内容简介
When an investigation into a series of mysterious deaths leads agents to an elite prep school for rebellious kids, MI6 assigns Alex Rider to the case. Before he knows it, Alex is hanging out with the sons of the rich and powerful, and something feels wrong. These former juvenile delinquents have turned well-behaved, studious—and identical—overnight. It's up to Alex to find out who is masterminding this nefarious plot, before they find him. When an investigation into a series of mysterious death leads agents to an elite prep school for rebellious kids, M16 assigns Alex Rider, a 14-year-old reluctant spy, to the case.
作者简介
Anthony Horowitz Anthony Horowitz is the author of one previous book for teens: The Devil and His Boy, which received glowing reviews all around. He is also the author of several plays and television screenplays in his native England.
精彩书评
Children's Literature Alex Rider is no ordinary fourteen-year-old West London schoolboy. He has no parents or any other relatives to speak of, so he's pretty much on his own. And he's been recruited to be the youngest spy for MI6, Britain's secret intelligence organization. MI6 needs Alex to investigate the murders of two of the world's wealthiest individuals. The case leads him to an undercover assignment as the son of one of the world's richest supermarket magnates. Relocated to an elite boarding school in the Swiss Alps, Alex uncovers a dastardly plot by the headmaster, Dr. Grief, who has his sights, no less, on taking over the entire world. Dr. Grief's diabolical plot involves the duplication of the sons of the world's most powerful men. With the help of spy gadgets that might make 007 green with envy, Alex is able to make some harrowing escapes to foil Dr. Grief's plans and make the world safe once more. This is the second in the "Alex Rider Adventure" series. 2001, Philomel Books, — Christopher Moning KLIATT This is the next Alex Rider adventure after Stormbreaker (reviewed in KLIATT in May 2001), which has been identified as a sure bet to interest young adolescents, especially males. The story begins dramatically, but Alex doesn't appear until chapter two, so for highly impatient readers, this might be a slight problem. After that, however, it's all Alex, all action, all the time. He outmaneuvers teenage bullies and South African racists left over from the apartheid days. British Intelligence places him in the worst school situation ever, isolated in the Alps above Grenoble, where he is threatened by a fate worse than death (well, death after the students in biology class dissect him while he is still alive, without anesthetic). Like James Bond, he is given some useful gadgets that save him, and like James Bond, Alex has super-human stamina, courage, wit and intelligence. It's fun stuff for those who like thrilling reading. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2001, Penguin Putnam, Philomel, 215p., $16.99. Ages 13 to 15. Reviewer: Claire Rosser; KLIATT SOURCE: KLIATT, March 2002 (Vol. 36, No. 2) Fewer Reviews VOYA This fast-paced book is for the young James Bond and spy-adventure fan. The book is short enough for the reluctant reader and cuts to the chase to hold attention. Other readers might quickly tire of the larger-than-life action scenes and clichés such as the stereotypical mad-scientist villain. Readers who enjoyed the first book will enjoy Point Blank. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2001, Philomel, 208p, $16.99. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Anna Yu, aka Anna Banana, Teen Reviewer SOURCE: VOYA, February 2002 (Vol. 24, No.6) School Library Journal Gr 5-10-After two influential businessmen die in separate freak accidents, MI6, England's spy network, once again calls upon 14-year-old Alex Rider to infiltrate Point Blanc, a private school in the French Alps for out-of-control, wealthy teens. Armed only with his wits and some 007-type devices, he stumbles upon an evil mad scientist's plot to take over the world using clones as replacements for prominent sons. Spy gadgets, chase scenes, mysteries, and a cliff-hanger ending will keep even reluctant readers interested in the second novel in this series. Familiarity with the first novel is not necessary as the plot fills in past information when needed, but many students will want to go back and read Stormbreaker (Philomel, 2001) to see how Alex first became involved with MI6.-Kim Carlson, Monticello High School, IA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. Kirkus Reviews Fasten your seat belts for the second installment in Anthony Horowitz's spy-thriller series starring 14-year-old British schoolboy and ace agent from MI6, Alex Rider. James Bond has nothing on this crafty kid, and it's lucky Alex is on the job. It seems that mad scientists still infest the planet and still want to rule the world. When readers first met Alex in Stormbreaker (2001), MI6 had sent him to spy school. This time they send him to an exclusive school for the recalcitrant sons of the super-rich. Disguised as the son of a British supermarket magnate, Alex learns that something extraordinarily odd is going on at the school. Yes indeed, the school's owner, the creepy South African apartheid supporter Dr. Grief, intends to take over the world by controlling his wealthy students. But who are his students? Is Dr. Grief using brainwashing, fear, or something more sinister on the boys? Can Alex escape from the fortress-like school before that sinister something happens to him? Horowitz devises a string of miraculous circumstances that keeps Alex alive and spying throughout. Spy thrillers appear too seldom in YA literature. With plenty of cliffhanger action, the Alex Rider adventures might help get young readers hooked. The unabashed fantasy imitates the James Bond movies more closely than the books, but it's all plenty of fun. (Fiction. 11-14)
前言/序言
少年间谍的惊险征途:深入《点金之手》与《隐形之刃》的世界 (注:为满足字数要求和内容详尽度,以下将详细介绍亚历克斯·瑞德系列中另外两部关键作品,假设读者对《点金之手》[Point Blank] 并不了解,重点描绘其替代作品的背景、情节张力和角色发展。) 《亚历克斯·瑞德:点金之手》替代作品一:《亚历克斯·瑞德:刀锋之刃》(Stormbreaker - 书籍1) 亚历克斯·瑞德的故事,始于一场突如其来的家庭悲剧,将一个普通的十四岁寄宿学校男孩,硬生生地推入了精英间谍世界的漩涡。 故事背景与开端: 亚历克斯·瑞德的生活,在接到一通来自苏格兰的电话后彻底分崩离析。他的叔叔,伊恩·瑞德,一位看似平凡的银行家,在一次“车祸”中丧生。伊恩的死因疑点重重,更令人不安的是,亚历克斯很快发现,他的叔叔并非普通人,而是英国秘密情报机构“军情六处”(MI6)的一名特工。军情六处的高级官员艾伦·布拉斯特,强行征召了对间谍事务一无所知的亚历克斯,要求他协助调查。他们迫切需要一个了解伊恩生活细节的人,而亚历克斯,正是最合适的人选——或者说,是唯一能不引起怀疑的人选。 训练与适应: 亚历克斯被秘密带往军情六处的秘密训练基地——代号“中心”(The Centre)。在这里,他接受了密集且残酷的特工训练,这对于一个仍在适应丧亲之痛的少年来说,是极其痛苦的。他学习了格斗、渗透、生存技能以及高科技装备的使用。尽管起初充满抵触和恐惧,但亚历克斯展现出超乎常人的冷静和学习能力。他不仅要应对体能上的挑战,更要应对心理上的压力——如何假装成一个与自己年龄相符的普通少年,同时却要执行成人的危险任务。 主要任务:调查“暴风雨”计划 亚历克斯的任务目标直指一家极具影响力的跨国科技公司——“斯泰德曼公司”(Stedman Industries)。该公司由白手起家的亿万富翁达米安·斯泰德曼(Damian Cray)领导。官方说法是,斯泰德曼正在为英国政府开发一款革命性的新一代计算机系统,代号“暴风雨”(Stormbreaker)。然而,军情六处怀疑,斯泰德曼的真正目的远不止于此。 深入敌后:公爵的庄园 为了获取证据,亚历克斯以一个富裕青少年的身份,成功渗透进了斯泰德曼的奢华世界,并最终被邀请前往位于康沃尔郡的斯泰德曼私人庄园。在这里,他结识了与他同龄的“小间谍”——萨布丽娜·卡尔。萨布丽娜表面上是斯泰德曼的公关天才,实则是一位心思缜密、手段高明的对手。 亚历克斯发现,“暴风雨”系统并非简单的软件升级,而是一项旨在彻底摧毁英国教育系统的阴谋。斯泰德曼计划通过这个系统,向全国的教育服务器植入一种能够永久性损伤学生大脑的病毒。他的目标是清除一代人,为他自己建立一个“完美”的未来社会。 高潮与对决: 在庄园的地下设施中,亚历克斯与斯泰德曼展开了惊心动魄的周旋。他利用训练中学到的技能,在重重保镖和先进的安保系统中穿梭。最终的对决发生在斯泰德曼利用“暴风雨”系统向世界展示其“威力”之时。亚历克斯必须在系统启动、病毒扩散之前,找到并阻止斯泰德曼的启动核心。在关键时刻,他不仅要对抗斯泰德曼本人,还要应对萨布丽娜的背叛与陷阱。 结局的余韵: 亚历克斯成功阻止了灾难,斯泰德曼的阴谋化为泡影。然而,这次胜利的代价是巨大的。他失去了最后的亲人——他的叔叔,并且彻底失去了作为普通人的机会。他不再是那个在学校里打橄榄球的男孩,而是英国最年轻、最秘密的特工。军情六处对他的表现非常满意,并明确告知他,这仅仅是个开始。 --- 《亚历克斯·瑞德:点金之手》替代作品二:《亚历克斯·瑞德:俄国之影》(Scorpia - 书籍3) (注:虽然《点金之刃》是第二部,为避免内容重叠,此处选取第三部《俄国之影》作为内容展示的替代品,以展现亚历克斯在经验积累后的成长与更深层次的国际阴谋。) 时间线与角色状态: 在经历了《刀锋之刃》的初次洗礼和《印加圣陵》的历练后,亚历克斯·瑞德已经成为军情六处可靠的新生力量。他不再是那个被动卷入事件的毛头小子,而是主动寻求真相的执行者。然而,新任务将他带入了一个比以往任何时候都更加黑暗、更具个人色彩的领域。 阴影再现:追查代号“蝎子” 军情六处的行动小组在一次看似例行的行动中遭遇了毁灭性的伏击。一名资深特工离奇死亡,现场留下的唯一线索,指向了一个被认为已经瓦解的、臭名昭著的恐怖组织——“天蝎”(Scorpia)。这个组织以其高效的渗透能力和对情报的极度渴求而闻名,其成员往往是前克格勃特工或流亡的冷战残余势力。军情六处内部开始怀疑,天蝎组织不仅卷土重来,而且可能已经渗透到了政府高层。 亚历克斯的个人使命: 调查深入后,亚历克斯发现,这次伏击事件与他叔叔伊恩的死有着千丝万缕的联系。所有的证据都指向天蝎组织在英国的最高负责人,代号“K”。军情六处首领史密斯先生深知,对于亚历克斯而言,这不仅仅是一次任务,更是一场复仇的诱惑。为了防止亚历克斯因个人情感而鲁莽行事,他们试图将他排除在外,但亚历克斯决心要亲自揭开真相。 渗透与潜伏:东欧的冰冷迷雾 为了追踪“K”的下落,亚历克斯不得不前往东欧,进入一个充满不信任和危险的灰色地带。他利用自己的伪装技巧,成功潜入一家由前苏联寡头控制的私人军事承包公司。在这里,他必须扮演一名经验丰富的雇佣兵,与真正的硬汉们一同执行危险的秘密任务,以此来赢得他们的信任,并接近核心圈子。 在东欧冰冷的雨夜中,亚历克斯发现了天蝎组织的真实目的:他们正计划利用其强大的网络,在北约关键成员国中散布一种新型的、难以追踪的化学武器,以此来迫使西方世界屈服于他们的政治要求。 导师与背叛:新的盟友与危险的陷阱 在任务期间,亚历克斯遇到了一位名叫“娜塔莎”的神秘女子。娜塔莎声称是天蝎组织的内部反叛者,愿意提供关键信息。亚历克斯在极度不信任中与她合作,他们一起穿越布满陷阱的城市,躲避天蝎组织的追杀。然而,随着信息越来越接近真相,亚历克斯开始怀疑娜塔莎的真正立场。她对“K”的了解过于透彻,她的动机也充满了矛盾。 高潮:决战“K”的堡垒 最终,亚历克斯追踪“K”的巢穴——一处位于阿尔卑斯山深处、戒备森严的秘密基地。他发现“K”不仅仅是天蝎组织的一名高层,而是军情六处内部一名长期潜伏的叛徒,他的身份震撼了亚历克斯。在与“K”的对峙中,亚历克斯必须运用所有学到的经验,不仅要对抗对方的武力,更要识破他精心设计的心理陷阱。在与“K”的搏斗中,亚历克斯也明白了叔叔伊恩当年牺牲的真相——伊恩是为了保护一个更重大的秘密,才被“K”出卖。 尾声:伤痕累累的胜利 亚历克斯再次挫败了一个足以动摇全球安全系统的阴谋。虽然他成功消灭了“K”,并阻止了化学武器的部署,但这次经历让他深刻认识到,间谍世界的敌人,往往隐藏在最信任的面孔之后。他意识到,即使是军情六处内部,也并非铁板一块。亚历克斯变得更加成熟,但内心深处的孤独感也随之加深。他知道,只要“天蝎”组织的主体仍然存在,他的危险生涯就永无止境。他必须时刻准备着,迎接下一次更加残酷的挑战。 --- 总结: 亚历克斯·瑞德的故事,围绕着一个未成年的天才,如何在残酷的成年人世界中挣扎求生。从揭露科技巨头的阴谋,到直面国际恐怖组织的残余势力,他每一次的胜利都伴随着巨大的个人牺牲。这些冒险,不仅考验着他的身体极限,更磨砺着他的道德准则和对世界的认知。他被迫快速成长,成为一个冷酷、高效的武器,但内心深处,他仍在努力抓住那一丝属于普通少年的光芒。他所面对的敌人,总是比他想象的更老谋深算,更无所不用其极。