WARP Book 1 The Reluctant Assassin (WARP, Book 1) (WARP, 1) Paperback – April 8, 2014

Please understand that all my reviews focus on the interests of my middle school students. I never do a full plot synopsis in a review.If you've not read Colfer's books for older audiences (Airman is a superb example and is tangentially referenced in this book) or know him only from the Artemis Fowl books, you might be surprised at the depth to which he can take his plot and characters. Don't get me wrong--I love Artemis Fowl, and the writing did mature as the series progressed, but W.A.R.P. takes on a whole new level.The book revolves around a 17 year old FBI agent, Chevron Savano, and a 14 year old boy, Riley, a native Londoner. How a 17 year old became an FBI agent is one of the pivotal points of the book, so I'm not going to give it away here. Suffice it to say it is carried off in such a way as to be believable. They face one of the most evil villains, Albert Garrick, I have come across; in the beginning of the book Garrick is already basically incapable of being defeated--then he gets "super-powers" via a gene-changing accident.Time-travel is essential to the book's plot, and Colfer imposes a scientific basis for it that is believable. At times, the book takes on the role of a period novel in fine fashion, making late 19th century Victorian London come to life. This isn't always a good thing, however. The brutal treatment of orphaned children (well, any kid) is always hard on me, whether reading it from Dickens, Avi, or Colfer.The plot's pace is that of a thundering herd of stampeding buffalo, with the same sudden changes of course and direction. Fortune reversals are rampant, and you know our heroes are never safe as long as Garrick is alive. Character development is superb, even with minor characters. You really get to know the kids and Garrick (although there were times I wish I had been spared insight into the evil cesspool that functions as his mind/heart). If you're like me, you will leave the book with the marvelous and rare feeling that some of the minor characters are among your favorites, and you hope Colfer comes back to them as the series continues. I must say that Riley has already entered my personal Favorite Characters Hall of Fame.One caveat: some of the audience for Artemis Fowl may be too young for this series. The violence in the novel is often horrific, with graphic imagery that makes you see the blood and gore. Children are frequently the victims of brutal savagery. Fortunately, Colfer's narrative voice manages to keep all this from being overpowering, and he adroitly spares just the right amount of detail to keep the book from going too far.Do not begin this book if you have an important deadline due on the day you start; you might finish the book, but you will miss the deadline. Recommended for all seventh graders and up that love a fast, action packed, believable read. As Riley might say, "Yer better go out an' scarf yerself a copy of the tome, else yer won't be kin to wut everybody is talkin' bout next year."

Let me start by saying I have read all of the Artemis Fowl books and loved them. The boy genius and his Butler, joined by a host of magical creatures, defeated many enemies in clever ways. It was a good series. W.A.R.P. has all the cleverness of the Artemis Fowl series by including time travel and science and a bit of romance thrown in to keep it interesting. It does have more graphic violence and death than the Artemis Fowl books, and more tension, too, which might be too much for sensitive young adult readers. Most YA readers should like the book with its strong female lead and science fiction elements.W.A.R.P., however, disappointed me a bit. Colfer is still great at creating attractive gadgets without having to explain the science accurately because his protagonists are young adults who are using the items without having to create them. He is also good at creating characters who do the impossible but are still believable in their dialogue and emotions. What really bothered me about this book, and will cause me to skip the rest of the series, are the recurring themes (quest for family, for belonging, for recognition, and the search for true magic) and adherence to a standard Hollywood formula. In the Artemis Fowl series, we meet Artemis as he is searching for the real magic of the fairy folk in Ireland. W.A.R.P. opens with the same search, although much more violently. Without giving spoilers, the antagonist is driven by the need to steal magic and will commit any crime or murder to do so. The female protagonist and story line B character are both orphaned and in search for a family. Okay, it's a young adult novel and apparently the best way to get the adults out the way is to kill them off, leaving the teenagers to solve the problems on their own. But, it seemed really heavy-handed in this novel, and that leads me to my chief complaint about the book.If you are familiar with the "Save the Cat" book which lays out an analysis of successful screenplays, then you already know the plot of W.A.R.P.-- [SPOILER] A protagonist at odds with authorities is dressed down and stripped of responsibility, shuttled off to some insignificant side job which turns out to have greater impact that anyone can imagine. Along the way a side plot (and character) is introduced that runs parallel to the main protagonist's journey but has its own conflict and resolution as well. The protagonist will seem to beat the odds and solve the problems but then, things turn around and become even worse than imagined. At that moment, when all seems lost, the protagonist contemplates what is really important, what she values more than anything else. That provides motivation and a turning point for the protagonist to beat death (either real or emotional) and become the hero while gaining a buddy/family in the process. The formulaic nature of W.A.R.P. bothers me way more than the violence and insistence on magic.

After the Artemis fowl fairy magic joyride this book comes as a refreshing change of direction, with pseudo science time machines and under age FBI agents mixed with victorian footpads and demented London magician/ assassins. Chevvie makes for a tough leading lady and Riley a lovable orphan with an interesting skill set.The book is an easy read, hard to put down with colfers trademark speed of action and genius for detail. Finishing the book leaves you wanting more!, and the untied strings promise a future that won't be tied up in just one or two more books.Overall a great new start to what feels like a great new series!

The Artful Dodger meets the Terminator. Not quite as engaging as the Artemis Fowl books but still entertaining.

Good addition to the series and an enjoyable read

I have read all the books by this author, but have struggled to finish reading this one, perhaps because I enjoyed Artemis Fowl as a younger child than as a grown up man. Still a good read, and I would always recommend this author.

i like this book because it has an end type feeling halfway into the book. i found it hard to read at the start with a lot of background info not revealed however once started its hard to put down. i would recommend this book to Artemis Fowl readers. i can easily relate chevron to mix of Holly and Mulch.this book is also mysterious. a bit darke than AF but dwfintley giving you the sense that you are 1 step in front of the villian an 3 behind the heros.