Russian Roulette

Starred review from January 6, 2014
Horowitz’s final novel in the popular Alex Rider series relates the story of Rider’s sworn enemy, Yassen Gregorovich. It was Yassen who killed Alex’s uncle Ian Rider and launched the 14-year-old’s career as a super spy—and this installment examines Yassen’s life and the choices he made along the way to becoming a contract killer. Narrator Prebble offers an absolutely gripping performance in this audio edition. His delivery is hard not to love: wise, commanding, and endlessly entertaining. Additionally, Prebble’s pacing is flawless; the narrator understands how to increase tension through slight shifts in tone and never fails to do so at the right moment. The result is an unforgettable conclusion to an entertaining story that fans will love. Ages 12-up. A Philomel hardcover.