Reviews

Russian Roulette: The Story of an Assassin by Anthony Horowitz

starkiller483's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

 In my opinion, Russian Roulette is the best Alex Rider book in the series, even though it is based around the assassin Yassen Gregorovich. 

chobrowny's review against another edition

4.0

Upon re-reading I really noticed all the clever parallels between Alex and Yassen, which really makes me appreciate this book even more.

insert_username's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

zluke's review

5.0

Very interesting to hear Yassan's story, which has become a story in its own right. It helps to show some of the shades of grey that exist in this world

me20_03la's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

tridea2514's review against another edition

5.0

The best Alex Rider book isn't about Alex Rider?

Yes. Just Yes.

This prequel concerns Alex Rider's enemy, Yassen Gregorvich, and his rise to become the deadly assassin he was in the main series. Yassen's story is deeply personal, and it's much more interesting to read about Yassen's exploits because he DOESN'T have MI6 behind him.

This book is a great showcase of how Yassen became who he was when he met Alex. Unlike other stories, it does not redeem him, but rather just gives more context on why he became an evil man doing evil things.

I'm gonna read this again.

ambiiumm23's review against another edition

adventurous sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ajboyd_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? No

5.0

I just love Yasha (Yassen) so f-ing much.

jojoreads89's review

5.0

As usual Mr. Horowitz does an amazing job! I thought I'd hate it cuz I so loved Alex and his adventures; and hearing from the assassin would be so boring. Oh how I was wrong. Fully entertaining from the being. Action packed. No love interest is always a plus for me, uniquely fantastic back story, the characters were ALL amazing, the suspense in finding out what made yassen finally snap and becoming an assassin kept me on the edge of seat.
POSSIBLE SPOILER:::
The icing on this beautiful cake was when we come full circle to meeting alex on the rooftop. <3 <3

bookwormbry's review

4.0

I've been picking at this slowly, a few pages at a time, over the last week or so and bingeread the rest today while I had a moment. Anyways, I felt like this book, though very well written and action packed--as Horowitz's works always are--was not as strong as the rest of the Alex Rider series. Perhaps my memory faults me or the passage of time has changed things in my mind but I was of that opinion. Still, it was nice to take one more journey into the world of the Alex Rider series, and this time learn about the enigmatic Yassen Gregorovich. I had forgotten a lot of story details regarding his connection to the Rider family, more specifically Alex's father John. In the context of this book, it makes sense as to why Yassen always spared Alex.