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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I remember reading this as a kid and liking it, and it still held up pretty well on a reread. Some references really date the book, like the idea of a handheld device that can send a fax being super high-tech. It's definitely not the most original story, with lots of cliches and tropes you would expect from a teen spy story, and the whole plot is a little ridiculous. But it's quick, nonstop action, and I enjoyed reading it again. I'm interested in the rest of the series, but don't know if I will prioritize it.
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
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
mysterious
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
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
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
This book was presented to me to read as part of this year's Battle of the Books. I must admit I wasn't super excited to begin the book but was pleasantly surprised. The writing is a bit simplified for my enjoyment and the action did get a bit predictable but as I reminded myself, I am 40 years old and not the intended audience for this book. It was a great action packed adventure with the young man, Alex Rider, making decisions about his own life and his country's well-being.
Greatly enjoyed reading this, it reminded me of the Cherub series. Excited to follow Alex through this series.
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
this book hooked me from start to finish and i love it so much. 5/5 i read this for the second time on the 2nd of may 2017 and finished it the same day. it griped me from the start and when i had first read this book in 2007 at 12 years old i now remember at 22 how i loved it and why i was so captivated in this story and now i can't wait to see how the series progresses.
It was mostly OK.
Alex being reluctant to become a spy was interesting, but I felt there's really nothing there besides the adventure itself - "you killed my uncle" seems more a thing Alex feels he should say than something born of any real emotion for the guy; the book makes a point of telling you how uncomfortable/tired/scared Alex is, but that's it, the story moves on unencumbered. (Compare with, off the top of my head, the raw emotion in the scene of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban where Harry loses a Quidditch match for the first time).
Also, at some points I found myself having better ideas than the character, which is a major pet peeve of mine in adventure/mystery stories.
It's a fun read, but I'm glad I didn't pay much for my copy.
Alex being reluctant to become a spy was interesting, but I felt there's really nothing there besides the adventure itself - "you killed my uncle" seems more a thing Alex feels he should say than something born of any real emotion for the guy; the book makes a point of telling you how uncomfortable/tired/scared Alex is, but that's it, the story moves on unencumbered. (Compare with, off the top of my head, the raw emotion in the scene of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban where Harry loses a Quidditch match for the first time).
Also, at some points I found myself having better ideas than the character, which is a major pet peeve of mine in adventure/mystery stories.
It's a fun read, but I'm glad I didn't pay much for my copy.