403 reviews for:

Skeleton Key

Anthony Horowitz

3.8 AVERAGE

mudder17's review against another edition

4.0

---

I'm really enjoying these books! It may be a bit too violent for young kids, but I think it would be great for middle school kids, especially if they like spy thrillers. Obviously, some of the things that a 14-year-old would be capable of doing is a bit of a stretch but isn't that what makes these books fun? It doesn't put the higher-ups in the CIA or MI-6 in a very good light, but it's all part of the fun.

pinktotodile's review against another edition

5.0

---

Of the six books I have read in this series, this one has always been on of my favorites. It had a nice change of pace from the first two and had several great moments/storylines that all tied together in the end. It also has more lighthearted final pages than the first two book.

Sarov is also low key woke about Western societies ignoring their former crimes!!!

snailsarereading's review against another edition

3.0

---

Less cohesive than the other stories but still a good adventure story for boys.

africker's review against another edition

3.0

---

Swiped off pile brought home from library by son. Perfectly good fun.

mcshnick's review

3.5

adventurous dark funny 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence

Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Murder

Minor: Drug use

torsuk's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

justinenoon82's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

---

This is book 3 in the Alex Rider series but can be read as a standalone. While it's aimed at young readers, it's sophisticated enough to entertain adults too.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence

Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail

The book contains scenes of peril including near-drowning, gun fights, and dangerous escapes. While there are deaths in the story, they're not graphically depicted. The main antagonist, General Sarov, attempts to trigger a nuclear explosion but is stopped. The book ends with the antagonist's suicide, though it's handled sensitively for the target age group.

ashleym7's review

4.0

---

I forgot this was the one where we really started villianizing Communists. There's a lot of wild plotlines in these books, but "Would be dictator wants to adopt main character spy" is just amazingly unhinged.

meganemily93's review

3.5

adventurous

daizy_04's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes