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Jason Steed #3
Absolutely Nothing
After going under cover and uncovering a child trafficking organization in Britain, 12 year-old Jason Steed settles into an elite American Military School for boys and finally feels normal.
When a peacekeeping force working for the United Nations are taken hostage, it was just another boring news story that Jason ignored until he is informed his father is among the captives. Repeatedly told not too worry someone will do something. Jason decides he is that someone and discovers more than he bargained for when he unearths a group of American fathered children deep in the Vietnamese Jungle. Unwanted by the Americans and shunned by the Vietnamese, they are left to die and hunted by a ruthless Vietnamese General. Can anyone rescue the prisoners and help the children?
With odds stacked against him he must rely on all his skills, for his nightmare is just beginning…….
When a peacekeeping force working for the United Nations are taken hostage, it was just another boring news story that Jason ignored until he is informed his father is among the captives. Repeatedly told not too worry someone will do something. Jason decides he is that someone and discovers more than he bargained for when he unearths a group of American fathered children deep in the Vietnamese Jungle. Unwanted by the Americans and shunned by the Vietnamese, they are left to die and hunted by a ruthless Vietnamese General. Can anyone rescue the prisoners and help the children?
With odds stacked against him he must rely on all his skills, for his nightmare is just beginning…….
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2013
60 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Mark A. Cooper
22 books166 followersMark A. Cooper is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Anthony Horowitz as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times).
The first book in his Jason Steed series was self-published in 2008. Since then the series has won over fans across the world with its mix of action, emotion and coming of age originality.
Mark was snapped up by the Barbara Zitwer agency and since has written 4 more in the series now published by Sourcebooks.
Mark has spent many years interviewing ex-Edelweiss Pirate and Hitler Youth members across the globe and he is seen as the foremost expert on The Edelweiss Pirates. The novels are fiction based on actual events that happened between 1936-1945 in Germany.
Fictionreviwer.com named 'Fledgling Jason Steed' Young adult book of the year 2009. The book was also voted as finalist in the 2009 'Indie book Awards'. In 2013 in the Beverly Hills Book Awards it came first in Juvenile fiction.
The first book in his Jason Steed series was self-published in 2008. Since then the series has won over fans across the world with its mix of action, emotion and coming of age originality.
Mark was snapped up by the Barbara Zitwer agency and since has written 4 more in the series now published by Sourcebooks.
Mark has spent many years interviewing ex-Edelweiss Pirate and Hitler Youth members across the globe and he is seen as the foremost expert on The Edelweiss Pirates. The novels are fiction based on actual events that happened between 1936-1945 in Germany.
Fictionreviwer.com named 'Fledgling Jason Steed' Young adult book of the year 2009. The book was also voted as finalist in the 2009 'Indie book Awards'. In 2013 in the Beverly Hills Book Awards it came first in Juvenile fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews
November 17, 2018
After reading this book I'm convinced that Jason Steed is the unluckiest 12-year-old in fiction.
First, this book is set in the time period immediately following the end of the war in Vietnam and the withdrawal of American troops. That whole setting is very important to the novel.
So, Jason gets bullied and of course, defends himself but get expelled for it. Then Jason gets offered a position at an elite American military academy. Of course, it turns out to be all part of a mission that the government wants him to do. Jason's father Ray is not happy about the idea but eventually agrees. So Jason leaves for America and Ray returns to his ship and is deployed to the Far East to became part of the UN peacekeepers monitoring the end of the war there.
It's when Ray, along with a group of other multinationals, is taken captive by the Vietnamese that things get exciting. Jason learns from his contacts that no one is going to attempt a rescue because they don't want to risk starting another war. They are hoping that the UN can negotiate their release. But when the Vietnamese announce that if their demands are not met within the deadline they will kill the hostages, Jason decides to take matters into his own hands.
The story is fun and exciting. It definitely held my interest. It's important to remember that it is a work of fiction! I found myself almost having to pretend that Jason was a mini-superman at times with some of the things the author had him doing. But still it was all in good fun and I really enjoyed the book.
Jason is a great character and you can't help but become attached to him. He very much acts like a 12-year-old. Just a boy but a boy that can kick your ass. In this book, we get the chance to learn a bit more about Jason's father Ray and we see their relationship grow. As always the characters are very real and very human.
All in all, it was a fun and exciting read. Nothing in depth or complicated but then that's not expected of a Jason Steed novel. It's meant to be an action-packed YA novel and that's exactly what it is. If that's what your after you're not going to be disappointed.
Definitely another good read in the Jason Steed series.
January 23, 2015
4.5 Stars
Book three in Mark Cooper’s Jason Steed series is fast, explosive and fun! Jam-packed with kicks and KABOOMS!
Jason Steed, our 12 year old blue eyed deadly weapon, jumps right into action in this book with an undercover mission, temper, temper and new places to get into trouble. America! I loved how this book opened. It said “Hello” with family, friends, and humor. It did get a bit choppy and sloppy at times in the middle. But the action gets back on track in a hurry though. As soon as we jump on a jet plane and hit Vietnam, I was hooked. Turning pages faster and faster! Jason’s father and a few others are taken hostage in Vietnam. Tortured and scheduled to be executed if certain demands are not met. Jason cannot lose his father too. With the deadline tick, tick, ticking away, young Jason decides to take matters into his own hands.
The wet Vietnam landscape really comes alive in these pages with thick humidity, bug bites, and danger. The way Jason creeps through the land—village by village—all on his own made me proud and angry. Where is his backup? Troops, government, adults for goodness sakes! Someone had to do something to save his father and the other prisoners. Jason IS that someone! The one to step up when no one else would.
My favorite moments always seem to be between father and son. Well…Scott had some hilarious moments too . Scott and Jason form one hell of a spying team! But the strength and tenderness between Jason and his father is the heartbeat of the series for me. So adorable and powerful!
”Jason felt strangely relaxed. He knew they were still in great danger but with his father next to him, he felt at ease.”
Along with the action and trouble though, is a fun layer of laughs. Jason’s humor really comes out to play even knee deep in the jungle. Jokes and smart aleck one-liners keep Jason and the men going through extreme exhaustion and pain. Jason made me giggle again and again—especially when he asked his father if he could keep Tiny Tim. Haha….What a sweetie! And that right there is what makes Jason Steed such a great character to follow. One minute he is throwing his backpack around in a huff and the next he’s disobeying orders from the highest command. Sometimes the characteristics that make him a bratty little kid can also make him a hero! Go figure. :D
The title of this book, Absolutely Nothing, really didn’t hit me right away. But when it did *deep sigh* it was a huge emotional punch to the gut. A lesson that unfortunately still needs to be taught again and again in this world. What is war good for?
Mark Cooper has done it again! Another action packed read! Grenades and guns! Planes to ships! Leeches, mosquitos, and more! There are some truly nail-biting moments in this visit. Be warned, Cooper is not afraid to show death and brutality. And just when I begin to worry that Jason is growing immune to the stress, violence, and blood something happens that squeezes my heart to bits and reminds me that Jason is a 12 year old boy. A boy that needs to learn how to control his temper. A boy who still needs to grow up and goof off. And a boy who needs his father.
Go meet Jason Steed. This series is awesome!
Just one of my heart tugging moments:
”Jason sat back on the floor, looking at the dead soldier horrified. “I never meant to kill him,” he said in a whisper. He looked at his hands and rubbed them on his pants, trying to rid the feel of the man from them.”
And one of my biggest laugh-out-loud moments was when Jason was talking tattoos with Cookie…
”Will you get some when you’re older?” Cookie asked.
“No, tattoos are just images or words like bumper stickers. And you wouldn’t put bumper stickers on a Rolls Royce.” Jason laughed, flexing his small biceps.” Haha….
