Just So Stories

Walker Books

September 2023

ISBN13:9781529517422

Australia RRP:$17.99

New Zealand RRP:$19.99

My fondness for Alex’ adventures is pretty well-known, and some people may remember my huge excitement with an exchange I had with the boy spy’s creator, Anthony himself, when I did my promo for Alex’ 20th anniversary.

Well I remember our collective sadness when we thought there would be no more Alex Rider stories, and I do know I’m not the only one who is so glad that Anthony found fresh inspiration for the teen hero.

Fans will remember well the last instalment, with the seriously nasty Nightshade organisation, with their kidnapped and brain-washed child assassins. With some success but not a complete disintegration of the criminal outfit, Alex has been trying to focus on his mock exams, catch up with schoolwork, work on his skateboarding, and with some reluctance, visit the prisoner, Freddy, formerly known as Number Nine, Nightshade’s top child agent.

But while Alex may want to be finished with Nightshade, they have no intention of letting him escape retribution for the ruination of their master plan. When Alex is forced into helping Freddy escape, an entire rollercoaster of high-octane duplicity, danger and deviousness ensues.

With a mastermind villain, who can only be described as bat-s**t crazy (he really is one of the most bizarre I’ve ever encountered, and so, therefore, totally fun -in a warped way, you understand) bankrolling, and in complete accord with Nightshade, Alex and his few trusted colleagues are up against it. And, if you are suspect on AI and VR, this is not going to help your antipathy.

From his home in London to Nice to California, Alex’ journey – which he maintains spells the end of his association with MI6 – is one explosive incident after another. I love that Alex is doing his level best to get out of the spy business, and get on with the life a normal senior student might hope for – with final exams, university, girlfriend and not being shot at constantly.

But I also love that he has this completely ingrained sense of honour (for want of a better word), and complete compassion for others. He cannot tolerate injustice, cruelty and oppression of those who are helpless – which really doesn’t help his mission to abandon the spy craft career.

Fans (such as I) will love it. I gobbled it up in two short sittings, eagerly turning the page for the next explosion or shot, as always. Am I worried that Alex’ career as a teen spy is coming to an end? Well yes, he’s becoming a man and his role will, of necessity change. Does that mean no more Alex Rider, spy? Only Anthony can answer that, but I for one, hope not.

Highly recommended for your avid readers of action adventures (and for those new to the series, direct them to #1 to begin!).