The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone

Wade and his stepbrother Darrell are snooping around their dad’s office when he receives an encrypted message from an old friend and college professor. Together with Wade’s cousin Lily, Lily’s friend Becca, and Wade’s father, they decrypt the message and discover the legacy of Nicholas Copernicus. They must find twelve relics that are the key to operating Copernicus’ mysterious machine. Racing against them are the evil Galina Krause and her organization. At the end of this, the first of a planned six-book series, the children are left in possession of a single relic and many more mysteries to solve.

There are a lot of characters, which is kind of annoying, because all of them are really insecure and annoying, ridiculously happy that all their wonderful friends condescend to associate with them. Except for Darrell. He goes to the opposite extreme. Which is also annoying. However, the plot is really fun. The children’s stepfather is actually helpful, even though he spends part of the book as a hostage. The book is full of action and thrills, and I love the puzzling parts best. I am excited to read the next book in the series, especially to discover why Galina Krause has this vendetta against Copernicus!