8. Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

POINT BLANK by Anthony Horowitz (Philomel Books, 2002)

Book Two of the Alex Rider series

GENRE: Adventure / Thriller / Mystery

HONORS: Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Cuffies Winner for Best Series

REVIEW:

In the second installment of the Alex Rider series, fourteen-year-old Alex is sent on another adventure full of mysterious happenings and villainous characters.  Following his success of foiling Herod Sayle’s evil plan in Stormbreaker, MI6 needs Alex’s help investigating a series of deaths of rich men with sons attending an elite school for rebellious boys in the French Alps.  Under cover as the son of supermarket magnate David Friend, Alex is accepted into the school.  Arriving by helicopter, Alex discovers that the school is quite isolated on the side of a mountain and there are certain floors of the compound that are restricted for students.  After seeing only docile and obedient students, Alex meets a boy named James Sprintz who tells him about his theory of brainwashing and his plan to escape.  However, Alex’s suspicions are raised when James begins acting just like the rest of the boys.  As the only student not going to classes, Alex must figure out exactly what is going on before it’s too late because, if he fails, he’s next.

OPINION:

This book is full of action and suspense as Alex Rider escapes the clutches of Dr. Grief and Mrs. Stellenbosch—along with their henchmen—multiple times.  Readers will be on the edge of their seat in hopes that Alex will be able to get away.  However, although Alex is very skilled at sneaking around unnoticed, there are many times when his luck is the only reason that he is not discovered.  I like that he maintains a bit of his teenage impulsiveness, making him a more realistic character.  For instance, when he spots his friend locked down in the basement, he immediately tells him that he is a spy, not expecting that the cells are bugged and Dr. Grief is listening and ready to capture him.  If not for his exploding earring stud, Alex would be locked in the basement with the rest of the boys, awaiting the torture that Dr. Grief was sure to employ.  It is an exciting, quick read that I really enjoyed and I think it will interest tweens that love James Bond movies, as well as those that like to see a teen hero outsmarting some evil adults.  The fast pace and constant thrills will particularly interest reluctant readers.

IDEAS:

This would be a good book to put in library displays of tween spy and adventure novels.