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alexis33's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
2.5
blue_arcane's review against another edition
2.0
• 2 stars
It could have been worst, but it could have been sooo much better.
I used to read the CHERUBs ten years ago, and what I remembered from it was the thrill of spy kids and the dangerous missions they were sent to. So I thought "why not reading it again?". The idea is fantastic: kids being trained as intelligence agents, yes please ; depictions of hard training and even harder missions, I'm a sucker for it. I was so ready to be kept of the edge of my seat the whole time, fearing for the characters and impatient to solve investigations alongside them.
It's what I hoped for.
Not what I got.
The author provided dull and unlikable characters, especially the main one, James, and anti-climactic action throughout the book.
It starts with James, at school, getting into a fight with a girl who insulted his mom and whose "your mom's so fat" jokes didn't age well. Within the first chapter, I knew I disliked his character. He alternates between 12 years old behaviour and adult wisdom, which could have been some sort of character growth, but it is painfully visible that it is to make up for his detestable personality.
The other kids share the same dual behaviour, mostly not acting their age and having only three moods: happy, flirty and foul.
This lack of emotion took the edge and thrill out of many interesting situations. The 100 days basic training is the synonym of hell of earth, yet James cannot feel anything other than a bit of anger. Where's the fear? The pain? The tiredness and the doubts? It lacks humanity and heart, even if these things are to be crushed by the end of these terrible 100 days. No changes other than the physical ones are depicted.
Same goes for the mission. James should be a professional trained CHERUB agent. Yet, he is unprofessional and reluctant to complete his mission in favor of hanging out with a girl he met a week ago and would leave a week after. It simply highlights how James remains the same kid with a big ego, short temper and capricious personality. The hazardous nature of the mission is hardly felt and all interesting spying episodes are only alluded to. I wish there were moments of James feeling his heart trying to get out of his ribcage from stress, hearing the blood banging in his temples with cold sweat rolling down his back. But no, action-packed scenes just pass by, too easily, leading to a dull resolve of the investigation.
I've found myself rolling my eyes more times than i could count.
There is, however, one thing that made it a 2 stars insead of a 1, besides the general concept: it is not that manichean. Against all expectations, James does have questions about good and bad, where he is on that spectrum and the consequences of his mission. That was good, to see that everything is not all black and white in his eyes, and that coming to such a conclusion is a process. Dare I say, a real character growth.
Other than that, this reread was quite the disappointment. If I ever feel optimistic, I might reread the second one to see if it gets any better... or worse.
TW: fatphobia, sexism, dull writing.
It could have been worst, but it could have been sooo much better.
I used to read the CHERUBs ten years ago, and what I remembered from it was the thrill of spy kids and the dangerous missions they were sent to. So I thought "why not reading it again?". The idea is fantastic: kids being trained as intelligence agents, yes please ; depictions of hard training and even harder missions, I'm a sucker for it. I was so ready to be kept of the edge of my seat the whole time, fearing for the characters and impatient to solve investigations alongside them.
It's what I hoped for.
Not what I got.
The author provided dull and unlikable characters, especially the main one, James, and anti-climactic action throughout the book.
It starts with James, at school, getting into a fight with a girl who insulted his mom and whose "your mom's so fat" jokes didn't age well. Within the first chapter, I knew I disliked his character. He alternates between 12 years old behaviour and adult wisdom, which could have been some sort of character growth, but it is painfully visible that it is to make up for his detestable personality.
The other kids share the same dual behaviour, mostly not acting their age and having only three moods: happy, flirty and foul.
This lack of emotion took the edge and thrill out of many interesting situations. The 100 days basic training is the synonym of hell of earth, yet James cannot feel anything other than a bit of anger. Where's the fear? The pain? The tiredness and the doubts? It lacks humanity and heart, even if these things are to be crushed by the end of these terrible 100 days. No changes other than the physical ones are depicted.
Same goes for the mission. James should be a professional trained CHERUB agent. Yet, he is unprofessional and reluctant to complete his mission in favor of hanging out with a girl he met a week ago and would leave a week after. It simply highlights how James remains the same kid with a big ego, short temper and capricious personality. The hazardous nature of the mission is hardly felt and all interesting spying episodes are only alluded to. I wish there were moments of James feeling his heart trying to get out of his ribcage from stress, hearing the blood banging in his temples with cold sweat rolling down his back. But no, action-packed scenes just pass by, too easily, leading to a dull resolve of the investigation.
I've found myself rolling my eyes more times than i could count.
There is, however, one thing that made it a 2 stars insead of a 1, besides the general concept: it is not that manichean. Against all expectations, James does have questions about good and bad, where he is on that spectrum and the consequences of his mission. That was good, to see that everything is not all black and white in his eyes, and that coming to such a conclusion is a process. Dare I say, a real character growth.
Other than that, this reread was quite the disappointment. If I ever feel optimistic, I might reread the second one to see if it gets any better... or worse.
TW: fatphobia, sexism, dull writing.
piquishe's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jovanas_cloud's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, just because the idea was still fresh and raw. The things that I hated that a twelve year old boy has more interesting life, better education and better love life and I'm 16.
yasminergx's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
3.75
bsolarz's review against another edition
4.0
A good book about children spies... definitely made me want to become a child spy! Original, intriguing and definitely fun to read.
georgiataylor's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
I'm in my 12yr old boy reading era
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
quick read, full of action. no wonder everyone likes the series!
jamiejmcnicol's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5