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Alex Rider #9
Scorpia Rising
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2011)Scorpia has dogged Alex Rider for most of his life. They killed his parents, they did their best to con Alex into turning traitor, and they just keep coming back with more power. Now the world's most dangerous terrorist organization is playing with fire in the world's most combustible land: the Middle East. No one knows Scorpia like Alex. And no one knows how best to get to Alex like Scorpia. Until now.
The chases have never been more intense, the fights more treacherous, or the risks so perilous to mankind. And this time, Alex won't get away.
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The chases have never been more intense, the fights more treacherous, or the risks so perilous to mankind. And this time, Alex won't get away.
Watch a Video
416 pages, Hardcover
First published March 22, 2011
1005 people are currently reading
12132 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Horowitz
350 books20.4k followersAnthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,306 reviews
March 24, 2012
In my opinion Scorpia Rising may be the best novel in a long and excellent series. The gadgetry has always been well thought out, the twists and the suspense is brilliant and the emotional aspects of the series is astounding. To convincingly portray how a teenage kid abused by so many people into becoming a hardened weapon is emotionally affected is superb.
When I read it earlier this year I was blown away. For me coming to the end of a series I have appreciated is always gut wrenching to a degree. To know that the series is over, that that's the end, it feels like the book with its character has died even though they may live on. And for a time I believed the ending was not satisfying. And yet now I truly believe this was a completely satisfying ending. Of all the novels in the series this will stand as my favourite. This is not only because it has a great storyline and wraps everything up nicely leaving the reader to decide in their own minds how the story truly ends but also because of how emotional Scorpia Rising is. It is the most emotional of all the novels and when I read something so emotional it reads like one of the best stories.
When I read it earlier this year I was blown away. For me coming to the end of a series I have appreciated is always gut wrenching to a degree. To know that the series is over, that that's the end, it feels like the book with its character has died even though they may live on. And for a time I believed the ending was not satisfying. And yet now I truly believe this was a completely satisfying ending. Of all the novels in the series this will stand as my favourite. This is not only because it has a great storyline and wraps everything up nicely leaving the reader to decide in their own minds how the story truly ends but also because of how emotional Scorpia Rising is. It is the most emotional of all the novels and when I read something so emotional it reads like one of the best stories.
March 31, 2019
At time of publication, this was billed as the final Alex Rider novel and it seems like it would have been a fittung conclusion to the teenage spy's stort.
This time around, the novel had an unusual start as it dedicated a lot of time to the antagonists' perspectives. I really enjoyed this change to the formula.
Of course soon enough we were back with Alex. Despite the fact that I am now an older reader in her mid 20s, I still liked reading Alex's perspective. I enjoyed the gadgets,the action and the full cast of characters.
I have followed Anthony Horowitz's work since I was a young girl of 8 years old and I am pleasantly surprised to say he still manages to impress me!
This time around, the novel had an unusual start as it dedicated a lot of time to the antagonists' perspectives. I really enjoyed this change to the formula.
Of course soon enough we were back with Alex. Despite the fact that I am now an older reader in her mid 20s, I still liked reading Alex's perspective. I enjoyed the gadgets,the action and the full cast of characters.
I have followed Anthony Horowitz's work since I was a young girl of 8 years old and I am pleasantly surprised to say he still manages to impress me!
December 16, 2013
This novel starts with Zeljan Kurst, leader of Scorpia, a international terrorist organization,being asked by Yannis Ariston Xenopolos, a Greek billionaire with cancer, to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece. He is promised [Euro|€]40 million, half in advance.
MI6 has found out about the visit and try to capture him due to a mole who was given a change of identity in exchange, but Scorpia agents in the museum disguised as visitors help Kurst to escape. He assigns the mission to the newest Scorpia board member, Abdul-Aziz Al-Rahim, known as Razim, who suggests blackmail, attempting to almost ruin the British reputation with the rest of the world. The plan requires Scorpia to build up a file, secretly named Horseman, on the subject of Alex being used as a spy by the British government for a disgraceful act, and killed, threatening to expose it, hence ruining the British reputation, unless the Elgin Marbles are returned to Greece. In a secret prison in Gibraltar for people who are against Britain, Scorpia manages to free Julius Grief, one of Hugo Grief's clones from Point Blanc who is also Alex's look-alike. Julius is hellbent on revenge over Alex for what he did in Point Blanc. Later At school, Alex is attacked by a sniper who wounds his friend Tom Harris in the arm with his second shot. Alex follows the sniper and is able to send the helicopter and the sniper who is escaping in it crashing into the Thames. This gives Alan Blunt a chance to send Alex on a mission to Cairo to investigate the new head of security at the Cairo International College of Arts and Education Erik Gunter. Scorpia then begins to target Smithers, who is found to have booby trapped his entire house in Cairo, from itching powder to a doormat which leads to the Cairo sewers. Alex then finds out what Smithers' last gadget is - a fat suit which he has been wearing since the moment Alex met him - and discovers that Smithers is really a skinny Irishman in his late thirties. He says they should split up, and leaves. Alex gets home, but finds Jack has been kidnapped and a note is ordering him to get to a certain location, or she will die. Alex arrives at the location, where he is kidnapped by Julius and Gunter. Both Alex and Jack are taken to Razim's fort in the Sahara Desert, where Alex is taken to be Razim's next subject. However, for the plan to work out, they cannot physically cause him pain or mark his body in any way. So Razim instead decides to use the opportunity to subject him to emotional pain. To do this, he strips Alex down to his boxers, ties him up, and attaches several emotion-recording devices to him. Razim pretends to allow Jack to escape from her cell by making sure one of the bars is weak enough to be removed with a knife Jack has stolen, knock out a guard and drive off in an old Land Rover. Unbeknownst to her, the Land Rover has 30 kilograms of explosives connected to it and, with Alex watching live on a screen, Julius detonates the bomb, killing her instantly. Alex's grief is too much for him to handle and he blacks out. Alex is then taken to Cairo, where he is told what will face him by Gunter – when the American Secretary of State decries the United Kingdom and gives her anti-British speech, Julius (posing as Alex on a school trip) will assassinate her, and in the clamor that follows, Alex's body will be found nearby. This will allow Alex to be framed, and Scorpia will be able to blackmail the British Government, threatening to expose their file on MI6's use of a schoolboy as an assassin unless the Elgin Marbles are returned. As a last request, Alex asks for a cigarette, and as Gunter opens the packet, an irate scorpion inside the packet, hidden previously by Alex, stings him. This immobilizes Gunter enough for Alex to steal his gun and break his nose, killing him from the trauma. Alex then rushes inside, just at the time when Julius was about to assinate the Secratery of State Alex chases Julian outside on to a Cairo highway and kills him but this time its different it was like he was killing himself later the CIA orders an attack on Razim's fort where Alex kills Razim by nocking him into a salt mound. later Alex's bestfriend Sabina Pleasure and her family adopt Alex to get him out of the spy life and to give him a home and a family.
