ALEX RIDER: SECRET WEAPON
International bestselling author Anthony Horowitz’s short story collection expands the universe of teen spy Alex Rider with more thrilling action, espionage, and pulse-pounding heroics.
Inspired by Horowitz’s millions of fans worldwide, Secret Weapon expands the world of Alex Rider with more thrilling action and pulse-pounding heroics. Follow Alex as he infiltrates a terrorist hideout in Afghanistan, fights to prevent an assassination attempt at a ski resort over Christmas, and much more! The #1 New York Times bestselling Alex Rider is back with more exciting, edge-of-your-seats adventures!
Contains a combination of new and previously published material, together for the first time!
Alright, y’all. Alex Rider is a book series that I have always known about but never got a chance to try. I was 8 years old when the first book came out almost 20 years ago so it’s taken me a little while to dive into the high velocity world of the teen spy extraordinaire but I am so glad that it finally happened. Reading Secret Weapon was such a delightful way to spend an afternoon. The stories are fast paced and action packed so I was finished in no time and desperately wanted to live in that spy world a bit more.
Horowitz definitely knows how to craft a fantastic action sequence that draws you in and doesn’t let you go until Alex is back safe at his home in London. He also does well diving into the psychology of what it means to be a teenage spy who has lost nearly every important person in their life. These are the moments that I looked forward to the most as the book of short stories progressed. Alex is such a fascinating character so any glimpse into his psyche was a nuanced treat.
Before reading this, I picked up the first in this 11+ book franchise and found myself completely blown away. Alex’s explosive first mission, Stormbreaker, after finding out his beloved late uncle wasn’t actually a banker but a spy for the British government was fabulous. That being said, I don’t think you necessarily have to read any of the other books to be able to enjoy the collection of short stories that are in Secret Weapon but having done so absolutely raised the stakes for me and helped me to care that much more about Alex and his journey.
These books are intended for young teens but they are so great that I believe anyone can sit down and disappear into one of these fast-paced spy thrillers for a few hours and enjoy it. Alex might be fourteen but the trauma he has gone through in his short life has aged him greatly. While he definitely has his angsty moments, he has to make mature and sometimes dark decision in order to complete his missions and make it out alive.
I’ve already ordered the second and third books in the series and I can’t wait to go on a few more adventures with Alex Rider.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher as part of the Kids Know Best Blogger Campaign. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Find more out about the author at http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com
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