cornelle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
5.0
Another one in the Alex Rider series. This one was very entertaining. Soryline was a little far fetched. But now that I have read some of the previous ones I kind of just go with it. Plus it pushes you right into wanting to read the next one.
madswag27's review against another edition
Do you find out Toby Stephens got cast as the villain in the second-best book of a series you cared a lot about when you were eleven and immediately drop everything to reread it, or are you normal?
itratali's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
casperm's review against another edition
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
3.75
katiecatbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Another thrilling adventure featuring the UK's famous teenage spy!
Story: In this adventure, Alex is vacationing with his girlfriend Sabina in France, when he sees his nemesis Yassen Gregorovich on a boat at the seaside. He follows him as he walks through the town and hears him make a suspicious phone call. Alex can't go to the police with the information, they won't help. Lost in his thoughts, he tries to have a good time with Sabina, but on the way home to their cottage, they discover smoke, and emergency vehicles all around them. Someone had burned their cottage down and now Sabina's father's life is in danger. But why would someone do that? And who? Does it have to do with Yassen? Only Alex can solve the crime, if he survives!
Characters: Our hero, 14 year old Alex Rider is a secret spy working for the government. Except in this story, when MI6 doesn't want to help him, so he's on his own. Because of the storyline of this book, I recommend that readers have read at least one previous Alex Rider story, so they have some background into Alex, MI6, and Yassen Gregorovich. Sabina, Alex's girlfriend, plays a much larger role in this story than the previous two. As for Yassen, his story is revealed a bit more in this book.
Language: This is a children and teen friendly book. While there is violence, and lots of thrilling moments, it's on a children's/YA level. Horowitz is a master of cliffhangers and putting Alex into dangerous situations, scenes as vivid as watching a movie. This book does contain a note from the author at the beginning, warning the reader that the series and situations are getting darker, so reader beware. Though the storyline is obviously very different, I would compare the books darkness to that of the later books in the Harry Potter stories. Alex is getting older and more mature, and Horowitz expects his readers to be able to also deal with the situations he is put in.
Another great spy thriller featuring Alex Rider, and based on the ending, I have to read the next one to see where this series is going!
Story: In this adventure, Alex is vacationing with his girlfriend Sabina in France, when he sees his nemesis Yassen Gregorovich on a boat at the seaside. He follows him as he walks through the town and hears him make a suspicious phone call. Alex can't go to the police with the information, they won't help. Lost in his thoughts, he tries to have a good time with Sabina, but on the way home to their cottage, they discover smoke, and emergency vehicles all around them. Someone had burned their cottage down and now Sabina's father's life is in danger. But why would someone do that? And who? Does it have to do with Yassen? Only Alex can solve the crime, if he survives!
Characters: Our hero, 14 year old Alex Rider is a secret spy working for the government. Except in this story, when MI6 doesn't want to help him, so he's on his own. Because of the storyline of this book, I recommend that readers have read at least one previous Alex Rider story, so they have some background into Alex, MI6, and Yassen Gregorovich. Sabina, Alex's girlfriend, plays a much larger role in this story than the previous two. As for Yassen, his story is revealed a bit more in this book.
Language: This is a children and teen friendly book. While there is violence, and lots of thrilling moments, it's on a children's/YA level. Horowitz is a master of cliffhangers and putting Alex into dangerous situations, scenes as vivid as watching a movie. This book does contain a note from the author at the beginning, warning the reader that the series and situations are getting darker, so reader beware. Though the storyline is obviously very different, I would compare the books darkness to that of the later books in the Harry Potter stories. Alex is getting older and more mature, and Horowitz expects his readers to be able to also deal with the situations he is put in.
Another great spy thriller featuring Alex Rider, and based on the ending, I have to read the next one to see where this series is going!
kellyz628's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one more than Point Blank. I’m not a huge spy novel fan, but it was a fun read. The author also made me want to read the next book too.
katereads2much's review against another edition
3.0
Huh, I've marked everywhere that I read it. Even did a little review (sort of) about it after reading it for the Read-the-Alphabet project I did in 2012.
Sadly, I picked it up and started to read it thinking I hadn't read it already. Everything was familiar as I went through the first 40 pages again but I can't really remember how it ended. Actually, I can't remember anything of it until I'm reading it. *Argh*
Sadly, I picked it up and started to read it thinking I hadn't read it already. Everything was familiar as I went through the first 40 pages again but I can't really remember how it ended. Actually, I can't remember anything of it until I'm reading it. *Argh*