Book Review + Giveaway: I Am the Traitor

Title: I Am the Traitor

Author: Allen Zadoff

Genre: YA Thriller

Book Blurb:

In the third and final installment in the Unknown Assassin trilogy, Boy Nobody is on the run from The Program and uncovers a secret about his past that forces him to decide where his loyalties lie. 

The Program has sent Boy Nobody on countless missions, instructed to kill whichever target he was given. But now, after going rogue, he is on his own mission to rescue his friend Howard who was captured by The Program. Boy Nobody manages to free Howard as well as Tanya, a mysterious girl who was being held with him. Howard and Tanya help Boy Nobody collect information about his father, eventually revealing a dangerous secret that teaches Boy Nobody a valuable lesson -- he can't trust anyone. 

Allen Zadoff packs the third book of the Unknown Assassin series with even more action, higher stakes, and mind-blowing reveals that will leave readers riveted.

Review:

Wow--that was an incredibly fast read. I honestly don't think I've read a book as fast paced as I Am the Traitor in a very long time. True to his style, Zadoff flies through the plot with nonstop action and short, punchy sentences. Couple that with some mind blowing reveals and you have an on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller.

I think the plot was perhaps the strongest aspect of this novel; Zadoff had me guessing the entire time. Was Zach's (aka, Boy Nobody) father alive or dead? Is Tanya rogue or loyal? Is Mike a friend or not? I'm going to refrain myself from revealing any spoilers, but I will say that I did not see the role Zach's father played with establishing The Program coming.

Pacing--this was a double edged blade. I loved how Zadoff didn't beat around the bushes; each sentence was straight to the point. This resulted in a neck-breaking fast read . . . which suited the book's genre (YA thriller). However, at the same time, I would've liked a couple slower chapters. You know, give the reader a chance to recover ;)  Wasn't a huge fan of the insta-love amongst the characters . . . but Tanya's (seemingly) shifting loyalty did make the relationship status *that* much more interesting.

Lots of heart-pounding action scene; each was written clearly and easy to follow. I had a couple "No way!" moments for some action sequences, but that may have just been me. 

I think Zach and Mike were probably my favorite characters . . . simply because they were so alike and different from each other at the same time. It's been quite a ride watching the relationship between these two characters change over the course of three books. Zach's struggle to discover his own identity provided an excellent character arc; he's come a long way from the boy who completely trusted Mother and Father (aka his commanders) to a young man who is determined to unravel the lies he's been raised upon. Mike's character constantly kept me on my toes (think of him as the Severus Snape of the Unknown Assassin series). Sometimes he acted as a friend to Zach, sometimes it appeared as if he was following Program orders, and other times it seemed as if he had his own agenda. It wasn't until the very end was his true intentions revealed--and it explained all of his actions quite nicely.

Speaking of endings, the conclusion of I Am the Traitor was very "complete." As in, all the major loose ends were tied up; the author left just enough of a hint for readers to fill in the rest . . . my favorite type of endings!

In conclusion, I Am the Traitor is the book if you're looking for a fast read with a lot of action.

Rating:

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About the Author

Allen Zadoff is the author of the THE UNKNOWN ASSASSIN series as well as several acclaimed novels including FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE, winner of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award and a YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults. Allen's action-packed series debut, I AM THE WEAPON (formerly BOY NOBODY), is a page-turning thriller about a teenage assassin that has already been optioned for film by Sony Pictures & Overbrook Entertainment. The book was featured in the Los Angeles Times' Summer Reading guide and has received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and VOYA. Kirkus Reviews called I AM THE WEAPON "fast, furious, and fun." Look for the sequel, I AM THE MISSION, beginning in June 2014.  Allen is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard University Institute for Advanced Theatre Training. His training as a super spy, however, has yet to be verified. Visit Allen on the web at www.allenzadoff.com.

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Book Review: I Am Weapon (previously published under the title Boy Nobody)

Title: I Am the Weapon (previously published under the title Boy Nobody)

Author: Allen Zadoff

Genre: YA thriller/action

Book Blurb: 

Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school, in a new town, under a new name, makes few friends and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die -- of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and moves on to the next target. 

When his own parents died of not-so-natural causes at the age of eleven, Boy Nobody found himself under the control of The Program, a shadowy government organization that uses brainwashed kids as counter-espionage operatives. But somewhere, deep inside Boy Nobody, is somebody: the boy he once was, the boy who wants normal things (like a real home, his parents back), a boy who wants out. And he just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's next mission.

Review:

What do you think about the new cover and title? Personally, I liked the title Boy Nobody more than I am the Weapon. Same goes with the book covers. But then again, who am I to judge? This is actually my second time reading this book...but since I first read it what seems like ages ago, I honestly don't remember much reading it the second time around.

Anyways...I'm just going to jump right into the review. I think the thing that jumps out at me the most is the writing style. The sentences are short, clipped and to the point. It conveys a sense of urgency. Kind of like the way I am writing right now. It's rare to find a sentence more than 20 words in the book. I think it suits the genre very well. If you've ever read any of the Jack Reacher books, then you'll know what I am talking about.