Snakehead

by Anthony Horowitz

Book Overview

Alex Rider is now an IMDb TV/Amazon Original Series!

Alex Rider is an orphan turned teen superspy who's saving the world one mission at a time--from #1 New York Times bestselling author!

When Alex Rider crash-lands off the coast of Australia, the Australian Secret Service recruits him to infiltrate one of the ruthless gangs operating across Southeast Asia. Known as snakeheads, the gangs smuggle drugs, weapons, and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142412120
• ISBN13: 9780142412121
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.0" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Alex rider Snake head

If you've read the previous books in the Alex Rider series you will know that Alex rider is a boy that has to do things which no boy at the age of fourteen would every think of doing and with a climactic ending to the Ark Angel (the previous book in the series) Alex Rider is back with all of his gadgets and gizmos, moves and of course enemies in Snakehead, the seventh installment in this exhilarating series of books. Snakehead picks up exactly where Ark Angel left off with Alex falling from space and landing in the coast of Australia. From there he is recruited to by the Austrailian SAS to infiltrate the Snakehead organization (the equivelant to Scorpia in Asia but on a MUCH larger scale). From there is teamed up with is godfather, Ash. he learns about his past, Ash's past whilist being transported from Australia to Asia with tons of action along the way. At the end of the book he discovers shocking peices of information. It is told very well by Anthony Horowaitz whom made the book as accurate as possible while still maintaining the Alex Rider formula which fans have grown to love and enjoy. Overall, Snakehead is a brilliant book...but I do recommend readiing the other books if you havent already just to brush up on your facts.

A parent's review (minor spoilers)

This was the first Alex Rider book that I've read. I wanted to gauge its suitability as a Christmas present for my nephew and also to get a feel for when my son might be old enough to start reading the series. I was pleasantly surprised by this book which is a very readable thriller. The beginning is a little slow, but it builds and the action in the final quarter is particularly exciting. I won't reiterate the plot, but it is as plausible as any Bond movie (ie: just enough for you to suspend disbelief) and touches on recent news events like people smuggling and tsunamis. I would think the bullseye age group for this book is 10-14 years. The vocabulary is probably too stretching for a younger reader (words like acrid, infiltration, gantry, proposition and ricocheted). The 400 page length and reasonably complicated plot would also be unlikely to sustain the interest of most younger readers. And while a child older than 14 would probably still enjoy this book, I think they could cope with something more complex, such as Matthew Reilly or Allan Folsom. Here are some things that parents may like to know about this book: - There is a lot of violence - mostly shooting but also stabbing and fighting. Some of that violence is unprovoked or involves innocent civilians. While the violence is not described in overly graphic detail, it does frequently occur. Alex fires a gun once, although he doesn't hit anybody. - There are also some disturbing scenes, eg: one in which Alex is covered in rats (it scared me anyway!) and another when he is going to be farmed for body organs. - There is no swearing or blasphemy - Alex does swear once but the description is "he spat out every foul word he knew" which is pretty vague! - Alex is offered beer on at least two occasions (which he always declines). - No sex. One passing reference to topless women in a Thai bar. Overall I thought this action packed story was an excellent choice for a mature 10-14 year old (male or female) - I know that I would have loved it at that age!

GREAT BOOK

This is an amazing book. This is perfect for any child or adult who likes suspense and a good bit of action. There were some times i had no idea how he would get out of it. I'm happy to say this book was not repative in the least, and that is a great relief for me. This also surprised me becasue it bing his seventh book is still fresh with ideas. I blazed though this book it was so hard to put down. I loved and im fourteen and my parents loved it. Great book in a fantastic series.

thrilling and suspensful

snakehead keeps you on your toes the moment he lands off the cost of australia, to when he consults he alan blunt. this book is for people who even haven't read the alex rider series. if you like adventure, this is the number 1 book for you. after you finish you will be begging for more!

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

How far would you go to obtain knowledge of the parents you never knew? Alex Rider has decided he'll go on his most dangerous mission for a chance at information. Once the Australian Secret Intelligence Service tells him his godfather will lead the mission, Alex doesn't hesitate. Unfortunately, there could be a mole on the inside. Alex and Ash travel undercover as illegal immigrants trying to find a better life in Australia. What Alex doesn't realize is that the leader of the Snakehead organization also works on the executive board of Scorpia. Major Yu knows exactly where Alex is and what he's doing. He's got several plans in motion to make Alex's life miserable...and then nonexistent. Anthony Horowitz delivers another action-packed adventure in the ALEX RIDER series that will leave readers breathless and anticipating the next installment of Alex's strange but exciting life. Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel