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sarahslays's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
joekliverpool's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
flashrock's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bradenjdowdy's review against another edition
3.0
Perfectly fine YA spy book. Entertaining and fun.
Age range: 10-15
A little violence, but nothing crazy.
Age range: 10-15
A little violence, but nothing crazy.
topdragon's review against another edition
5.0
I’m really enjoying these Alex Rider books. Even though they are marketed as YA (and I am a little bit older than that, perhaps even considered OA), they are a delight to read. I’m plowing through them at a rate of one a month this year so, since it is August, this must be the eighth book in the series.
Alex has actually had a couple of months respite since his last mission in Australia ([b:Snakehead|1821571|Snakehead (Alex Rider, #7)|Anthony Horowitz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349007138l/1821571._SY75_.jpg|2066979]) and he’s beginning to think he may have finally put his relationship with MI-6 in the past. But while on Christmas vacation in Scotland, he meets a philanthropist by the name of Desmond McCain and manages to embarrass him at poker. Alex doesn’t have a good track record with internationally known do-gooders so you can bet this guy won’t be much better.
In fact, the guy seems too good to be true: a champion-caliber boxer with a career-ending injury, a botched plastic surgery job to fix his face, a fortune earned in property development only to be caught in an insurance scam and sent to jail, a conversion to Christianity while in jail, even becoming a pastor, and finally founding a charity for the purpose of quickly responding to crisis areas around the globe. He has an ingenious plan to create just such a crisis in Africa via bioengineered poisonous plant spores destined to kill thousands and profiting from the millions of dollars that roll into his charity. In short, a slimy villain worthy of James Bond or even Alex Rider.
Another action-packed entry in the series wherein Alex goes from the frying pan into the fire and then into really really hot places multiple times, always upping the stakes and somehow surviving. His cleverness is on full display once again as are the gadgets provided by MI-6.
Can’t wait for September and book number nine!
Alex has actually had a couple of months respite since his last mission in Australia ([b:Snakehead|1821571|Snakehead (Alex Rider, #7)|Anthony Horowitz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349007138l/1821571._SY75_.jpg|2066979]) and he’s beginning to think he may have finally put his relationship with MI-6 in the past. But while on Christmas vacation in Scotland, he meets a philanthropist by the name of Desmond McCain and manages to embarrass him at poker. Alex doesn’t have a good track record with internationally known do-gooders so you can bet this guy won’t be much better.
In fact, the guy seems too good to be true: a champion-caliber boxer with a career-ending injury, a botched plastic surgery job to fix his face, a fortune earned in property development only to be caught in an insurance scam and sent to jail, a conversion to Christianity while in jail, even becoming a pastor, and finally founding a charity for the purpose of quickly responding to crisis areas around the globe. He has an ingenious plan to create just such a crisis in Africa via bioengineered poisonous plant spores destined to kill thousands and profiting from the millions of dollars that roll into his charity. In short, a slimy villain worthy of James Bond or even Alex Rider.
Another action-packed entry in the series wherein Alex goes from the frying pan into the fire and then into really really hot places multiple times, always upping the stakes and somehow surviving. His cleverness is on full display once again as are the gadgets provided by MI-6.
Can’t wait for September and book number nine!
bookishwonderlandco's review against another edition
5.0
I thought the stories were over but they are very much still alive! Crocodile tears was I believe the ending book especially by the way it was written. I reccomend all of these books to kids/teenagers/adaults who love action and adventure!
brucerobertson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
o_oliviarose_o's review against another edition
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
4.0
bayfleming's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25