Common Sense Media Review
British teen spy saves England in exciting thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Parents say the book offers a thrilling adventure with a relatable young protagonist, Alex, appealing especially to those who enjoyed similar series like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys. However, many reviews express concern regarding the presence of violence, mature themes, and the suitability of content for younger readers, suggesting that it is better suited for teenagers around age 11 or 12 and up.
- action-packed
- mature themes
- suitable for teens
- relatable protagonist
- parental guidance needed
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 64 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Alex Rider has lived with his uncle Ian since his parents were killed in an accident when he was an infant. Now Ian has died in an accident as well, but as Alex looks deeper, he finds that everything he knew about his uncle was a lie. He wasn't a banker, he was a spy for Britain's MI6, and his death was no accident. Now MI6 wants Alex to spy for them as well, and they won't take no for an answer. Though he is only 14, he discovers that his uncle was training him for spying his whole life. Billionaire Herod Sayle is donating his state-of-the-art computers to every school in England. But MI6 is suspicious of his motives, and Ian was killed while investigating him. Now they want to send Alex in to find out what's going on behind the guarded fences of Sayle Enterprises.
Is It Any Good?
This thriller is like a Bond movie for kids -- full of action, suspense, thrill-a-minute adventure, gadgets, and a super-competent kid who saves the world through brains, guts, and martial arts. It's very well done and especially good for reluctant readers. It will keep kids enthralled. Don't bother with suspending disbelief: You'll have to stick it in a bag filled with concrete and sink it in the nearest river (or perhaps put it in a tank with a giant poisonous jellyfish, as is done to Alex at one point). But young readers will eat up every second and beg for more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Alex is used and mistreated by the supposed good guys in Stormbreaker. Why are spies often at odds with their superiors? How does that add to the appeal of the story?
Which parts of the story are more or less realistic? Which parts are the coolest?
What were the reasons for the villain's madness? What makes a good villian in a thriller?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Penguin Group
- Publication date : September 5, 2005
- Number of pages : 192
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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