17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
Not something I'd normally be into
I usually read books a little on the lighter side. Books like ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY by Sedaris, INVISIBLE MONSTERS by Palahniuk, or the book DO ANTS HAVE ARSEHOLES. So coming to buy this book took me by surprise.
Why did I buy it? Well, the great reviews and the fact that three separate friends recommended it to me with the caveat that "You're not going to...
6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Okay...
I could not wait for this book to come out. I love the other six (five not so much) but it's just getting over the top now. It's not realistic and it disappointed me.
How on earth does he survive everything? Rapids, waterfalls, parachuting for the second time in his life, etc. Every gadget just happens to come in handy. Way too much about the family too, the charm...
I usually read books a little on the lighter side. Books like ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY by Sedaris, INVISIBLE MONSTERS by Palahniuk, or the book DO ANTS HAVE ARSEHOLES. So coming to buy this book took me by surprise.
Why did I buy it? Well, the great reviews and the fact that three separate friends recommended it to me with the caveat that "You're not going to like it." That was a red flag for me, and a challenge. So I read, not expecting to like it. And here's the big surprise-----I did! I loved it. The pacing, the characters, everything.
It deals with gangs and South East Asia, so if you think you're not going to be able to get into it, don't---you will love it as the author does wonderful things with the material he chooses. Dark? Yes. Dangerous? Yes. Fun? Yes. All of these things. I can't recommend SNAKEHEAD enough, along with the bestseller DON'T STOP ME NOW.
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My 10 year old is a reluctant reader, on the whole. Most of the books that captured my attention when I was growing up (Narnia, Swallows and Amazons, The Hobbit) he struggles with. Even Harry Potter, who he loves, he gets bogged down in, and would rather I read to him.
Alex Rider is the exception. We went through all of the first six books in just over a school term. And when this one turned up, he read 50 pages in the first evening he got it.
I like the books as well, and managed to start this one before my son got his hands on it! Alex is a reluctant secret agent, and the scars and pain from earlier adventures stay with him. The issues that he faces - people trafficking in this book - are issues that children will hear about in the media, and the stories present them in such a way that they can see the human dimension. If anything, this book is a little less preposterous than some of the others (he isn't sent into space again ...!), but just as compulsive, and just as well geared into boys' minds.
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My family and I have been reading the Alex Rider novels since they first started coming out, and my youngest son has grown up with them. We found the latest to be the best yet--clever, classy, intrigue- and action-packed, with some great twists and turns. We also loved the fact it was set in our part of the world, in Australia and South-East Asia. A fantastic read, with some truly evil villains(including some horrible Dr Strangelove/Boys from Brazil medical types) and some great set-pieces, including a punishing bout for Alex of Muay Thai, the bloody Thai martial art with no holds barred at all!
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How far would you go to obtain knowledge of the parents you never knew?
Alex Rider has decided he'll go on his most dangerous mission for a chance at information. Once the Australian Secret Intelligence Service tells him his godfather will lead the mission, Alex doesn't hesitate. Unfortunately, there could be a mole on the inside.
Alex and Ash travel undercover as illegal immigrants trying to find a better life in Australia. What Alex doesn't realize is that the leader of the Snakehead organization also works on the executive board of Scorpia. Major Yu knows exactly where Alex is and what he's doing. He's got several plans in motion to make Alex's life miserable...and then nonexistent.
Anthony Horowitz delivers another action-packed adventure in the ALEX RIDER series that will leave readers breathless and anticipating the next installment of Alex's strange but exciting life.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel
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The seventh installment of the Anthony Horrowitz series is another gem with just as much twists and turns as the previous ones. Once again our teenage hero has to save the world and this time he is on the complete other side of the world which makes a nice change. I'm always impressed with how much Horrowitz includes in these books so that even if you've never visited the country, you feel as though you are there. Maybe Alex is a bit too smart and lucky, but who cares? This is an exciting book and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a bit of escapism. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
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I could not wait for this book to come out. I love the other six (five not so much) but it's just getting over the top now. It's not realistic and it disappointed me.
How on earth does he survive everything? Rapids, waterfalls, parachuting for the second time in his life, etc. Every gadget just happens to come in handy. Way too much about the family too, the charm of Alex Rider is in his adventures, not finding out more and more about his father.
At least i got the book for half price as it's not worth however much it is in hardback.
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If you haven't read the previous 6, I would strongly advise that you do that first, because the Alex Rider series is a fantastic, fast-paced page turner. This 7th installment is no disappointment. Could even be the best story yet. Some parts make you feel lucky to be reading safely in bed.
If you have any sence, buy this!!
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I found this an exciting book but was let down by the OTT ending.
The slow-burn start was great and more realistic than throwing Alex into a near death experience on page 1.
The middle was fast pasted and well plotted.
However the end was just too rushed and over the top for me.
I know it's only fiction and you need action for an action novel, but if has to be made reasonably believable to make fiction into great fiction.
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