Anthony Horowitz’s incredible action series has kept its audience riveted for over 20 years – from Alex Rider’s debut adventure in Stormbreaker (2000) right up to the latest instalment Nightshade Revenge (2023).
From the moment the 14-year-old Alex was plunged into the shady world of MI6, he has triumphed over adversity with grit and ingenuity. Horowitz’s trademark action-packed writing has kept his readers hooked, and the reluctant teenage spy has never been far from excitement, danger, gadgets or deranged villains.
For those who have finished the series, or who are looking for similarly thrilling books, we have curated a list of titles which fans of action and suspense will enjoy.
As with Alex Rider, the following titles include brave and resourceful teenage characters who defy the odds and take on the adult realms of intrigue, mystery and spying.
Perhaps the clearest comparison to Alex Rider is the Young Bond series by Charlie Higson. The first title Silverfin tells of Bond’s inadvertent introduction to the world of espionage and is full of the characteristic stunts, detective work and gadgets of its adult counterpart.
The fast-paced thriller Transcendent by Patrick Gallagher follows twin geniuses Kira and Jacob and is bursting with high-octane sequences. Written by a former teacher, it is filled with hacking, gadgets and other content that will likely appeal to many readers.
Swift and Hawk: Cyberspies by Logan Macx is another awesome teen spy story which has a technological focus. It features a vast array of ingenious cyber-weaponry and a twisting and turning plot which will grip its readers from the outset.
Shifting eras to just before World War 2, Taylor & Rose, Secret Agents: Peril in Paris is the first in a seven-part series of brilliant detective/spy books featuring strong, older-teenage female protagonists. This particular story is wonderfully told and includes the origins of the early spy bureaus which later became MI5 and MI6.
Moving away from the world of spies and intrigue, the following books provide just as much tension and suspense, but with more of a chilling undertone.
The Power of Five 1: Raven’s Gate is the first title in Horowitz’s The Power of Five series. It chronicles the adventures of teenager Matt as he discovers his role as one of the chosen five children who must battle against an ancient evil. It features supernatural powers, horrifying monsters and plenty of dynamic Horowitz action.
Gabriel Dylan’s Shiverpoint: It Came from the Woods is a short, punchy horror/thriller featuring a group of teen misfits who must fight for their lives in the woods as they face off against a shadowy figure with huge teeth and a piercing shriek.
A brilliant contemporary horror series to get stuck into is the popular Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick. The first terrifying instalment takes place in a school during a detention. An unlikely group of students are thrown together and must defeat an elusive, deadly threat.
The following titles feature equally adventurous and heroic teenage characters but take place outside the realm of reality and have a leaning towards the fantastical.
The incredible I Am Wolf by Alastair Chisholm is set in a dystopian future – where giant machine cities (Constructs) battle for resources. Coll is part of Wolf Construct but must learn to adapt when he is flung overboard during a battle. The story unfolds at an exhilarating pace and is packed with action.
The award-winning Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell deserves all the plaudits it has received. It references many recognisable magical creatures, and the plot unfolds in an incredibly engaging and imaginative way. An impossible book to put down!
Guy Bass’s Scrap introduces another planet, one in which humans are banned. When two sisters turn up unexpectedly, the unlikely robotic hero Scrap must decide where his allegiances truly lie. This is a very well written book from the acclaimed author of the Stitch Head series and is full of humour and plenty of action.
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