference the Bible with regulararity.
The theme of the books is God is bigger, stronger, more powerful than any other religion or curse. He controls the earth. He convicts. He reveals. He works things for our good. Few kids books give that awe-some perspective in my opinion and I'm glad that these books tackle that.
Recommend with some notes below.
I loved these as a kid! I don't remember how old I was when I read them, but the suggestion range on the cover is 10-14. Some of these are intense as kids books go so depending on the child some may ok earlier, but I think the stated range is probably accurate for most.
As an adult who just reread them, they aren't top tier literature. That's ok. They're still good reads & their aimed at kids. Not everything needs to be top tier.
One of my favorite things about the series is that it is solidly Christian. Not "oh we threw a prayer in over the meal so it's Christian" but scared: pray, thankful: pray, confused: pray for guidance, running for your life: pray as you run. But it's not hokey. It feels very real as a kid reading the books & is faith building!
The series is a mix of genres and this is where my age caution really comes from. If I had to categorize all of the books with one label is would be "Spiritual Thrillers (for kids)" though the adventure label definitely applies to all of them also. Breaking it out:
Book 1: Door in the Dragons Throat - spiritual thriller
Book 2: Escape from the Island of Aquarius - adventure/maybe a bit of science fiction ala Journey to the Center of the Earth
Book 3: Tombs of Anak - spiritual thriller
Book 4: Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea - adventure/"real life (unrealistic)" peril- this is the one book where you don't see the 3 Coopers getting along harmoniously & you see tensions and hurt feelings.
Book 5: Secret of the Desert Stone - adventure, definitely supernatural aspects but it's not a thriller
Book 6: Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey - thriller but not a spiritual thriller
Book 7: Legend of Annie Murphy - science fiction
Book 8: Flying Blind - adventure/realistic peril
As a kid the ones that stood out to me the most & were the scariest are books 1, 3, and 6. Book 7 was odd in a different way because of the time travel, but it wasn't scary. Book 8 was my least favorite as a kid - I almost (but not really) found it boring. That's just because they're not traveling anywhere this time. As an adult it's the only one of the books that brought tears to my eyes - it's much easier to create separation when you're looking at extremes and improbable situations like running for your life in an underground booby trapped tomb than something that feels more familiar like the possibility of an air plane crash.
If you're not familiar with Peretti please preread these books. They're pretty unique in Juevenile Fiction from my experience. If you are familiar with Peretti don't worry, he writes to kids just fine and while there are those spiritual thriller aspects theyre quite tame compared to his adult novels!
The Cooper Kids (age 13 & 14) are the only kids in the series, which I actually like & kids will too I think because they're given adult sized tasks and are responsible with them. The kids as well as thei father & various other adults pray & reference the Bible with regulararity.
The theme of the books is God is bigger, stronger, more powerful than any other religion or curse. He controls the earth. He convicts. He reveals. He works things for our good. Few kids books give that awe-some perspective in my opinion and I'm glad that these books tackle that.
February 18, 2022
Chico Valles înainta cu greu, cu o spadă în mână de-a lungul cărăruii înguste, surd la muzica neîntreruptă a greierilor şi la ţipetele hârâit ale păsărilor tropicale. Sudoarea îi curgea pe faţa nebărbierită. Jungla deasă, năvalnică îl împresura, strângându-l din toate părţile. îşi întindea înspre el membrele, frunzele îl plesneau, îl înşfăca prin tentaculele de vie căţărătoare. El o ţinea departe cu spada şi înainta aşa cum o făcea în fiecare zi, îndeplinind sarcinile de curier pentru americanul Basehart.
În cele din urmă ajunse la locul în care îşi aşezaseră corturile cei ai lui Cory. A rămas ţintuit locului.
Tabăra arăta părăsită. Cortul mare se înclinase ca şi cum s-ar fi rupt unul dintre beţe. Ustensilele de bucătărie, hainele şi mâncarea zăceau vânturate sub prelata albastră. Scaunele de campanie din lemn şi masa portabilă erau răsturnate lângă vatra pentru foc. Soba portabilă de campanie era prăvălită într-o parte, îndoită şi ruptă, iar orhideele zăceau acum răvăşite la pământ, aruncate din vază. Exceptând zgomotele junglei, Chico nu auzea nimic altceva. în afara unei iguane care se ţâra lent pe o cracă aflată deasupra capului său, nu sesiza nici o mişcare. Chico strânse cu mai multă putere spada.
— Tribul Kachaka, murmură el, cu ochii atenţi în toate direcţiile. Apoi strigă: Mă auziţi? Senor Cory!
Nu primi nici un răspuns.
Cu nervii încordaţi, Chico păşi cu precauţie, ieşind din ascunzişul junglei cu spada întinsă. Privi în toate direcţiile pentru a se feri de pericole ascunse şi de duşmani aşezaţi la pândă. Nu observă nici un semn al prezenţei unei alte persoane-cei puţin a cuiva aflat în viaţă.
Apoi din cort se auzi un şuierat încet, întrerupt. Să fie un şarpe? Instinctiv îşi înclină spada, pregătit să lovească. Apoi înainta cu paşi mărunţi, încercând să privească înăuntru prin deschizătura cortului.
Arăta ca şi cum cortul fusese devastat de animale sălbatice. Păturile, sacii de dormit, cărţile, hărţile şi ustensilele erau împrăştiate în neorânduială. Pânza cortului fusese sfârtecată, iar unul dintre beţe fusese într-adevăr rupt.
— Senor Cory!
Din nou nici un răspuns. Chico păşi mai aproape şi îşi vârî capul în cort.
Descoperi sursa acelui ciudat sunet şuierat. Un transmiţător radio cu mâner zăcea pe jos cu carcasa spartă şi fărâmiţată, cu cadranul încă luminat. Cineva încercase să ceară ajutor? Unde erau cu toţii?
Chico intră iute în cortul întunecat, târându-şi picioarele printre hainele răvăşite şi foile de hârtie împrăştiate pe jos.
În cele din urmă ajunse la locul în care îşi aşezaseră corturile cei ai lui Cory. A rămas ţintuit locului.
Tabăra arăta părăsită. Cortul mare se înclinase ca şi cum s-ar fi rupt unul dintre beţe. Ustensilele de bucătărie, hainele şi mâncarea zăceau vânturate sub prelata albastră. Scaunele de campanie din lemn şi masa portabilă erau răsturnate lângă vatra pentru foc. Soba portabilă de campanie era prăvălită într-o parte, îndoită şi ruptă, iar orhideele zăceau acum răvăşite la pământ, aruncate din vază. Exceptând zgomotele junglei, Chico nu auzea nimic altceva. în afara unei iguane care se ţâra lent pe o cracă aflată deasupra capului său, nu sesiza nici o mişcare. Chico strânse cu mai multă putere spada.
— Tribul Kachaka, murmură el, cu ochii atenţi în toate direcţiile. Apoi strigă: Mă auziţi? Senor Cory!
Nu primi nici un răspuns.
Cu nervii încordaţi, Chico păşi cu precauţie, ieşind din ascunzişul junglei cu spada întinsă. Privi în toate direcţiile pentru a se feri de pericole ascunse şi de duşmani aşezaţi la pândă. Nu observă nici un semn al prezenţei unei alte persoane-cei puţin a cuiva aflat în viaţă.
Apoi din cort se auzi un şuierat încet, întrerupt. Să fie un şarpe? Instinctiv îşi înclină spada, pregătit să lovească. Apoi înainta cu paşi mărunţi, încercând să privească înăuntru prin deschizătura cortului.
Arăta ca şi cum cortul fusese devastat de animale sălbatice. Păturile, sacii de dormit, cărţile, hărţile şi ustensilele erau împrăştiate în neorânduială. Pânza cortului fusese sfârtecată, iar unul dintre beţe fusese într-adevăr rupt.
— Senor Cory!
Din nou nici un răspuns. Chico păşi mai aproape şi îşi vârî capul în cort.
Descoperi sursa acelui ciudat sunet şuierat. Un transmiţător radio cu mâner zăcea pe jos cu carcasa spartă şi fărâmiţată, cu cadranul încă luminat. Cineva încercase să ceară ajutor? Unde erau cu toţii?
Chico intră iute în cortul întunecat, târându-şi picioarele printre hainele răvăşite şi foile de hârtie împrăştiate pe jos.
May 28, 2024
The Coopers are hired to find the treasure tomb of Kachi-Tochetin after the previous party succumbed to the curse of Toco-Rey and the locals. Deep in the jungles of South America they will uncover treasure and an insanity unlike any they've encountered before.
Okay, so I was worried after The Secret of the Desert Stone that this may no longer hold the same interest but this one was a fun adventure read again. It didn't feel forced, followed the cookie crumbs it laid out, and brought a satisfying end to the story.
My biggest complaint is that the series seems to have the Daphne Blake complex when it comes to Lila. She's the first one to find the traps and/or get kidnapped, etc. In this one, while others may have eventually shared her fate, she was as usual, the first one to wade into the crap hole so to speak.
But really, that's my only complaint with this one. The religious aspect was subtly done on this one so it can be enjoyed as an adventure tale with the main characters simply trusting in their beliefs. And, the story was written in a way that I think young adventurers will enjoy and older readers looking for something light and quick.
Okay, so I was worried after The Secret of the Desert Stone that this may no longer hold the same interest but this one was a fun adventure read again. It didn't feel forced, followed the cookie crumbs it laid out, and brought a satisfying end to the story.
My biggest complaint is that the series seems to have the Daphne Blake complex when it comes to Lila. She's the first one to find the traps and/or get kidnapped, etc. In this one, while others may have eventually shared her fate, she was as usual, the first one to wade into the crap hole so to speak.
