ajteyn's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh. I loved these books as a kid and the TV adaptation is *amazing*, but wow, I had zero memory of how many ableist and racist tropes there were
roseybot's review against another edition
2.0
Oh my god, what was this thing I subjected myself to? Alex Rider's uncle gets into a car accident, but it turns out it wasn't an accident -- his uncle was a spy! Fine, great, good beginning.
Then it gets into the government Alex to join them, and then there's a classic, VERY ANNOYING, training montage (how do you manage that in a book I don't know, because this book didn't do it!), along with angry, uninterested mentor types who grudgingly give Alex respect eventually.
Fine -- cliche, but fine. But among other things, the idea that a woman would have to go into a tech company as a "secretary" is hideous, and gross, and then the fact that this was hugely stereotypical was just so... boring.
The villain is boring. It's DULL.
There's a whole scene where Alex has to swim through tunnels -- what's that about? Why do spies always have to swim through tunnels? Can I give them something more interesting to do? Cause I really would like to!
Then it gets into the government
Spoiler
forcingFine -- cliche, but fine. But among other things, the idea that a woman would have to go into a tech company as a "secretary" is hideous, and gross, and then the fact that this was hugely stereotypical was just so... boring.
The villain
Spoiler
is mad. That's the answer. And not even mad in a way that makes sense! WHO HOLDS A GRUDGE ABOUT SCHOOL CHILDREN FOR FORTY YEARS??? And decides the way to ruin their opponent is killing all current school children!?There's a whole scene where Alex has to swim through tunnels -- what's that about? Why do spies always have to swim through tunnels? Can I give them something more interesting to do? Cause I really would like to!
marinatedpenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mandyist's review against another edition
4.0
As an adult, I’m not at all ashamed to admit that Anthony Horowitz is one of my favourite authors. In the space of ten months, I have read eight of his books which used to be more books than I consumed in an entire year! Anthony Horowitz may write for a young adult audience but his fast-paced, imaginative and explosive books are great for reading on the train, when I am not working or when I am not reading up on wars and other non-fiction stories.
The first book in the Alex Rider series is called Stormbreaker. Alex Rider’s uncle and guardian Ian dies in suspicious circumstances and on investigating his death, Alex is taken by MI6 and blackmailed into becoming an operative for them. He learns that his uncle had been training him to be a spy his entire life and after training with the SAS, Alex’s first mission is to investigate Darrius Sayle who plans to donate one of his new Stormbreaker computers to every school in Britain.
Like his Power of Five series, this book follows a break-neck pace and is fast, daring and imaginative. Like the Daily Mirror said, “being James Bond in miniature is way cooler than being a wizard”.
The first book in the Alex Rider series is called Stormbreaker. Alex Rider’s uncle and guardian Ian dies in suspicious circumstances and on investigating his death, Alex is taken by MI6 and blackmailed into becoming an operative for them. He learns that his uncle had been training him to be a spy his entire life and after training with the SAS, Alex’s first mission is to investigate Darrius Sayle who plans to donate one of his new Stormbreaker computers to every school in Britain.
Like his Power of Five series, this book follows a break-neck pace and is fast, daring and imaginative. Like the Daily Mirror said, “being James Bond in miniature is way cooler than being a wizard”.
snippie99's review against another edition
3.0
I think I would’ve enjoyed this a lot more if I read it when I was younger, but it has action and involves a teenager becoming a spy which I know I wanted to do when I was younger. Will continue with the series.
kartrick's review against another edition
4.0
It was pretty good, I'll say. But it's not that action-y. I guess it will get better in the coming books.
liv_demarco's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5