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sarahnoyce's review
5.0
This book was great because it brought everything together. After finishing the series I found myself wanting more of this world and though this is a completely different story than Alex's there are some interesting parallels, I thought it was very well done.
a_chickletz's review
4.0
I think I enjoyed this book more than any book in the entire series. The character description, background history, and development were loads better than that of Alex Rider's.
Spoiler
I sadly hoped that when I finished the book that Yassen was going to be be alive and in hiding or living the life of freedom, I don't know. But he's still dead and it hurts because he was an amazing character.go_jan's review
3.0
OK, so it wasn't actually another Alex Rider story, which was a little disappointing, but at the same time, a different perspective was given. As Yassen is a very interesting character, I was glad to read his story.
queenclaire13's review
5.0
Yassen Gregorovich did not want to be a killer.
Circumstances brought 14-year-old Yasha to Moscow after his parents untimely death. He was supposed to meet a friend of her parents who would help him and took him in but it turned out in betrayal. He was forced to became thief to survive. And later on, an assassin. A contract killer. The most ruthless and merciless of them all.
The story started by narrating Gregorivich’s young life. It was a slow burn but once you get on with it, it’s really hard to put down. I love the part when he met John Rider. Rider was so cool, very professional. I was emotional on the part where Yassen Gregorovich came back to Sharkovsky’s mansion and put 5 bullets in a gun and played Russian Roulette with his own life.
He was decided that whatever happens, he will not regret his decision. It was such a power move! 5/5 for this book. Anthony Horowitz never fails to give life to his characters.
Circumstances brought 14-year-old Yasha to Moscow after his parents untimely death. He was supposed to meet a friend of her parents who would help him and took him in but it turned out in betrayal. He was forced to became thief to survive. And later on, an assassin. A contract killer. The most ruthless and merciless of them all.
The story started by narrating Gregorivich’s young life. It was a slow burn but once you get on with it, it’s really hard to put down. I love the part when he met John Rider. Rider was so cool, very professional. I was emotional on the part where Yassen Gregorovich came back to Sharkovsky’s mansion and put 5 bullets in a gun and played Russian Roulette with his own life.
He was decided that whatever happens, he will not regret his decision. It was such a power move! 5/5 for this book. Anthony Horowitz never fails to give life to his characters.
samstar1905's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bhutchcraft89's review
5.0
Very quick and easy read. Essentially a prequel to the Alex Rider series. Does make you feel for the Yassen character. Chapters are just the right length. I enjoyed how Horowitz told this story.
donna29's review against another edition
2.0
This one let me down, I think it's because I was comparing it to the Alex Rider books, but it should be classed on its own because it is so different. I was waiting for something exciting and action-y to happen, the most I could say was the Russian Roulette between Yassen and Sharvovsky. The explosion at his house and in the jungle with Alex's father, specking about that I don't know if I wasn't concentrating when I read that part, but I wanted more clarification on the relationship between Yassen and Alex's father, because to be frank it's the only reason I read the book. and I wanted to know EXACTLY why Yassen let Alex live, maybe I missed it because it was open-ended. DONT read it if you are expecting another Alex Rider great.
beth_warriner_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
doniniesta's review
4.0
"Looking back now, I would say that this was one of the first valuable lessons I learnt, and one that would be useful in my future line of work. Sometimes things go wrong. It is inevitable. But it is a mistake to waste time and energy worrying about events that you cannot influence. Once they have happened, let them go"
On this reread, I was even more in love with how Anthony brought out Yassen's arc. Absolutely loved the climax of his journey on the the way to be that cold blooded killer.
I would have appreciated if there was a callback to Leo or Dima as well or Yassen's side of what happened in Malta. A chapter on that would have made this a 5 star.
But, still, a good prequel story which very well deserved to be told, and was not just there to extend the ARU (Alex Rider Universe)
On this reread, I was even more in love with how Anthony brought out Yassen's arc. Absolutely loved the climax of his journey on the the way to be that cold blooded killer.
I would have appreciated if there was a callback to Leo or Dima as well or Yassen's side of what happened in Malta. A chapter on that would have made this a 5 star.
But, still, a good prequel story which very well deserved to be told, and was not just there to extend the ARU (Alex Rider Universe)