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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I thought this book was going to be like an action movie. But it was more like a cartoon.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Took a little while to get into but interesting and full of action for a YA spy book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Alex learns his uncle was killed in a car accident. Since his parents also died in a car accident, he just a little shell-shocked. But the story doesn't add up and Alex is determined to find out the truth. And the truth shocks him even more. See, Ian Rider was a spy for M16. He was on a mission when he was killed and now his uncle's bosses want him to take over the mission. His mission is to investigate and infiltrate the home of a wealthy computer programmer who is about to gift all the schools in England with his newest computer, the Stormbreaker. Alex discovers the computers are all rigged to release a deadly virus that will kill everyone at the schools. Can Alex save the day in time? Will he be discovered?
A good first book in a series - exciting, action-packed, and adventurous. Not the same as what I thought it would be. However, some things do seem a bit out there. Like sending a 15-year old in where an adult failed.
A good first book in a series - exciting, action-packed, and adventurous. Not the same as what I thought it would be. However, some things do seem a bit out there. Like sending a 15-year old in where an adult failed.
This is a good (but not great) James Bond-esque adventure for teens. It's a bit predictable, but I could see how kids that are into spy movies would like it.
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
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun read with a swift pase that keeps you wanting more.
Honestly, I was expecting a more complex story. I know this book is intended for kids and teenagers, but I feel that the book lacked more elaborated plots.
Also, I agree with some other readers that this book creates a slight negative influence (brand positioning and violence).
Also, I agree with some other readers that this book creates a slight negative influence (brand positioning and violence).
Nopirku šo mazajam lasītājam, bet nejauši pašam izlasījās. Kā ievads puikam spiegu romānos ir tīri tā neko. Un kārtējo reizi pārliecinājos, ka tulkojuma kvalitāte bērnu/jauniešu grāmatām Zvaigznei nav prioritāte.
Why do I give this book 4 stars?
First off, I love books where the main characters are intelligent enough to be able to best adults, especially the ones who have money and power when the kids only have their wits.
Second, Alex was literally my age in this book so his monologue was easy to follow to me. He wasn't Artemis Fowl-smart, but he's smarter than average and his quick-thinking gets him out of situations in which weeks of planning wouldn't. Also, his actions with complying to MI6's plans were more realistic to me than if he'd immediately agreed to be a spy. I know a lot of kids (me included) would LOVE nothing more than to have a piece of action, but Alex is being logical and realistic about his choices, only agreeing because they blackmailed him, which, NOT COOL!
Third, the plot was interesting and fast-paced. I'm not a fan of books that don't get into the conflict and tension fast, but this book? It literally started on the day of his uncle's death and led to Alex nearly getting crushed in a dumpster!
Fourth, Alex's emotions: I expected him to be hyperventilating like I'd expected him to, but he didn't show much emotion in the story. Hopefully we get more of that in the next few books. He didn't have much of a reaction to his uncle's death or meeting his uncle's murderer. I suppose one could deem that the entirety of his uncle's death hadn't sunk it properly because things were going so fast for Alex and a quiet-rage towards Yassen Gregorovich.
I'm already a chapter through the second book . . .
First off, I love books where the main characters are intelligent enough to be able to best adults, especially the ones who have money and power when the kids only have their wits.
Second, Alex was literally my age in this book so his monologue was easy to follow to me. He wasn't Artemis Fowl-smart, but he's smarter than average and his quick-thinking gets him out of situations in which weeks of planning wouldn't. Also, his actions with complying to MI6's plans were more realistic to me than if he'd immediately agreed to be a spy. I know a lot of kids (me included) would LOVE nothing more than to have a piece of action, but Alex is being logical and realistic about his choices, only agreeing because they blackmailed him, which, NOT COOL!
Third, the plot was interesting and fast-paced. I'm not a fan of books that don't get into the conflict and tension fast, but this book? It literally started on the day of his uncle's death and led to Alex nearly getting crushed in a dumpster!
Fourth, Alex's emotions: I expected him to be hyperventilating like I'd expected him to, but he didn't show much emotion in the story. Hopefully we get more of that in the next few books. He didn't have much of a reaction to his uncle's death or meeting his uncle's murderer. I suppose one could deem that the entirety of his uncle's death hadn't sunk it properly because things were going so fast for Alex and a quiet-rage towards Yassen Gregorovich.
I'm already a chapter through the second book . . .
Rereading one of my favorite books from elementary school. Very much a young adult book but still an entertaining story. Some pretty unintentionally funny parts that made me laugh at how implausible they were along with genuinely funny parts of Alex making fun of adults. As a 22 year old Alex rider isn’t nearly as likable as when I was 10 when I thought he was the coolest kid ever but I get why I liked it so much.