October 25, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. My cousin enjoyed this book as well. In this book Jason is 12 years old. He has a problem. Everyone thinks he is a great agent, but he has a bad temper. And trouble ensures. The biggest complaint that my cousin and I have on this book is the fact it is too short. That is why we gave 4 stars instead of five. It seems that he goes on place and then less than a chapter or so later he is off to somewhere totally different. Besides that we had no problems.
Now we can not wait till the fourth book comes out. We want to know what Jason is going to be up to next. More importantly where is he going to go to school.
Now we can not wait till the fourth book comes out. We want to know what Jason is going to be up to next. More importantly where is he going to go to school.
October 26, 2013
What a blockbuster, I enjoy this series Fledgling is my favorite book, when book 2 came out Revenge it was great and I was a little worried about getting this 3rd book, would be be as good as the other 2?
Oh YEAH! An amazing fast action book with Jason as our hero, he has just come into puberty and it seems he is getting tougher. There has always been great fight scenes in the series, Absolutely Nothing has just as many, twice Jason over over the top. One scene was just scary
"Jason’s entire body started to tremble, his pupils dilated. If they had tried to provoke him, they had finally succeeded and woken a human hurricane with a sting worse than a Fattail Scorpion."
The series is great this would make a great movie, now we have to wait for book 4. :(
Oh YEAH! An amazing fast action book with Jason as our hero, he has just come into puberty and it seems he is getting tougher. There has always been great fight scenes in the series, Absolutely Nothing has just as many, twice Jason over over the top. One scene was just scary
"Jason’s entire body started to tremble, his pupils dilated. If they had tried to provoke him, they had finally succeeded and woken a human hurricane with a sting worse than a Fattail Scorpion."
The series is great this would make a great movie, now we have to wait for book 4. :(
February 11, 2021
Ok, confession time: I really enjoyed this book. It’s completely out of my ‘comfort zone’ and clearly not for my demographic but I found myself absorbed in the story and characters from the get-go.
Jason Steed is a character all teenage boys will love. Martial-arts expert, loved by his friends, with flaws and strengths in academia and a nice guy – thumbs up.
He’s soon involved in a government mission involving runaway children, espionage and child trafficking. The storyline is surprisingly indepth and well thought out, and Jason works as part of a team to solve the case. It’s great to read a positive novel that puts teamwork, friendship, love and family above all else. In a way, the positive reinforcement of honesty and integrity reminds me of the Harry Potter books.
Mark Cooper has done a great job in pulling together the threads of the story and making it believable and workable.
The only two things I didn't like about the book was 1) the length (too short!) and 2) the cover. I'm not sure the cover artist does the book justice, but this is my personal taste.
I would recommend this for those that like action, adventure, strong characters and solid writing. It was a fluid read and I think most suitable for 11-14yr olds.
Jason Steed is a character all teenage boys will love. Martial-arts expert, loved by his friends, with flaws and strengths in academia and a nice guy – thumbs up.
He’s soon involved in a government mission involving runaway children, espionage and child trafficking. The storyline is surprisingly indepth and well thought out, and Jason works as part of a team to solve the case. It’s great to read a positive novel that puts teamwork, friendship, love and family above all else. In a way, the positive reinforcement of honesty and integrity reminds me of the Harry Potter books.
Mark Cooper has done a great job in pulling together the threads of the story and making it believable and workable.
The only two things I didn't like about the book was 1) the length (too short!) and 2) the cover. I'm not sure the cover artist does the book justice, but this is my personal taste.
I would recommend this for those that like action, adventure, strong characters and solid writing. It was a fluid read and I think most suitable for 11-14yr olds.
November 13, 2013
I bought this book for my son and, as usual, I had a quick read through to make sure it was appropriate as not all are! I have to say though that my quick read through turned into a "no darling you can't have it until I've finished".
