snortingpages's review against another edition
4.0
might binge the entire series, it's a fun popcorn read
rabeneck's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
itsbeanefun's review against another edition
3.0
Rereading as I'm watching the new Alex Rider TV series and it hit me with a nostalgia bug.
I read a few of these when I was a teen and loved them - I'm not sure they hold up so well these days. It felt very dated, and there were loads of details about car models and brands that really took me out of the story. That said, the plot is fun and fast paced, it's a nice pastiche of James Bond that really works for the target audience, though of course it has a lot of issues that stem from the time it was written (just a light sprinkling of casual racism and sexism
I read a few of these when I was a teen and loved them - I'm not sure they hold up so well these days. It felt very dated, and there were loads of details about car models and brands that really took me out of the story. That said, the plot is fun and fast paced, it's a nice pastiche of James Bond that really works for the target audience, though of course it has a lot of issues that stem from the time it was written (just a light sprinkling of casual racism and sexism
tmcrkd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
I saw Anthony Horowitz last year talking about his Sherlock Holmes book, he was so enthusiastic about books and I enjoyed The house of silk so much I thought I'd give this a go when I saw it in oxfam. I really enjoyed it , I just wish there had been books like this around when I was 13! I think it's great that there are writers who can write books that will encourage 13 year old boys to read!
jakewjerrard's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
cleverruhs's review against another edition
2.0
Rather silly, but not so horrible that I wouldn't read the rest of the series.
ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
4.0
This was much better then the other Alex Rider I had read. And most of that could be that I read them out of sequence. So maybe if I had read some of the other ones it would seem more realistic. He does do some realitively improbable stuff. But this one was good.
welshbookfairy's review
3.0
⭑⭑⭑ 3 stars
themes:
- spies
- murder
- world domination
Goodreads Synopsis:
In the first book in the number one bestselling Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, fourteen-year-old Alex is forcibly recruited into MI6. Armed with secret gadgets, he is sent to investigate Herod Sayle, a man who is offering state-of-the-art Stormbreaker computers to every school in the country. But the teenage spy soon finds himself in mortal danger.|
Plot
Firstly, I realise that as a 26 year old mother, I am not the target audience to this book. That being said, I did enjoy the read. It's a quick read, full of tension and action. The plot was really well thought out and it was easy to see how Stormbreaker would be so popular.
Characters & Dynamics
Alex is a savvy quick-thinker that got through Stormbreaker alive based on talent, training, and luck. He was easy to root for but it was a bit too contrived for me to believe that a 14 year old would be able to accomplish the things that Alex did, but definitely does make a good book.
Writing
Horowitz writing is fast-paced and fun to read. The ideas that came to him for the writing of Stormbreaker were inspiring.
World Building
I really enjoyed the part of the story where Alex completes a couple of weeks training and the tough blokes he had to endure it with as they sneered at him. I liked the bonding part as Alex did not really develop relationships with any one else in the story.
Likes
- The fast pace
- The plot
Dislikes
- Bit contrived
- Alex doesn't really create and relationships in the story
Final Thoughts
This book was a family buddy read (hence the reading it without being its target audience) and regardless of my age I have tried to review it as fairly as possible.
themes:
- spies
- murder
- world domination
"'Just remember, Alex Rider, you're never too young to die.'”
Goodreads Synopsis:
In the first book in the number one bestselling Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, fourteen-year-old Alex is forcibly recruited into MI6. Armed with secret gadgets, he is sent to investigate Herod Sayle, a man who is offering state-of-the-art Stormbreaker computers to every school in the country. But the teenage spy soon finds himself in mortal danger.|
Plot
Firstly, I realise that as a 26 year old mother, I am not the target audience to this book. That being said, I did enjoy the read. It's a quick read, full of tension and action. The plot was really well thought out and it was easy to see how Stormbreaker would be so popular.
Characters & Dynamics
Alex is a savvy quick-thinker that got through Stormbreaker alive based on talent, training, and luck. He was easy to root for but it was a bit too contrived for me to believe that a 14 year old would be able to accomplish the things that Alex did, but definitely does make a good book.
Writing
Horowitz writing is fast-paced and fun to read. The ideas that came to him for the writing of Stormbreaker were inspiring.
World Building
I really enjoyed the part of the story where Alex completes a couple of weeks training and the tough blokes he had to endure it with as they sneered at him. I liked the bonding part as Alex did not really develop relationships with any one else in the story.
Likes
- The fast pace
- The plot
Dislikes
- Bit contrived
- Alex doesn't really create and relationships in the story
Final Thoughts
This book was a family buddy read (hence the reading it without being its target audience) and regardless of my age I have tried to review it as fairly as possible.
apetruce's review against another edition
2.0
Well, I'd give it three stars if I were a kid into spy thrillers. As an adult it was interesting and read fast, but so full of cliches as to be laughable. A good gift series for smarter kids into thrilling adventure and extreme sports.