The General, Robert Muchamore

It’s going to be hard to write about this book without spoiling anything; there are a lot of major changes that happen, if you are a CHERUB fan. The beginning of the book is promising, what with the urban warfare training compound. But after, the book gets slightly off as James goes gambling. Even though it’s the sort of thing James would do, it’s completely off theme, and I don’t quite understand what Muchamore was trying to prove with this book.

                In previous books, Muchamore tackled difficult subjects, and he would describe the kids involved: Class A talked about how Junior was influenced by drugs, and The Fall had some very interesting points about human trafficking. But The General was just some training exercise. Unless I’m really missing out on something, I doubt Muchamore had an issue in mind when he wrote this book.

                However, the book is still very gripping, and the action (whilst it lasts) is very good. Also, I had to wait a long time for this book, and I think it was worth the wait. And again, it has a great balance of facts and fiction. So I give this book 7/10 , but I’m being particularly critical today; I’ve always given the books a high rating (exclude Dark Sun), and here is a more objective view on the series.

 

Man vs Beast, Robert Muchamore

If humans and animals are equal, wouldn’t be okay to murder one human if such and action would save many animals? That is what the AFM, Animal Freedom Militia is asking, and without an answer, proceeds into harming the many workers at one of the biggest testing factories in the world. Even Mac, an animal rights fighter and the chairman of Cherub, thinks that the AFM has stepped over the line. So three agents are sent in to take action.

            Another branch of Animal rights fighters is Zebra84, a group which has decided to bark but not bite; a group which would harness no violence and would instead stage protests in front of animal labs and such. Cherubs are used to eating meat and wearing leather, so being banned from that and not allowed to eat foods such as egg and milk is a real shock.

            Another great book, and a real gripper. More feeling is inserted, as Lauren states how useless she feels as the other agents make incredible progress, and she shows heart towards people who were injured by the AFM. 8/10.

The Recruit, Robert Muchamore

James Adams is used to a life of luxury: every Christmas, he would write down everything he wanted and his mum would steal it for him. Yes, steal. She was a thief. But one day, James gets into a fight with a girl, and she ends up with three stitches down her cheek. Her big brother comes to beat James up, and James can’t find a good explanation to tell his mum why he’s coming home with a black eye. He won’t have to explain to her…

Cherub is a spy division which recruits orphans with no family bonds, trains them to the limit, and puts them in missions adults would have no chance of solving. Because they’re kids. And no one suspects them. Basic training is supposed to be the hundred worst days of your life: you train till you’re close to tears, and then train some more. And if James survives that, there’s an even bigger surprise waiting…

A great start to a great series. 8/10.

The Sleepwalker, Robert Muchamore

 

When an Anglo-Irish Airliner crashes in the sea, all 345 passengers are killed. Police investigating can only draw a big blank, so when a boy calls the boy with supposed information, only to draw back at the last moment, it’s added to the piles of useless information drawn from the crash hotline. But Cherub thinks differently. They are ready to send in two agents, but for one drawback; psychiatrist reports state that the boy has a history of problems and only wants to draw attention to himself. But it’s the only lead and Cherub send in Lauren and Jake. Anyone who has read previous Cherubs will know that that’s a bad couple. That’s because the two kids hate each other bad. Because all Cherub agents are kids. Spy Kid, buffed up.

            This book was worth the wait, and great, but the story holds no real change to the Cherub community, as some other books have. Muchamore has, however, shown that not everyone gets in Cherub, a thought some readers may have thought when reading previous books. The book has some funny twists to it; a math whiz working in ‘chicken delight fast food’ with his ex… (hint hint!) And the mission is a deep one, unlike the rather disappointing ‘Dark Sun’.

            Another up, for cherub fans, is that Mac comes back, and, don’t miss the official website: www.cherubcampus.com ! Another Cherub book, another standard raiser! 8 ½ out of 10.