In the Novel "Scorpia Rising" Alex goes through many set backs and challenges that the average person cant even imagine and the story seems like its trying to convey life, every time its going good something bad happens and you have to overcome the challenges of life or let them overwhelm you its your choice.
I have read the entire Alex Rider series and I have to say that the ninth book is my favorite I don't like to read but when I picked this book up I just couldn't put it down.
MI6 has found out about the visit and try to capture him due to a mole who was given a change of identity in exchange, but Scorpia agents in the museum disguised as visitors help Kurst to escape. He assigns the mission to the newest Scorpia board member, Abdul-Aziz Al-Rahim, known as Razim, who suggests blackmail, attempting to almost ruin the British reputation with the rest of the world. The plan requires Scorpia to build up a file, secretly named Horseman, on the subject of Alex being used as a spy by the British government for a disgraceful act, and killed, threatening to expose it, hence ruining the British reputation, unless the Elgin Marbles are returned to Greece. In a secret prison in Gibraltar for people who are against Britain, Scorpia manages to free Julius Grief, one of Hugo Grief's clones from Point Blanc who is also Alex's look-alike. Julius is hellbent on revenge over Alex for what he did in Point Blanc. Later At school, Alex is attacked by a sniper who wounds his friend Tom Harris in the arm with his second shot. Alex follows the sniper and is able to send the helicopter and the sniper who is escaping in it crashing into the Thames. This gives Alan Blunt a chance to send Alex on a mission to Cairo to investigate the new head of security at the Cairo International College of Arts and Education Erik Gunter. Scorpia then begins to target Smithers, who is found to have booby trapped his entire house in Cairo, from itching powder to a doormat which leads to the Cairo sewers. Alex then finds out what Smithers' last gadget is - a fat suit which he has been wearing since the moment Alex met him - and discovers that Smithers is really a skinny Irishman in his late thirties. He says they should split up, and leaves. Alex gets home, but finds Jack has been kidnapped and a note is ordering him to get to a certain location, or she will die. Alex arrives at the location, where he is kidnapped by Julius and Gunter. Both Alex and Jack are taken to Razim's fort in the Sahara Desert, where Alex is taken to be Razim's next subject. However, for the plan to work out, they cannot physically cause him pain or mark his body in any way. So Razim instead decides to use the opportunity to subject him to emotional pain. To do this, he strips Alex down to his boxers, ties him up, and attaches several emotion-recording devices to him. Razim pretends to allow Jack to escape from her cell by making sure one of the bars is weak enough to be removed with a knife Jack has stolen, knock out a guard and drive off in an old Land Rover. Unbeknownst to her, the Land Rover has 30 kilograms of explosives connected to it and, with Alex watching live on a screen, Julius detonates the bomb, killing her instantly. Alex's grief is too much for him to handle and he blacks out. Alex is then taken to Cairo, where he is told what will face him by Gunter – when the American Secretary of State decries the United Kingdom and gives her anti-British speech, Julius (posing as Alex on a school trip) will assassinate her, and in the clamor that follows, Alex's body will be found nearby. This will allow Alex to be framed, and Scorpia will be able to blackmail the British Government, threatening to expose their file on MI6's use of a schoolboy as an assassin unless the Elgin Marbles are returned. As a last request, Alex asks for a cigarette, and as Gunter opens the packet, an irate scorpion inside the packet, hidden previously by Alex, stings him. This immobilizes Gunter enough for Alex to steal his gun and break his nose, killing him from the trauma. Alex then rushes inside, just at the time when Julius was about to assinate the Secratery of State Alex chases Julian outside on to a Cairo highway and kills him but this time its different it was like he was killing himself later the CIA orders an attack on Razim's fort where Alex kills Razim by nocking him into a salt mound. later Alex's bestfriend Sabina Pleasure and her family adopt Alex to get him out of the spy life and to give him a home and a family.
In the Novel "Scorpia Rising" Alex goes through many set backs and challenges that the average person cant even imagine and the story seems like its trying to convey life, every time its going good something bad happens and you have to overcome the challenges of life or let them overwhelm you its your choice.
I have read the entire Alex Rider series and I have to say that the ninth book is my favorite I don't like to read but when I picked this book up I just couldn't put it down.
April 22, 2019
You're my closest friend and you're thousands of miles away.
This has to be my favourite Alex Rider book from the entire series thus far it was just brilliant and i am still trying to recover from what i learnt from this book.
Plot: Alex is once again dragged into MI6 mess and the spy world once again and even after the millionth time telling them that he was done for good. An old enemy of Alex's is freed by Scorpia and it turns out to be Julius Greif a Alex clone that was made in book two.
I really enjoyed this book and i was surprised because with this book being the ninth in the series however Anthony has taken this series and spun it in a new direction and threw a major plot twist that i was not expecting at all. I love how Scorpia have made a return again and they have got a whole new leadership group running the organisation who are smarter and quicker than who came before them.
Julius Greif the clone of Alex who was made in book two made his return back to get his revenge on Alex and it was all made possible with Scorpia freeing him. I think Julius turned out to be a huge threat towards Alex because he knew Alex inside out and knew how to get under his skin.
The major plot twist was when Jack Starbright was killed. i WAS not ready for this and i'm still in shock because theres not going to be Jack anymore she's not going to be there for Alex after he returns from his missions and Alex was totally heartbroken and it just tore me apart reading it.
Book nine in a series is always hard to keep things fresh in my opinion but Anthony did something bold with the killing of a main character who's been there from the beginning. this story was action packed and funny.
I can't wait to see where this series is taken in book 10!
This has to be my favourite Alex Rider book from the entire series thus far it was just brilliant and i am still trying to recover from what i learnt from this book.
Plot: Alex is once again dragged into MI6 mess and the spy world once again and even after the millionth time telling them that he was done for good. An old enemy of Alex's is freed by Scorpia and it turns out to be Julius Greif a Alex clone that was made in book two.
I really enjoyed this book and i was surprised because with this book being the ninth in the series however Anthony has taken this series and spun it in a new direction and threw a major plot twist that i was not expecting at all. I love how Scorpia have made a return again and they have got a whole new leadership group running the organisation who are smarter and quicker than who came before them.
Julius Greif the clone of Alex who was made in book two made his return back to get his revenge on Alex and it was all made possible with Scorpia freeing him. I think Julius turned out to be a huge threat towards Alex because he knew Alex inside out and knew how to get under his skin.
The major plot twist was when Jack Starbright was killed. i WAS not ready for this and i'm still in shock because theres not going to be Jack anymore she's not going to be there for Alex after he returns from his missions and Alex was totally heartbroken and it just tore me apart reading it.
Book nine in a series is always hard to keep things fresh in my opinion but Anthony did something bold with the killing of a main character who's been there from the beginning. this story was action packed and funny.
I can't wait to see where this series is taken in book 10!