I loved it. The main character is a young boy, aged 12. What I liked about this boy though was that he is portrayed as a responsible young man with strong values and a clear idea of the difference between right and wrong. He is brave, works hard at school, all the things we want our kids to grow up to be. He is also an amazing martial artist and the police frequently call upon him for his help.
The plot moves fast and he gets into a lot of scrapes whilst traveling the world. When my son finally got his hands on it he loved it and we are now invested in the series.
Nice to have a 'proper' role model for kids at last. Thank you.
I loved it. The main character is a young boy, aged 12. What I liked about this boy though was that he is portrayed as a responsible young man with strong values and a clear idea of the difference between right and wrong. He is brave, works hard at school, all the things we want our kids to grow up to be. He is also an amazing martial artist and the police frequently call upon him for his help.
The plot moves fast and he gets into a lot of scrapes whilst traveling the world. When my son finally got his hands on it he loved it and we are now invested in the series.
Nice to have a 'proper' role model for kids at last. Thank you.
February 26, 2014
Another high-flying heartpounding adventure. The way characters just get superbly angry doesn’t always ring believable, and the disparity between the level of violence and sexual awareness is very high, but then the kids portrayed are very young indeed and maybe themes will mature as things go on. This is certainly a very, very powerful series of stories for young people who want an action hero. Cooper is a fabulous storyteller.
December 1, 2017
Absolutely Nothing (Jason Steed #3) --
Grade Received: 93% (A)
Why?: This was a very good Jason Steed novel. I enjoyed the book as a whole, but the storyline was my favorite. The characters fit the role, as they are expected to, and the story wasn't bogus.I recommend you read the Jason Steed series, if you haven't already.
- Mr. Good Read
Grade Received: 93% (A)
Why?: This was a very good Jason Steed novel. I enjoyed the book as a whole, but the storyline was my favorite. The characters fit the role, as they are expected to, and the story wasn't bogus.I recommend you read the Jason Steed series, if you haven't already.
- Mr. Good Read
October 22, 2013
I love this series, I read the first 'Fledgling Jason Steed' about 5 years ago, when I was younger but I still love them. I think book 1 will always be my favorite novel, but the series s far has been classics.
Jason Steed is now 12 as he gets older controlling his temper seems to be harder for him, he completes a mission to catch a child trafficking ring in the UK.
Returning to school is hard for Jason, one minute he is being attacked by assassins the next he is being told off at school for running down a corridor.
British special forces and his father agree to send him to America's top military school, it was nice reading how the British see America and how he struggled in school with the different spelling of some words. His father a Royal Navy officer is part of a UN peace keeping force over seeing the withdraw of US troops from Vietnam. (It's 1975).
His father and others are captured by the Vietnamese, President Ford will not allow any Americans to step foot and help after the aftermath of the Vietnam war. There fate seems doomed, everyone told Jason not to worry, someone will do something to help.
Eventually Jason makes up his mind he is that SOMEONE. Inn typical Jason Steed fashion the adventure takes off and Jason is put threw his paces, the author must really hate Jason because he really puts this poor kid through hell.
Not only does Jason find his father he comes across a group of Amerasian children, (Children fathered by US troops from 1965-1975 who are not wanted by the US or the Vietnamese. Jason takes on a rescue mission that upsets the US and puts him in danger from both sides. A fantastic original story that becomes a history lesson, action packed, some funny parts, and an emotional scene that we always seem to get with this series that makes you want to grab the Kleenex.
Yes it's a book for boys, but its fun.
Jason Steed is now 12 as he gets older controlling his temper seems to be harder for him, he completes a mission to catch a child trafficking ring in the UK.
Returning to school is hard for Jason, one minute he is being attacked by assassins the next he is being told off at school for running down a corridor.
British special forces and his father agree to send him to America's top military school, it was nice reading how the British see America and how he struggled in school with the different spelling of some words. His father a Royal Navy officer is part of a UN peace keeping force over seeing the withdraw of US troops from Vietnam. (It's 1975).
