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A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.
It's just your average Friday night. Then the police show up. Your mum's been caught on CCTV, breaking into a giant chemical company. They say she's working undercover for A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E, a group against animal testing - but how is that possible? She's not a spy - is she? Now she's on the run - and only you can uncover the truth. And you've got to crack a code to do it.A gripping story from the bestselling author of Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Blackman.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
26 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Malorie Blackman
156 books4,503 followersAn award-winning children's author, Malorie Blackman was honoured with an OBE in 2008. Her work has been adapted for TV and stage.
More information available at:
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British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 50 reviews
October 8, 2017
‘A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.’ by Malorie Blackman is a straightforward but solid, well-paced YA industrial espionage thriller – involving a pharmaceutical company, rare animals, environmental activists and a Mum who turns out to be not quite the kind of Mum that she seemed to be…
Written in 1996, five years before the first book in Blackman’s ‘Noughts and Crosses’ series – this seems to be aimed at a somewhat younger market. ‘A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.’ doesn’t display the same level of sophistication as the ‘Noughts and Crosses’ books and has a far more straightforward narrative. It may well be that Blackman was still honing her skills as a YA novelist at that stage, or perhaps this novel is intentionally less sophisticated due to the age of its target audience? Nevertheless, ‘A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.’ is a strong, solid and page-turning thriller for the younger end of the YA market.
Note: It is very interesting to note how the technology (home computers etc) portrayed here has moved on in leaps and bounds since 1996.
Written in 1996, five years before the first book in Blackman’s ‘Noughts and Crosses’ series – this seems to be aimed at a somewhat younger market. ‘A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.’ doesn’t display the same level of sophistication as the ‘Noughts and Crosses’ books and has a far more straightforward narrative. It may well be that Blackman was still honing her skills as a YA novelist at that stage, or perhaps this novel is intentionally less sophisticated due to the age of its target audience? Nevertheless, ‘A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.’ is a strong, solid and page-turning thriller for the younger end of the YA market.
Note: It is very interesting to note how the technology (home computers etc) portrayed here has moved on in leaps and bounds since 1996.
March 31, 2019
Wow. I loved this. It’s DD’s book. I was completely hooked. Blackman writes excellent thrillers for teenagers 😊. Highly recommended
December 17, 2020
Brilliant story, do I even need to say that when it comes to Blackman?! Short and engaging, I loved how Elliot was so intelligent to solve the mystery or rather a case and helped his mum get out of police's hold. Also Elliot's mum was really interesting, tho she looked like just another woman but she was a spy and that's where all the thrills set in! That's what Malorie Blackman do, write a story that is captivating for children and adult both!
December 23, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book as it was filled with adventures and mysteries that were really interesting and exciting when uncovering them as the story went on.
March 9, 2022
6.8/10
A really engaging industrial espionage thriller that keeps you guessing who's an ally and who's the enemy at every turn.
A really engaging industrial espionage thriller that keeps you guessing who's an ally and who's the enemy at every turn.
November 23, 2014
3.5 stars
I don't think Malorie Blackman has ever written a dud. In fact, when I picked this up in Cry, I didn't even read the synopsis before taking it to the till. I just knew it would be good.
A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E. is a spy/detective story for the Middle Grade/younger YA set. I personally would say it's best suited for someone 10-13 ish, making it probably the youngest intended audience I've read of hers (barring Jack Sweettooth The 73rd which is a whole pile of fun!). As such it is more simplistic than any of the other books so given I'm just a tad out of that age range, it was a light read... but still an enjoyable one with some great characters (and dynamics - I love the Nosh vs. Hallie thing! Maybe because I'm sort of an only child?!) and plenty of sleuthing! There's a message that I really like which hints at the complexity you see in Blackman's other books - sometimes the wrong thing can be the right thing if you do it for the right reasons.
Elliot the Computer Whiz Kid is totally going to be Garcia when he grows up. Now that's a story I'd like to read! (Come on Malorie, you know you want to write a book for adults, don't you?)
I don't think Malorie Blackman has ever written a dud. In fact, when I picked this up in Cry, I didn't even read the synopsis before taking it to the till. I just knew it would be good.
A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E. is a spy/detective story for the Middle Grade/younger YA set. I personally would say it's best suited for someone 10-13 ish, making it probably the youngest intended audience I've read of hers (barring Jack Sweettooth The 73rd which is a whole pile of fun!). As such it is more simplistic than any of the other books so given I'm just a tad out of that age range, it was a light read... but still an enjoyable one with some great characters (and dynamics - I love the Nosh vs. Hallie thing! Maybe because I'm sort of an only child?!) and plenty of sleuthing! There's a message that I really like which hints at the complexity you see in Blackman's other books - sometimes the wrong thing can be the right thing if you do it for the right reasons.
Elliot the Computer Whiz Kid is totally going to be Garcia when he grows up. Now that's a story I'd like to read! (Come on Malorie, you know you want to write a book for adults, don't you?)
August 30, 2013
I reviewed this on my blog as part of Malorie Blackman month- during March 2013 reviews are of books by her- click here for them all- you can see the GIF's that aren't included in the review there!
[Antidote] was a good start to the month! The adventure is quite captivating and the threads of mystery running through are what makes it so realistic. You can believe that they don't know certain things even if some of it was semi-predictable. I only thought certain aspects were possibilities and hey... Intuition. It's a winner :P I am bearing in mind that this is probably for younger readers (the length tells me that) so they are likely to have the revelations come as shocks to them. Elliott is probably a young high schooler so will appeal to primary school kids that are ready to 'grow up'. We all remember that...
Elliott probably has grown up before his time so is an ideal 'hero' figure for this novel. His voice is easy to understand but full of emotion which makes it even more stark and straight away it is clear that this is innovating (or at least to me it's fresh).
[Antidote] was a good start to the month! The adventure is quite captivating and the threads of mystery running through are what makes it so realistic. You can believe that they don't know certain things even if some of it was semi-predictable. I only thought certain aspects were possibilities and hey... Intuition. It's a winner :P I am bearing in mind that this is probably for younger readers (the length tells me that) so they are likely to have the revelations come as shocks to them. Elliott is probably a young high schooler so will appeal to primary school kids that are ready to 'grow up'. We all remember that...
Elliott probably has grown up before his time so is an ideal 'hero' figure for this novel. His voice is easy to understand but full of emotion which makes it even more stark and straight away it is clear that this is innovating (or at least to me it's fresh).
February 5, 2021
Elliot always thought his mum was a secretary in an office and that her interest in A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E., the environmental action group, was just a passing phase. Out of the blue, the police inform Elliot that his mum is a spy, and she’s now on the run. In class when the teacher asked what the student’s mums did as a job, Elliot wishes it was more interesting than a secretary, but now he wishes his mum was normal.
Elliot has to use his advanced computer skills to help his mum and to clear her name. But can he do it in time??
This book was a quick read, full of adventure and twists. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. I adored this book the first time I read it, and I still love it.
Elliot has to use his advanced computer skills to help his mum and to clear her name. But can he do it in time??
This book was a quick read, full of adventure and twists. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. I adored this book the first time I read it, and I still love it.
January 13, 2019
This may have been written with kids in mind but I enjoyed it a whole lot more than the last grown-up book I read. What really surprised me was just how contemporary the book is. When I realised it was written in the second half of the 90s and started mentioning PCs I wondered how old fashioned it would seem, but actually it wasn't too bad. The story itself is a good old fashioned tale of the goodies catching the baddies and as long as today's kids can get past any tech-fashions they should enjoy it.
May 12, 2025
This book suffers from being so out of date now that for anyone under the age of 15 (for who it is written), will find most of incomprehensible with talk of computer discs and floppy discs and directories etc. which are just not known nowadays. I've lived through it all but I cannot relate to it anymore.
It is quite exciting but with a rather weak ending with our villains expected to hand themselves in - I don't think so. More likely to leg it into a tax haven / non extradition country with all their ill gotten gain.
Such a shame.
It is quite exciting but with a rather weak ending with our villains expected to hand themselves in - I don't think so. More likely to leg it into a tax haven / non extradition country with all their ill gotten gain.
Such a shame.
May 1, 2020
I enjoyed this book a lot, as it has a lot of plot twists involved. It is very good because you find out everything at the same time as the character. It is also good because you are completely with the the main character in their views of the situation. It is a brilliant book to read. The reason IONLY RATE IT 4 stars is because some of the things in it are too good to be true and don't actually fit in.
January 23, 2019
I found this book quite good. It was full of suspense and filed with a lot of tension from the very beginning. The main characters were thought out very well although some could have used some more development.
January 30, 2022
Im sorry but I didn't really like this book in my opinion...
I gave it one star since the begining was a bit interesting but the ending wasn't good at all. I love Malorie Blackman's other books but this just wasn't in my favourite books' list.
I gave it one star since the begining was a bit interesting but the ending wasn't good at all. I love Malorie Blackman's other books but this just wasn't in my favourite books' list.
June 16, 2017
2.5
It was ok. Yes, some parts were exciting but it was a unrealistically far-fetched (especially the ending).
Definitely for about 10 years old as the story is simply written and light.
It was ok. Yes, some parts were exciting but it was a unrealistically far-fetched (especially the ending).
Definitely for about 10 years old as the story is simply written and light.
