Title: The Recruit
Author: Robert Muchamore
First published April 30, 2004
342 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780689877797 (ISBN10: 068987779X)
Rating: 4.24
Overview
The world is a dangerous place and CHERUB agents are the only ones who can stop the threats. These agents are all under seventeen and for official purposes, they don’t exist.
They are sent on missions to gather crucial intel, spy on terrorists and hack into crucial documents without any weapons or gadgets. It’s a risky job, but the teens have an advantage that no one suspects them.
James is the latest recruit and he’s a bit of a troublemaker, but his brilliance is exactly what CHERUB needs. He has no idea what he’s in for, but he’s got no other options.
Before he can go out in the field, he has to survive one hundred days of grueling basic training. Even the toughest of recruits don’t make it to the end.
About the Author
In 1972, Robert Muchamore was born in Islington, London. He still resides there, having worked as a private investigator up until 2005 when Maximum Security was released to critical acclaim.
The Hunger Games phenomena is a part of the vast explosion of young adult and children’s literature. This growth owes much to the British Rat pack of YA authors, including Anthony Horowitz, Robert Muchamore, Mark A.
Cooper, and Charlie Higson. Authors such as Robert have played a significant role in the success of The Hunger Games.
Robert was motivated to create the CHERUB series by his nephew’s complaint about the lack of engaging reading material. CHERUB: The Recruit was Robert’s first book, winning the Red House Children’s Book Award 2005 in the Older Readers Category.
After the completion of the CHERUB series, it was announced that a trilogy would be released from August 2011. This new series will be centered around Ryan Sharma, featuring sixteen-year-old Lauren Adams, and will be titled People’s Republic.
Don’t forget to check out the Hendersons Boys series. The series follows Charles Henderson, the creator of the fictitious CHERUB organization.
Lastly, CHERUB is currently being adapted into a TV series.
Editoral Review
Robert Muchamore’s “The Recruit” is a thrilling young adult novel that captivates readers from start to finish. Originally published on April 30, 2004, Muchamore delivers a suspenseful tale of a young boy’s journey to becoming a spy.
Set in modern-day England, the story follows James, a troublesome juvenile delinquent who is recruited by the secret service organization, CHERUB. The CHERUB organization trains young children to become spies, using their capability to go undetected as a secret weapon.
James undergoes rigorous training, which includes combat, surveillance techniques, and survival skills. The book has a unique blend of action and drama that is perfect for young readers.
Perhaps one of the strengths of “The Recruit” lies in its characters. James is charismatic and dynamic, and readers can’t help but root for him throughout the story.
The other characters are equally compelling, with each having their own distinct personalities which adds authenticity to the story. The setting is also thoughtfully developed, with the CHERUB campus being just as intriguing as the training itself.
While the book’s genre is fiction, it touches several themes that are relevant to contemporary issues, including youth justice, the role of the state in protecting its citizens, violence, and crime. Muchamore’s writing style is easy and accessible, perfect for young adults.
However, some may find the narrative to be too straightforward for adult readers, with predictable plot points. Overall, Robert Muchamore’s “The Recruit” is an impressive debut novel with many strengths, including a riveting plot, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes.
As a standalone novel or as the start of a new series, this book is highly recommended for young adults who enjoy spy tales or stories of personal growth. This book receives a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