October 30, 2011
I knew I was in trouble when the book cover announced that this was “The Final Mission”..! This book was very different from all the others in the series. For starters, the plot had a LOT of background and setup that went on. We don’t even SEE Alex Rider until the book is HALF over. I think that was too long to wait.
Basically, Scorpia is trying to show themselves as a force to be reckoned with, so they hatch a plan to not only pull off a major league crime, but pin it on Alex. There were flashes of the old Alex Rider excitement, but in my opinion, they were too far apart to make this an exciting novel.
Alex stumbles through much of this, with Scorpia one step ahead of him for so much of the story. When the big showdown does happen, I felt like it was contrived. A key element that was almost the deciding factor was some tidbit that was ultimately hidden from the reader until the last second, so we couldn’t even prepare for the‘gotchha’ moment, it just happened. The ending to the whole story was a downer (for me). If you like this series, stop with Crocodile Tears.
Basically, Scorpia is trying to show themselves as a force to be reckoned with, so they hatch a plan to not only pull off a major league crime, but pin it on Alex. There were flashes of the old Alex Rider excitement, but in my opinion, they were too far apart to make this an exciting novel.
Alex stumbles through much of this, with Scorpia one step ahead of him for so much of the story. When the big showdown does happen, I felt like it was contrived. A key element that was almost the deciding factor was some tidbit that was ultimately hidden from the reader until the last second, so we couldn’t even prepare for the‘gotchha’ moment, it just happened. The ending to the whole story was a downer (for me). If you like this series, stop with Crocodile Tears.
May 14, 2011
It’s finally here: the last Alex Rider. An author faces a lot of pressure writing the last book of a popular series. And up to now, Horowitz has done well to tell the same story in so many different ways.
What impressed me with this series was that woven in between all the killing and running was interesting information about world issues that would otherwise be relegated to the realm of adults: refugees and the criminals who exploit them; medical research and the noble and corrupt interests that drive it; political spin and those who dare to expose it...
I was disappointed that there wasn’t as much of this in the last, it was more action and suspense, and of course, a competition between the evil characters in just how evil they could be.
Another difference was that though previous instalments brought hardship to Alex’s loved ones it was usually at some distance from the reader, we weren’t deeply involved with the characters that fell. This one comes closer to home.
It has been a while since my last Alex Rider and I had forgotten how shocking they are. Alex is once again up against Scorpia, the worst of all mafia-style organisations, and he's witnessed murder, violence, torture and cruelty before his work with them is over.
It’s obviously not a book for sensitive, young readers, but as Alex enthusiasts will know Horowitz deals with harsh themes without making them too graphic, and so doesn't stir up too much in the reader's imagination. Neither is there any question about the nature of good and evil.
As series finales go I found it acceptable, though not extraordinary. Hopefully Horowitz can now take a break and rebuild his authorial inspiration.
What impressed me with this series was that woven in between all the killing and running was interesting information about world issues that would otherwise be relegated to the realm of adults: refugees and the criminals who exploit them; medical research and the noble and corrupt interests that drive it; political spin and those who dare to expose it...
I was disappointed that there wasn’t as much of this in the last, it was more action and suspense, and of course, a competition between the evil characters in just how evil they could be.
Another difference was that though previous instalments brought hardship to Alex’s loved ones it was usually at some distance from the reader, we weren’t deeply involved with the characters that fell. This one comes closer to home.
It has been a while since my last Alex Rider and I had forgotten how shocking they are. Alex is once again up against Scorpia, the worst of all mafia-style organisations, and he's witnessed murder, violence, torture and cruelty before his work with them is over.
It’s obviously not a book for sensitive, young readers, but as Alex enthusiasts will know Horowitz deals with harsh themes without making them too graphic, and so doesn't stir up too much in the reader's imagination. Neither is there any question about the nature of good and evil.
As series finales go I found it acceptable, though not extraordinary. Hopefully Horowitz can now take a break and rebuild his authorial inspiration.
August 24, 2018
تقریبا اواسط کتاب بود که فهمیدم این کتاب، آخرین جلد از این مجموعه اس و خب قطعا به خاطر همین بود که یه سری چیزهارو نمیفهمیدم از کجا پیداشون میشه :))
این کتاب رو برای نوجوان ها دسته بندی کردن و خب اگر صرفا به کتاب های نوجوانان علاقه مندید و همینطور با مسائل تخیلی مشکلی ندارید (یا حتی مثل من لذت هم میبرید)، حتما بخونیدش در غیر اینصورت فکر نمیکنم براتون جذابیتی داشته باشه.
این کتاب رو برای نوجوان ها دسته بندی کردن و خب اگر صرفا به کتاب های نوجوانان علاقه مندید و همینطور با مسائل تخیلی مشکلی ندارید (یا حتی مثل من لذت هم میبرید)، حتما بخونیدش در غیر اینصورت فکر نمیکنم براتون جذابیتی داشته باشه.
Want to read
September 14, 2010I just can't wait to see how it ends! I feel as though I've been reading this series forever!
January 18, 2012
The first thing I said when I finished "Scorpia Rising" was "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!??!", then I raged for a little while and then I went to bed. But lets start with the beginning.
I was thrilled when I found out that the last Alex Rider book was going to be about Scorpia. "Scorpia" was always my favourite Alex Rider book (they're such BAMFS!) and I was sure that Alex was going to go out with a bang. And for a while it actually looked like he was going to do exactly that.
"Scorpia Rising" is separated into two parts, the first 100 pages are from Scorpia's POV and the last 300 are from Alex's. The first 100 pages from Scorpia's POV are AWESOME and made me think that "Scorpia Rising" was going to be the best book of the entire series. It was just so good! It seemed like Anthony had finally made a worthy villain that wouldn't make stupid mistakes or underestimate Alex and the plot seemed so intricate and carefully planned. It was addicting. Alex's POV.. Hmm, the middle of the book was really good too. I liked it a lot. The last 150 pages or so though.. just fucking rip my eyes out. It was awful.
First of all, killing of Jack Starbright, Anthony? REALLY!? What the fuck. As I've said before the Alex Rider books are more about the plot than the characters but that doesn't mean I don't care about the characters. Jack Starbright is one of my favourites in the series. I wouldn't mind her being killed off if it had meant that Alex truly accepted his life as a spy once and for all, but the way she was killed off was just fucking annoying. It was like Anthony Horowitz was trying to be J.K. Rowling, a writer who actually masters the art of killing off characters, and he fucking failed. (I think he's quite a "Harry Potter" fanboy - there's references to HP throughout the entire series.)
My biggest problem with "Scorpia Rising" though was that it ended from the POV of Sabina's motherfucking Dad. WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? How could you even think that was remotely okay, Anthony? I've "known" Alex for about 7 years now and stuck with him through 9 books, he's the fucking main character, and you end with the POV from a minor character who I couldn't give a single fuck about!? That's pretty awful. Also, I can't believe Alex ended up with Sabina. I hate that whore. Biggest Mary Sue ever.
Another thing that really bothered me was how Anthony treated Mr. Blunt. I've always had a slightly weak spot for him and liked him, but "Scorpia Rising" made me loathe him. UGH. JUST UGH.
I don't think I ever been this dissatisfied with the ending of a series ever. Thank God I'm not a hardcore fan like I was in my early teens because then I would have been heartbroken.
I was thrilled when I found out that the last Alex Rider book was going to be about Scorpia. "Scorpia" was always my favourite Alex Rider book (they're such BAMFS!) and I was sure that Alex was going to go out with a bang. And for a while it actually looked like he was going to do exactly that.
"Scorpia Rising" is separated into two parts, the first 100 pages are from Scorpia's POV and the last 300 are from Alex's. The first 100 pages from Scorpia's POV are AWESOME and made me think that "Scorpia Rising" was going to be the best book of the entire series. It was just so good! It seemed like Anthony had finally made a worthy villain that wouldn't make stupid mistakes or underestimate Alex and the plot seemed so intricate and carefully planned. It was addicting. Alex's POV.. Hmm, the middle of the book was really good too. I liked it a lot. The last 150 pages or so though.. just fucking rip my eyes out. It was awful.
First of all, killing of Jack Starbright, Anthony? REALLY!? What the fuck. As I've said before the Alex Rider books are more about the plot than the characters but that doesn't mean I don't care about the characters. Jack Starbright is one of my favourites in the series. I wouldn't mind her being killed off if it had meant that Alex truly accepted his life as a spy once and for all, but the way she was killed off was just fucking annoying. It was like Anthony Horowitz was trying to be J.K. Rowling, a writer who actually masters the art of killing off characters, and he fucking failed. (I think he's quite a "Harry Potter" fanboy - there's references to HP throughout the entire series.)
My biggest problem with "Scorpia Rising" though was that it ended from the POV of Sabina's motherfucking Dad. WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? How could you even think that was remotely okay, Anthony? I've "known" Alex for about 7 years now and stuck with him through 9 books, he's the fucking main character, and you end with the POV from a minor character who I couldn't give a single fuck about!? That's pretty awful. Also, I can't believe Alex ended up with Sabina. I hate that whore. Biggest Mary Sue ever.
Another thing that really bothered me was how Anthony treated Mr. Blunt. I've always had a slightly weak spot for him and liked him, but "Scorpia Rising" made me loathe him. UGH. JUST UGH.
I don't think I ever been this dissatisfied with the ending of a series ever. Thank God I'm not a hardcore fan like I was in my early teens because then I would have been heartbroken.
November 17, 2012
SPOILER ALERT!!
I've been reading this series since I was very young and I remember enjoying it a lot. I was excited to see that the author had written another one, and I was also sad it was going to end. These books, I remembered, were a great series for boys and it was one of the first middle grade series I read.
It is a little difficult to explain this book because it is the last in the series. You would have to read the whole series to understand what it going on. I'll admit it, I don't remember some of the things because I read the prequel, Crocodile Tears, probably over a year ago. This is what happens in the book: Alex Rider is a former teenage spy and he is just trying to live a normal life. Everything changes when he is suddenly forced back into the dangerous world of M16. After almost being killed, they send him to Cairo, undercover. He is to find out what an evil organization named Scorpia is planning. Scorpia teamed up with a Middle Eastern man named Razim. Alex later discovers that there is a clone that is trying to kill him and an important government official. He manages to thwart all of their plans and only a few people are killed.
I'll be honest, I didn't particularly enjoy this book. It has random events and the ending was not what I expected, it also wasn't satisfactory. I feel like Horowitz was pressed for time so he threw together a quick ending. However, nothing was explained and the events just didn't work. For instance (this is actually toward the end of the middle), when Razim killed Jack- he just randomly blew her up even though she was a somewhat main character? Also, at the end Sabina's father takes Alex with him and Alex acts like a wall. Now, I could understand this if he was sad but he didn't act like he was so depressed over Jack's murder. One other thing I didn't like was how Blunt set up the sniper for Alex, because I thought he was going to be a secret member of Scorpia but he wasn't. Okay, two more things- It was so cheesy and unrealistic when Kurst had a sniper because he "knew" Kroll had the gun. And finally, Smithers had a fat suit the whole time. Really?
I'd also like to add that the opening scene wasn't bad but then it just got confusing about Ariston and the marbles. The author tried to make it seem like it was such an elaborate scheme but it just didn't work.
Sadly, this book made me question Horowitz's writing and I might need to go back to make sure he wasn't always like this. What a bad end to a great series.
I've been reading this series since I was very young and I remember enjoying it a lot. I was excited to see that the author had written another one, and I was also sad it was going to end. These books, I remembered, were a great series for boys and it was one of the first middle grade series I read.
It is a little difficult to explain this book because it is the last in the series. You would have to read the whole series to understand what it going on. I'll admit it, I don't remember some of the things because I read the prequel, Crocodile Tears, probably over a year ago. This is what happens in the book: Alex Rider is a former teenage spy and he is just trying to live a normal life. Everything changes when he is suddenly forced back into the dangerous world of M16. After almost being killed, they send him to Cairo, undercover. He is to find out what an evil organization named Scorpia is planning. Scorpia teamed up with a Middle Eastern man named Razim. Alex later discovers that there is a clone that is trying to kill him and an important government official. He manages to thwart all of their plans and only a few people are killed.
I'll be honest, I didn't particularly enjoy this book. It has random events and the ending was not what I expected, it also wasn't satisfactory. I feel like Horowitz was pressed for time so he threw together a quick ending. However, nothing was explained and the events just didn't work. For instance (this is actually toward the end of the middle), when Razim killed Jack- he just randomly blew her up even though she was a somewhat main character? Also, at the end Sabina's father takes Alex with him and Alex acts like a wall. Now, I could understand this if he was sad but he didn't act like he was so depressed over Jack's murder. One other thing I didn't like was how Blunt set up the sniper for Alex, because I thought he was going to be a secret member of Scorpia but he wasn't. Okay, two more things- It was so cheesy and unrealistic when Kurst had a sniper because he "knew" Kroll had the gun. And finally, Smithers had a fat suit the whole time. Really?
I'd also like to add that the opening scene wasn't bad but then it just got confusing about Ariston and the marbles. The author tried to make it seem like it was such an elaborate scheme but it just didn't work.
Sadly, this book made me question Horowitz's writing and I might need to go back to make sure he wasn't always like this. What a bad end to a great series.
March 28, 2011
I have enjoyed this genre of books since i was a young teenager; Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew.....any series that demonstrated empowered young people pitting their wits against unscrupulous adults. As a parent I am still interested in what young people are reading. Enter Alex Rider.
I have followed Alex from the beginning. Not your typical hero. He has been groomed against his will. He has been used against his will. He has lost every loving relationship save Jack. And he is doomed to lose her too. He knows that he is too young to be exposed to all this yet he comes to realize his strengths and along with that a confidence in his senses and abilities. He is mature well beyond his years. He acts where others would falter. He has been shot. He has shot and killed. That all this has happened in the space of one year of his life defies belief. But let us set that aside and examine what Mr. Horowitz proposes. That Alex Rider could ever heal and have a 'normal' life.
Alex is scarred and has been hardened. He sees the bad guys for what they are. He also sees that the good guys make compromises and use whatever they must to achieve an end. Can he trust anyone? Will the people he loves ever be safe? Another man might walk away. But Alex knows he can make a difference. Will he settle for a normal peaceful life, a wife, a white picket fence?
There is enormous potential for an adult novel series here. Give it a few years, i can wait. I am very curious about how Alex's life turns out as are, i am certain, all his fans who will themselves be coming of age.
Thanks for an amazing series Mr. Horowitz. I am only sorry that the movie did not do it justice.
I have followed Alex from the beginning. Not your typical hero. He has been groomed against his will. He has been used against his will. He has lost every loving relationship save Jack. And he is doomed to lose her too. He knows that he is too young to be exposed to all this yet he comes to realize his strengths and along with that a confidence in his senses and abilities. He is mature well beyond his years. He acts where others would falter. He has been shot. He has shot and killed. That all this has happened in the space of one year of his life defies belief. But let us set that aside and examine what Mr. Horowitz proposes. That Alex Rider could ever heal and have a 'normal' life.
Alex is scarred and has been hardened. He sees the bad guys for what they are. He also sees that the good guys make compromises and use whatever they must to achieve an end. Can he trust anyone? Will the people he loves ever be safe? Another man might walk away. But Alex knows he can make a difference. Will he settle for a normal peaceful life, a wife, a white picket fence?
There is enormous potential for an adult novel series here. Give it a few years, i can wait. I am very curious about how Alex's life turns out as are, i am certain, all his fans who will themselves be coming of age.
Thanks for an amazing series Mr. Horowitz. I am only sorry that the movie did not do it justice.
August 11, 2021
Every time I read one of these, I'm like, "How in the world is Alex going to get himself out of this one???" But somehow he manages it every time!
July 1, 2022
Overall Rating : B+
"What a fool he had been to think that MI6 would ever leave him alone. Perhaps it had been the same for his Uncle, Ian Rider - and his parents. They had all discovered the same thing. In the end, there was no way out. "
Alex Rider gets roped into one final mission, one that'll mark him forever.
So this was originally going to be the end of the series and when I say child me was destroyed by this book is an understatement. I couldn't have believed that the author would go that far in a children's book, but he did and was amazing and heart breaking all at once.
I can definitely see why he decided to continue on with the series later on. Really need to go back to fun, sassy spying, not bleak reality.
Read or don't read it, just be prepared for the end.
"What a fool he had been to think that MI6 would ever leave him alone. Perhaps it had been the same for his Uncle, Ian Rider - and his parents. They had all discovered the same thing. In the end, there was no way out. "
Alex Rider gets roped into one final mission, one that'll mark him forever.
So this was originally going to be the end of the series and when I say child me was destroyed by this book is an understatement. I couldn't have believed that the author would go that far in a children's book, but he did and was amazing and heart breaking all at once.
I can definitely see why he decided to continue on with the series later on. Really need to go back to fun, sassy spying, not bleak reality.
Read or don't read it, just be prepared for the end.
August 7, 2023
Ein toller Abschluss bzw. es kommt ja doch noch ein Buch, aber dieses war als Abschluss gedacht. Und es macht die ganze Sache rund. Auch wenn natürlich das ein oder andere passiert, worauf man hätte verzichten können (aber vielleicht rettet das nächste Buch das ja, ich bin gespannt). Ich bin sehr beeindruckt, wie deutlich es wird, welche Auswirkungen die Missionen auf Alex haben und dass er das nicht einfach alles abschüttelt. Vor allem, da die Reihe schon älter und ich das Gefühl habe, dass solche Bücher das immer alles sehr beschönigt haben...
August 26, 2020
I was SO sad to crack the cover of this 9th and final Alex Rider book...sad (but excited at the same time because, hello, it's a new Alex Rider book!). I LOVE Alex. He's a terrific character...one of my favorite characters ever. I did not want to say goodbye to him forever. It would be like saying goodbye to a dear friend.
I can understand why it had to end, though...if Anthony H. wanted to preserve some realism, Alex's series couldn't be like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, which go on forever and ever with them always 17. And besides, how much could he put Alex through and still have Alex survive?
Well, Alex is put through something in this book that tops all the rest of the near-deaths, tortures, and murder attempts in all the other books. It is truly horrific. But I didn't cry while I was reading it because I kept hoping that it just looked bad and wasn't really happening...that there was some way for the person(s) involved to get out of the situation they were in (trying not give away spoilers).
Unfortunately, I was wrong. It did really happen. And it was heartbreaking.
The plot: good. Insane action scenes that had me biting my nails. So good!!
The characters: good. The bad guys were suitably bad, and they got what they deserved.
The writing: It won't win awards for beauty but like all the other Alex books, the action, intrigue and danger kept me turning the pages as fast as possible. And I really cared about the main characters.
The ending: sad, but I couldn't see any other way for Alex to be happy and keep moving forward with his life. It seemed way too rushed, though...I wanted a nice long chapter to say my goodbyes and get used to the idea of Alex as a normal person. I sure was sad to say goodbye to him.
Something a bit different about this book was that Alex himself didn't show up for several chapters, which was surprising.
The "gadget" Smithers used for himself was truly shocking, and rather brilliant. I didn't see it coming. I have to wonder if it was planned from the beginning or thrown in as a surprising twist at the last minute?
I totally believed Alex was beaten towards the end of the book, and that even though he would likely somehow rally and save the day, I didn't see how it could be done. I was amazed, stunned, and delighted to see how he not only did that, but had planned it out. He is SMART. And infinitely resourceful, clever, and amazing. Did I mention how much I love Alex?
DON'T READ this next part if you haven't read "Scorpia"--spoiler alert:
For some reason when I read "Scorpia" and Alex almost died at the end and his parents appeared, I totally thought they were real. I thought somehow they'd escaped death and were in hiding until their enemies were caught, and then they could reunite with Alex and live as a happy family. I was confused and surprised by the end of "Scorpia Rising"...I found that was not the case, and I had to search online to figure out that apparently Alex saw a "vision" when he almost died via the Scorpia assassin's bullet. I guess I'm not sure why I missed what seemed so obvious to everyone else...it was a near-death experience, not a real one.
I can understand why it had to end, though...if Anthony H. wanted to preserve some realism, Alex's series couldn't be like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, which go on forever and ever with them always 17. And besides, how much could he put Alex through and still have Alex survive?
Well, Alex is put through something in this book that tops all the rest of the near-deaths, tortures, and murder attempts in all the other books. It is truly horrific. But I didn't cry while I was reading it because I kept hoping that it just looked bad and wasn't really happening...that there was some way for the person(s) involved to get out of the situation they were in (trying not give away spoilers).
Unfortunately, I was wrong. It did really happen. And it was heartbreaking.
The plot: good. Insane action scenes that had me biting my nails. So good!!
The characters: good. The bad guys were suitably bad, and they got what they deserved.
The writing: It won't win awards for beauty but like all the other Alex books, the action, intrigue and danger kept me turning the pages as fast as possible. And I really cared about the main characters.
The ending: sad, but I couldn't see any other way for Alex to be happy and keep moving forward with his life. It seemed way too rushed, though...I wanted a nice long chapter to say my goodbyes and get used to the idea of Alex as a normal person. I sure was sad to say goodbye to him.
Something a bit different about this book was that Alex himself didn't show up for several chapters, which was surprising.
The "gadget" Smithers used for himself was truly shocking, and rather brilliant. I didn't see it coming. I have to wonder if it was planned from the beginning or thrown in as a surprising twist at the last minute?
I totally believed Alex was beaten towards the end of the book, and that even though he would likely somehow rally and save the day, I didn't see how it could be done. I was amazed, stunned, and delighted to see how he not only did that, but had planned it out. He is SMART. And infinitely resourceful, clever, and amazing. Did I mention how much I love Alex?
DON'T READ this next part if you haven't read "Scorpia"--spoiler alert:
For some reason when I read "Scorpia" and Alex almost died at the end and his parents appeared, I totally thought they were real. I thought somehow they'd escaped death and were in hiding until their enemies were caught, and then they could reunite with Alex and live as a happy family. I was confused and surprised by the end of "Scorpia Rising"...I found that was not the case, and I had to search online to figure out that apparently Alex saw a "vision" when he almost died via the Scorpia assassin's bullet. I guess I'm not sure why I missed what seemed so obvious to everyone else...it was a near-death experience, not a real one.
March 27, 2011
I've 'rode' these books from the beginning to the end, starting in sixth grade. (You see what I did there, don't you?) In my honest opinion, they kept getting better as each one came. Alex grew, and with him, the threats grew as well.
Although Alex had many enemies, his biggest enemy was Scorpia, which stood for Sabotage, Corruption, Intelligence, and Assassination. He's forced them down before, but they won't stay down for long. The first part of the book is written through Scorpia's point of view, and, I won't lie, it was written so well that I actually wanted them to succeed. The second half, of course, is Alex. He is sent by M16 to live and attend school in Cairo. They tell him that all he must do is check out a school in Cairo. He finds out that his mission is much bigger than that.
Horowitz did something new with this one! Jack Starbright and Mr. Smithers joined Alex on his mission, because, honestly, all he was doing was going to school, right? I love how Horowitz incorporates the two characters and makes you meet them in a new way.
The end of this book will have you wondering: Who is REALLY the enemy?
Although Alex had many enemies, his biggest enemy was Scorpia, which stood for Sabotage, Corruption, Intelligence, and Assassination. He's forced them down before, but they won't stay down for long. The first part of the book is written through Scorpia's point of view, and, I won't lie, it was written so well that I actually wanted them to succeed. The second half, of course, is Alex. He is sent by M16 to live and attend school in Cairo. They tell him that all he must do is check out a school in Cairo. He finds out that his mission is much bigger than that.
Horowitz did something new with this one! Jack Starbright and Mr. Smithers joined Alex on his mission, because, honestly, all he was doing was going to school, right? I love how Horowitz incorporates the two characters and makes you meet them in a new way.
The end of this book will have you wondering: Who is REALLY the enemy?
April 26, 2011
Wow, this book started out super good! I loved it! But I didn't like the way it ended! It was very sad, I think he could have ended it much better. Poor Alex!
September 18, 2019
SCORPIA, an elite international criminal organization isn’t so elite anymore. That’s due to interactions with young Alex Rider who has beat them twice in the past. So now they plan to return to form by taking on a high-profile job and frame Alex for it. They will also ensure the secret of a 14-year-old boy being used by MI-6 with full knowledge of the Prime Minister gets out, destroying their reputations.
I understand this 9th novel in the Alex Rider series was originally meant to be the final one. It certainly reads like that. It is the longest book yet, adding several chapters at the beginning from SCORPIA’s perspective and establishing the primary antagonist’s background. It isn’t until page 129 (in my copy) that Alex makes his first appearance in the book. But more than that, this one really delves into just how dangerous the spy game is. At one point someone very close to Alex is killed. It was certainly unexpected and emotional for me and it nearly broke Alex. Also, along the way, it seemed like we were saying goodbye to a lot of characters, whether through impending retirements, or Alex needing to finally get away from the dangerous life that has been thrust upon him. As usual, Alex displays remarkable cleverness in getting out of tough spots but this time his anger really takes him to the edge. The ending of the book is bittersweet with Alex still suffering from loss but with a glimmer that he might have turned the corner and we hope he will be all right.
But, of course, there are now more books, probably due to their popularity. I, for one, am very happy about that, so I can check in on this young man that I’ve been following through nine books so far.
I understand this 9th novel in the Alex Rider series was originally meant to be the final one. It certainly reads like that. It is the longest book yet, adding several chapters at the beginning from SCORPIA’s perspective and establishing the primary antagonist’s background. It isn’t until page 129 (in my copy) that Alex makes his first appearance in the book. But more than that, this one really delves into just how dangerous the spy game is. At one point someone very close to Alex is killed. It was certainly unexpected and emotional for me and it nearly broke Alex. Also, along the way, it seemed like we were saying goodbye to a lot of characters, whether through impending retirements, or Alex needing to finally get away from the dangerous life that has been thrust upon him. As usual, Alex displays remarkable cleverness in getting out of tough spots but this time his anger really takes him to the edge. The ending of the book is bittersweet with Alex still suffering from loss but with a glimmer that he might have turned the corner and we hope he will be all right.
But, of course, there are now more books, probably due to their popularity. I, for one, am very happy about that, so I can check in on this young man that I’ve been following through nine books so far.
Read
January 21, 2025one of the only audiobooks i could find to borrow for my incredibly long bus journey, enjoyed it when i was 12 and enjoyed it at 23, it’s so ridiculous it’s funny and the guy doing the audiobook can’t do other accents to save his life
this is the best book out of the whole series though for sure,
this is the best book out of the whole series though for sure,
April 16, 2011
Man. This year is killing me. Every month, it seems, another one of my favorite series comes to an end. There was Mockingjay and Last Sacrifice last year, then this year Wicked Lovely's last book Darkest Mercy, A Prince Among Frogs (The Frog Princess), The Legacy (The Declaration), etc. Now the Alex Rider series is over. Am I sad? Definitely. Was this book just as good as the last 8? Yes!
Alex has finally turned 15; he's growing up and moving on with his life. It's been months since he last saw anyone from MI6 and it seems he's just a normal kid again. But Scorpia never forgives or forgets. He's bested them twice, and almost completely destroyed their reputation and now they're going to get him back. When Alex finds himself pulled back into the world of secrets, spies, and criminals, investigating a security officer at an international school in Egypt. But nothing is as it seems and he finds himself being played by everyone. This is his last mission, and the series is determined to go out with a bang.
What I liked about this book is that Anthony Horowitz realized what the formulaic elements of the other books were, and acknowledged them. For instance, when Scorpia wants to lure Alex into Egypt, they make MI6 believe that there's a security risk at a school, somewhere MI6 will be sure to send Alex to. I also found some of the action scenes more realistic than in previous novels. There are less fighting scenes in this novel (due, in part, to the fact the bad guys finally stopped underestimating Alex) but there is just as much, if not more, action. There's also a ton of suspense. I never knew what was going to happen next.
Alex has grown greatly as a character over this series. He's seems older in this book, both mentally and physical. He's learned from his mistakes, and is a dangerous enemy to Scorpia. In this book, more than any of the others, he escapes death and saves the day not only through pure dumb luck, but through smart thinking and planning. The other characters of this book seem just as fleshed out as ever, even the villains, and I really loved the complex character of Julius. Julius was in one of the previous books, and due to certain circumstances, has a deep personal loathing for Alex. In a way, I wanted to feel sorry for him. But he's just too mean and evil to pity.
Overall, this book was amazing. The stakes felt higher than they had in any previous book, and Scorpia's for sure my favorite "bad guy" of the series. If you enjoyed the other Alex Rider books, you'll love this. I recommend it for ages 12 and up because there's quite a bit of violence in it (and on very sad and scary death). I'm so sad this series has ended, but at least it did so before it could go downhill. My one complaint with this book, however, was that the ending didn't really feel all that much like the end. Write another, Anthony Horowitz! Or if not, please write the next The Gatekeepers book soon!
Rating: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Premise: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Alex has finally turned 15; he's growing up and moving on with his life. It's been months since he last saw anyone from MI6 and it seems he's just a normal kid again. But Scorpia never forgives or forgets. He's bested them twice, and almost completely destroyed their reputation and now they're going to get him back. When Alex finds himself pulled back into the world of secrets, spies, and criminals, investigating a security officer at an international school in Egypt. But nothing is as it seems and he finds himself being played by everyone. This is his last mission, and the series is determined to go out with a bang.
What I liked about this book is that Anthony Horowitz realized what the formulaic elements of the other books were, and acknowledged them. For instance, when Scorpia wants to lure Alex into Egypt, they make MI6 believe that there's a security risk at a school, somewhere MI6 will be sure to send Alex to. I also found some of the action scenes more realistic than in previous novels. There are less fighting scenes in this novel (due, in part, to the fact the bad guys finally stopped underestimating Alex) but there is just as much, if not more, action. There's also a ton of suspense. I never knew what was going to happen next.
Alex has grown greatly as a character over this series. He's seems older in this book, both mentally and physical. He's learned from his mistakes, and is a dangerous enemy to Scorpia. In this book, more than any of the others, he escapes death and saves the day not only through pure dumb luck, but through smart thinking and planning. The other characters of this book seem just as fleshed out as ever, even the villains, and I really loved the complex character of Julius. Julius was in one of the previous books, and due to certain circumstances, has a deep personal loathing for Alex. In a way, I wanted to feel sorry for him. But he's just too mean and evil to pity.
Overall, this book was amazing. The stakes felt higher than they had in any previous book, and Scorpia's for sure my favorite "bad guy" of the series. If you enjoyed the other Alex Rider books, you'll love this. I recommend it for ages 12 and up because there's quite a bit of violence in it (and on very sad and scary death). I'm so sad this series has ended, but at least it did so before it could go downhill. My one complaint with this book, however, was that the ending didn't really feel all that much like the end. Write another, Anthony Horowitz! Or if not, please write the next The Gatekeepers book soon!
Rating: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Premise: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
February 29, 2012
Based on what i read on Horowitz blog this book sounds like its going to be alot better than that horrible Crocidile tears. i hated that book, too predictable.
I can't wait to read this though because the best organization Scorpia is Back!!!! Someone from all the books are going to die, i bet its going to be Jack.
Well i'll edit this after i read it on my birthday (April 5th, the day it comes out!!!!) I'm so exited, thankfully The lost hero is coming out next week, can't wait for that book. More than those books, i'm ready to read the 5th power of Five book, i love that series, the characters are better and the action is better. Nightrise is the bomb!
I can't wait to read this though because the best organization Scorpia is Back!!!! Someone from all the books are going to die, i bet its going to be Jack.
Well i'll edit this after i read it on my birthday (April 5th, the day it comes out!!!!) I'm so exited, thankfully The lost hero is coming out next week, can't wait for that book. More than those books, i'm ready to read the 5th power of Five book, i love that series, the characters are better and the action is better. Nightrise is the bomb!
June 4, 2019
The dark and shocking conclusion to the number one bestselling Alex Rider series.
As reviewed by an 11 yr old, "This book was brilliant. It has two parts, one about Scorpia, and the other about Alex. An old enemy returns to gain revenge on Alex, and as usual, theres a new enemy. This book is easily my favourite Alex Rider book. Smithers reveals a bog secret, and Alex loses a great friend. A perfect book for any teenager."
As reviewed by an 11 yr old, "This book was brilliant. It has two parts, one about Scorpia, and the other about Alex. An old enemy returns to gain revenge on Alex, and as usual, theres a new enemy. This book is easily my favourite Alex Rider book. Smithers reveals a bog secret, and Alex loses a great friend. A perfect book for any teenager."
March 12, 2021
Very good but I was sad when Jack Starbright died
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2024
Deducting a star for the way Horowitz spoke about Cairo
This one is my favorite Alex Rider novel, so far; I practically devoured the novel. The villains were at their very best: conniving, manipulative and ruthless (worthy of the title 'Scorpia'). There's a particular trope, which has been utilized in this novel (I won't go into details lest I spoil it), which I'm usually not a fan of, but it's done so beautifully that I had no complaints.
Deducting a star coz Horowitz needs to STOP SHAMING OTHER COUNTRIES for certain things that might not be ideal. It's become a habit of his to show every country, other than Britain, in a terrible way and highlight (even exaggerate) all the shortcomings. It's borderline racist, at this point.
This one is my favorite Alex Rider novel, so far; I practically devoured the novel. The villains were at their very best: conniving, manipulative and ruthless (worthy of the title 'Scorpia'). There's a particular trope, which has been utilized in this novel (I won't go into details lest I spoil it), which I'm usually not a fan of, but it's done so beautifully that I had no complaints.
Deducting a star coz Horowitz needs to STOP SHAMING OTHER COUNTRIES for certain things that might not be ideal. It's become a habit of his to show every country, other than Britain, in a terrible way and highlight (even exaggerate) all the shortcomings. It's borderline racist, at this point.
May 19, 2017
This book was pretty much the same as all the other ones, though the ending was a little different. But it still was pretty good. At some parts it was a little boring, but overall, it was a good ending to the story of Alex Rider.
May 23, 2017
I am a fan of Alex Rider. I am sad there's only 1 more book after this...
September 17, 2023
Very emotional 😭😭😭😭
February 22, 2024
I'll be honest I DNF this book, after 58% read or 5 hours and 25 minutes i just checked out. I was bored, it took 2 hours before Alex even appears in his own story and with the same tropes and twists and ideas, i just felt like a repeat of the past books, I thought now that alex was older amd changed at this point in his journey so would the story and the types of stories he would be involved with but it doesn't feel different or evolved, it feels like what I've read with every other installment. And this is a shame as I've come to enjoy this series but it just never grew up with the character or audience and i had to walk away. I wished i had stopped with crocodile tears
June 2, 2024
I think it’s a very good last book but I still have so many questions!!!!
August 12, 2012
As Britain's top spy, working for M16, Alex Rider has battled numerous villains. He's taken down some of the world's most brilliant criminal masterminds and has proven again and again how brave, resourceful, and efficient he is. Alex has done all this despite being just fifteen years old. But in "Scorpia Rising", Alex faces his very last mission of all. And this is one he might not come home from.
It is with a heavy heart that I write this review. I have been a fan of Alex Rider for a very long time now. The series was first introduced to me back when I was in Bangladesh. I read it as an e-book (despite hating e-books) because there was nothing else to read and because Alex's stories kept me sane. In a way, I grew up with Alex Rider. My sister, even more so. And so it is with great disappointment and heartache, that I write this review for the very last book in the series.
To start with the good, Anthony Horowitz's writing is unparalleled. You can plainly see the work he puts into creating each of the Alex Rider novels. He often mentions how he traveled to different parts of the world when writing the plot for each book and you can tell just by the detail that he includes. He's also a screenwriter, and a lot of that is obvious in the way that he writes. He is magnificent at writing action scenes. This is a series that had hardly any romance at all, and yet I LOVED it. (That's impressive, coming from me!) With book #9, the writing does not suffer at all and once again, the action scenes are amazing.
There were parts to the story that were so endearing (having read books #1-8 over the years) that just reading them made me sad because I realized I wouldn't hear about these characters and things anymore. Overall while reading the book I felt a sense of melancholy. Unfortunately, this only grew stronger as the book progressed.
I was fully prepared for the story to go in a certain direction. I would've liked it to, even. But it didn't. Instead something else happened and Horowitz took an entirely different route. I did not like this. Alex Rider has always been the impossible: the awesome, admirable hero who always manages to save the day no matter what. Unrealistic? Perhaps. But AWESOME? YES! That's why I loved it so much! With this book it seemed like Horowitz suddenly realized that he had to make it end as realistically as possible and so he did. But I didn't want that. I didn't think it was necessary either. Anyone who is reading the Alex Rider series is not looking for realistic, factual, accounts. They're looking for fun, adventure, the good guy saving the day, and an adrenaline rush. "Scorpia Rising" provides you with some of that, but it also takes an entirely different turn.
I will always love Alex Rider and still intend to purchase the entire series. Its been with me too long for me to not do that. However, I felt like the majority of this book was very, very slow. The action suddenly erupted towards the very end and at that point, there was so much emotion hitting the reader as well that I had to stop several times just to give myself a break. With that being said, a lot of loose ends are wrapped up and the ending is...fitting. Somewhat. Despite not being what I wanted it to be.
Fans of the series should definitely read this so that they can learn how the story ends. Those who have not yet ventured into Alex's world however, should start with book one: "Stormbreaker" and go from there. By the time you get to "Scorpia Rising", you'll read it just to find out what happens. :)
Random things: "Scorpia" (book #5) was by far the most incredible book of the entire series. Snakehead (#7) and Crocodile Tears (#8) were my second and third favorites respectively. Anthony Horowitz is planning to publish one more book, book #10, titled "Yassen". This will revolve around the life of another character and will not include Alex.
I will miss you Alex Rider.
It is with a heavy heart that I write this review. I have been a fan of Alex Rider for a very long time now. The series was first introduced to me back when I was in Bangladesh. I read it as an e-book (despite hating e-books) because there was nothing else to read and because Alex's stories kept me sane. In a way, I grew up with Alex Rider. My sister, even more so. And so it is with great disappointment and heartache, that I write this review for the very last book in the series.
To start with the good, Anthony Horowitz's writing is unparalleled. You can plainly see the work he puts into creating each of the Alex Rider novels. He often mentions how he traveled to different parts of the world when writing the plot for each book and you can tell just by the detail that he includes. He's also a screenwriter, and a lot of that is obvious in the way that he writes. He is magnificent at writing action scenes. This is a series that had hardly any romance at all, and yet I LOVED it. (That's impressive, coming from me!) With book #9, the writing does not suffer at all and once again, the action scenes are amazing.
There were parts to the story that were so endearing (having read books #1-8 over the years) that just reading them made me sad because I realized I wouldn't hear about these characters and things anymore. Overall while reading the book I felt a sense of melancholy. Unfortunately, this only grew stronger as the book progressed.
I was fully prepared for the story to go in a certain direction. I would've liked it to, even. But it didn't. Instead something else happened and Horowitz took an entirely different route. I did not like this. Alex Rider has always been the impossible: the awesome, admirable hero who always manages to save the day no matter what. Unrealistic? Perhaps. But AWESOME? YES! That's why I loved it so much! With this book it seemed like Horowitz suddenly realized that he had to make it end as realistically as possible and so he did. But I didn't want that. I didn't think it was necessary either. Anyone who is reading the Alex Rider series is not looking for realistic, factual, accounts. They're looking for fun, adventure, the good guy saving the day, and an adrenaline rush. "Scorpia Rising" provides you with some of that, but it also takes an entirely different turn.
I will always love Alex Rider and still intend to purchase the entire series. Its been with me too long for me to not do that. However, I felt like the majority of this book was very, very slow. The action suddenly erupted towards the very end and at that point, there was so much emotion hitting the reader as well that I had to stop several times just to give myself a break. With that being said, a lot of loose ends are wrapped up and the ending is...fitting. Somewhat. Despite not being what I wanted it to be.
Fans of the series should definitely read this so that they can learn how the story ends. Those who have not yet ventured into Alex's world however, should start with book one: "Stormbreaker" and go from there. By the time you get to "Scorpia Rising", you'll read it just to find out what happens. :)
Random things: "Scorpia" (book #5) was by far the most incredible book of the entire series. Snakehead (#7) and Crocodile Tears (#8) were my second and third favorites respectively. Anthony Horowitz is planning to publish one more book, book #10, titled "Yassen". This will revolve around the life of another character and will not include Alex.
I will miss you Alex Rider.
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