Russian Roulette

Starred review from January 6, 2014
Horowitz’s final novel in the popular Alex Rider series relates the story of Rider’s sworn enemy, Yassen Gregorovich. It was Yassen who killed Alex’s uncle Ian Rider and launched the 14-year-old’s career as a super spy—and this installment examines Yassen’s life and the choices he made along the way to becoming a contract killer. Narrator Prebble offers an absolutely gripping performance in this audio edition. His delivery is hard not to love: wise, commanding, and endlessly entertaining. Additionally, Prebble’s pacing is flawless; the narrator understands how to increase tension through slight shifts in tone and never fails to do so at the right moment. The result is an unforgettable conclusion to an entertaining story that fans will love. Ages 12-up. A Philomel hardcover.

A splendid performance by Simon Prebble conveys the intrigue of this gripping story about the origins of Yassen, the Russian assassin in the Alex Rider thriller series. Prebble's narration embodies the 14-year-old protagonist, effectively conveying his fear and grief when he narrowly escapes a covert government attack on his village. Prebble's change in tone reveals Yassen's growing confidence as he matures and finds a place in his new world of espionage and danger. Prebble's assortment of international accents, including a credible Russian one, makes for compelling characters, while his impeccable timing and modulation create the highly charged moments of this listening experience. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine