Tuesday, 8 December 2015

The Recruit by Robert Muchamore - Reviewed by Ewan Butterfield

“Most kids here could kill you in two seconds flat, me included.”(page 94) This is because of the rigorous training all of the kids go through. The Recruit is an incredible fiction book by Robert Muchamore. The book is about a 12-year-old boy named James who lives in London, England. He gets recruited by a spy agency called CHERUB. They are a children’s branch of MI5 spies. The spies are very fit and strong. They go through a rigorous training that teaches them Espionage, Language, Weaponry, Survival Skills, all sorts of martial arts, and lots and lots of physical training. James must complete this training to go on a mission.

The recruit’s central idea is that kids can be very useful. They can do things adults cannot.  Robert Muchamore uses spying as an example of kids being able to do things adults cannot. he is trying to prove that adults don’t listen to kids enough and that they should listen to kids more. Kids are often smarter than or as smart as adults at certain things like technology and handiwork.

The spy component makes the book is very interesting, and exciting, but some may find it a little slow to get to the exciting mission part.  Personally I enjoyed reading the basic training part but it could be a little boring for some because there isn’t as much action.  However, this slow plot development does add to the suspense and this detail makes the author sound knowledgeable about spies and spy training. Robert Muchamore presents his central idea very clearly when he has mac explain everything.4
Mac concludes, ‘People are always less suspicious of youngsters. Criminals have used this for years. At CHERUB, we turn the tables and use children to help catch them.’ (page 67)


I think the book is a great book which is significant because it makes people think about how important kids can be for the future and the roles they can play. For example, James saved the lives of many people when he found information for Ewart. I found it inspiring how they let kids do important things that adults would normally have the responsibility for and would not let kids be in charge of. I would recommend The Recruit and the Cherub Series to any action, mystery, or Alex Rider fans.

6 comments:

  1. Hello Ewan

    I enjoyed reading your book review, it was very well written, I saw that there was a lot of very well phrased sentences. when i was finished reading i noticed there was no theme. I would like to know what the theme because sounded very interesting and the theme would make me get a better understanding of the book.

    Sincerly Sam

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  2. Dear Sam,

    You may have misunderstood but i called the "theme" a "central idea". The "theme" or "central idea" is that kids can be very useful and do things that adults cannot and that adults should listen to them more.

    Thanks,
    Ewan

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  3. Dear Ewan
    You mentioned "... information for Ewart" on the last paragraph could you explain a bit more on that topic, please. Otherwise your book review is very entertaining and makes me want to read it.
    Thank you Galadrielle

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    1. Dear Galla,

      I understand your confusion as I was quite vague. Ewart is the mission leader. James found information on the suspects he is tracking on his mission for Ewart and the rest of the spy agency. This would save many laves of people who were threatened by the suspects.

      Thanks,
      Ewan

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  4. Dear Ewan,

    Your book review was very well written and i am really interested in this book. I was just wondering, when you said that the slow plot development adds to the action, to you, how so does it make a difference? is it good or does it make it worse? I think the rest was very well done so great job!

    From, Brett Mews

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    Replies
    1. Dear Brett,

      Extra action means that you will be sucked into the book and not want to stop. This is very good because it means that people won't get bored of the book and keep reading (but it might lead to lack of sleep from reading all night).

      Thanks,
      Ewan

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