Series: Alex Rider #3.5
Published by Philomel Books on May 21, 2019
Genres: Young Adult, Thriller
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
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!
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I remember reading and loving the Alex Rider books when I was younger. Mission Impossible and James Bond had their thrills, but Alex Rider was someone I could relate to. He’s a normal kid who’s thrown into the field without warning and forced to make impossible choices. While thinking of creative ways to highlight the fun and thrills of this back, I began wondering what advice Alex would give to teenage spies in the making, and I found similar themes interwoven throughout his adventures.
Following is a teenage spy survival guide based on the life of master teenage spy Alex Rider as told through the stories featured in Alex Rider: Secret Weapon.
Teenage Spy Survival Guide
DON’T TRUST ANYONE. NOT EVEN YOUR ALLIES.
When you’ve been in the business long enough, you learn that plans go wrong—often. Allies may become incapacitated; plans may be miscommunicated. A criminal may even disguise himself as a figure of authority.
Never think for a moment that you’re the only one in disguise or with hidden motives. An ally might be bought out by the enemy, or they may have their own agenda in mind. Go into the mission prepared to think on the go.
WHATEVER NEEDS DOING, DO IT NOW.
You never know when you’re going to be assigned a mission—or the mission comes to you. You may be working on homework when M16 sends you to Iran the following week. You may be on a school trip to the local museum and run into a wanted criminal. You may even be on your way to the dentist only to have a bad feeling about some people you run into.
Is there something you’ve been putting off for a while? You’d better go take care of that as soon as you finish reading this survival guide. Because something’s always going to happen, whether you’re looking for it or not.
TRUST YOU’RE THE MAN (OR WOMAN) FOR THE JOB.
“Why me?” You’re going to ask this a lot, especially if you never asked to be a spy. You’re not alone.
You also wouldn’t be a spy if you didn’t have the talent for it. M16 needs you.
Trust your instincts. Trust your training. And trust that the world has need of you.
EXPECT THE WORST AND PREPARE FOR WORSE.
The world has need of us because bad things happen. But the good guys aren’t the only ones with plans in the works; the bad guys are moving too. The good guys might not even have the whole picture, or the intelligence they received is flawed.
Take what you can get—with a large pinch of salt. Go into the mission with a Plan B, C, and D, and be prepared to make up Plan E as you go. Observe your surroundings; think about what you can use once things go wrong.
REMEMBER THE STAKES.
Lastly, remember what and who you’re fighting for. Because on its own, this job isn’t worth it. You need something to anchor you. That’s what’ll get you through the trenches at the end of the day.
Content: PG-13
Life-risking missions
Death (not graphic)
Terrorists
Let’s Chat
📚 Have you read any of the Alex Rider books?
📚 Pretended you were a spy?
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
Love this! What a fun way to pay homage to a series you loved!!
Crystal says
Thanks, Nicole!