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fai_aka's review
4.0
It's the first-half of Hostage, I'm not sure why it was re-published with different titles? The only difference that I realized is the term Buddyguard had been replaced with Guardian. Which sounds better if you asked me :p
And maybe some descriptions about certain characters-Amir(he was mentioned as Indian previously),Ling(from Chinese changed to Asian) had been modified
And maybe some descriptions about certain characters-Amir(he was mentioned as Indian previously),Ling(from Chinese changed to Asian) had been modified
carnisht's review
5.0
For this book, I don’t have a ton of specifics to really discuss. Overall, this was just a fun and exciting book that had me hooked from beginning to end. Even though there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of action, there was still enough to keep me excited and, at times, on the edge of my seat. That’s a sure sign of a great adventure novel. I was quite captivated by Connor’s life after being recruited for Guardian.
To read more of my thoughts on this, check out
https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/2022/07/23/recruit-by-chris-bradford/
To read more of my thoughts on this, check out
https://yalitreader.wordpress.com/2022/07/23/recruit-by-chris-bradford/
einbuchistzumlesenda's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
heisereads's review
3.0
For those who like an action-packed, plot-driven spy/heist/thriller type of book, this will be fun. The bodyguard training details are intriguing and the DC setting is interesting. I felt a little unsure about the ethnicity portrayal of the terrorists, feels a little stereotyped, but not knowing what happens next, I can't be sure if it's ultimately handled well or not.
Though I like the "binge reading" concept of putting out the first four books at once, it was clear at the end that this 1st book was a longer story chopped into two as the ending is very abrupt in the middle of the action which was clearly a previous chapter break.
Though I like the "binge reading" concept of putting out the first four books at once, it was clear at the end that this 1st book was a longer story chopped into two as the ending is very abrupt in the middle of the action which was clearly a previous chapter break.
limabean74's review
4.0
jbrooxd's review
4.0
Great suspense complete with major cliffhanger ending. I can see why they released the first four books all at once. I will need book 2 asap.
me20_03la's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
labraden's review
4.0
At the beginning of the book, Bodyguard - Recruit, a bodyguard is killed protecting a US Ambassador. Later we learn that the bodyguard was the father of Connor Reeves who is a teenage kickboxing champion recruited to become part of a covert team assigned to protect famous young people. Conner is immediately chosen for a mission over other more experienced operatives because the former Ambassador is now the President of the United States, and his teenage daughter, Alicia has a habit of trying to ditch her Secret Service protection team. Conner is introduced to Alicia as the son of a diplomat that will be staying in the White House. It isn't long before Conner's skills are put to the test.
This book is the beginning of an initial four book series that has expanded to eight books. This story is a quick, enjoyable read. The situation somewhat stretches believability, and there isn't much character development, but overall, it is a good, action packed story.
This book is the beginning of an initial four book series that has expanded to eight books. This story is a quick, enjoyable read. The situation somewhat stretches believability, and there isn't much character development, but overall, it is a good, action packed story.
barberchicago_books's review
1.0
I was really looking forward to this book, as I (and a lot of my students) thoroughly enjoy the CHERUB series by Robert Muchamore, Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series, and the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. I was hoping for another "kid spy" series to add to our class library. However, for a couple of reasons, I can't in good conscience add this one to our shelves.
Quick summary: Connor Reeves is a British junior kickboxing champ who, due in large part to his father's heroic sacrifice in Iraq, is chosen by a super secret young bodyguard organization called Guardian to train as a bodyguard. The man whose life Connor's dad heroically saved is now president of the United States, and he wants Connor to protect his daughter, Alicia. The parallel plot is from the POV of a terrorist group plotting to kidnap her. This book, Recruit, is the first of four books that ends with Alicia being put in grave danger.
Two things bothered me GREATLY while reading this. First and foremost, the portrayal of Alicia. Called "headstrong" be her president dad, she's actually written from a sexist perspective, teasing a boy about going to the dance with her ("he asked me in a lunch line, for goodness sake"), being careless with her wealth and status, and ditching Secret Service agents so she can feel "free." In fact, the danger Alicia and Connor are in at the end is due entirely to her impulsivity in ditching her protection. I realize this was the reason for Connor's protection being needed, but it was so unoriginal and insulting to read. The author seemed to have taken the easy route - make the female flighty and irresponsible so the male lead can save the day. I wouldn't want my students, let alone my daughter, reading this female character.
The second problem I had with the book was another stereotypical and unoriginal character: the terrorist group. Of course they had to be from the Middle East. It's the easy way out. And, of course one of the terrorists who is after Alicia is the brother of Alicia's BFF, a girl who is initially introduced to us as "a girl with olive skin and almond eyes, who wore a light purple hijab." Did the author consider any other group to play the antagonist?
If we, as parents and teachers, are helping our kids choose books that act as both windows to the world and mirrors into ourselves, books like this are counter to that ideology. In this day and age we need to be lifting up books that teach our young people empathy and compassion. This book advances dangerous stereotypes that might lead to the further objectification women as helpless fools, and continues to put forth the harmful and false idea that all Muslims are terrorists. For these reasons, I won't be adding this one to our class library.
Quick summary: Connor Reeves is a British junior kickboxing champ who, due in large part to his father's heroic sacrifice in Iraq, is chosen by a super secret young bodyguard organization called Guardian to train as a bodyguard. The man whose life Connor's dad heroically saved is now president of the United States, and he wants Connor to protect his daughter, Alicia. The parallel plot is from the POV of a terrorist group plotting to kidnap her. This book, Recruit, is the first of four books that ends with Alicia being put in grave danger.
Two things bothered me GREATLY while reading this. First and foremost, the portrayal of Alicia. Called "headstrong" be her president dad, she's actually written from a sexist perspective, teasing a boy about going to the dance with her ("he asked me in a lunch line, for goodness sake"), being careless with her wealth and status, and ditching Secret Service agents so she can feel "free." In fact, the danger Alicia and Connor are in at the end is due entirely to her impulsivity in ditching her protection. I realize this was the reason for Connor's protection being needed, but it was so unoriginal and insulting to read. The author seemed to have taken the easy route - make the female flighty and irresponsible so the male lead can save the day. I wouldn't want my students, let alone my daughter, reading this female character.
The second problem I had with the book was another stereotypical and unoriginal character: the terrorist group. Of course they had to be from the Middle East. It's the easy way out. And, of course one of the terrorists who is after Alicia is the brother of Alicia's BFF, a girl who is initially introduced to us as "a girl with olive skin and almond eyes, who wore a light purple hijab." Did the author consider any other group to play the antagonist?
If we, as parents and teachers, are helping our kids choose books that act as both windows to the world and mirrors into ourselves, books like this are counter to that ideology. In this day and age we need to be lifting up books that teach our young people empathy and compassion. This book advances dangerous stereotypes that might lead to the further objectification women as helpless fools, and continues to put forth the harmful and false idea that all Muslims are terrorists. For these reasons, I won't be adding this one to our class library.
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