4 out of 4 stars
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Jihadi Hijacking by Eric Auxier is an inspirational and action packed novel about Justin Malcomb Reed, a fourteen year old boy with the spy name Artful Dodger and his father, Bob, with the spy name Fagin. The book is the third book of its series.
Justin is a very observant, spirited and opinionated young boy. He goes on a 'trip' to Israel with his father who works for the International Anti - Terrorism Agency ( ITA) after being suspended at school for fighting off bullies. They board a plane to Israel not knowing that the same terrorist they were looking for, a man called Myanmar, was actually onboard with them with the intention of hijacking the plane. Justin, who can never stand to watch an innocent person suffer, causes a diversion when Myanmar threatens to shoot an innocent man in front of his ten year old daughter. Through his diversion, the passengers onboard the plane are able to disarm the terrorists and regain full control of the plane. In the process, Justin becomes a friend of sorts with one of the terrorists, a young boy named Lufti. The only challenge they face is in piloting the plane as the two pilots were unconscious. Justin and Bob, who were going under the names Percival and Robert Bromley respectively, decide to pilot the plane.
After a bumpy piloting and equally bumpy landing, all thanks to a piloting game, Justin and Bob are both taken for questioning where they are accused of being involved in the hijacking and are locked up by Israel ITA agent Yuri G. After sometime, Bob is taken by Yuri for further questioning. Myanmar attacks the cell and takes Justin prisoner with the intention of executing him publicly through a live broadcast. Lufti, unable to shoot Justin then shoots Myanmar which causes a fight to ensue between Justin and Najla- Myanmar's daughter. Lufti shoots Najla in order to save Justin's life and in turn is shot by Yuri. Justin is awarded the Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation by Yuri. He is then escorted to Thrashistan, a skateboard park which his biological father visited before he died.
The plot of the book was excellently executed. The characters were unique and came alive while I was reading; It almost felt like I was present in the story. The story had the right amount of humour and romance which to the credit of the author did not derail the story but rather made it more interesting and enjoyable.
I love reading books that educate as well as entertain, and I must say that Jihadi Hijacking by Eric Auxier effortlessly did both. I've learnt a lot from the book. Truthfully, I believed the Islam religion to be a war loving religion, but while reading the book I've come to realise that not all Muslims are evil and believe in terrorism. I've also come to learn about the greater and lesser Jihadi and to understand the strict and rigid rules imposed on their women, though I am not in support of it. I have also come to understand that some suicide bombers and terrorists are clueless people who have been misguided and manipulated for selfish purposes.
The book was really interesting. I found it difficult to stop reading it until the very end. Although the book really tasked my imagination, most especially when Justin and Bob were piloting the plane after the attempted hijacking, I was still carried along. I was immensely glad that there were illustrations at the beginning of the book showing the flight deck as it made it easier to understand and imagine.
I observed no errors which proves that the book was well edited. Apart from the well executed plot, lack of errors and the author's ability to carry one along in the story by bringing the characters to life, my best part about the book was the author proving that age is just a number by showing a fourteen year old boy with a brave and noble heart who gives the word 'hero' a new definition and goes on to show that heroes are not just people who wear capes.
My only problem with the book is the fact that almost three chapters were dedicated to one part of the story which could be seen when Justin and Bob were piloting the plane. I felt like a lot of emphasis were laid on one part of the book in which I had no knowledge or idea on. The book excellently combined fact and fiction to give a strong story line.
I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars because the book was well edited, the plot well executed and because I was well entertained, intrigued even, and educated while reading the book. I recommend that the book should be read by thirteen year olds and above, mostly to those interested in being a pilot or a hero in their own corner of the world.
I would like to use this opportunity to make it known that the terrorist group in Nigeria known as Book Haram is not in anyway extinct at all. They are still causing acts of terrorism in the name of worship to Allah.
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Jihadi Hijacking
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