Thank you to netgalley for an early copy of this book! For a debut, I was thoroughly impressed and would definitely pick up more by this pair.

4.5/5 stars (Note: I did read this physically, I'm not 100% sure how this would translate in audiobook format)

The goods:
- The puzzles: excellent. I thought it was extremely interactive and informative about the world of coding. It was such a great mix of learning and solving mysteries on your own.
- This book is also extremely twisty! I was surprised by the mysteries that were placed before us constantly and it kept me engaged.
- The pacing was fantastic. I was never bored, I didn't want to put it down, but I also wasn't overwhelmed by too much going on at once.
- The side characters were great for Mia and I enjoyed seeing how she interacted with each of them (whether good ro bad)

The loss of a half star:
- I hated the romance. I felt it extremely unneccessary for everything going on in the book. But maybe that's just me.

Overall, if you're looking for debut authors and YA mysteries, you should definitely pick this one up and join Mia to solve the biggest mystery of her life.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this one because (as you can tell by the title) the focus is all about codebreaking. I didn’t think I’d really have much of an interest, but this book was so much fun!

First of all, the authors give you the opportunity to solve each code before continuing to read, which I thought was so fun. Every time I solved one, I felt like the smartest person who ever lived.

Also, the humour was top quality. There are many YA novels that make me cringe a little bit with the dialogue, but the banter between Logan and Mia was excellent. They were both very likeable young people (who ended up saving the world too, so that’s cool).

I also liked the political plot in the story. It’s a great discussion to introduce to younger people to help them be more aware of what’s happening around them.

Overall, this was a winner for me.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for my gifted copy!

Codebreaker by Jay Martel kicks off with serious promise: secret codes, government agents, and a snarky teen heroine who’s suddenly the most wanted person in D.C. There’s action, mystery, and just enough teenage sarcasm to keep things spicy.

But then we hit the “code” part of Codebreaker... and, well, it’s more “Sunday morning word search” than CIA-level encryption. I was hoping for head-scratching riddles, but most of the puzzles were so simple, I solved them faster than Logan could make another pop culture reference. Mia’s code-cracking skills are impressive, sure—but when the codes are this easy, it’s less genius, more “convenient plot device.” I give harder codes to my 5th graders.

The characters are fun (shoutout to Logan, king of one-liners), and the pacing moves at breakneck speed—so you’ll never be bored. But the plot twists are pretty predictable, and the ending wraps up a little too neatly, like a government file labeled “Totally Not Suspicious.”

If you're a younger reader or just in it for a light adventure, Codebreaker will keep you entertained.

Mia Hayes has a part time job in a coffee shop, is choosing which college to attend and is a brilliant codebreaker. Her father has created challenges all her life teaching her about various types of codes and puzzles and how to solve them. But when her parents present her with a latest puzzle box three weeks before her 17th birthday she doesn’t realize her world is about to change. Government agents arrive at her house to arrest her father who has fled. They demand she return to them what her father has taken, but she doesn’t know what it could be. Weeks later she meets Logan at a protest. He is handsome and kind and she gives him her number. He is also a computer hacker. She receives a voice mail from her father. With Logan in tow she sets out to solve the puzzle box and follow the clues. Of course the government agents are following her as traverses Washington DC.

This is like a smart, YA action thriller and includes sights and places anyone who has visited the capital city will recognize. It is like a Davinci Code or National Treasure for teens. It also teaches a lot about various codes and how they were used in history. I had fun pausing my reading and deciphering the clues, (once the author gave me the key). The story is fast paced and action packed. There is death, which is mentioned in the blurb so readers should be aware. Intended for middle schoolers and up.

3.5
Codebreaker was a captivating YA novel about a girl Mia who is trying to crack codes to find out why her father is on the run. This was really fun. I really enjoyed following Mia and Logan and learning the different codes and attempting to solve them along side them. I was shocked at how many different codes were brought up.

Mia is so intelligent with how many different codes she has memorized and her ability to solve them efficiently. I liked that the reader had the ability to follow along and break the codes too. I will say the amount of different clues her father left for her as well as the history behind them did slow this book down for me. It just felt like repetition of the same few things until the twists at the end.

The ending was really amazing. It was one of the best parts of the book for me. There was so many twists and turns and it once again showcased how smart Mia was. I really liked Logan too. He brought a sense of humor to the story that I really enjoyed and I really like how taken he was with Mia.

