Walker Books Australia

April 2020

ISBN: 9781406395877
Imprint: Walker

Australian RRP: $16.99
New Zealand RRP: $18.99

Coming hard on the heels of the 20th anniversary of Alex Rider’s first adventure – Stormbreaker – is even more high-octane heart-pumping tension as Alex plunges deep into a mysterious organisation known as Nightshade.

Once again Alex is an unwilling recruit into MI6’s latest investigation and this time he is in danger right from the get-go as he is sent into the maximum security prison on Gilbratar, impersonating  ruthless killer and terrorist, Julius Grief – his clone from Point Blanc. It’s not just the danger of the mission that puts Alex in peril but the fact that young Grief had made plenty of enemies within the prison walls who would be only too happy to see him on his way to a permanent end.

An MI6 agent has been murdered and two child-assassins, unbelievably, were responsible. Only one of them was captured and it is apparent that he is a boy believed dead in an accident but it seems kidnapped and raised as a human weapon.  It’s Alex’ mission to befriend him and if possible discover more about Nightshade, the organisation behind not just one but many missing children.

Will Alex be able to connect to Freddy – No 9 – and successfully infiltrate Nightshade to discover their plans? Moreover, will he then be able to prevent the loss of life of thousands of people? As usual this 13th thriller-adventure proves Anthony’s power to create an explosive and suspenseful narrative that will thoroughly engage and entertain fans of the original teen spy.

I’ve just bought the entire series in the fabulous newest editions to replace our rather sad-looking ones in our collection and now planning a big bold Alex Rider display for when the kiddos come back to school.

I’m unashamedly both an Alex fan and a Horowitz one and highly recommend this – and the entire series – for your readers from around Year 6 upwards.