Jean Boreen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
When Matt Stribling’s mother, a highly sought-after computer programmer, dumps him on his archeologist father for the duration of his school vacation, Matt expects to have a boring time. But Matt’s father has disappeared, and Matt starts what will be a strange and eventful journey as he works with his aunt, her boss, and the boss’s daughter Robin to decode the clues left behind. But Dr. Stribling’s boss, Harper, may be the reason that the archeologist has disappeared, and Matt and Robin have to use their combined intelligence to figure out where Matt’s father is being held. Along the way, Matt begins to unravel the mystery of Robin and her father, two people who seem to know more about the ancient world than anyone he knows. Will this combination of knowledge, experience, and sheer luck help Matt and Robin to solve the “chaos code?” The story has solid action throughout, and though I had an idea about Robin’s secret, the author still managed to surprise me. This is sure to be a hit with middle school students. 2007, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, $16.95. Ages 12 to 16.

Rachel Wadham (Childrens Book and Play Review, March/April 2008 (Vol. 28, No. 4))
Shipped off to live with his archeologist dad for the summer, Matt arrives only to find his father has mysteriously disappeared. Finding and decoding a secret message sets Matt out on a mysterious adventure to discover the hidden treasure that his father was tracking. Aided by his Aunt Jane and her enigmatic employer Julius Venture and his equally mysterious daughter Robin, Matt travels around the globe to uncover ancient secrets that will either change or destroy the world. Well researched historical fact and fiction along with real and pseudo-science combine to give this novel a fast paced page turning plot. Exotic locations add flair to the novels' constantly changing settings. Sadly, Richards goes just one step too far, combining one too many outlandish elements so that by the end credibility and belief are forced. In addition, the books cast of characters while starting out vibrant and interesting loose luster and sincerity in the end. Despite its flaws this novel will certainly appeal to adventure fantasy genre fans and reluctant readers who are looking for something fast and fun. Rating: Dependable. Reading Level: Intermediate; Young adult. Category: Adventure stories; Detective and mystery stories; Occult fiction. 2007, Bloomsbury, 388p, $17.95. © 2002, Brigham Young University.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 18))
Matt Stribling is used to his divorced parents shuttling him back and forth on school vacations. But he'd rather be surfing the Internet at home than spending a dull holiday with his absent-minded archaeologist father, who didn't even remember to pick him up at the train station. Things don't stay dull for long, however, when he receives a coded message and realizes that he's being watched. Part of the message translates into "LTF"ùa clue from his dad that means "Let's Find Treasure!" The pace picks up speed as the puzzle unravels, with clues that take Matt and his new friend Robin globe-hopping from England to Denmark to the rain forest of Brazil. But they're not the only ones looking for the treasure; this isn't a game, and the treasure isn't mere gold or jewels. Mixing the supernatural with an action-adventure theme, this is a race that will capture the reader's attention and keep them turning pages long after lights out. 2007, Bloomsbury, 412p, $16.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 12 to 15. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

April Spisak (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, December 2007 (Vol. 61, No. 4).)
Matt is understandably feeling unwanted: his mother is shipping him off to spend the holidays with his father, and when he arrives (hours later off yet another train), he finds his father’s house deserted. Before he can muster up too much self-pity, the fifteen-year-old discovers ominous signs that his father may have been kidnapped or could be in danger, and he finds himself quickly embroiled in a complicated mystery. The item for which everyone seems to be searching is an ancient code; the use of this item in the wrong hands could doom the world. Fortunately, Matt is not alone in his hunt: his father left him cryptic clues as to potential allies, one of whom he soon finds himself romantically attracted to, in spite of her apparent immortality and the inevitable complications that will bring to any relationship. Matt, as often befuddled and slow to respond as he is brilliant and witty, is an amiable and well-developed protagonist. Unfortunately, he is lost in the sea of villains and heroes that surround him, few of whom are explored in enough depth to make them distinct or memorable. Although the globetrotting, swashbuckling pursuit of treasure is nicely paced, it is also confusingly complex, especially when paired with Matt’s parent issues (his mother appears at a rather inconvenient moment, somehow also entangled in this mystery), a connection to Atlantis, and, of course, the immortal (or at least very long-lived) family for whom Matt’s aunt works. Nonetheless, teens still searching for Da Vinci Code readalikes will be right at home with this concoction, as will readers who can’t get enough of codes and puzzles Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2007, Bloomsbury, 388p., $17.95. Grades 7-9.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2008)
Returning from boarding school, Matt finds that his archaeologist father is missing. With only a few cryptic clues to go on, Matt undertakes a global hunt to find him. Treading a fine line between mystery and fantasy, the book begins well, with a fast pace and sympathetic characters, but flags due to copious explanatory inner dialogue and repetitive description. Category: Older Fiction. 2007, Bloomsbury, 388pp, 17.95. Ages 12 to 14. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Kim Carter (VOYA, October 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 4))
All set to spend his relaxing school holidays at his Mum's flat in London, fifteen-year-old Matt Stripling is disgruntled to learn that he is being shunted to his archaeologist father's house in the country. Further surprises await, however, as he not only discovers that his father is missing but also uncovers a cryptic message directing him to his Aunt Jane and her employer, Julius Venture. At the Venture estate, Matt meets Venture's daughter Robin, who appears to be around his age but has surprising skills and knowledge. Mysteries and clues abound through the estate as Matt discovers an old photo of his father and Aunt Jane together with Julius and a young woman whom Matt assumes is Robin's mother. The sudden helicopter arrival of billionaire Atticus Harper connects Dr. Stribling's disappearance to the search for the elusive and powerful Treasure of St. John, a treasure that would upset the balance of the world. Matt joins the Ventures as they embark on a high-tech global quest to find Dr. Stribling, protect the treasure, and prevent a modern recurrence of the Atlantis cataclysm. From the creative director of the BBC's Doctor Who books, this novel combines intrigue, adventure, and cryptography with masterful pacing and age-old mysteries to provide a riveting, modern-day Indiana Jones that will appeal to young and old alike. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2007, Bloomsbury, 416p., $17.95. Ages 12 to 18.

Tristan Benedict, Teen Reviewer (VOYA, October 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 4))
A really fun book to read, The Chaos Code kept my interest throughout the entire story. Although it is easy to read, the plot line has several twists that kept me wanting to read on. The varying roles of the characters are well developed and add a lot to the story line. Someone who likes unpredictable adventure books will enjoy this one. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P J S (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2007, Bloomsbury, 416p., $17.95. Ages 12 to 18.