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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Trigger warnings: violence, disappearance of a friend.
I wanted to love this, because there are so few crime novels for the lower YA/upper MG end of the market, and this was exactly that.
However.
The writing was really not very good. I didn't love the changing perspectives between Ali and Alex Cross, because the intended readership likely have no experience of Alex Cross and so picking up on plot points (I assume) from the Alex Cross series here seemed...somewhat pointless. Frankly, I would have preferred this if Alex had been a background character rather than a protagonist because I just don't think it's necessary to have a 50-something police officer dealing with his own investigations as a perspective character that's about his middle grade son looking for his missing friend.
That being said, it was very easy to read and I devoured it cover-to-cover in like an hour and a half. So. There's that.
I wanted to love this, because there are so few crime novels for the lower YA/upper MG end of the market, and this was exactly that.
However.
The writing was really not very good. I didn't love the changing perspectives between Ali and Alex Cross, because the intended readership likely have no experience of Alex Cross and so picking up on plot points (I assume) from the Alex Cross series here seemed...somewhat pointless. Frankly, I would have preferred this if Alex had been a background character rather than a protagonist because I just don't think it's necessary to have a 50-something police officer dealing with his own investigations as a perspective character that's about his middle grade son looking for his missing friend.
That being said, it was very easy to read and I devoured it cover-to-cover in like an hour and a half. So. There's that.
This book is not written for me.
As a rather simplistic middle-grade novel, I know that I’m not the audience for this. I picked this one up just so that I could know whether to recommend it. However, I have read middle-grade books I loved, and this book wasn’t necessarily bad, I just don’t think it’s the type of middle-grade book that is so clever it can be enjoyed by everyone.
Younger readers might like it.
As a rather simplistic middle-grade novel, I know that I’m not the audience for this. I picked this one up just so that I could know whether to recommend it. However, I have read middle-grade books I loved, and this book wasn’t necessarily bad, I just don’t think it’s the type of middle-grade book that is so clever it can be enjoyed by everyone.
Younger readers might like it.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Good YA book in the Cross series. I enjoyed reading about another generation of the Crosses.
Ali Cross is the son of famous detective Alex Cross. Alex is currently on suspension from the police force due to an incident in which Alex is accused of pushing the father of a suspect down a set of stairs putting him in a coma. Adding to the stress of the investigation is a friend of Ali's that has gone missing. Ali is frustrated with the pace of the search for his friend, so he uses some of the skills that he has learned from his father to begin his own inquiry.
The book, Ali Cross, successfully begins this new middle grade mystery series. Several twists and turns as well as the introduction of suspects and clues move this story along at a nice pace. Throughout the book, we get both Ali's perspective as well as that of Alex. The dual perspectives add interest as both investigations proceed though the book. Unfortunately, the characters in this story come off as a little flat. The character of Alex isn't developed as it should be since most middle grade readers won't be familiar with Alex Cross. Overall, the Ali Cross series shows promise and this book is a good introduction.
The book, Ali Cross, successfully begins this new middle grade mystery series. Several twists and turns as well as the introduction of suspects and clues move this story along at a nice pace. Throughout the book, we get both Ali's perspective as well as that of Alex. The dual perspectives add interest as both investigations proceed though the book. Unfortunately, the characters in this story come off as a little flat. The character of Alex isn't developed as it should be since most middle grade readers won't be familiar with Alex Cross. Overall, the Ali Cross series shows promise and this book is a good introduction.
I've always been a James Patterson fan, especially the Alex Cross series, so when I saw a young readers book about his son I had to grab it for mine. My son is 10 and just leaving 5th grade. He hates reading! But I knew he would love a mystery about a boy around the same age. Plus James Patterson books are an easy read and the chapters aren't so long, so he was able to read a little at a time. He acted like it was such a chore to read this book but he actually couldn't wait to hear the ending that he asked to stay up later to finish the book. I hope there are more Ali Cross books in the future.
Cross for kids! I've been reading the Alex Cross series since I was a teenager, and it's so fun to see there now is a kids version too with Ali Cross, Alex's youngest son. James Patterson always does so much to promote reading along the younger ones, he is one of the best in that.
I enjoyed reading this and know my younger self would have loved it.
I enjoyed reading this and know my younger self would have loved it.
Yes, I'm about 50 years older than the target audience, but I typically enjoy both several of Patterson's series and many YR books. I love picking up quick reads (as most of Patterson's books tend to be) in between weightier books. I like the Alex Cross series. But those target audience was probably 5th-6th grade.
4.5 stars . Read this in one day because it was an easy read . It obviously kept my attention. It was good but not as good as other patterson books I’ve read .