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santosh's review against another edition
5.0
This book really impressed me.
The series never losses a step; glad that the series came out of retirement.
I feel that there was some elements of Anthony's writing that evolved in this book, but I can't put my finger on what exactly. Perhaps the way he fleshes out his characters? Though it was always pretty good.
I saw that he starting to write the next book this year. Can't wait to read it.
The series never losses a step; glad that the series came out of retirement.
I feel that there was some elements of Anthony's writing that evolved in this book, but I can't put my finger on what exactly. Perhaps the way he fleshes out his characters? Though it was always pretty good.
I saw that he starting to write the next book this year. Can't wait to read it.
haertwiglk's review against another edition
5.0
Do I think Alex deserves to retire? Completely. This poor kid is so tired. Will I keep reading anything he does anyway? Obviously.
beth_warriner_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cindeereads's review
5.0
This series never disappoints with the next book always being better than the last one. As always I really loved Alex there is never a time where he is unlikable at all he is like a normal teenage boy with many other things he is very resourceful so able to handle a crisis and get out of most situations. I also loved both Jack Starbright and Tom they had better roles to play this time I liked how they fit well in what happens in the book. I really liked the plot it started with a setup for the plot with a character dying and moving to Alex thinking its all over and continuing with him on another case to save a bunch of people. I really liked how it ended and how it was set up for more of the Nightshade organization with a giant target on Alex's back I am looking forward to where the story goes next.
doniniesta's review against another edition
4.0
"FOR EVER AND ALL ETERNITY"
It seems as though Mr Horowitz has made this his motto and would keep Alex Rider going for ever and all eternity.
I loved the basic idea behind Nightshade and how they made even Scorpia look like a "vicar's tea party." I loved all the buildup to the finale and how experience has made Alex a full on spy. Him gaming the agents was just a cherry on the top.
However, I didn't like how it ended. The ending seemed abrupt and even explaining the newspaper photo was just ignored in the end.
But the fact that this still might not be the last of Alex Rider as a teen spy was more disappointing. I hope he uses the next one as the last book in the series and then just end it as he lives a life as an adult spy off screen. After all, all good things must come to an end.
For ever and eternity
Arnav Sethi
Alex Rider Superfan
It seems as though Mr Horowitz has made this his motto and would keep Alex Rider going for ever and all eternity.
I loved the basic idea behind Nightshade and how they made even Scorpia look like a "vicar's tea party." I loved all the buildup to the finale and how experience has made Alex a full on spy. Him gaming the agents was just a cherry on the top.
However, I didn't like how it ended. The ending seemed abrupt and even explaining the newspaper photo was just ignored in the end.
But the fact that this still might not be the last of Alex Rider as a teen spy was more disappointing. I hope he uses the next one as the last book in the series and then just end it as he lives a life as an adult spy off screen. After all, all good things must come to an end.
For ever and eternity
Arnav Sethi
Alex Rider Superfan
rachaelbee0402's review
3.0
150 pages in:
I'm already enjoying this one more than Never Say Die. I'm enjoying Alex undercover, the stakes are higher... But there are moments where I feel he's a bit dim. His default is to be polite to others in the prison, saying "hello, what's your name?" etc, before realising he's meant to be evil and semi-adjusting his behaviour (but not by much). Dude, this is, what, your 11th book/mission? You've been undercover before. You're a spy. I know you're 15 but come on, you can do better than this.
Also the scar by the boy Freddy's ear? If the police (forensics) aren't able to distinguish between a scar by accident and a surgical scar then I'm very concerned... Considering we're dealing with seemingly brainwashed killer children, I'd have thought that's worth further looking into rather than just a comment on a medical report.
375 pages in:
I'm enjoying the realism here. We've had all the descriptions of Brighton seafront and pier, the lanes and town, the commotion outside the station with the chestnut stall and buses, and him racing up the narrow stairway and jumping down onto the platform to avoid the barriers... And then he's on a train. The chapter ends saying it'll take one hour ten minutes to reach London - he's on his way. ... Then the next chapter opens with the train being delayed outside Preston Park. It’s all too real.
Final thoughts:
So. 3.5 stars. A good book. Set up for another one. Nightshade's still out there and will come back for him. Cute to see Jack and Tom involved too - I like them.
Still, I must admit it feels like these two latest books have backtracked. I thought Scorpia Rising was incredible. The overarching plot had developed and come to a climax, it was darker and grittier and more serious, there were some of the best action scenes we've seen, it was mature and saddeningly serious with Alex suffering from what seemed like PTSD (which interestingly seems to be being explored in the second series of the Alex Rider TV show), the stakes were higher, it ripped at the heartstrings with Jack's death... And then it's as if they backtracked and things got reset. Jack's alive now, Alex is back at school with no mental health concerns, plot is back to its usual small adventure style (since we've now lost the overarching plot of Scorpia). It's similar to if someone continued the Harry Potter series beyond year 7 and made books/films similar to years 1-3.
I'm already enjoying this one more than Never Say Die. I'm enjoying Alex undercover, the stakes are higher... But there are moments where I feel he's a bit dim. His default is to be polite to others in the prison, saying "hello, what's your name?" etc, before realising he's meant to be evil and semi-adjusting his behaviour (but not by much). Dude, this is, what, your 11th book/mission? You've been undercover before. You're a spy. I know you're 15 but come on, you can do better than this.
Also the scar by the boy Freddy's ear? If the police (forensics) aren't able to distinguish between a scar by accident and a surgical scar then I'm very concerned... Considering we're dealing with seemingly brainwashed killer children, I'd have thought that's worth further looking into rather than just a comment on a medical report.
375 pages in:
I'm enjoying the realism here. We've had all the descriptions of Brighton seafront and pier, the lanes and town, the commotion outside the station with the chestnut stall and buses, and him racing up the narrow stairway and jumping down onto the platform to avoid the barriers... And then he's on a train. The chapter ends saying it'll take one hour ten minutes to reach London - he's on his way. ... Then the next chapter opens with the train being delayed outside Preston Park. It’s all too real.
Final thoughts:
So. 3.5 stars. A good book. Set up for another one. Nightshade's still out there and will come back for him. Cute to see Jack and Tom involved too - I like them.
Still, I must admit it feels like these two latest books have backtracked. I thought Scorpia Rising was incredible. The overarching plot had developed and come to a climax, it was darker and grittier and more serious, there were some of the best action scenes we've seen, it was mature and saddeningly serious with Alex suffering from what seemed like PTSD (which interestingly seems to be being explored in the second series of the Alex Rider TV show), the stakes were higher, it ripped at the heartstrings with Jack's death... And then it's as if they backtracked and things got reset. Jack's alive now, Alex is back at school with no mental health concerns, plot is back to its usual small adventure style (since we've now lost the overarching plot of Scorpia). It's similar to if someone continued the Harry Potter series beyond year 7 and made books/films similar to years 1-3.