But really, that's my only complaint with this one. The religious aspect was subtly done on this one so it can be enjoyed as an adventure tale with the main characters simply trusting in their beliefs. And, the story was written in a way that I think young adventurers will enjoy and older readers looking for something light and quick.
September 2, 2024
This was one of my favorite books as a kid, and it does hold up better than the first in the series. The adventure is much more engaging and creative, and the Christian elements are less laughable. They pray in their minds when they're in danger, it's generally implied that their prayers are being answered when coincidental things happen in their favor, and Dr. Cooper believes his faith to be one of the reasons he behaves in a moral manner, but they aren't magically converting people and it doesn't have that "and then everyone clapped" energy. Although the indigenous and Hispanic characters are somewhat caricatured, it's not as bad as the Arabic characters in book 1, and their "local superstitions" don't turn out to be demons.
November 23, 2020
Loved this series as a kid. As an adult, DEADLY CURSE makes for an entertaining read, but much of it is too far-fetched to enable suspension of disbelief. The characters are one-dimensional, but the story is surprisingly successful at providing a poor man's INDIANA JONES. Despite the Christian subtext, there's no preaching to be found here, and Peretti doesn't shy away from making this a bit scary for kids. I'm definitely going to hang onto it until my own son is old enough to appreciate it the way I once did.
May 12, 2025
The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey is one of my favorites in The Cooper Kids Adventures series. Journey into the jungle with the Coopers to discover an ancient treasure while surviving deadly flying slugs and a mysterious disease. When Lila somehow contracts a disease that turns both her body and mind unrecognizable, can the others find a cure before it is too late?
A fast-paced read, and immersive, I felt like I was in the jungle.
A fast-paced read, and immersive, I felt like I was in the jungle.
February 3, 2022
This book is about trying to find a treasure then recognizing that the cost might not be worth it. I liked how aspects of history and science worked together to create a great storyline. This adventure was believable to me, and I enjoyed it.
I listened to this series with my middle school son. I loved the author as a narrator. This book is perfect for ages 10-14.
I listened to this series with my middle school son. I loved the author as a narrator. This book is perfect for ages 10-14.
June 29, 2023
Continuing this series as a read-aloud with my kids, now 9 and nearly 11 yo. This one was action packed with a hulk-like disease, hidden treasure, explosives, weapons dealers, and so forth, so lots going on to keep things exciting. This one is less overtly Christian than many of the others. They pray to God in times of trouble, and make decisions with integrity, but that's about it.
September 1, 2024
Rating 3.5
Dr. Cooper is on another adventure with his children. I've only read 4 books in the series, but I've wondered where the mother is and why Dr. Cooper allows his children to be involved in dangerous situations. The group faces deadly curses, poisonous darts and carvies in their effort to find a hidden city of treasures.
Dr. Cooper is on another adventure with his children. I've only read 4 books in the series, but I've wondered where the mother is and why Dr. Cooper allows his children to be involved in dangerous situations. The group faces deadly curses, poisonous darts and carvies in their effort to find a hidden city of treasures.
December 23, 2024
This book in the series is more of a page turner then a parable. It is well worth the read. Good reminder of what is valuable in life. Integrity is about the highest valued thing we can have as human beings besides our relationship with Christ. This story kind of focuses on the importance of our integrity.
October 24, 2017
I enjoyed the original 4 of these books as a kid and recently saw these and picked them up for my son. I really enjoyed the story line and it was kind of a walk down memory lane to revisit these characters.
November 15, 2017
An archaeological explorer sets out to unravel the Curse of Toco-Rey, an Olteca civilization, after a coworker of his is killed. Armed with God, knowledge, and his two kids, he sets out. I liked how it referenced God, but wasn't like, Adventures in Odyssey, or something.
October 26, 2020
I think it was a good book for what it was I thought the flying slugs were a good touch to the story. I think in all it was a good book I liked how they incorporated the plot twist as they did. I honestly didn't even see there is an arms dealer in the book when I first started.
June 27, 2023
Mr. Frank comes back swinging with another great one! My fave since his first! Spooky, grounded, and interesting, I like it! The stakes were high and our Cooper fam almost met their match.
Carvies don’t exist.
Carvies don’t exist.
February 15, 2025
The author had me going there for a minute. I looked up "caracol volante" to see if there really were some kind of flying slug in some jungle area of Mexico. But no, the little poisonous slugs were purely fictional for the plot of this story.
June 7, 2017
This book gives me visceral deja vu. So weird.
March 19, 2018
You had no idea what will happen.
August 26, 2018
This was my favourite adventure book as a kid!
December 3, 2020
My favorite of the Cooper kids' series!
Loved the action as a child and it's probably one of the reasons why I've become a writer today.
Loved the action as a child and it's probably one of the reasons why I've become a writer today.
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