The Reluctant Assassin
Ratings17
Average rating3.2
Riley, a teen orphan boy living in Victorian London, has had the misfortune of being apprenticed to Albert Garrick, an illusionist who has fallen on difficult times and now uses his unique conjuring skills to gain access to victims' dwellings. On one such escapade, Garrick brings his reluctant apprentice along and urges him to commit his first killing. Riley is saved from having to commit the grisly act when the intended victim turns out to be a scientist from the future, part of the FBI's Witness Anonymous Relocation Program (WARP) Riley is unwittingly transported via wormhole to modern day London, followed closely by Garrick. In modern London, Riley is helped by Chevron Savano, a nineteen-year-old FBI agent sent to London as punishment after a disastrous undercover, anti-terrorist operation in Los Angeles. Together Riley and Chevie must evade Garrick, who has been fundamentally altered by his trip through the wormhole. Garrick is now not only evil, but he also possesses all of the scientist's knowledge. He is determined to track Riley down and use the timekey in Chevie's possession to make his way back to Victorian London where he can literally change the world.
Series
Featured Series
2 primary books#1 in W.A.R.P.
W.A.R.P. is a 2-book series with 2 released primary works first released in 2013 with contributions by Eoin Colfer.
Reviews
Popular Reviews
Reviews with the most likes.
A delightfully quick sci-fi adventure for middle grades (and the 12 year old in the rest of us) - WARP 1 follows young and talented mis-adventurers, Chevie and Riley through time. It's a fun read that will have you cheering for them even as you might guess what will likely happen next. Neither of these protagonists start with a particularly promising background story - both are orphans, mostly alone, doing something they don't want to do. However, they manage to overcome their experience and egos to outwit a psychotic murderer at least once in this story (not saying more for fear of spoilers). I'm pretty sure they also manage a few days with just an hour or two of sleep, which is pretty impressive without the whole psychotic murderer time traveling sort of adventure thing going on.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series, where I'm hoping to see Chevie develop a little more nuance and Riley gain some childhood joy.
I'd recommend this one to kiddos probably starting in the 5th grade, but not those who might be squeamish about violence. There is a surprising amount of blood and guts and such for a middle grade reader - especially at the very beginning.
A Typical Eoin Colfer took. Fun with a lot of humor. There was never a dull moment in this book, but it is for a younger reader.
Short Review: An orphan from 1898 and a disgraced teen FBI agent from the present team up to survive (and hopefully defeat) a time traveling homicidal maniac. Everyone will compare this to Artemis Fowl. It is fine, but not as good. A lot more violent and a bit older reader. The characters are fairly well drawn, but the plot is basically stay alive and avoid the homicidal maniac. And that just really isn't enough to drive the book. But it was (is until May 21) free at ya sync's weekly audiobook giveaway for the summer. And it wasn't a bad listen since I didn't have to pay for it.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/reluctant-assassin/