His father and others are captured by the Vietnamese, President Ford will not allow any Americans to step foot and help after the aftermath of the Vietnam war. There fate seems doomed, everyone told Jason not to worry, someone will do something to help.
Eventually Jason makes up his mind he is that SOMEONE. Inn typical Jason Steed fashion the adventure takes off and Jason is put threw his paces, the author must really hate Jason because he really puts this poor kid through hell.
Not only does Jason find his father he comes across a group of Amerasian children, (Children fathered by US troops from 1965-1975 who are not wanted by the US or the Vietnamese. Jason takes on a rescue mission that upsets the US and puts him in danger from both sides. A fantastic original story that becomes a history lesson, action packed, some funny parts, and an emotional scene that we always seem to get with this series that makes you want to grab the Kleenex.
Yes it's a book for boys, but its fun.
August 18, 2014
hmm… wondering how the adult version of jason steed will be like…
March 22, 2018
Such an amazing action packed book both great writing and good for teen readers and up!
May 23, 2014
Really good-if only we all had a jason steed
January 7, 2024
There were a lot of typos in the book and how it was printed was awkward and messy but that hasn't figured in to my rating. Just wanted to point it out because it brought me out of the story when I came across them.
As you'd expect, it was pretty far-fetched, but none the less, it was very entertaining. Jason gets a lot thrown at him and seems to always bounce back. You'd wonder how much more abuse such a young boy could take. He does so much but doesn't really get congratulated or rewarded by the countries he does be helping. Well, he hardly even gets acknowledged.
These books are good fun to read, very violent and full of action.
As you'd expect, it was pretty far-fetched, but none the less, it was very entertaining. Jason gets a lot thrown at him and seems to always bounce back. You'd wonder how much more abuse such a young boy could take. He does so much but doesn't really get congratulated or rewarded by the countries he does be helping. Well, he hardly even gets acknowledged.
These books are good fun to read, very violent and full of action.
February 16, 2024
Great plot, horrible writing.
The plot was brilliant, with many plot twists and unexpected outcomes. But the writing was very bad, with lots of spelling mistakes and grammar issues. A proofreader would prove to be useful.
The plot was brilliant, with many plot twists and unexpected outcomes. But the writing was very bad, with lots of spelling mistakes and grammar issues. A proofreader would prove to be useful.
July 12, 2022
Jason Steed saves the day again.
Alex rider 2.0 but how do put this, more dangerous? I mean I can't compare the two because they are nothing alike, this is what Alex would be if he had a father and he's a hot tempered teenager.
This book is too good to put in words, the relationship between Raymond and Jason, even if Jason is a dangerous agent in the end he is still a child, he is haunted by the death he caused but he runs on emotion rather than his head.
Raymond, Mr. Raymond Steed, he deserves the father of the year award. ( Not sarcastically speaking)
The father and son duo...
Jason being Jason he do anything for want he think is right, He is a force to be recon with.
Alex rider 2.0 but how do put this, more dangerous? I mean I can't compare the two because they are nothing alike, this is what Alex would be if he had a father and he's a hot tempered teenager.
This book is too good to put in words, the relationship between Raymond and Jason, even if Jason is a dangerous agent in the end he is still a child, he is haunted by the death he caused but he runs on emotion rather than his head.
Raymond, Mr. Raymond Steed, he deserves the father of the year award. ( Not sarcastically speaking)
The father and son duo...
Jason being Jason he do anything for want he think is right, He is a force to be recon with.
February 2, 2014
I cannot believe in 2013 someone is still able to write or read such a biased book about a sad chapter of the world history. There has never been a UN peace-keeping force in Vietnam, neither ruthless generals chasing down American fathered children and I thinks it's shameful and awful that American young minds feed themselves with this garbage. It seems I'm the only one noting the disrespect done to Vietnam in publishing this book, but please think about it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews