Review – The Shadow Cipher (York, Book 1) by Laura Ruby, Dave Stevenson (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Science Fiction/Mystery
Length: 496 pages
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Release Date: May 16, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-0062306937
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the York series
Source: Owlcrate Jr.
Rating: 4/5 stars

“It was 1798 when the Morningstarr twins arrived in New York with a vision for a magnificent city: towering skyscrapers, dazzling machines, and winding train lines, all running on technology no one had ever seen before.

Fifty-seven years later, the enigmatic architects disappeared, leaving behind for the people of New York the Old York Cipher—a puzzle laid into the shining city they constructed, at the end of which was promised a treasure beyond all imagining. By the present day, however, the puzzle has never been solved, and the greatest mystery of the modern world is little more than a tourist attraction.

Tess and Theo Biedermann and their friend Jaime Cruz live in a Morningstarr apartment—until a real estate developer announces that the city has agreed to sell him the five remaining Morningstarr buildings. Their likely destruction means the end of a dream long held by the people of New York.

And if Tess, Theo, and Jaime want to save their home, they have to prove that the Old York Cipher is real. Which means they have to solve it.”

This is the first book in the York series. I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and creative. It would be an excellent read for middle grade and older readers who enjoy mysteries in a futuristic setting.

The story is set in an alternate New York that has better technology than our New York because of the Morningstarr family of geniuses. Some kids band together to solve the Old York Cipher in an effort find the Moringstarr treasure. They hope to use the treasure to save their apartment from a evil developer named Slant who is trying to buy out old Morningstarr buildings and replace them with condos.

I loved the alternate world and really enjoyed the puzzles and mysteries throughout. I loved all the talk and information about cryptography and ciphers; it was fascinating. The characters are well done and the mystery is really what drives the story. I read this out loud to my 11 year old son and the whole family really enjoyed it.

Overall I really enjoyed this mystery set in an alternate high tech New York City. Not much is resolved in this book, but it does stop at a good place. I am eager to continue with the series.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge