The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp -- Rick Yancey

The book begins:

I never thought I would save the world--or die saving it.  I never believed in angels or miracles either, and I sure didn't think of myself as a hero.  Nobody would have, including you, if you had known me before I took the world's most powerful weapon and let it fall into the hands of a lunatic.  Maybe after you hear my story you won't think I'm much of a hero anyway, since most of my heroics (if you want to call them that) resulted from my being a screwup.  A lot of people died because of me--including me--but I guess I'm getting ahead of myself and I'd better start from the beginning.

Let's start with the biggie:  The weapon he's referring to is Excalibur.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp has helicopter rides, stolen sports cars, sword fights, modern day knights, prophetic dreams, at least two secret and powerful world-wide organizations, a smidgen of romance and lots and lots of beheadings.  The chapters are short and the action is almost non-stop -- if the length of the book doesn't deter them, this will be a good pick for reluctant readers.

Alfred Kropp himself is a very likable and engaging narrator.  He reminded me a bit of Max from the Philbrick books -- a big guy, not overly bright, but with a good heart. I didn't grow all that attached to him, though, and I certainly didn't get attached to anyone else in the book. 

While it was very definitely a page-turner, and a fun one at that (I was always fully entertained while actually reading) I didn't feel any burning compulsion to find the time to finish it off immediately.  We went away this weekend, and even though I was three-quarters of the way through, I didn't bring it with me.  That's major.  It just didn't inspire any sort of passion in me.  I'll recommend it to certain kids -- fans of Alex Rider, Darren Shan and maybe Eoin Colfer -- but it isn't one that I'm doing cartwheels about.

Comments

[Colleen]

You know I thought it was good too - but not great. There is a sequel coing out though and maybe he will come more into the story on this one. All the elements are there and I can easily recommend the book - I mean anything that gets boys reading has my rec - but there's just some kind of something that is missing in it. As I said though, he might that all nailed down with Book #2.

[Leila]

I kind of got the feeling that there'd be another -- always nice to be right. And, yeah -- I felt the same way... something was just... missing. Maybe it what I mentioned before (the not getting attached to anyone bit) -- there was plenty of action and adventure, but it wasn't emotionally engaging?

[Jackie]

Yeah, I said some rather disparaging things about it when I reviewed it and recieved a rather nasty comment.

[Leila]

Really? From a fan?

[Jonathan]

I really liked the first, however, I've seen an advanced readers copy of the second and yeah..he really nailed it this time. This is terrific. It's called the Seal of Soloman. I think it goes on sale in May.

[deondrea brown]

man o man this book was of the heezyfosheezy rickyancey was out of his mind this was pimp it wasnt missing anything bennacio was all like killin and alfred was all kneeing people in the crotch and stuff but it was great

[ryan]

I was wondering if there is a second book to alfred kropp?

[ryan balckwell]

I was wondering if there is a second book to alfred kropp?

[ryan balckwell]

plz type back to my email fitemepplz@yahoo.com thanx