Review by NathalyM -- Jihadi Hijacking by Eric Auxier
-
NathalyM
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 20 Jun 2019, 18:15
- Currently Reading: Two of a kind
- Bookshelf Size: 28
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nathalym.html
- Latest Review: One Way or Another by Mary J. Williams
Review by NathalyM -- Jihadi Hijacking by Eric Auxier
[Following is a volunteer review of "Jihadi Hijacking" by Eric Auxier.]
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Jihadi Hijacking by Eric Auxier is a fast and action-packed read that I managed to finish in a couple of hours. While this is a young adult book, I think it would also appeal to an older audience an anyone that enjoys character-driven stories.
While this book is the third of the series, it can easily be read independently. Before the story begins, the reader is provided with some background information on Justin Reed, a fourteen-year-old boy whose father was killed by a man called Pharaoh. After becoming an orphan, Justin was taken into CIA custody and trained as a spy. Later, he was adopted by Bob Cheney, a man who used to work for the CIA and now works for a secret organization against terrorism, the ITA.
The story starts with a prologue narrating the plane hijack that does a very good job at setting the tone for the story and creating expectation of what's to come.
After the prologue, we are taken back to the beginning of the story. It all started when Justin got suspended for fighting with some older kids who were bullying his friend because of his disability. Because of this incident, his dad decides to take him on a trip to Israel on an ITA assignment. While in the middle of the flight, the plane they are traveling in gets hijacked and Justin and Bob are the only ones who can stop the terrorists and save the passengers.
I must admit that I don't read a lot of spy novels, so I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a story with interesting characters and a plot that is not overly simplified.
I really liked Justin as a character, which I think is essential for a book written in the first person. He is an idealistic kid that wants to correct all that is wrong in the world. He is also funny, which makes the book very entertaining to read. Bob, his dad, is also an interesting character and their dynamic is very well executed, somewhere between being father and son and being partners.
The secondary characters are also interesting, from the hijackers to Justin's girlfriend Joya, I found them all memorable and well-characterized for the short time they appear in the book.
As for the plot, I really liked the way the author treated the terrorism subject, there is even a chapter where Bob explains to Justin why and how radical religious groups convince young, uneducated people to do horrible things.
The book is also filled with very well written action moments. I found the fight scenes very visual and easy to imagine, which made them a pleasure to read.
What I liked less about this book was how technical it got at some point, when Bob and Justin had to figure out how to land a plane. The description of all the flying controls and procedures where very detailed and is clear the author knows what he is talking about, but they weren't all that interesting for someone that doesn't know (or cares) about planes.
I also wanted to mention that the ending of the book was very emotionally satisfying, leaving me with a very good last memory.
For all of this, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Despite my minor issue with some overly technical parts, I found this story very enjoyable and I will definitely check out the other books of this series.
******
Jihadi Hijacking
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Jihadi Hijacking by Eric Auxier is a fast and action-packed read that I managed to finish in a couple of hours. While this is a young adult book, I think it would also appeal to an older audience an anyone that enjoys character-driven stories.
While this book is the third of the series, it can easily be read independently. Before the story begins, the reader is provided with some background information on Justin Reed, a fourteen-year-old boy whose father was killed by a man called Pharaoh. After becoming an orphan, Justin was taken into CIA custody and trained as a spy. Later, he was adopted by Bob Cheney, a man who used to work for the CIA and now works for a secret organization against terrorism, the ITA.
The story starts with a prologue narrating the plane hijack that does a very good job at setting the tone for the story and creating expectation of what's to come.
After the prologue, we are taken back to the beginning of the story. It all started when Justin got suspended for fighting with some older kids who were bullying his friend because of his disability. Because of this incident, his dad decides to take him on a trip to Israel on an ITA assignment. While in the middle of the flight, the plane they are traveling in gets hijacked and Justin and Bob are the only ones who can stop the terrorists and save the passengers.
I must admit that I don't read a lot of spy novels, so I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a story with interesting characters and a plot that is not overly simplified.
I really liked Justin as a character, which I think is essential for a book written in the first person. He is an idealistic kid that wants to correct all that is wrong in the world. He is also funny, which makes the book very entertaining to read. Bob, his dad, is also an interesting character and their dynamic is very well executed, somewhere between being father and son and being partners.
The secondary characters are also interesting, from the hijackers to Justin's girlfriend Joya, I found them all memorable and well-characterized for the short time they appear in the book.
As for the plot, I really liked the way the author treated the terrorism subject, there is even a chapter where Bob explains to Justin why and how radical religious groups convince young, uneducated people to do horrible things.
The book is also filled with very well written action moments. I found the fight scenes very visual and easy to imagine, which made them a pleasure to read.
What I liked less about this book was how technical it got at some point, when Bob and Justin had to figure out how to land a plane. The description of all the flying controls and procedures where very detailed and is clear the author knows what he is talking about, but they weren't all that interesting for someone that doesn't know (or cares) about planes.
I also wanted to mention that the ending of the book was very emotionally satisfying, leaving me with a very good last memory.
For all of this, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Despite my minor issue with some overly technical parts, I found this story very enjoyable and I will definitely check out the other books of this series.
******
Jihadi Hijacking
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: One Way or Another by Mary J. Williams
