Cherub: Mission 1: The Recruit

Reader: Luke M
Age: 16
Title: Cherub: Mission 1: The Recruit
Author: Robert Muchamore
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pub Date: ?
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The fact they were kids was interesting but it seemed like an Alex Rider rip-off. I also enjoyed the 100-day basic training. Many of the characters were also good and well laid out.
Were you disappointed with the book: It seemed unrealistic as nothing those kids did would be allowed by a government and couldn't be done by existing intelligence agencies. Why would M15 have done 2 years observation, and then submit a plan to an ethics committee, wait for approval on a time-dependant mission, send in a kid that had no background or cover identity in the area and then let him botch it up? The discovery Amy and James found at the convention center could have been made by anyone with a good security system and couple guards on patrol. The kids also seemed way too young to be doing any intensive training like that. James shows up out of shape and supposedly passes a super hard basic training program and when done can easily do 2-hour runs? He shouldn't have survived it. Finally, sending agents with only 100 days training on dangerous missions is stupid. Most intelligent intelligence agencies would recruit military trained personal and send them through years of training. Tired and exhausted people doing assault courses have problems learning languages and gun maintenance.
Comments: The large amount of romance seemed overplayed. James seems to have a crush on Amy, Kerry and Jonnah at age 12. Not many 6th graders have girlfriends. Also, people seem to have an obsession with going to the bathroom. Why do we need so many descriptions? Finally, what is with the T-shirt system? Rank badges would be more discreet and simpler.
Did the cover tempt you and/or it reflect the contents: The cover's rusted look was interesting but not unique and nothing new. The creature on the cover is not a cherub and doesn’t relate at all. The European copies have better covers by far.
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal