WHEN AN ASSASSIN bursts from the shadows to try to kill him on the dark, windswept grounds of his boarding school in England, Max Gordon realizes h...
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Mar 29, 2009
Jennifer
rated it: 
Reviewed by Tasha for TeensReadToo.com
Max Gordon is on the run.
He was almost killed by an assassin, his dad has been kidnapped, and he only has one clue as to where he is. Still, he is determined to find him no matter what kind of danger faces him.
With the one clue he is given, he figures out that his father is in the deserts of Namibia exploring a company that is about to hurt thousands of people. Those people know that Max's dad has found evidence against More...
Max Gordon is on the run.
He was almost killed by an assassin, his dad has been kidnapped, and he only has one clue as to where he is. Still, he is determined to find him no matter what kind of danger faces him.
With the one clue he is given, he figures out that his father is in the deserts of Namibia exploring a company that is about to hurt thousands of people. Those people know that Max's dad has found evidence against More...
Jan 05, 2009
Patricia
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Jun 04, 2009
Tessa
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Jun 04, 2011
Brynn
rated it: 
I sincerely believe that this adventure story would work well for middle-school age boys. There are spies, intrigue, adventures in the African bush, evil plots, airplanes, etc. There is constant adventure and a pretty smart background plot with an evil-doer who is also trying to kill the main character's father.
That being said, I really didn't care for this book. I thought the white-boy-coming-to-save-African-bushmen-who-have-foretold-his-coming-through-ancient-cave-drawing plot was More...
That being said, I really didn't care for this book. I thought the white-boy-coming-to-save-African-bushmen-who-have-foretold-his-coming-through-ancient-cave-drawing plot was More...
Nov 27, 2011
Leaf
rated it:
The Devil's Breath is about a boy named Max who finds out that his dad is missing, presumed dead, until he finds a clue from his dad. The clue tells him that his dad is still alive and somewhere in Namibia and in trouble. Max follows the clues and in Namibia he finds out that the whole of Namibia in in danger. He finds out that a rich man, Shaka Chang, has poisoned the underground caves that provide water for the continent and is planning to release the poison and therefore bring the world to it
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Mar 28, 2009
Thomas
rated it:
The two words to describe this book: Pure Action.
Seriously, if you want a teenage version of James Bond or Alex Rider, then this book is a must-read for you. But if you're a drama/romance fan like me, then you will struggle to complete this book. It was event after event after event with no time to let the reader digest the information. The character's didn't develop at all, and when they did change motive it seemed to be a split second change. The plot spun around a lot and was neve More...
Seriously, if you want a teenage version of James Bond or Alex Rider, then this book is a must-read for you. But if you're a drama/romance fan like me, then you will struggle to complete this book. It was event after event after event with no time to let the reader digest the information. The character's didn't develop at all, and when they did change motive it seemed to be a split second change. The plot spun around a lot and was neve More...
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Dec 01, 2008
Claire
rated it:
I couldn't put this down, and I did try!
A spy thriller tempered with African earth magic The Devil's Breath is an exhilarating blend of Horowitz' Alex Rider and Isabel Allende's Alexander Cold. The son of an adventuring scientist, Max Gordon is at a rigorous boarding school when an attempt is made on his life. This coupled with his father's disappearance sets Max on a wild search across Namimbia where a bush tribe waits for his prophetic arrival. Surprising turns, layered mysteries and th More...
A spy thriller tempered with African earth magic The Devil's Breath is an exhilarating blend of Horowitz' Alex Rider and Isabel Allende's Alexander Cold. The son of an adventuring scientist, Max Gordon is at a rigorous boarding school when an attempt is made on his life. This coupled with his father's disappearance sets Max on a wild search across Namimbia where a bush tribe waits for his prophetic arrival. Surprising turns, layered mysteries and th More...
Jan 02, 2009
Namedphoenix
rated it:
Think of any action hero you've ever heard or read about, including MacGuyver, Jason Bourne, and all of the more recent Die Hard movies, and this main character kid is luckier and smarter than all of them. It's not until later in the book that Gilman introduces an element of complete fantasy that you start to really enjoy it because the fantasy somehow makes it easier to take the crazy insane stunts "our hero" explains.
Oh, and there's a heck of a lot of British language thin More...
Oh, and there's a heck of a lot of British language thin More...
Jan 26, 2009
Angeluismanzueta
rated it: 
a teen named max gordon is in grave danger when an assasin appears to kill him then later he discovers his father is missing and goes to this brave but yet very action adventure till he meets up with shaka. this book relates to ice claw by the same author david gilman max gordon is riding till he witnesses a murder of a berque monk but no one will ever trust but how can he show prof of this murder. i would possibly rate this book 4 stars because it has a lot of action but 1/4 of the part mostly
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Oct 20, 2011
Anki
rated it:
This book is in the same general vein as the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz: a capable and resourceful teenage boy from England travels to some sort of exotic locale and faces a variety of dangers before saving the day. Lots of action and gadgets, and Gilman introduces a mystical element with the inclusion of African shamanism. If you are looking for high-stakes adventure and plenty of action it may be worth checking this book out, but you will also need to be able to overlook some aspect
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Sep 13, 2010
Mevurah
rated it:
I have mixed thoughts about this book. Let me start off that I had to put it on hold for a bit because I didn't have time to continue reading it (Life has its moments). The beginning of the book was very interesting but at the same time a bit dull. Max Gordon is a fifteen-year old boy who attends an all boy school called Dartmoor High, which is located in England. The story begins with an assassin following Max as he is running through the remote part of the school grounds during his spare time.
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Apr 16, 2011
Marco
rated it:
I have a number of fundamental issues with this book to fully justify a one-star rating. Well actually the only reason I give it a one-star rating is for the fact that it goes left to right and top to the bottom!
For a start, this is a 400 page book and the protagonist, Max Gordon, is 15 years old. One would be tempted to assume that this book was therefore aimed at teenagers in the 12+ age group. Gilman's decision to write an adventure story with what seemed more apt for a younger au More...
For a start, this is a 400 page book and the protagonist, Max Gordon, is 15 years old. One would be tempted to assume that this book was therefore aimed at teenagers in the 12+ age group. Gilman's decision to write an adventure story with what seemed more apt for a younger au More...
Apr 16, 2011
Kitsuchi
rated it:
The Devil's Breath starts off with an attempt on Max Gordon's life; shortly after, he discovers that his father's gone missing somewhere in the Namibian desert, having discovered something serious enough to kill over. Max isn't one to sit around and hope for the best - soon as he can, he's off to Namibia himself, chasing a trail that his father may or may not have been left for him.
Max is nearly killed many times in the book; he actually dies only once. There's an element of magic More...
Max is nearly killed many times in the book; he actually dies only once. There's an element of magic More...
Aug 01, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
The writer of this book writes for tv, and sometimes it reads like a tv script because of the nonstop action. At one point, two vehicles are grating against each other, each driver is wrestling with the wheel and gunman are ready to take out the teens. It should appeal to those who enjoy thrillers.
Mar 16, 2009
Alice
rated it:
Max Gordon is yet another teenage James Bond look-alike. But, gallivanting around Africa, foiling plots to poison all fresh water, and learning to be an African medicine man lend novelty to the story, if nothing else. The fast paced plot is both interesting and involving, I found myself engrossed.
Jun 05, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
I only read this because it was on the NH Flume Award 2011 list. I found it trite and boring and overplayed with a paltry writing style. I think it's supposed to appeal to teen boys who like action and adventure, but I don't think that is written well enough to sustain teen readers.
Mar 18, 2010
Terri
rated it:
I liked reading this book. There is a bit of mysticism that seems a bit out of place with the rest of the story. I really liked Max Gordon and will read other books with him as the main character and I'll recommend his book to the boys who use my school's library.
Sep 22, 2011
Chris
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thIS BOOK WAS REALLY EXCITING AND YOU GOT TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TRYING TO SURIVE IN THE BUSH AND TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
Mar 29, 2009
Shasta
rated it:
This started well. I was excited to find a kids book ala Bourne and David Morrell. And then almost exactly half way through, things got weird. After that, I just skimmed to the end. I'm no longer interested in finishing the series.
Apr 19, 2010
Marilyn
rated it:
If you like non-stop action with a teen boy who appears to be indestructable and a nice guy, this is the book for you.
Jul 02, 2010
Clickety
rated it:
Definitely a bit of a Marty Stu here. Lots of action, plenty of improbable sequences. Cartoonish villain. Reluctant readers might enjoy it. Kind of a young-James-Bond feel.
Apr 16, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Max Gordon makes Alex Rider look like a wimp. I would have been happier with a straight-up adventure; I thought the addition of Bushmen religion was unnecessary and borderline offensive--I mean, hey, it's the white boy who's here to save us according to our prophecy? Is this the 19th century? Also, the villain is named Shaka Chang. While this is unlikely to deter high school students, who are all now born after I graduated high school, I kept getting that stupid song stuck in my head. And l
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Mar 27, 2010
Amy
rated it:
High action for teen boys with a twist of mysticism. It got a little long winded for me but I think boys will love the danger and spy elements.
Mar 26, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
A wannabe Alex Rider book but not as fast moving. I really thought I was going to like this but I just couldn't get into it. Nearly half way in I skipped to the end.
Jan 10, 2011
Angela
rated it:
Not my type of book, didn't hold my interest through the first 10 pages.
Apr 16, 2011
Coren
rated it:
I'm a great fan of Alex Rider, Cherub, HIVE, etc., so I guess I am predisposed towards this kind of book! I stumbled on David Gilman by chance and I'm really glad I did. This book was excellent. Fantastic well-rounded characters, some nice plot twists, and lots of action. It's very well-written, a classic page-turner in every sense. I have bought the next book in the series and am seriously stopping myself from starting to read it late at night as I suspect I will not want to put it down once I
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