luaucow's review
2.0
I thought this book was going to be interesting, with all of the action, etc., but it was only mildly so. The author writes a lot for adults and I just don't think he translated the story into one that's intended for teens very well. He makes the main character very smart, spy-like and nerdy, which could work, but then he makes him whiny and annoying. And the way he manipulates people is just unappealing, rather than making him seem more cool or whatever the author was going for. It seems like they try to resolve it in the end, by making the main character help FBI agents solve the mystery, but to me it was just inconsistent with the earlier portrayal of the character.
kadi_p's review
4.0
4 stars for constant action but 2 stars for character depth.
I’m not really sure I liked the protagonist, Steel. He had a very loose moral compass and isn’t this supposed to be a children’s book? Plus, he would constantly put himself in danger when he’s smart enough not to for reasons that were not good enough to warrant the danger he was putting himself in. It made for good action, though.
I felt like Larson was an underdeveloped character, so much so that I continuously got Larson and Hampton confused. They don’t even have the same skin tone! That’s how 2D and simplistic Larson’s character was. He felt so generic and cliche.
Steel’s mum was either weepy or determined throughout the entire book and just flipped between those two emotions. The only character I really liked was Kaileigh because she was smart, sensible and at times unpredictable. That’s a good character.
I guess when reading this you have to keep in mind that this is a children’s book so it’s not going to be the greatest thing you’ve ever read. Still, it was a fun read. Lots of action. The entire train scene (it spanned the first half of the book) was by far the best bit of the whole book.
Favourite quote:
"This isn’t about me. It’s about the briefcase. Everyone wants that briefcase"
This quote perfectly sums up the whole book. It’s an adventure where everyone is after a boy and a girl in order to get "that briefcase".
All in all, a great middle-grade book. Don’t have too high an expectation in terms of character depth but still enjoy the thrill of the chase and the sense of action, adventure, and a little bit of mystery.
I’m not really sure I liked the protagonist, Steel. He had a very loose moral compass and isn’t this supposed to be a children’s book? Plus, he would constantly put himself in danger when he’s smart enough not to for reasons that were not good enough to warrant the danger he was putting himself in. It made for good action, though.
I felt like Larson was an underdeveloped character, so much so that I continuously got Larson and Hampton confused. They don’t even have the same skin tone! That’s how 2D and simplistic Larson’s character was. He felt so generic and cliche.
Steel’s mum was either weepy or determined throughout the entire book and just flipped between those two emotions. The only character I really liked was Kaileigh because she was smart, sensible and at times unpredictable. That’s a good character.
I guess when reading this you have to keep in mind that this is a children’s book so it’s not going to be the greatest thing you’ve ever read. Still, it was a fun read. Lots of action. The entire train scene (it spanned the first half of the book) was by far the best bit of the whole book.
Favourite quote:
"This isn’t about me. It’s about the briefcase. Everyone wants that briefcase"
This quote perfectly sums up the whole book. It’s an adventure where everyone is after a boy and a girl in order to get "that briefcase".
All in all, a great middle-grade book. Don’t have too high an expectation in terms of character depth but still enjoy the thrill of the chase and the sense of action, adventure, and a little bit of mystery.
bloodhoney's review
1.0
The things I read to win challenges and pass tests surprise me.
One day I hope to only read books I actually like.
One day I hope to only read books I actually like.
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