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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
TW: homophobia
Here's the thing: detective Daniel Hawthorne is the very definition of a problematic fave. I really like him, even though I really really shouldn't.
(Incidentally, I think this is exactly what Horowitz was trying to accomplish with his character.)
He is unlikeable in many ways, and although I can accept (and even appreciate) a lot of flaws in a character, homophobia is NOT one of them.
His attitude towards gay people comes up again in this book, albeit in a less prominent way then in the first one, but it isn't tackled or explored like I expected and hoped it would be. This is mostly because we get no character development for Hawthorne in this volume, and the "secrets" the synopsis alludes to remain exactly that by the end.
My 14-year-old self - who got the first Alex Rider book for Christmas and devoured it in one night - is telling me to trust the author had a good reason for this, and that the issue will be brought up again in future books and resolved in a satisfactory manner. I will do just that, but while I wait for some MAJOR character development, I can't give this book more than 3 stars.
Here's the thing: detective Daniel Hawthorne is the very definition of a problematic fave. I really like him, even though I really really shouldn't.
(Incidentally, I think this is exactly what Horowitz was trying to accomplish with his character.)
He is unlikeable in many ways, and although I can accept (and even appreciate) a lot of flaws in a character, homophobia is NOT one of them.
His attitude towards gay people comes up again in this book, albeit in a less prominent way then in the first one, but it isn't tackled or explored like I expected and hoped it would be. This is mostly because we get no character development for Hawthorne in this volume, and the "secrets" the synopsis alludes to remain exactly that by the end.
My 14-year-old self - who got the first Alex Rider book for Christmas and devoured it in one night - is telling me to trust the author had a good reason for this, and that the issue will be brought up again in future books and resolved in a satisfactory manner. I will do just that, but while I wait for some MAJOR character development, I can't give this book more than 3 stars.
Oh Anthony you did it again. Such a unique idea putting yourself in as a character with elements that actually happened. This story was filled with Red Herrings galore but that made it feel very Agatha Christie. I really hope he keeps writing these. I also listened to this and Rory did a wonderful job as always.
I hope Anthony is not like this in real life. I like the book, but his character is so whiny and pathetic that it nearly makes me put down the book even though I am enjoying it
mysterious
fast-paced
mysterious
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes