53. H.I.V.E Book 5: Aftershock by Mark Walden

H.I.V.E Book 5: Aftershock by Mark Walden
Published February 2012 Bloomsbury

From the publisher:
Scheming, extorting, menacing and general evilness are nothing new in the world of villainy - indeed it's expected. But there are codes of conduct. Until now. In an attempt to purge the Global League of Villainous Enterprises of its more destructive elements, Dr Nero has underestimated the cunning and resources of those who oppose him. Meanwhile, Otto and the rest of the Alpha stream - including several new members - have been sent to begin their most feared exercise: The Hunt, in the icy wastes of Siberia. But there is a traitor in their midst. The first strike against Nero will be a strike against the Alpha stream. Villain-kind is on the brink of CIVIL WAR.

This is book five in the HIVE series.  I hadn't read any of the earlier books in this series, and it didn't seem to matter.  There was references to things that had happened in previous books, but the story in this novel stands on its own.



To be honest, this series has never really made much of an impact, maybe that's just in my circles, and that might be to do with the fact that I had never read one!  After reading this book I am surprised that these books haven't flown off the shelves.  It's a cross between Alex Rider (lots of gadgets) and Cherub (wayward youth enlisted to a secret organisation). 

The HIVE institute plucks petty criminals, thieves, hackers from their life on the fringes of society and schools them in all things villianous.  The children they pick are generally orphans and sometimes living on the streets, so no one misses them, and for many the life at HIVE is much better than the one they were living.

In this book the main characters, Otto, Wings, Shelby, Franz  and Lauren are about to undergo the ultimate test, The Hunt, where operatives are dropped in a remote wilderness area, and after a one hour head start, GLOVE forces are sent after them.  They must evade capture for as long as possible.  Things do not go according to plan however when the group, The Disciples, plan a counter attack, hoping to destroy them all.

This series will be great for boys who like a lot of action, and are not put off by more than a little bit of violence.

Who will like this book: Boys age 12+
Read it if you like: Alex Rider and Cherub