- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Puffin Books (May 2, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0141340053
- ISBN-13: 978-0141340050
"In a dangerous world, everyone needs protection.
"Bodyguard: Hostage is the new thriller from Chris Bradford, bestselling author of Young Samurai. Bodyguard is a bulletproof action-adventure series that fans of Cherub and Alex Rider will love. This is Lee Child for younger readers - Jason Bourne for the next generation.
With the rise of teen stars, the intense media focus on celeb families and a new wave of billionaires, adults are no longer the only target for hostage-taking, blackmail and assassination - kids are too. That's why they need a young bodyguard like Connor Reeves to protect them.
Recruited into the ranks of a covert young bodyguard squad, 14-year-old Connor Reeves embarks on a rigorous close protection course. Training in surveillance, anti-ambush exercises, hostage survival and unarmed combat, he's put through his paces and wonders if he will actually survive the course.
But when the US President summons Connor to protect his impulsive teenage daughter, Connor's training is put to the ultimate test. For Connor discovers that the First Daughter, Alicia, doesn't want to be guarded. She just wants to have fun. And with no clue Connor is her bodyguard, Alicia tries to elude her Secret Service agents and lead Connor astray. But unknown to her, a terrorist sleeper cell has been activated. Its mission: to take the president's daughter HOSTAGE..."-Amazon
I don't know what to say about this book. Er-ok. In the interest of utmost authenticity; Chris Bradford practices something called "method writing". For his young samurai series, he traveled to Japan to seek out plot locations, lived in Japanese families to gain an understanding of their culture - and trained in the ancient art of Ninjitsu. For his Bodyguard trilogy, Chris immersed himself in a rigorous close protection course (At Wilplan) to become a qualified professional bodyguard. And if I may say so myself- his work PAID OFF.
Bodyguard was very entertaining and thick on the thrill. Detailed and descriptive action scenes were carefully woven through the threads of the all consuming narrative, with a few big twists to give us a scare.
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My ThoughtsI don't know what to say about this book. Er-ok. In the interest of utmost authenticity; Chris Bradford practices something called "method writing". For his young samurai series, he traveled to Japan to seek out plot locations, lived in Japanese families to gain an understanding of their culture - and trained in the ancient art of Ninjitsu. For his Bodyguard trilogy, Chris immersed himself in a rigorous close protection course (At Wilplan) to become a qualified professional bodyguard. And if I may say so myself- his work PAID OFF.
Bodyguard was very entertaining and thick on the thrill. Detailed and descriptive action scenes were carefully woven through the threads of the all consuming narrative, with a few big twists to give us a scare.
At first, I was honestly a bit worried. I mean a book about Bodyguards? Don't they just stand around in corners, whispering into their microphones all day? I was quickly proven wrong as I discovered the many techniques bodyguards have to master before going out into the real world.
If there was one thing that could be criticized, it would be the cliffhanger. I didn't experience the kind of "SEQUEL NOW!" feeling that was reminiscent of Young Samurai, and I wasn't too sure about using ethnic terrorists in children's literature. Nevertheless I did enjoy this read, and I will be buying the sequel; Ransom.
Rating: 4.1/5
What to expect?
- Authenticity
- Bullets!
- President
- Buddyguards!
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