The most unique book in the Alex Rider series | Secret Weapon Book Review
In this Mere Mortals book review, I dive into Secret Weapon, the 12th entry in the Alex Rider series, but not a traditional one. Instead of a full-scale mission, Horowitz delivers seven short, fast-paced stories set early in Alex’s spy career. It’s action-packed, easy to consume, and offers small bursts of worldbuilding without fundamentally shifting the universe.(00:00) - Welcome & Book Intro (01:17) - What Makes Secret Weapon Different (02:39) - Horowitz’s Intentions Behind The Stories (02:53) - High-Paced Nature of the Book (05:27) - Will I Re-read It? Probably Not (05:55) - Worldbuilding at the Margins (07:16) - Overall Enjoyment & Final Take Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
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Helm’s Deep to Shelob | Book Review The Two Towers
A raw, no-fluff review of The Two Towers — the darker, tighter middle act of LOTR. I cover the split structure, why Book III feels punchier (Helm’s Deep, Ents), why Book IV slows to a crawl before the Shelob crescendo, and how pain trains the will through Frodo’s burden and Sam’s rise. I read this over a couple of months and felt the weight, the world-building, and the payoff.Spoilers ahead: Gandalf’s return, the march to war, Frodo/Sam/Gollum through the marshes, and that spider. If you value integrity, patience and quiet courage, this one hits deep. If you’ve read it, tell me your favourite moment (Helm’s Deep or Shelob?). If you haven’t: persevere — the last hundred pages cook.Chapters00:00 – Intro & why this book now00:26 – Edition & context (movies vs book)00:56 – Darker tone; two storylines01:23 – Reading over 2–3 months; dense lore02:34 – Detail overload: when it works/doesn’t04:35 – Book split: company/Helm’s Deep vs Frodo/Sam05:56 – Helm’s Deep: thrill + I wanted more06:29 – Frodo/Sam/Gollum: the slow march07:35 – The drag before the payoff08:16 – “Shelob’s Lair”: can’t-put-down stretch09:40 – Sam takes the Ring; cliffhanger10:00 – “Pain is a teacher” & Frodo’s burden11:44 – Sam’s unsung heroism12:40 – Who should read; how to read it13:37 – Verdict: “savage, beautiful middle movement”Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
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Action-Packed Throwback with a Soft Spot | Book Review Never Say Die
Alex Rider returns in Never Say Die — a fast, zany, throwback instalment that swaps grit for velocity. I break down what works (pace, scale, that classic Rider ingenuity), what doesn’t (the Jack twist), and the one big philosophy that matters: leadership is action, not announcement.What you’ll hear:How the plot kicks off post-Egypt and why Alex goes rogue to follow a single clue.Why the “Jack is alive” reveal felt forced compared to the darker mid-series tone.The pivotal switch: when Alex stops following orders and starts leading.The core lesson: people follow what you do, not what you say.Chapters(00:00) – Welcome & series context(01:18) – Setup: Jack presumed dead, mysterious email, post-Egypt timeline(02:19) – Solo hunt: Egypt → Cromwell brothers → bigger operation revealed(03:20) – Verdict: not as strong as the darker mid-series books(04:16) – The Jack twist: why it doesn’t land(05:21) – Throwback energy: action, travel, excitement(06:05) – Adults feel clumsy; impact drops(06:45) – Real stakes: not gold — kidnapped kids; Alex steps up(07:27) – “Shoot me out”: the ejector plan & leadership in motion(08:20) – Leadership by doing, not telling(09:39) – Older, more capable Alex (with restraint)(10:17) – Final thoughts & recommendationIf you’re new to Alex Rider: read earlier books first; this one assumes you know the history.Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
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Not a sequel, but a reckoning | Book Review Russian Roulette
Horowitz turns the camera away from Alex and into the fire that forged Yassen. Set around the Stormbreaker timeline, this darker companion novel binds the series together with grit, symmetry and consequence. It’s not for first-timers, it’s a reward for the faithful.00:00 “Assassins aren’t born; they’re forged.”00:25 What this book is (context + where it fits)01:40 Non-spoiler thoughts, tone, pacing, payoff03:20 Themes, the 14-year-old crucible, mirror principle04:45 Accessibility, fans vs newcomers05:20 Spoilers start, key backstory beats that matter07:10 Series connections you’ll actually feel08:15 Who should read this (and in what order)08:55 Final verdict & rating09:20 What I’m reviewing next + CTAConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
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When the book finally draws blood | Scorpia Rising Book Review
Alex Rider stops being bulletproof. In Scorpia Rising, Anthony Horowitz cashes in every IOU the series has dodged: real stakes, identity games, and a gut-punch that actually lands. Today I break down why this is the first truly adult entry in the YA spy saga and what it teaches about cost, courage, and growing up without permission.00:00 Cold Open — “The end begins here”00:38 Why Scorpia Rising Matters02:02 Spoiler-Safe Synopsis04:05 What Horowitz Does Differently06:11 Villains That Bite: Razim08:03 Identity Warfare: Julius Grief10:02 The Cost of Winning12:09 Major Spoiler: The Blow That Lands14:05 Who Should / Shouldn’t Read15:18 Best Lines & Takeaways16:40 Final Rating + Next Read17:35 CTAConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Hey we are the Mere Mortals and we review books of all genres/styles but with an emphasis on those that have stood the test of time (the 'classics' if you will). Join us on Weekly live episode on Thurs 11am AEST (Thurs 1am UTC+0) plus bonus episodes from my cohost Juan.
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