Review by Magnify3 -- Jihadi Hijacking by Eric Auxier

Magnify3 · Post by **Magnify3** » 11 Sep 2019, 15:55

[Following is a volunteer review of "Jihadi Hijacking" by Eric Auxier.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Jihadi Hijacking by Eric Auxier is a young adult novel about love, family, flying and terrorism. It is the third book in the Code name: Dodger series. It can also be read as a standalone book. Once more the story follows teen orphan Justin Reed on another adventure. Now legally adopted by former CIA agent Bob Cheney, Justin has settled down, and is doing well in school. Never one to stand by and watch as a physically challenged fellow freshman is bullied, Justin gets into a fight. Despite being a hero for the underdog, Justin gets suspended. Infuriated by Justin’s knack for getting into trouble, Bob decides to go with him on his next trip to Israel. What should be a father and son bonding trip, turns out to be a plane hijacking. Can Justin foil the hijackers’ plans and save the lives of the passengers on board the plane?

Filled with multiple interesting characters, the story does not fail to thrill. Justin is head strong, daring and noble. Unable to count the cost, he tends to be a lone ranger. Bob whilst being the strict adoptive father is able to read Justin like a book. In contrast he doesn’t see himself as one to save the world alone. For him, Justin comes first before all others. I like Justin’s caring attitude. While I actually always see Justin’s point at first, I have to concur with Bob when it comes to thinking like a parent. Lufti is a young hijacker, brainwashed to believe that a jihad is other than an inner struggle. His love for Najla blinds him to the truth. No nonsense ITA-Israeli agent, Yuri is heavy on detail and stringent on execution. In spite of being Bob’s counterpart, he is very suspicious of him.

The narrative is in the first person told from Justin’s point of view. Compared to the first book, Justin uses less slang. The book is an easy read and well formatted. The story builds up quickly though it slows down towards the end. I quite expected a hyped up finishing. The sober one was befitting nonetheless.

What I liked most about the book was the aspect of family. I like Bob’s development as a father and his concern for Justin. His soul is so knit to the lad that he would die if he lost him. I also liked the teaching on what a Jihad is. Learning that the greater jihad is not about the killing of infidels, but about dealing with ones inner struggle was helpful. It is sad how religious teachings when met with extremism can be so distorted. Lufti’s development also is rewarding. The scales fall off his eyes and he begins to see all men as brothers. The only thing I didn’t like was that I became sad when Justin was sad. It was hard to shake off the sadness. I should think that Auxier made him a very relatable character.

I noted very few errors in the book, thus I give it the rating of 4 out of 4 stars. Being a young adult novel, I would recommend it to teenagers as well as adults that like reading spy mystery stories. It would also suit those that have an interest in flying planes.

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Jihadi Hijacking
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Aniza Butt · Post by **Aniza Butt** » 13 Sep 2019, 03:03

Often the term jihad is misinterpreted. Glad to know that the author tried to convey the deep meaning of jihad.
Thanks a lot for the review.

Magnify3 · Post by **Magnify3** » 13 Sep 2019, 05:19

Aniza Butt wrote: ↑13 Sep 2019, 03:03 Often the term jihad is misinterpreted. Glad to know that the author tried to convey the deep meaning of jihad.
Thanks a lot for the review.

I was learning the deep meaning for the first time. I wouldn't have figured that I would get my lesson from a teen spy novel

Thanks for commenting!

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 13 Sep 2019, 22:34

This sounds like a very eye-opening and well-written novel. Thanks for a great review!

Anon_Reviewer · Post by **Anon_Reviewer** » 18 Sep 2019, 13:00

Magnify3 wrote: ↑11 Sep 2019, 15:55 The only thing I didn’t like was that I became sad when Justin was sad. It was hard to shake off the sadness. I should think that Auxier made him a very relatable character.

That's what a great book does to a reader! I'm glad the book was well-written and edited. It sounds like you learned a great deal reading it. Too bad for the book's somber ending. Great review!

rumik · Post by **rumik** » 18 Sep 2019, 18:45

From the title, I thought this would be rather offensive in some way. But I'm surprised that the author went that deep into the real meaning of the term. Thanks for the great review!

Magnify3 · Post by **Magnify3** » 19 Sep 2019, 01:55

unamilagra wrote: ↑13 Sep 2019, 22:34 This sounds like a very eye-opening and well-written novel. Thanks for a great review!

You can say that again. I was not sure what I was getting into when I picked the book. I was sceptical about the title. I only decided to read it for the sake of continuity. I had enjoyed the first book so why not try this one. It did surprise me too. Thanks for the comments!

Magnify3 · Post by **Magnify3** » 20 Sep 2019, 03:31

Ever_Reading wrote: ↑18 Sep 2019, 13:00
Magnify3 wrote: ↑11 Sep 2019, 15:55 The only thing I didn’t like was that I became sad when Justin was sad. It was hard to shake off the sadness. I should think that Auxier made him a very relatable character.
That's what a great book does to a reader! I'm glad the book was well-written and edited. It sounds like you learned a great deal reading it. Too bad for the book's somber ending. Great review!

So true! That's what a great book does to a reader! I learnt a lot. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words!

Magnify3 · Post by **Magnify3** » 20 Sep 2019, 03:35

rumik wrote: ↑18 Sep 2019, 18:45 From the title, I thought this would be rather offensive in some way. But I'm surprised that the author went that deep into the real meaning of the term. Thanks for the great review!

I had similar thoughts about the title. I decided to read the book for the sake of continuity since I had already read the first book. So glad the book didn't reflect my thoughts of the title. Thanks for the comments!

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 24 Sep 2019, 14:17

I have read this author before and really enjoyed his writing style. This series sounds interesting with intriguing plots and well-developed characters. I'll have to look into this. Thanks for the recommendation.

Magnify3 · Post by **Magnify3** » 27 Sep 2019, 05:50

kdstrack wrote: ↑24 Sep 2019, 14:17 I have read this author before and really enjoyed his writing style. This series sounds interesting with intriguing plots and well-developed characters. I'll have to look into this. Thanks for the recommendation.

You are most welcome. This is the second book of his that I have read so far. I would love to read more of this series too. I hope you get to find them soon.

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 13 Oct 2019, 12:37

I haven't read any of his books yet, but this one definitely sounds intriguing. Would I be lost without reading the first books in the series beforehand? Thanks for a wonderful review!

Magnify3 · Post by **Magnify3** » 15 Oct 2019, 07:27

Prisallen wrote: ↑13 Oct 2019, 12:37 I haven't read any of his books yet, but this one definitely sounds intriguing. Would I be lost without reading the first books in the series beforehand? Thanks for a wonderful review!

It really is a good book and you will not be lost reading it. I still have not read the second book and I didn't feel lost without it. I hope that you get to read it!