From Alex Rider to Harry Potter - A Good Series is Worth the Wait

As detailed in my other blogs, I am somewhat of an avid reader. I really enjoy reading, and believe it is becoming a lost art more and more each day. People these days don't want to read, or claim they can't. These people are missing out. A book is better than any film or television series, your imagination can paint you a better picture than any director can. If you don't read often, then start, take it up as a new hobby. I guarantee it won't disappoint providing you choose your books well. Recently I have been off from uni work and lectures so have started catching up on my reading, having not had much time over the past few months. I may have gone a little mad, reading 5 books in 9 days. My most recent book has been Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz, and I have to say I enjoyed it, even though it is supposed to be aimed at teenagers. 

Scorpia Rising is the last in a line of nine books based around the life of Alex Rider, teenage super spy. Now you may think, why am I a young man of 20 reading a book that is clearly aimed at a younger audience? I'll tell you why, it's because I wanted to finish the series. The books have been so good, they have kept me captivated all the way through my teens ever since I read the first installment Stormbreaker when I was 11. They are so well written, that I have not been able to let them go unlike other series that have been left along the wayside as I've grown up. The ones that didn't make the cut include The Edge Chronicles, Roman Mysteries and Andy McNab's attempt at teenage action Boy Soldier. The latter two being very good books, that you should get your kids/younger siblings to read. The problem with them is that I grew out of the writing style, or just simply lost touch with and forgot about the series.

I first came across the Alex Rider series in my pitifully small primary school library. In typical Lakefield fashion, they'd bought a book that looked interesting but hadn't checked to see if it was the first in the series. So I was none the wise when i started reading Point Blanc which turned out to be the second installment of the series. Either way i was hooked and went out and bought the previous one as well as every other book since. Patiently waiting year on year for the next book. The books have matured with time, as if Horowitz knew his faithful fans would grow up with the books. This is similar to the Harry Potter series which I followed from age 8 to 18 and still enjoy today. J.K Rowling aimed her latter books at a more mature audience in order to ensure the best possible outcome for her story. My dad has read the entire Alex Rider series too, at the age of fifty he still sees them as light reading and enjoys them. This is testament to how well written they are and proves that I am not talking rubbish when I recommend these books. 

As book reviews go I haven't really mentioned anything to do with the book apart from heap praises onto Horowitz for the quality of his writing. I could go into detail but I do not wish to spoil the series for anybody. Go out and read them, no matter what age (that includes the Potter's too) you will enjoy them. If you can't find them I'll lend them to you. Just give them a chance. A good series is well worth the wait, and I'm glad I've followed these novels from a young age. I hope there's other people out there who know the benefit of these books, as well as having series themselves they have followed since childhood. Reading is fun, don't let it die out!