Crocodile Tears (Alex Rider Series #8) by Anthony Horowitz

An Energy Drink For Your Eyesby Gerks

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November 24, 2009: ***Warning, Contains Some of the Plot***

Crocodile Tears, a MI6 thriller book, contains many action packed scenes. The book starts out with Alex, the main character, who is a fourteen year old boy, going to a dinner party, which ends up being much more surprising than he excepted. Then, he is pursued by a journalist by the name of Harry Bulman. However, Alex does not wish to be pursued by this man, so he arranges a deal with MI6 (British Intelligence Agency) that states if he completes a mission for them, they will help him get the journalist to stop inquiring information from Alex. This is followed by an action-packed scene in a research facility called Greenfields, where Alex is always on the border between life and death. While he is here, Alex gains new vital knowledge. However, this new knowledge forms a new rivalry between Alex and a man named Desmond McCain. Later on, as Alex is walking, stabbed by a needle, and gets knocked out. He then wakes up in a whole new land, where a twisted, adrenaline-pumping ending takes place.

The major message behind this book deals with the world as a whole. The idea presented in Crocodile Tears, is that the world is filled with deception. The beginning of the book says, "crocodile tears: fake or hypocritical tears. From the belief that crocodiles will pretend to cry in order to attract their victims. and will then cry for real as they devour them." This is the major idea of the book, as stated earlier. Also, the crocodiles are symbolic for all of the villainous people in the world, and their tears are symbolic for all of the deception that lies with these "cold blooded animals."

Throughout my time reading this book, I found myself liking many of the ways in which Horowitz wrote. One of my favorite things that he did was, whenever anything exciting happened, the perspective of the story changed. This kept the readers on their toes, and added to the suspense of the story. For example, chapter twelve ends with, "Alex turned around and ran." The beginning of chapter thirteen then says, "Tom Harris was getting worried." This makes the reader step into the shoes of Tom, because it makes the readers get worried about Alex too, because no one knows what is currently happening to him. I also like all of the twists found in the plot. These twists completely change the readers' perspectives, and give a whole new voice to the story.

One the opposite end of the spectrum, I only found one thing that I disliked about the book. I would have liked it if Horowitz used more advanced diction, so I would have had to think more, and be more challenged by the book.

I recommend this book to people ages sixteen and below. Although the vocabulary might not challenge everyone, the story makes up for it with the heart-pounding plot, the twisted shifts within the plot, and the intricate details, make it a superb choice for anyone looking for an book that is exciting throughout.

I Also Recommend: Alex Rider Collection, Harry Potter Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-7), Third Option, Protect and Defend (Mitch Rapp Series #8), I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls Series #1).

Amazing!by BOOKMANIAC1993

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November 19, 2009: It's actually meant for older teens this time. It's violent, complex, and dark. The plot has top notch pace. I definitely think it's the best Alex Rider.