Eagle Strike:The Graphic Novel (Alex Rider: The Graphic Novel, #4) by Anthony Horowitz. Adapted by Antony Johnston. Illustrated by Yuzuru Takasaki and Kanako Damerum, Candlewick, 2017. 9780763692568
Format: Paperback
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3
Genre: Adventure
What did you like about the book? I like that this exciting adventure series by Anthony Horowitz is finding a new life in a graphic novel format. Teenage spy prodigy Alex is on vacation in France with a friend/girlfriend when he sees a shady figure from his past. Things get rough pretty quickly as bombs explode, and Alex is forced to fight a bull and play a virtual reality game invented by a mad man. The James Bond-like spy gadgets are fun. I used to explain in reference interviews that Alex Rider is like a teen-aged James Bond, with the same high adrenaline escapades, but without the romance.
Anything you didn’t like about it? In the original series it is believable that this adolescent is crucial to high level international espionage. In this adaptation he just keeps happening on bad guys. There is a lack of substance to his character and to any of the supporting characters. The dialogue is trite and unbelievable. Also, there is a giant snake with eyelashes.
To whom would you recommend this book? This might work as a hi/lo reader for teens. It is possible that this could introduce 10-12 yr olds to the fiction series.
Who should buy this book? Elementary and middle school and public libraries
Where would you shelve it ? Graphic novels
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Date of review: September 20, 2017
