Eagle Strike
The Alex Rider Series
Anthony Horowitz

Puffin (Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-14-240613-9 (0142406139)
ISBN-13: 978-0-14-240613-7 (9780142406137)
Publication Date: February 2006
List Price: $7.99

Review: Eagle Strike is the fourth book in the “Alex Rider” series written by Anthony Horowitz. In it, Alex is left on his own without any help from MI6, a British Secret Intelligence service. Can Alex save the world or will time run out?

On a vacation in France is the last place Alex Rider thought he would find trouble. After seeing Yassen Gregorovich, a hired assassin, and having his vacation home blown up he knows something amiss. After confronting Yassen, Alex finds out that he was not the target, it was actually the father of the family Alex was staying with and that Yassen was hired by Damian Cray. Alex decides it is time to end his vacation early and return to London. There he heads to MI6 to express his concerns about Damian Cray. Since Cray is the world’s biggest celebrity who has given millions to charity, MI6 has trouble believing Alex. Still not convinced that Cray is not a threat Alex decides to go after him on his own. In the process Alex learns that Cray has a secret operation under the name Eagle Strike. Can Alex figure out what Eagle Strike is and stop everyone’s favorite pop star before time runs out or is Alex in over his head without the help of MI6?

Eagle Strike is a well written book that will grab your attention and hold it throughout the entire book. Unlike some books, Eagle Strike doesn’t have any dry parts; there is action on every page. Another great thing is how Anthony Horowitz describes everything; it makes you feel like you are also part of the story. He also keeps the story not too simple, but not too complex making it a perfect read for middle and high school students

Overall I would give Eagle Strike five out of five stars. It is action packed and you will never want to put the book down. In my opinion there is only one negative about the book. I felt that some of the scenes went very quickly and could have been lengthened, but it did not take away from the overall story. Another plus was that Mr. Horowitz made the end of the book a cliffhanger to lead you into the next book in the series, Scorpia. So be sure you pick up Eagle Strike, it is an amazing book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Review written by Eric, Age 14, Grade 8. Date of review: April 2009.

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