Reviews - Skeleton Key | The StoryGraph

404 reviews for:

Skeleton Key

Anthony Horowitz

3.8 AVERAGE

arya06's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous mysterious 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

I'm impressed. When I picked this book I didn't have high expectations for it. However, it turned out to be quite enjoyable. This is the first Alex Rider book I've read and I'm genuinely considering reading the rest of them. While the plot was pretty cliché, the interesting characters brought life to the story. The book feels like watching an action movie. Each chapter is a scene and Horowitz's descriptive language makes it so easy to visualize the characters and storyline. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun adventure.

Content Warnings

jumpydragon's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous 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

Content Warnings

katiebonnyman's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous 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

ozshark's review against another edition

3.0

Haven't read the original novel (although I read the first two in the series), but from flicking through this graphic novel adaptation seems to capture the essence of the story. Exciting James Bond Jr story for middle schoolers. As with all books and movies of this nature, there are lots of convenient plot points, but still enjoyable if you ignore that.

I deducted a star as the interplay between Alex, General Sarov and Conrad reminded me too much of Herod Sayle and Mr Grin.

Love the new cover!

jenny_librarian's review

4.0

4⭐️

As good as ever. The villain is especially well defined in this book, compared to Stormbreaker and Point Blank. There is more to Sarov than crazy ideas and he did feel some kind of fatherly interest for Alex. And what happened to him is a new twist that might haunt Alex for a while, because he couldn’t simply see him as a deranged man who wanted to blow up part of the world.

Once again a fast-paced novel with all the good spy tricks. I am starting to believe Alex doesn’t learn from his experiences, though. That trick with the car trunk? It was a really stupid move. After the underwater cave, did he really think getting out could possibly be that easy? I mean, come on! I know he’s only 14, but his experience should have changed how he thinks. I hope future books will be more interesting in that aspect. He is the nephew of a spy who trained him all his life for the job, after all...

cloe_chc's review

4.0

Another of my favourites in this series. I really liked the gadgets in this one, especially the bubblegum. I didn't expect Alex to help the CIA out in this book but honestly, it did add some interesting things to the plot. Alex isn't your typical spy, the ones that are proud of their job and would gladly sacrifice themselves for their country. He is sort of being forced to be a spy, since adults usually don't expect a teenager spying on them. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading all of the series!