Alex Rider has been through a lot for his fourteen years. He's been shot at by international terrorists, chased down a mountainside on a makeshift snowboard, and has stood face-to-face with pure evil. Twice, young Alex has managed to save the world. And twice, he has almost been killed doing it. But now Alex faces something even more dangerous. The desperation of a man who has lost everything he cared for: his country and his only son. A man who just happens to have a nuclear weapon and a serious grudge against the free world. To see his beloved Russia once again be a dominant power, he will stop at nothing. Unless Alex can stop him first... Uniting forces with America's own CIA for the first time, teen spy Alex Rider battles terror from the sun-baked beaches of Miami all the way to the barren ice fields of northernmost Russia. Come along for the thrilling ride of a lifetime.

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Just a month after his previous adventure at an exclusive school in the French Alps, sixteen-year-old Alex Rider is attempting to return to a normal life in London. But this is a wish quickly forgotten as an M16 agent recruits him for a mission during a school soccer game.
He is soon over in the USA, and taking on the role of the son of two up-tight and by-the-book CIA officers.

Together, they must infiltrate the home of an ex-Russian army commander. Trouble is, his house is an island in Cuba and Americans aren't exactly welcome in that part of the world.

Armed with some outrageous and extremely useful gadgets disguised as toys, Rider must soon try to win the trust of the Russian on his own, but finds himself in a seemingly losing battle against the rich and powerful man.

Alex discovers the Russian's deadly plot to take over the world, but will a young boy be able to stop him?

A terrific book that will having you struggle to put it down as you dive into the world of international spies, crazy military men and truly gripping suspense.

I gave this book 5 stars, and it deserves 6, so read it now and find out why!

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

Skeleton KeyMay 16, 2004

I read the first two Alex Rider books and enjoyed them very much. However, in my opinion, the quality of these books has decreased as the series progresses. I have not read the fourth or fifth book, but after my disappointing experience with the third I'm not sure I will.

The first book is, by far, in my opinion, the best in the series. It was creative, induvidual, and engaging. The second book was a good enough book, but it lacked some of the creativity of the first- for example, 'Dr. Grief' is not the most imaginative name.

The third book was most disappointing. It was not particularly engaging, and the plot was typical of other adventure stories. I hope Mr. Horowitz does Alex Rider his alloted justice in the further books of the series.

2 of 2 found the following review helpful:

Skeleton KeyOct 21, 2004

The story I read was Skeleton Key. The author is Anthony Horowitz. The main characters were Alex Rider and a guy named Sarvo. The setting is in Russia. The story is based on a teenager who is spy with M-I 6, British intelligence. The problem with Alex is that the guy named Sarvo wants to adopt him. Alex does not want to be adopted. Alex is trying to get away, and Sarvo is getting mad. Sarvo tries to kill Alex. Does he get away? You have to read the book to find out.

I think the book is very will written. If I could give it a 1 out 10 rating, 10 being the best I would give Skeleton Key a 9.5. The reason I liked this book is because I like James Bond. I also like all the cool gadgets he gets. This book's audience I think would be people who like James Bond and people who like action books and movies.

2 of 2 found the following review helpful:

mike's reviewFeb 25, 2004
By mike
SETTING
Skeleton Key, Cuba, Wimbelton, and Russia. In the present day.
Characters
Alex Rider- a teenager secret agent.
Carver and Troy- two agents on the mission with Alex.
The General-a crazy man with a plan to blow up the world.
Conrade-the general's partener.
Opinion
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was a great book that kept me guessing the entire time. It is recommended for you to read.
Conflicts
External
Alex vs. Shark
Alex vs. Conrade
Alex vs. the Genreal
Troy vs. Conrade
Carver vs. Conrade
The two men vs. the alligators
Internal
Alex vs. self about going after Troy and Carver
General vs. self about killing Alex
Plot
Alex is a regular boy... until he finds out that the U.S. govornment needs him to save the world. Alex then goes through a sieries of adventures. Once in Cuba, Alex is almost killed by a shark, until the shark is caught in a trap. Conrade then captures Alex, and is within seconds of killing him, when the General saves Alex. After this, the Geneal wants Alex to take the place of his son, who died in the years past. Alex refuses and makes an attempt to call the police, but is stopped by a security guard. He explains the whole thing to the security guard. The security guard tells the Russian govornment, who responds by sending troops. Eventually it comes down to a showdown between Alex, and the crazy general over the nuclear bomb switch. Who won...you will have to read the book.
About Anthony Horowitz
-born in London, England in 1955
-went to a boarding school
-started writing at the age of 22 and was published at 23

4 of 5 found the following review helpful:

Skeleton KeyMay 07, 2006
By Brian & Randy "Two Brothers"
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a teenage spy? If you have, then this is the book for you. Alex Rider is a 14 year old boy who never knew his father. His uncle, John Rider, who worked for MI6, told him that his father died in a plane crash and had been training to be a spy all his life only Alex just didn't no it yet. One day, Alex's uncle dies while on a mission and Alex is contacted by MI6. Soon after, Alex is sent on a number of missions by MI6.

In Skelton Key, Alex starts out by trying to save Wimbledon from a Chinese betting conspiracy and ends up with a contract on his life. Alex heads off to Cuba to help the CIA track down a missing bomb and soon finds himself in the clutches of an ex-Soviet general trying to destroy the world. It's up to Alex to save the world. If you like action and adventure, you should read this book.

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