The Boy Nobody series by Allen Zadoff is a great pick for reluctant readers. There is a ton of action, suspense, and mystery with short chapters that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. I Am the Mission is a great second book in the series that avoids the middle book syndrome. Many thanks to Little, Brown Books and Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book.
Description: He was the perfect sold assassin. Boy
Nobody: No name. No past. No remorse. At least until he began to ask
questions and challenge his orders--until he fell in love with his
target. Now The Program is worried that its valuable soldier has become a
liability. Boy Nobody, haunted by the outcome
of his last assignment, is given a new mission. A test of sorts. A
chance to show his loyalty.
Review: I am the Mission begins shortly after where I am the Weapon (i.e. Boy Nobody) left off. Boy Nobody, named Daniel in his last mission, is still recovering from the trauma of his last mission in New York City. He fell off of The Program's grid and now has to come to terms of what he truly is: a cold blooded assassin. Now that the Program is caught on to him, he must regain their trust not because he believes in The Program but that is how he can survive. His new mission is to assassinate the ringleader of a secret military camp in rural New Hampshire, where he indoctrinates teens to become weapons of fear. Daniel knows he must win their trust and prove his leadership abilities. His mission is anything but easy as Daniel has to hop through obstacle after obstacle with little to no help. Zadoff packs plenty of action in his short chapters where there is plenty of tension-filled moments that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. There is also a nice dash of humor and some flirty repartee that leads to a bit of steamy action with the daughter of the camp's owner to help lighten the mood just when things get a bit too dark. This time, however, there is more violence and explosions in this book that will be easily be found in many action movies in the theaters today. Along with the violence is another layer which is what draws me to this series-the shady ethical motives of Daniel and the mystery behind The Program which drives the story forward which elevates it from just another action/spy book.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong violence and some language. A few scenes of sensuality. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Alex Rider series by Alex Horowitz, Double or Die by Charles Higson,
His objective: Take
out Eugene Moore, the owner of a military training and indoctrination
camp for teenagers. One target. Limited time frame. Public place. It
sounds simple, but a previous operative couldn't do it. He lost the
mission and is presumed dead. Boy Nobody is confident he can finish the
job. Quickly. But when things go awry, Boy
Nobody finds himself lost in a mission where nothing is as it seems: not
The Program, his allegiances, or the truth.
Review: I am the Mission begins shortly after where I am the Weapon (i.e. Boy Nobody) left off. Boy Nobody, named Daniel in his last mission, is still recovering from the trauma of his last mission in New York City. He fell off of The Program's grid and now has to come to terms of what he truly is: a cold blooded assassin. Now that the Program is caught on to him, he must regain their trust not because he believes in The Program but that is how he can survive. His new mission is to assassinate the ringleader of a secret military camp in rural New Hampshire, where he indoctrinates teens to become weapons of fear. Daniel knows he must win their trust and prove his leadership abilities. His mission is anything but easy as Daniel has to hop through obstacle after obstacle with little to no help. Zadoff packs plenty of action in his short chapters where there is plenty of tension-filled moments that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. There is also a nice dash of humor and some flirty repartee that leads to a bit of steamy action with the daughter of the camp's owner to help lighten the mood just when things get a bit too dark. This time, however, there is more violence and explosions in this book that will be easily be found in many action movies in the theaters today. Along with the violence is another layer which is what draws me to this series-the shady ethical motives of Daniel and the mystery behind The Program which drives the story forward which elevates it from just another action/spy book.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong violence and some language. A few scenes of sensuality. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Alex Rider series by Alex Horowitz, Double or Die by Charles Higson,
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My brother is a big fan of the Alex Rider series so I think he'd enjoy this series too because it's got plenty of action. I'll suggest it to him later.