Snakehead
by Anthony Horowitz

Penguin group, 2007, 385 pp., $7.99 
ISBN 978-0-14-241212-1

Teenage spy Alex rider returns in Snakehead, for his 7th book. Alex Rider the amazing 14 year old spy is back at it again when the evil terrorist organization Scorpia who killed both of his parents and almost killed him have teamed up with Southeast Asia’s ruthless gang Snakehead to try to create mass destruction once again.

Just when Alex thinks he is done with being a teenage spy the Australian CIA contacts him and bribes him to work for them by reuniting him with his godfather, Ash. Since Ash is the only “family” he has left he accepts. Alex and his godfather go under cover as Afghan refugees but the evil Dr.Yu is on to them. The non-stop action and some violence as they try to save the world keep you wanting to read more. Will Alex defeat the evil Dr.Yu, or will Snakehead and Scorpia rule the world?

This book is a lot about revenge. Scorpia has killed Alex’s parents and almost him when they shot him just inches away from the heart. Now he is reunited with his long-lost godfather, Ash. So he now wants to defeat Scorpia and get his revenge.

For many readers this will be a good read that will keep you on your toes throughout the book. You can pretty much see Alex running from danger or dodging an incoming bullet coming towards him when Anthony Horowitz uses his many similes. He writes with such excitement.

This is one of my favorite books. It kept me wanting to keep reading. I would always stop and think is Alex finally going to get caught or will he escape once again? If you’re looking for an action-packed spy adventure this is the book to get. This is the seventh Alex Rider book so you may want to start with the first of the series, Stormbreaker. I would recommend this book for kids ages 9 to 14 because of the action and excitement.

~ reviewed by Noah