piperclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
A bit like "Spy Kids" meets A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Doublecross is told from the viewpoint of Hale Jordan (Sounds very similar to Hal Jordan, doesn't it?), whose parents are agents for the Sub Rosa Society, or SRS. Actually, his parents are The Team, the best agents in the agency. But when they go missing on a mission, Hale decides he will find and rescue them. He's convinced The League has them, and sets out to infiltrate enemy headquarters and find where they are holding his parents. No one in the SRS would suspect him of doing such a thing, because he has never been able to pass the physical that would qualify him for duty as a junior agent. What they don't take into consideration is that he has done exceptionally well in all his other classes, and he puts that know-how to practical use. Along with his hyperkinetic sister, Kennedy, new acquaintances Ben and Beatrix, and their Uncle Clatterbuck, Hale will take on an entire evil agency to find out the truth and make it possible to get his parents back safely.
This book has elements of many classic types of stories - spy thriller (complete with nifty gadgets), orphaned or lost children searching for their parents, school story (since some of it does take place in those training classes), and the underdog. What's not to like? Readers who enjoy action, intrigue, and seeing the good guys trying to save the world will be clamoring for more of this series. A wonderful middle grade novel with characters a bit younger than those in the Alex Rider adventures.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
This book has elements of many classic types of stories - spy thriller (complete with nifty gadgets), orphaned or lost children searching for their parents, school story (since some of it does take place in those training classes), and the underdog. What's not to like? Readers who enjoy action, intrigue, and seeing the good guys trying to save the world will be clamoring for more of this series. A wonderful middle grade novel with characters a bit younger than those in the Alex Rider adventures.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
mindybookbear's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book. I loved how the hero isn't what you would think a hero spy should be. Hale gives me hope! I couldn't have passed the physical test either.
poorashleu's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted here
Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. That is the easiest way to sum up this novel, it is so cute. Everyone in Hale’s family is a spy. It’s the family job and all that he knows. What his family doesn’t expect is him to be fat and made fun of on a daily basis. Part of me wishes that the big boned/fat part would have not been included, but that is in part because I’m personally sick of it being used as a plot device. But, I regress, because this was still an enjoyable novel.
Doublecross is the story of Hale who wants to be a field agent even though everyone tells him he is not meant for the field, as a big boned person. Although Hale isn’t the fastest, he is often the smartest. He uses his wits and smarts to often outthink his classmates which helps him come in first, but not gain many friends in the meantime. Then the worst happens: his parents, who are world famous super spies, disappear. This is understandably, a huge sadness to Hale and his nine-year-old sister who both adore their parents.
What made this story for me was not the plot (although that was helpful) but was the cast of characters. From Hale, to his sister, Kennedy, to Agent Otter, Hale’s personal nemesis, the characters are what made this story work for me. I was constantly flipping the pages because I wanted to know that the characters were going to be okay. Jackson made a fun middle grade novel about a spy school that is extremely relatable for a reader of any age.
Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. That is the easiest way to sum up this novel, it is so cute. Everyone in Hale’s family is a spy. It’s the family job and all that he knows. What his family doesn’t expect is him to be fat and made fun of on a daily basis. Part of me wishes that the big boned/fat part would have not been included, but that is in part because I’m personally sick of it being used as a plot device. But, I regress, because this was still an enjoyable novel.
Doublecross is the story of Hale who wants to be a field agent even though everyone tells him he is not meant for the field, as a big boned person. Although Hale isn’t the fastest, he is often the smartest. He uses his wits and smarts to often outthink his classmates which helps him come in first, but not gain many friends in the meantime. Then the worst happens: his parents, who are world famous super spies, disappear. This is understandably, a huge sadness to Hale and his nine-year-old sister who both adore their parents.
What made this story for me was not the plot (although that was helpful) but was the cast of characters. From Hale, to his sister, Kennedy, to Agent Otter, Hale’s personal nemesis, the characters are what made this story work for me. I was constantly flipping the pages because I wanted to know that the characters were going to be okay. Jackson made a fun middle grade novel about a spy school that is extremely relatable for a reader of any age.
tricialprice's review
3.0
Mark Twain Award nominee 2017-18. Cute spy story about an unlikely spy kid.
natep's review
4.0
Funny adventure with great characters and a plot twist you won't see coming. Fantastic read. Booktubeathon book with an author whose surname starts with the same letter as yours
rsngphoenix's review
4.0
A very fun book! Also, in a world that sees being overweight as a type of deformity (RIPD, anyone? Not to mention all types of media) it is really heartwarming to see a novel that reminds its readers that ALL people have worth regardless of waist lines. I'll definitely be reading the sequel!
ashleu's review
3.0
Originally posted here
Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. That is the easiest way to sum up this novel, it is so cute. Everyone in Hale’s family is a spy. It’s the family job and all that he knows. What his family doesn’t expect is him to be fat and made fun of on a daily basis. Part of me wishes that the big boned/fat part would have not been included, but that is in part because I’m personally sick of it being used as a plot device. But, I regress, because this was still an enjoyable novel.
Doublecross is the story of Hale who wants to be a field agent even though everyone tells him he is not meant for the field, as a big boned person. Although Hale isn’t the fastest, he is often the smartest. He uses his wits and smarts to often outthink his classmates which helps him come in first, but not gain many friends in the meantime. Then the worst happens: his parents, who are world famous super spies, disappear. This is understandably, a huge sadness to Hale and his nine-year-old sister who both adore their parents.
What made this story for me was not the plot (although that was helpful) but was the cast of characters. From Hale, to his sister, Kennedy, to Agent Otter, Hale’s personal nemesis, the characters are what made this story work for me. I was constantly flipping the pages because I wanted to know that the characters were going to be okay. Jackson made a fun middle grade novel about a spy school that is extremely relatable for a reader of any age.
Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. That is the easiest way to sum up this novel, it is so cute. Everyone in Hale’s family is a spy. It’s the family job and all that he knows. What his family doesn’t expect is him to be fat and made fun of on a daily basis. Part of me wishes that the big boned/fat part would have not been included, but that is in part because I’m personally sick of it being used as a plot device. But, I regress, because this was still an enjoyable novel.
Doublecross is the story of Hale who wants to be a field agent even though everyone tells him he is not meant for the field, as a big boned person. Although Hale isn’t the fastest, he is often the smartest. He uses his wits and smarts to often outthink his classmates which helps him come in first, but not gain many friends in the meantime. Then the worst happens: his parents, who are world famous super spies, disappear. This is understandably, a huge sadness to Hale and his nine-year-old sister who both adore their parents.
What made this story for me was not the plot (although that was helpful) but was the cast of characters. From Hale, to his sister, Kennedy, to Agent Otter, Hale’s personal nemesis, the characters are what made this story work for me. I was constantly flipping the pages because I wanted to know that the characters were going to be okay. Jackson made a fun middle grade novel about a spy school that is extremely relatable for a reader of any age.
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