BOOK WITH ACTION GALORE BUT LITTLE SUBSTANCE

As I was browsing through the "just released" section at Barnes and Noble, I came across the most recent "Alex Rider" novel from Anthony Horowitz. I noticed that the book was the 6th or 7th book in the series and I never like to jump into the middle of a series.

When I couldn't find the rest of the series, the clerk told me the books were in the "Young Readers" section. Sure enough, that's where I found "Stormbreaker." The young clerk (who was young enough to be my grandchild) said that the "Rider" books were as good as the "Harry Potter" novels. That whetted my appetite for the book but, after reading "Stormbreaker", I have to disagree with the clerk. While this is only the first book in a series, the quality of this book is not close to "Harry Potter".

THE PLOT

Fourteen year old Alex Rider has had a rough life. Both of his parents were killed when he was very young and now he is attending the funeral of his Uncle Ian Rider as the book begins. Ian supposedly worked for a bank but there are some rather odd people at a funeral for a banker. A couple of people introduce themselves to Alex and he notices that one so-called "banker" has a body guard with a concealed weapon.

Alex discovers that Ian was, in fact, a spy for England and that he was murdered. Even though he is only 14, Alex is recruited to finish the assignment that cost his uncle his life. In a rather unrealistic sequence, Alex is put through a military training meant for adults in a matter of weeks.

His assignment is to infiltrate the computer world of an Egyptian-born, naturalized English businessman who appears too generous to be true. The businessman, Herod Sayle, is about to give a new, advanced computer to every school child in England.

Horowitz does have a nice knack for creating some rather sinister villains who Alex must fight off.

Alex has quite an adventure at the headquarters of Mr. Sayle's computer world but I'll leave the rest for those who want to read the book.

MY FEELINGS ABOUT THE BOOK

I found myself disappointed with the style of this book. I also had to factor in the fact that the target group for "Stormbreaker" is undoubtedly young teenage boys. Alex is the very epitome of what it takes to be a successful spy except for his age. He's intelligent, resourceful, daring and in excellent physical condition.

But, to me, the story is not believable. Every thing is tied up in neat little packages too quickly. I was expecting Hemmingway or Stephen King, but there is simply not much depth to this book.

While Mr. Horowitz does have a vivid imagination, his main character is more like a character in the cliffhanger short movies of my youth. Alex ventures where he shouldn't. Alex gets caught. Alex manages a miraculous escape. It's just too simple and written in a simple style. While Hemmingway was a master of conveying meaningful thoughts in short sentences, Horowitz is presenting very little substance in his short sentences and chapters.

Once again, at 61, I know that I am not the target audience for these books. I suppose that I should congratulate the author for writing anything that young people might read. But, for true depth and meaning (even if somewhat controversial), J. K. Rowling's "Potter" books are a much greater source of literature.

THREE STARS