Overall, this was a thrilling story. I liked the two main characters a lot. I enjoyed the code breaking. I did feel like the plot was a little repetitive which did slow down the middle of this book for me, but this was fun!

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday books for an earc. All opinions are my own.

Mia Hayes has summer plans, work on her college applications and a part time job. Her plans do not include the government killing her mother and her father disappearing. On Mia’s 17th birthday she meets Logan at a protest in D.C. When Mia receives a voicemail from her father that sends her and Logan on a scavenger hunt, full of codes. Will Mia learn her family’s secrets?

This book is interactive. The reader is given the codes Mia gets and can solve them. Perfect for those who love “National Treasure”, and “The Da Vinci Code”.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance review copy. #codebreaker #NetGalley

Wow! This fast-paced, emotional thriller (perfect for fans of Dan Brown), is an intense ride! Mia is an incredibly strong and brilliant female protagonist for a high schooler whose journalist mother is murdered and professor father is on the run after a terrifying break-in at their home outside of Washington, DC. This is a book teens will LOVE. The writing is well-balanced. Excellent descriptions of historical and cultural sites in DC that are not overly detailed, but perfect in giving a sense of place and importance establish a strong setting. Supporting characters who help MIa in her quest to solve what will be her last birthday quest created by her dad, a scavenger hunt built around complex codes, are interesting and not overpowering. Emotional drivers, between MIa and her memories of her parents as well as between her and her new found friend, Logan, explore an appropriate and relevant range of feelings - fear, hope, joy, sadness, excitement, despair. I liked the option to solve the codes once enough information is given before going on with the story. Honestly though? I stopped doing that about a third of the way into the story because I was so invested I needed to keep moving forward with Mia and Logan! If you love mysteries and thrillers, no matter your age, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this outstanding YA thriller.

Despite an unappealing cover, Codebreaker by Jay Martel is a thrilling surprise. The story, centered on cryptography, is packed with clever plot twists and engaging puzzles that let readers solve alongside the characters, making it a fun interactive read.

I enjoyed the main characters’ snarky banter. And it is their interactions that brought forth humor and charm. While the finale could’ve been more epic, the novel remains a page-turner until the end. Highly recommend for fans of witty, puzzle-driven thrillers! Five stars.

I received a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my thoughts and opinions.

SO many ARCs and just not enough time. Here's Jay Martel "Codebreaker."

["Mia Hayes has peaceful plans for the summer—find a part-time job at a coffee shop and work on her application for Harvard. Those plans are shattered one night when government agents arrive unannounced at her home seeking something they believe her father has taken. When the dust settles, her mother is dead and her father is gone, a fugitive on the run.

Three weeks later, and still reeling from her father’s betrayal, Mia spends her seventeenth birthday at a protest in the heart of D.C., where she meets Logan, a rebellious and charming hacker. Just as she’s enjoying her first happy moment since the night her world exploded, a voicemail from her father arrives to upend everything she believed about her family, her past, and what really happened that night three weeks ago. Even more, the voicemail hides another encoded message inside which, once Mia solves it, sets her and Logan off on a mission from her sleepy suburb straight into the heart of the federal government.

With the same agents now hot on their trail, Mia and Logan must navigate their way through American history’s most iconic sites and uncover its most well-hidden secrets to reveal the truth about her family and stop a deadly attack."]

Da Vinci Code meets National Treasure meets Indiana Jones meets Only Murders in the Building meets Murdle. So a lot of puzzles and history and government agents and secrets and murder. And puzzles.

Soooooo many puzzles This book gave you moments where you could pause your book, take out a notebook, and solve the ciphers right alongside Mia. It was interesting as hell. I went from solving cyphers to taking notes about the multiple Lincoln assassination conspiracies.

Also, throughout this book, Mia's parents talk about the different countries they got to and how the people there have power, how the people there want change, about how the people there are going to make it happen. It's all very thrilling, all very rooted in history, and all very hopeful (in a world of government idiots, unfairness on soooo many levels, and utter hopelessness).

Trigger Warnings: gun violence, death, parental death, grief, and more.

#netgalley #arc #arcteammember
#codebreaker #jaymartel #thriller #yathriller #murdermystery #yamurdermystery #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

CONFIDENTIAL INTEL REPORT:
Case File: Codebreak - Jay Martel
Clearance Level: Eyes Only
Agent Notes: Code Name "ObsessedReader"
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Subject: A thrilling YA dossier posing as a novel—equal parts National Treasure, Da Vinci Code, and a season of 24 with hints of choose your own adventure.

Initial Assessment:
This is not just a book. It's a mission. From the moment page one hits, you're locked in a political cat-and-mouse chase through cryptic clues, high level cover ups, and coded messages designed to keep even the most seasoned agent (or reader) on high alert.

Comparative Analysis:
The DNA of this operation runs deep:

National Treasure is clearly a foundational influence minus the questionable sequel we’ve agreed to memory hole.

Shades of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code are undeniable, but with a crucial twist: this case is rooted not in ancient churches, but in modern politics, targeting a younger, sharper audience ready to crack codes and question authority.

Pacing? Imagine Jack Bauer sprinting through every hour of 24, but replace terrorists with secret societies and adolescent angst. It's that fast.

Unique Features:

Trigger Warnings: Briefing materials were responsibly delivered up front. A professional touch.

Comedy + Wigs: Yes, you read that right. The comic relief is real, and wigs are part of the operational toolkit. ( so are books and a quirky book hating sidekick iykyk)

Romantic Subplot: Subtle, but definitely in play. Adds emotional stakes without compromising the mission.

Interactivity: This isn’t just a passive read it’s borderline Choose Your Own Adventure. Readers are invited to decode messages, track patterns, and unravel the conspiracy themselves.

Strategic Potential:
High. Viral-worthy on socials. Cinematic adaptation would be a goldmine. With the right cast, this could be the YA thriller event of the year.

Final Verdict:
A solid 4-star operation. Mission accomplished—with flair.

The way I ATE this book up in mere days should say enough but I really loved this book!! It’s worth mentioning I tend to read on the slower side and mostly read fantasy which was why I decided to pick this one up— as a nice buffer between all of the fantasy stories I’ve been read and phew, did it not disappoint in the least!

For fans of National Treasure meets YA characters full of coding, action, twists and a dash of romance. If any of these elements speak to your soul, I really feel like you’d love this one! The premise of the book is what pulled me in but what really sold me on picking this one up was the fact that the author’s give you a chance to solve the code first before adventuring on to the rest of the story. It was such a fun and simple way to really include you into the story and made you feel like you were right there exploring and decoding with the MC’s!

Overall, an epic debut (surprisingly) by author duo (how cool) that wrote a story truly escaped into with heart stopping moments, laughs and tender scenes!

While planning a relaxing summer, Mia is shocked when government agents ransack her home leaving her mother dead and her father missing.
It doesn’t take long for this thriller to take off at breakneck speed. Mia is thrown into a world of codes, conspiracies and secrets. Her father always did scavenger hunts with advanced codes so when she finds a clue from him, she finds herself on the run. At a protest, she meets Logan who stays loyally by her side and together they elude those chasing them while following what becomes a life threatening few days.
This was a wildly unrealistic but fun thriller. While I would have preferred more character development before the warp speed reveals, I was happily entertained.
I loved the youth standing up for political dreams and beliefs and also the loyalty that was shown between characters. I also loved the historical facts and stories weaved into the hunt. Washington DC was the perfect backdrop for this story and reminded me a lot of the movie National Treasure!

This one publishes Tuesday, 7/22/25, make sure to grab it! Thank you to Wednesday books and BetGalley for the copy!

Jay Martel's "Codebreaker" is a story that seamlessly weaves together multiple timelines and narrators, crafting a rich, immersive experience that resonates long after the final page. This captivating story of self-discovery follows two teenage protagonists whose journeys are not just parallel lines but intricate patterns of growth, adventure, and revelation.

What truly sets "Codebreaker" apart is its interactive element—Martel ingeniously integrates puzzles that engage readers, making them active participants in unraveling the narrative. Each puzzle is thoughtfully crafted, enhancing the plot and deepening the connection to the characters' experiences.

The dual timelines provide a dynamic context, illuminating how past events influence present choices. The multiple narrators add layers of perspective, allowing readers to intimately understand the protagonists' struggles and triumphs.

"Codebreaker" isn't just a novel; it's an immersive adventure that challenges the mind and touches the heart. Jay Martel has created a masterpiece that appeals to both young adults and anyone who cherishes compelling storytelling intertwined with thought-provoking puzzles. Highly recommend!

This book was like watching one of those action shows! I felt like I was roaming the streets of the Washington DC area with Mia. The clues, the facts, and the information shared throughout the story were detailed and added much to the story and the mystery. Just like I can't stop watching these shows once I start, I couldn't put this book down until it was done. I was rooting for Mia the whole time. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

"History is being made right now. Don't you want to be a part of it?"

Mia is ready to settle down for the summer. With plans to apply to Harvard and save up money working at a coffee shop, her world is overturned when FBI agents show up at her home claiming her father has taken something of importance. What follows is a summer on the run with Mia solving riddles and finding clues along the way.

CODEBREAKER by Jay Martel is the authors' debut novel, which is shocking! I'm always impressed when a book full of puzzles and clues is done really well, but it feels even more exceptional as a debut.

This book is set up in a way where the authors give the reader a chance to solve the puzzle on their own or continue on with the story and watch as the characters uncover the mystery, which I found to be very fun.

This story has so much heart in it and broke me multiple times - if you're looking for a younger book that's clever and packed with emotion, this is definitely one to pick up!

I devoured this one so quickly and will be on the lookout for future work from Jay Martel!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for the early copy for review - out July 22!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Codebreaker by Jay Martel is a third person-POV YA political thriller with puzzles for the reader to solve. On Mia’s seventeenth birthday, she thinks she has it all: two loving parents who support her intellectual pursuits and a bright future in front of her. But when her mother is murdered and all signs point to her father being the one who did it, Mia has to solve the codes he left behind to learn the truth.

All of the information needed to solve the puzzles is given within a chapter before the puzzle is revealed. For readers who are not into solving puzzles, the answers are given but for readers who do want to solve them, there is a little star mark to let the reader know to stop before the answer is given. I thought this was a very clever way that wouldn’t break immersion for readers just reading through the book while also respecting that some puzzle lovers will really want to solve it themselves. This makes the book a great gift for fans of puzzle video games who are struggling to get back into reading.

Mia starts a relationship with Logan, a recent high school graduate who aspires to be a white hat hacker and is willing to help Mia solve her father’s codes. They’d never met before the book starts, but they have a fairly easy relationship that is full of banter and vulnerability very quickly. Because this is a political thriller, the romance does move at a very fast pace and it does involve the two falling in love in a very short span of time. It also involves Mia forgiving Logan pretty fast for something that some readers might struggle to forgive Logan for themselves.

Most of the chapters are short and from Mia’s POV. We get three chapters from other POV’s (Mia’s mother, her father, and Logan) that reveal a lot of backstory and information and are much longer. Because of this, the plot moves fairly swiftly until we get to those backstory chapters and they help flush out what is happening in the wider world and the political landscape, which has some parallels to the world we have now.

I would recommend this to fans of YA thrillers looking for something more political and readers of YA who like puzzles

This was an awesome book! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and even more enjoyed the break neck plot. It was vivid and well written. I love Mia and Logan, they made the best team! Can’t wait to read more from this writing duo!

The premise of this book is amazing, but I can't figure out the intended audience. The writing comes across as middle grade with the plot and characters lacking depth, but the language and themes are older teen. The plot and the background are present in a very "tell not show" way that makes it skew younger. The code-breaking added a unique layer to the story, and I'm sure some readers will enjoy this book, but it didn't work for me.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I found Codebreaker by Jay Martel to be an intriguing tale. Mia Hayes looks forward to her birthday scavenger hunt each year. Unfortunately, this year’s hunt has nefarious people hot on Mia’s trail and she does not know who she can trust. I liked Mia who is smart and has a knack for solving codes. I liked the different codes featured in the story and that a brief history of each one was provided (it was done in a way that made me want to learn more). I enjoyed the interactive element where I can attempt to solve the code before the solution is revealed (some were trickier than others). The mystery had twists and turns. Some bends can be anticipated (the author left a few too many breadcrumbs) while others were a surprise. Logan and Mia made a good team. There were times, though, when their dialogue made me cringe. The story does contain minor foul language (I wish there were none since it is listed as a young adult novel). Codebreaker is a young adult novel, but I enjoyed it (action, mystery, codes—I’m in). I was surprised to learn that Codebreaker is the author’s debut novel (bravo). I was sorry when Codebreaker ended. Codebreaker is a compelling tale with scary scavenger hunt, aggressive agents, curious codes, a helpful friend, memorable monuments, and a noteworthy conclusion.

3.75⭐️

This scavenger hunt mystery was captivating. It reminded me of the Inheritance Games with all the clues and codes. But also has very strong political themes. The more I read the more it felt like a young adult Da Vinci Code actually.

This was very fun, the codes kept it interesting and it had some twists that I did not expect.

Pub Date: July 22

Thank you wednesdaybooks for the earc 🤍🤍