Author: Anthony Horowitz
Rating: 5/5
Danger is just attracted to our favourite teen spy. Just when he’s settled back in a “normal” life, Alex Rider is once again pulled into another mission. But this time around, it’s not all bright smiles and happy endings. No, my friend, there’s a reason I gave this book a 5/5.
Spoilers ahead.
Plot and Pacing: First of all, this book was gutwrenching and mindblowing at the same time. And I don’t say that often. Especially about the Alex Rider series which have scored an average of 3/5 in every review. This book was different because Alex was FINALLY affected by MI6.
Here’s the thing: Alex and Mrs. Jones and Jack always claim that MI6 has ruined his life and blah blah blah. And it’s true! But it never really came through in Horowitz’s writing. Until now. Seriously, Alex is plummeted down again and again and again in this book. Losing Jack was the worst blow and although I finally understand why she was such a beloved character, I think Horowitz made the right decision. Alex needed to lose something to show the trauma he had been through. I’ll get back to that later.
I loved the little plot twists. I did NOT see Julius Grief coming at all. I thought he had died! I guess I hadn’t read the second book carefully. And I also loved the intricate planning by Razim.
ALSO, the whole plot isn’t given away by the villain! Isn’t that great? Even though one the villain’s minions explained most of it to Alex, I sort of didn’t mind anymore. I guess I was still getting over Jack’s death.
I really wanted Alex to go with Jack to Washington. It would have been the best ending. But now that I think about it, I guess Horowitz delivered the perfect ending. I liked that Alex was finally going to extract himself from the clutches of MI6 especially after reading the whole thing about Alan Blunt orchestrating the school shooting.
Characters: There is so much emotion packed into this novel. Alex really picks up his game and makes it to the three-dimensional world. My favourite bit (regarding Alex’s character development) was when he shot Julius first. That really brought this different side to Alex — he had truly left behind his childhood days. And his coming-of-age is really focused on in the novel. He’s described as being taller, bigger and better looking all of which come with age. He’s also far more mature.
I guess that signals the end of the Alex Rider spy days. Or does it?
Anyway, all the other characters really come to life as well. Jack, for instance, had one of the biggest transformations. In the previous books, she isn’t really shown as doing much. It was more talk than action really and by that, I mean other characters talking about her AND Jack saying that MI6 should leave Alex the heck alone without taking any measures herself.
One of the reasons for this was that parts of the story were written from her perspective. I appreciated that because I like the sadness I feel when reading about a character’s death. If a character dies and you don’t feel anything, of course, it says something about the author, but it also says something about you.
Writing Style: Horowitz deserves a standing ovation for this novel. The writing was brilliant and everything was just…I have no words. Everything fit nicely. It would have made a good ending to the series.
Except Horowitz pulled an Arthur Conan Doyle and changed his mind about Alex so yes, there are more Alex Rider books coming. I don’t know if I’m happy about this. I can’t rest until I finish a series and I just want to put this one behind me.
Earnestly Eccentric 