The Explorer's Code by Allison K. Hymas - Starting June 4th 2021

[Dannii]

Three kids have everything they need to solve the decades-old mystery of Idlewood Manor, in this middle grade novel full of real ciphers, puzzles, riddles, and codes.

Idlewood Manor has been uninhabited for decades, until now...

Math whiz Charlie won admission in a puzzle contest — and he’s intrigued by the strange numbers he finds on Idlewood’s walls. His restless sister Anna had to be dragged to the house — but then she discovers its hidden floor. Emily’s parents brought her to the mansion on a secret mission — and she’s determined to prove herself to them.

All three kids soon unlock clues to Idlewood’s mysterious past and the famous female explorer who’s connected to it — and the secret treasure she left behind. But the adults around them are also hunting for the treasure. Charlie, Anna, and Emily will have to overcome their differences and work as a team to solve Idlewood’s puzzles before it’s too late, in Allison K. Hymas's The Explorer's Code.

[Dannii]

This is my next audio listen so I've begun it now :)

First quarter - (view spoiler)[This had a super interesting beginning, witnessing Anna and her family arrive at the manor. I initially liked Anna's character from the information provided about her inquisitive nature, that had her exploring locked attic spaces and restricted museum exhibits in the past.

Charlie's perspective introduced him as a super brain. His affinity for maths was baffling to me, haha! He seemed the most reserved of the three children.

Emily had an interest in the past. Her parents' shared love of history meant she was knowledgeable about artefacts and old places and had previously visited many historical sites.

An explorer, an intellectual, and a historian: these three different skillsets are clearly going to have to work together to solve the mysteries surrounding the manor house. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Okay! I have a few audios before this one

[Dannii]

Aly wrote: "Okay! I have a few audios before this one"

No worries. I look forward to your thoughts. I'm enjoying this one :)

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Emily found Virginia’s journal. Elain ordered for the house never to be changed after losing her sister and the kids are on the path to discover why and save the house. They still need to come together to do so though, I imagine. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[Oh, poor Anna! I felt sorry for her worries over her own character, after seeing some of herself in Virginia and then discovering she might have been a thief.

It has been revealed that more people know that there were riches on the grounds, passed down through stories and with clues left on how to find it.

Someone stole the photo of Emily's code, after she scrubbed it off her arm. She believed Charlie is the culprit but his quiet nature made me doubt it. I'm glad it was quickly revealed that he was not the thief and also that Anna did not steal his copy of Treasure Island either. (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Just starting this now :3 I’m excited but also scared because if I’m not wrong it’s middle grade and I rarely like those anymore

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[Charlie was so brave to climb to the tower!

I loved how the code was solved by matching numbers to words inside of Treasure Island, which gave them instructions for where to go next.

The 'treasure' was memories. I loved that result! It was enough to save the house and also explained why the house had remained unchanged for all these years. (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

I’m super excited!!
10%
(view spoiler)[the characters are super interesting and the whole aesthetic is intriguing!
I kind of feel sad about the relationship between the siblings and quite excited about the exploration of the house (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

19%
(view spoiler)[ and now it’s even more exciting! I had my doubts about this considering it was a children’s / middle grade book but I’m liking the interesting aspects and the dynamic between characters and I can’t wait for more exciting stuff! Like this secret door or the revelations the brother is about to make (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I'm starting this soon! I didn't listen to audios at all over the weekend

[Aly]

Dannii wrote: "This is my next audio listen so I've begun it now :)

First quarter - This had a super interesting beginning, witnessing Anna and her family arrive at the manor. I initially liked Anna's character ..."

Ooh agreed! They each have their strengths and I think will make a good team

[Aly]

25% (view spoiler)[ I like that Anna breaks rules and gets into restricted sections. Charlie seems to be putting together clues pretty well and Emily got the owner to tell her info about him selling.

So far this is pretty interesting! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Bayan wrote: "I’m super excited!!
10%
the characters are super interesting and the whole aesthetic is intriguing!
I kind of feel sad about the relationship between the siblings and quite excited about the explo..."

I love the aesthetic too!

[Aly]

Bayan wrote: "19%
[spoilers removed]"

The house definitely has cool secrets!

[Aly]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, waiting for them to unite and share their knowledge!

[Aly]

50% (view spoiler)[ It's kind of funny, Anna has the journal that tells the cipher and code that Charlie needs. Emily has a list of numbers that I think Charlie could use too. They need to share their information! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Aly wrote: "25%."

I found it really interesting to witness their different strengths aid them in their investigations.

[Dannii]

Bayan wrote: "19%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I loved all the mysteries and secrets this focused on. It remained super fun and intriguing throughout! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Aly wrote: "50% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I wanted to shout at the pages and hasten them on to working together haha! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

75% (view spoiler)[ Finally they unite! Took long enough lol. Now to solve the mystery! Also, pretty much all the adults are suspicious and I wonder how many are looking for treasure? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Oh, poor Anna! I felt sorry for her worries over her own character, after seeing some of herself in Virginia and then discovering she might have been a thief.

It has been revealed ..."

Yeah, I felt bad for Anna. Thinking your idol might be a criminal would be terrible.

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Hmm I wonder if Ginny ever saw the clues her sister left? At least they know she wasn't involved with the mob now and they saved the house from being sold. This was a cute story (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - Charlie was so brave to climb to the tower!

I loved how the code was solved by matching numbers to words inside of Treasure Island, which gave them instructions for where to go ne..."

The treasure part was so sweet! I loved it

[Dannii]

Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

It was such a fun and sweet read. I hope this becomes a series!

[Aly]

Me too!

[Bayan]

63% this book is literally the most exciting thing I’m reading at the moment
(view spoiler)[I wish if they became friends already, the kids are all awesome characters and interesting explorers, and the story itself is super Enticing! (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

75%(view spoiler)[FINALLY THEY ARE COMING TOGETHER (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

80% I honestly feel really annoyed every time I have to put the book down

[Bayan]

92% (view spoiler)[them revealing everything is just pure awesomeness and the parents just brought tears to my eyes! (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Finished
This book was so good! The writer has so much imagination and creativity! This is a book I’d love to share with my kids!
(view spoiler)[the reveal in the very end was really good I literally savored it lol (hide spoiler)]

[Bayan]

Aly wrote: "75% [spoilers removed]"

I agree but if anything (view spoiler)[ It’s sort of bugged me how they were usually not around like I’m an adult with kids and the things that happened in this book would not have happened with a child that was under my responsibility so it’s kind of weird but at the same time super exciting and fun and I think honestly I will read it to my kids when they go up a little bit it’s I think it teaches a lesson about doing teamwork and at the same time being brave and being responsible and doing your best a lot of really great lessons in this book and at the same time really fun read (hide spoiler)]