Sunday, October 5, 2008

"Stormbreaker" book review by Tracy Au

Book Review

By Tracy Au

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Stormbreaker is an exciting action/ adventure spy novel filled with scuba diving, helicopter flying and parachuting. The unlikely protagonist is an anti-hero; a fourteen year old school boy and spy named Alex Rider. This is an exciting and unique story of a remarkable young man being thrown into a dangerous adult world of espionage.

The story envelopes the reader from the very beginning with Alex putting his life in danger in order to discover the truth of his uncle, Ian Rider’s sudden death. He exposes his bravery and karate skills to a group of suspicious men who appear at the funeral. Afterwards, Ian’s bosses, Mrs. Jones and Alan Blunt, recruit Alex to work for the British spy agency MI6 in order to both finish the mission Ian failed to complete and investigate his murder. MI6 sends Alex, with creative spy technology (disguised in what any teenage boy might carry), to take the place of the contest winner and try out the computer “Stormbreaker” before it is released to all the schools in England.

Many suspenseful moments occur throughout the story because Alex lands in a series of obstacles in which he nearly blows his cover, gets captured by the enemy or faces the possibility of death. There is a believable and threatening antagonist. The enemy is not a two-dimensional bad guy who wants world domination. He has a believable motive to commit mass murder. When Alex detects the diabolically subversive plan, it may be too

late to stop it because he will be eliminated before he can contact MI6. There are captivating and surprising plot twists as Alex is determined to protect himself and his country. He is both resourceful and clever, using his gadgets (or anything else available) to rescue himself and prevent a massacre.

The story is realistic because Alex is a regular kid who makes mistakes. He uses the qualities of a good spy (such as self defense skills, linguistics, adaptation and problem solving) to get himself out of danger. The novel is descriptive and explains the technical and tactical aspects of Alex’s adventures which prove the writing is impressive. By providing details used in the story, it is apparent that Horowitz thoroughly researched guns, helicopters, cars and a variety of gadgets.

Even though there are no sorcerers or magic, Alex Rider may be the next Harry Potter in his own right because he is a very likable and fascinating protagonist that many young adults will be able to relate to. This book is fantastic and has been produced into a movie which was also co-written and produced by Horowitz himself. Aimed at young adults, this book can also hold an older audience due to the intelligent and creative writing. Advanced readers will enjoy it without thinking it is childish or simplistic. Above all, Stormbreaker is a well written book that readers can enjoy from the beginning to the end.
The Alex Rider series continues to improve in each book.

5 comments:

Christopher Blevins said...

There's a believable as well as intimidating villain. The actual adversary isn't the two-dimensional thief who desires globe domination. He's the believable purpose in order to dedicate bulk homicide. You may check it at http://www.pharmacypersonalstatement.net/why-writing-personal-statement-for-pharmacy-with-us/.

Christopher Blevins said...

There exists a believable and also harmful antagonist. The particular foe just isn't any two-dimensional bad guy who would like planet domination. He's got any believable objective to be able to devote size killing. You may check it at http://www.cardiologyfellowship.net/benefits-from-good-written-cardiology-residency-personal-statement/.

Christopher Blevins said...

The specific enemy just isn't the particular http://www.mbastatementofpurpose.com/our-statement-of-purpose-mba-service/statement-of-purpose-for-business-management/ two-dimensional burglar who would like world domination. He has the particular believable goal so that you can allocate volume homicide.

Kenneth M. Lundgren said...

Writing novel book is not a easy process. To writing a good book you have to achieve huge writing knowledge. This is actually very good book review about Stormbreaker. Every book reader should read this book after see this review. Thanks for sharing wonderful book review. Also check our language translation services from www.besttranslationservices.com/looking-for-a-cheap-translation-service-look-no-more

Victor D. Frampton said...

Book review always help us to know about the specific book. Reading good book is most important to increase our knowledge. Please check our literature review writing services here https://www.litreview.net/doing-a-literature-review-for-you. Here author provided fantastic book review about Stormbreaker. Every book reader should read this book after see this review. Thanks