by Eoin Colfer
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Young Adult
Publication: April 2013
Format: Hardcover, 321 pages
Source: Own
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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 seventeen-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.
I was so excited when I found out that Eoin Colfer had a new book, W.A.R.P. I was even more excited when I found out that there will be time travelling in this one. The beginning of The Reluctant Assassins was captivating. I found that whatever was happening to Riley was a bit mysterious. I wanted to know what happened and what will happen to him. Then, there’s Chevron Savano, a very young FBI. The two met and found themselves in a run from that evil Garrick.
I think The Reluctant Assassins had a potential to be a great read. But sadly, this book did not really grab me. The plot was good, but there is something lacking in this one. The middle part of the book—that part where Riley and Chevie ran from Garrick—was a bit bland. I love Eoin Colfer’s writing and dialogue that makes me laugh, but I think it didn’t really work with this one. Perhaps I would enjoy this series after a few more books just like I did with Artemis Fowl.
Great review. It took a while for Artemis Fowl to grow on me. I couldn't stand him in the first book. Of course, I went back because I really did like most of the other characters. I grew to really like Artemis as the series progressed. Did you find there were characters who made you want to go back and see what happens next, or are you just hoping the series improves?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see what will happen next now that both Riley and Chevie are back into their world. Of course, I'm hoping that the series will improve.
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