About the Author

Anthony Horowitz (anthonyhorowitz.com) is a world-renowned screenwriter for film and television, having received multiple awards. And he is, of course, the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Alex Rider novels, which have become bestsellers the world over, spawned a major motion picture, and a line of graphic novels. A master of the spy thriller, Anthony is the only writer authorized by both the Arthur Conan Doyle and Ian Fleming Estates to write original Sherlock Holmes and James Bond novels, respectively. Anthony lives with his wife in London, England; they are parents to two grown boys. Follow Anthony on Twitter @AnthonyHorowitz.

Reviews

Gr 5-10-Alex Rider is giving it up. Being a teenage secret agent is just too dangerous. He wants his old life back. As he lies in the hospital bed recovering from a gunshot wound, he contemplates the end of his career with MI6, the British secret service. But then he saves the life of Paul Drevin, son of multibillionaire Nikolei Drevin, and once again he is pulled into service. This time his mission involves eco-terrorists, rockets to space, maniacal killers, and a less-than-idyllic tropical island. Is it all in a day's work, or will this truly be Alex Rider's last mission? The action-filled plot develops quickly and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The over-the-top characters, with their exaggerated quirks and personalities, work well in this James Bond-like novel. Detailed background, technical, and political information, essential for any spy story, is uncomplicated and easy for most readers to understand. Though there are some references to previous missions, this title can certainly stand alone. Recommend it to your reluctant readers and get ready for them to line up for the rest of the series.-Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

For fans of the Alex Rider series, Anthony Horowitz offers a nifty paper-over-board handbook, Alex Rider: The Gadgets, an overview of "all devices used by [the hero] on his first five missions." An opening memo from Alan Blunt expresses concern that these inventions from Scorpia could fall into the wrong hands, and with good reason-each gadget gets (at least) a spread with gatefold, showing precisely how each works, from the Cutter CD Player used to penetrate Point Blanc Academy to the Geiger Counter Games Console that the CIA gave to Alex for his trip to Cuba. This will serve as the perfect segue to Alex Rider's sixth assignment, Ark Angel, in which eco-terrorists target this titular hotel, the first luxury lodgings in outer space, as an environmental threat. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.