Rating:  Summary: Awesome!!! Review: Stormbreaker is one of my favorite books. I have read it through many times. It is about a 14 year old boy who lives with his housekeeper, and his uncle. One night, policemen come to the door and tell Alex that his uncle was killed out in a car crash. Alex does some research, and finds out that his uncle's car was riddled with bullets. Soon after, Alex discovers that his uncle was a spy. He decides to follow in uncle's footsteps. Alex goes on a mission to find out if a man donating computers to all the schools in London is really as nice as he seems. Armed with a tube of stuff that burns through metal, a yo-yo that can lift his weight when climing, and a Game-boy that really is a fax machine/scanner, a x-ray device that can see through walls, a bug finder, and a smoke bomb. Using these devices, he goes under cover. Thats all I'm going to tell you, read the book to experience the adventure of STORMBREAKER.
Rating:  Summary: Stormbreaker Review: Stormbreaker Scholastics Inc., 2002, pgs.192, $5.99 Anthony Horowits ISBN 0-439-39092-3 Alex Rider is just a normal boy until his uncle, Ian Rider, died. Since then, MI6 has recruited him to be a spy to check out this new computer, the Stormbreaker. This computer is being sent to all English schools as a token of appreciation by Herod Sayle. He had a contest and whoever won got to be the first to try out the new computer. MI6 replaces the real winner with Alex and he finds out what is going on. So the agency gives him a yo-yo with an unbreakable string, zit cream that eats through metal, and a game boy with 4 different games with different purposes. He finds out that Herod is actually trying to kill the people with a form of small pox. This is only activated by the master switch which will be turned on at 12:00. Will Alex Rider stop him or will the English school kids die? There are also other books of Alex Rider adventures by Anthony. There is Point Blank and Skeleton Key. I rate this book a 9 out of 10.
Rating:  Summary: Stormbreaker Review Review: Alex Rider is a 14-year-old orphan living in London with his uncle, Ian Rider. Just a 'lowly banker' in Alex's mind, Ian Rider seems overly reserved, and it's not until he is killed in a car crash that Alex realises he knows next to nothing about his uncle. Strange things begin to happen however, and Alex soon realises his uncle was not a banker at all. It turns out Ian Rider was an MI6 Agent, and had been the whole time Alex knew him, why didn't he see it earlier? Anyway, the MI6 have a few problems. Firstly they are missing their best spy, and second, they have a teenager on their hands that knows too much. What better way to solve the problem than recruit Alex, against his will, into the MI6... It seems slightly far-fetched, but seriously, who would suspect a 14-year-old of being a spy? Before he knows it Alex is off on his first mission, with his own set of hi-tech spy gadgets. Billionaire Herod Sayle is promising a free 'Stormbreaker' computer to every school in the country, and Alex's mission is to get into Sayle Enterprises and find the catch, without being found out... What's good about Stormbreaker is that it's action packed and gets to the point fairly quickly. The author, Anthony Horowitz, has done a good job of mixing some modern concepts into a present day setting to make it interesting; however you need to let your imagination run wild and out of control otherwise it's all a tad far-fetched. Stormbreaker is good for a light read, but for a long and more in-depth read you'll probably need to look elsewhere. I'd recommend the book to younger readers with a bit of imagination, looking for a light read.
Rating:  Summary: Stormbreaker book review Review: Stormbreaker is the most thrilling book Ive ever read. Anthony Horowitz wrote an amazing book about 14 year old, Alex Rider becomming a British spy. Anthony Horowitz wrote a great book taking place in England. The time setting in 2001, in a town called Port Tallon. I think that any person who like James Bond would love Stormbreaker. I recommend that you read Stormbreaker because it is action packed and filled with intense moments in the book. Alex Rider's adventures starts when he gets a house call at three in the mourning. He soon finds out his uncle is dead. His uncle is said to have died in a car crash shen the plolice say he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Although, Alex knows his uncle doesnt' start the car with out putting his seatbelt on. When Alex gets blackmailed by the British government to save the world, he soon finds himeself being a spy for the British Government. All in all, this is a great book it has lost of action and emotion. If you like thrillers this book well thrill you.
Rating:  Summary: Response to Literature Review: Fourteen-year-old Alex Rider is no ordinary teenager. For many years he has believed that his uncle was a good, honest banker from England. Then late one night, he receives the message that his uncle had perished in a fatal car accident. That's when he learns that his uncle is more than meets the eye. He sneaks into the impound where the car was located and discovers bullet holes all along the driver side. He hadn't died in a car accident. He was murdered. He then discovered why. His uncle, Ian Rider, his uncle, was a spy for MI6, the spy agency of England. He learns that his uncle's banking office, , is actually the MI6 headquarters. After he passes their test he agrees to undergo training to complete his uncles last mission. During the mission, he must stop Herod Sayle, the nemesis of the book, from releasing the ultimate computer, the Stormbreaker. He must utilize stealth when all else has failed, wits, skill, and of course, sheer dumb luck. Stormbreaker, summed up in one little sentence, is awesome. My favorite character in this book is Alex Rider, the main character. He is a brave, resourceful teen with a bit of an attitude towards authority at some points. He is the perfect athlete and candidate for a spy. "'Do you think he is ready?, asked Mr. Blunt's secretary. 'Yes', replied Blunt"(Horowitz 34). The title of this book refers to the main "weapon" in this story, the Stormbreaker computers. The computers; created, built, and distributed by Herod Sayle and Sayle Enterprises, look like just extremely high-tech computers that become the ultimate tool for homework. However, inside a dark secret is held behind the computers' frame. A vial inside each one contains a deadly virus. This is not just any virus, but a scientifically altered version of smallpox, a disease wiped out by mankind long ago. "'My scientists have worked day and night to produce the ultimate virus, a smallpox on steroids, if you don't understand'"(Horowitz 67). Of all the books and movies I have seen, only one really relates to this story. Those movies star a certain action hero that you have probably heard of, a certain James Bond. I mean, both Alex and Bond have taken identities in the past, both are fluent in many languages, including German and French. Both of them are English. Both are of course spies. They even work for the same agency, MI6, Britain's government agency, like our CIA. "'Your uncle was a spy,' Blunt came cleanly. Alex couldn't help but smile. 'You mean like James Bond'"(Horowitz 25)? The theme of this book is without a doubt, action-adventure. I mean, if a story included a boy parachuting from the sky with an airplane being piloted right at him by an evil henchman, pursued by two machine-gun toting thugs on four-wheelers, discovering an evil plot to eliminate half of England's schoolchildren, and a four-thousand dollar bet on a game of snooker (a table game kind of like pool) would not consider it an action-adventure? This story reminded me of an ancient bible story, David versus Goliath. Herod Sayle & Sayle Enterprises pose as Goliath and Alex plays the part of David, taking out the evil corporation against all odds. All in all, anyone who enjoys a good action book will have a fun time with this book.
Rating:  Summary: This isn't just another YA book! Review: I don't remember how I got hooked on the Alex Rider Adventure books, but I'm glad I did. Alex is an unusual fourteen-year-old with many skills: he is fluent in French, Spanish, and German...has the ability to drive a Quad...a Blackbelt in karate...can play snooker like Minnesota Fats plays pool...and has a nose for danger...AND a sense of humor! He usually finds himself up against the wealthiest, nastiest, cold-blooded villains this side of James Bond. Alex is also the youngest special agent MI6 (British Intelligence) has ever had. Put all that and more in a fast-paced, action-packed, page-turner of a novel and you can't lose. Mr. Horowitz has developed a likeable and interesting hero. I hope he continues writing more of these wonderful books. I think adults would enjoy reading about Alex, too.
Rating:  Summary: Shaken AND Stirred Review: When fourteen year-old Alex Rider hears of his uncle's tragic death in an auto accident, he becomes immediately suspicious. Ian Rider had been a banker, a very careful man. He was also Alex's only living relative. Following up on his uncle's car, Alex discovers that the car is at a junkyard and is sporting dozens of bullet holes and blood on the seats that proves his uncle was murdered. So who killed Ian Rider and covered the act up? And why? Alex's quest for the truth introduces him to Alan Blunt, a spymaster for Great Britain's MI6 espionage agency. Caught while seeking further information, Alex is blackmailed by Blunt into becoming the youngest spy to ever work for MI6. Herod Sayles, a multi-millionaire, is giving away thousands of his newest computer, Stormbreaker, to the children of London's schools. Ian Rider was investigating the man and those machines when he was killed. If Alex doesn't agree to undertake the mission, Blunt promises that he will be sent off to an orphan's home, and that his housekeeper, Jack Starbright, will be deported back to America. Before he can adjust to getting blackmailed, Alex is sent on a three-week crash course training with SAS commandos. Yanked out of training, Alex is thrown headlong into the grinning jaws of death where he will meet a spectacular array of villains, including Mr. Grin who has had his face disfigured during a throwing knife accident in a circus, and a huge jellyfish. Anthony Horowitz is a successful writer of novels and television shows. His second Alex Rider novel, POINT BLANK, is out this year. In addition, he's written historical thrillers, THE SINISTER SECRET OF FREDERICK K. BOWER and THE DEVIL AND HIS BOY. He's also written a series of books involving the FIVE including THE DEVIL'S DOOR-KNOB, NIGHT OF THE SCORPION, and THE SILVER CITADEL. His work for television lists scripts for POIROT and MIDSOMER NIGHTS, and he has created his own television show, MURDER IN MIND. STORMBREAKER is an exciting, easy to read, and hard to put down novel. The breakneck pace of the story draws the reader on, and the simple use of the language to convey the story make it that much easier to read just one more page, and another, and another. However, the simple writing evokes full images, cast and settings. And there are twists and turns aplenty in the story. Alex is very likeable, and he's very much like James Bond must have been at that age. Not only is he quick and mildly sardonic, but he gets equipped with a cutting-edge tech GameBoy equipped with spygear, zit cream that eats through metal, and a yo-yo that doubles as a winch, serving him as well as Spider-Man's weblines. Even though the pace is driving and the descriptions are wonderful, the book could have used a little more dialogue. The dialogue that the author uses is pretty much spot-on, but more of it was needed. STORMBREAKER is an excellent read for anyone interested in action adventure novels and spy stories.
Rating:  Summary: Slow starting, becoming page turning, & a surprise ending Review: The setting is London, England. The police said Ian Rider died in a car collision, but when his 14-year-old nephew Alex Rider looks at the car, it's full of bullet holes. He knows that his uncle didn't die in a car collision. He finds out that he was murdered. Alex finds out that his uncle was an international spy and then is blackmailed into taking his place. It's up to Alex to finish his uncle's mission. He needs to find the information that his uncle left behind and use it to find out why Sayle Enterprises is giving away millions of free top quality computers. When he finds out what will happen if he fails to stop Herod Sayle and his Stormbreaker computers equipped with biochemical warfare, designed to kill every one in England, he knows that he has to finish and be successful with the mission. Overall I thought the book was pretty good. I found this book dull in the first few chapters, but it picks up pace when Alex starts his mission. The book ends with a fast finish, full of wild events. I think Anthony Horowitz created very interesting characters. One of his characters is Mr. Grin, a former circus knife thrower. Mr. Grin changed his name after he did his grand finale act and got his face very badly cut up, leaving a scar that resembles a grin. I would have given it a 5 star rating but because of the first few chapters' start slow, I rated it down a star. This book is great for 4th and 5th graders. You must not skip the beginning chapters because even though they are slow they contain information that helps you understand the middle and the end of the book. Read Anthony Horowitz's Stormbreaker. Look for Alex Riders next adventure Point Blank. MLE,Ms.Kasila's class
Rating:  Summary: Stormbreaker Review: ...Do you have a sweet tooth for action packed adventure books? Do you have a craving for that one good book you've been waiting for? Stormbreaker is the book for you. One rainy night in Chelsea, England, at the residence of Ian Rider and his nephew Alex, two Bobbies, British policeman, rapped sharply at the door. It was three a.m. Ian was away on a supposed business trip for the bank that he supposedly worked for. Alex was the only one home. The Bobbies told Alex that his uncle had gotten into a car accident and had died because he wasn't wearing his seat belt. Alex automatically knew that they were lying, so he started to investigate his death. Along the way, the bank that Ian had allegedly worked for called Alex and said they wanted to meet him. They wanted to send him into Port Tallon and take out a top-secret terrorist act taking place at a world-renowned computer company. Alex took it, went to Port Tallon, and went through with the mission. As Alex went along in his mission, he encounters countless dangers and has almost died. Will Alex complete the mission and save all of England? You'll have to read the book to find out. We give Stormbreaker five stars out of five. It was one of the best books that we've ever read. The action of Tom Clancy is mixed with the suspense and mystery of Dean Koontz, to form a brilliant masterpiece that hooks you right away. This is a great book and we recommend it to anybody and everybody. Anybody who likes action is sure to love this book. ...
Rating:  Summary: Stormbreaker Review: Alex Rider is an ordinary teenager living in London, but when his uncle dies in a car accident, everything changes. Alex is told that his uncle wasn't wearing a seat belt, but his uncle was always very picky about wearing seat belts. Alex goes to the junkyard where the wrecked car is, and he discovers that the car is full of bullet holes, and he gets very suspicious. Alex discovers that his uncle was in MI6 (a British intelligence agency that hires spies and secret agents) and was a secret agent. Alex is chosen to continue his uncle's mission, which was to investigate where the Stormbreaker computers are being produced. The Stormbreakers are being given away to all the schools in the country, and MI6 is suspicious about it. The man giving away the computers away is not very generous, and it is a very sudden donation too. Alex accepts the mission and investigates the production site under a fake name, and discovers that some very suspicious things are happening. In my opinion, "Stormbreaker," is an excellent book. It has a well thought out plot, and it is action packed. The book always keeps you guessing, and you never know what comes next. Even though Alex uses a lot of advanced technology, it is not so futuristic that it seems unrealistic. I would recommend this to people who are at about a middle school reading level and want a quick book to read.
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