January 22, 2018
Great book keeps you very engaged. Genre action. Differently recommend
August 16, 2019
This was kinda an intense read but I did enjoy it.
October 30, 2020
Amazing book but I think the end was a bit rushed, some things were unexplained
September 6, 2021
I did not think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. It was full of twists and turns all the way through the story I had so much fun reading this and trying to figure it out for myself.
September 14, 2021
abcd
Amazing. would recommend and it is suitable for everyone over 9+ it is an amazing story to be able to read
Amazing. would recommend and it is suitable for everyone over 9+ it is an amazing story to be able to read
February 6, 2023
A little young for me, and I wouldn't normally choose it, but I had saved it from being thrown in the bin, so I feel like it deserved a second chance at life!
December 2, 2025
4.5 stars action packed… the was ending a bit silly but overall excellent! And funny to read about tech from the 1996 perspective
January 8, 2017
Pacy - but for a younger reader, the last chapter was a little far fetched!
March 11, 2014
Title: A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E
Author: Malorie Blackman
Date started: Wednesday 13th
Date finished: Friday 15th
What was the book about?
Ann's mother is being cherched for dome thing she didn't do, Ann will try to prove it with his friend Noah.
What did you like about the book?
There is a lot of action it is really funny.
Were there any parts you didn’t like? Discuss.
I didn't really found any parts I didn't like because It is a really good book.
What was your favourite part of the book?
When he is meating his mother at the park
Would you recommend this book to your friends at Halcyon?
YES NO
Yes definitly
How many stars would you give this book?
(5 – Excellent, 1 – Poor)
4.5 : a really good book
Author: Malorie Blackman
Date started: Wednesday 13th
Date finished: Friday 15th
What was the book about?
Ann's mother is being cherched for dome thing she didn't do, Ann will try to prove it with his friend Noah.
What did you like about the book?
There is a lot of action it is really funny.
Were there any parts you didn’t like? Discuss.
I didn't really found any parts I didn't like because It is a really good book.
What was your favourite part of the book?
When he is meating his mother at the park
Would you recommend this book to your friends at Halcyon?
YES NO
Yes definitly
How many stars would you give this book?
(5 – Excellent, 1 – Poor)
4.5 : a really good book
February 9, 2011
So far I think this book is excellent as it is very easy to understand but still is very entertaining and suitable for a range ages.
This book is about Elliot who has a mom who used to work in ANTIDOTE as a spy. But recently Elliot's uncle Robert has asked Elliot's mom to go on a secret mission to find the mole form Shelby's in antidote,but now she ended up missing. Elliot is staying with his friend Nosh and his family for the time being. Meanwhile, Elliot and Nosh go an look for clues to help mom to prove the police wrong about his mom and uncle Robert breaking into Shelby's building.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading genres such as adventure and spy.
This book is about Elliot who has a mom who used to work in ANTIDOTE as a spy. But recently Elliot's uncle Robert has asked Elliot's mom to go on a secret mission to find the mole form Shelby's in antidote,but now she ended up missing. Elliot is staying with his friend Nosh and his family for the time being. Meanwhile, Elliot and Nosh go an look for clues to help mom to prove the police wrong about his mom and uncle Robert breaking into Shelby's building.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading genres such as adventure and spy.
January 1, 2014
THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY GOOD. IT ALL DEPENDS ON THIS BOY TO SAVE HIS MUMS LIFE AND YET HE IS SO CLEVER THAT HE ACHIEVES IT WITH THE HELP ON HIS NEIGHBORS. HE ALSO HAD TO CRACK A CODE TO SAVE A LIFE. I ALSO LIKE HOW THE CD THAT HIS UNCLE GAVE HIM CONTAINED EVERYTHING HE NEEDED TO HELP HIS MUM AND UNCLE GET OUT OF TROUBLE HOWEVER HE THOUGHT IS WAS JUST A GAME SO HE USED HIS OWN THOUGHTS AND IMAGINATION TO HELP HIM.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD OF READING MORE OF THIS AUTHORS BOOK!
I AM LOOKING FORWARD OF READING MORE OF THIS AUTHORS BOOK!
February 8, 2011
I think A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E is a exciting and hooking mystery book which is appropriate and a good book for kids and adults. Elliot is a bright kid and very smart to find out what has happened to his mother, I really enjoyed this book and it really hooked me in and I couldn't stop reading at night. This book deserves 5 stars and I recommend this as a MUST READ :)
August 5, 2014
I read this when I was about 13 and on holiday. I loved it and read it so fast as it is such an easy read and an extremely gripping story for a person of that age. My 13-year old self gives it 5 stars however if I were to read it again 5/10 years later, I'm not sure whether my opinion would be the same. Who knows.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 50 reviews