S.T.E.A.L.T.H.: Access Denied

S.T.E.A.L.T.H. #1

by Jason Rohan

They’re in a race to save his dad … and the world.

When his dad disappears, Arun Lal is amazed to discover that he was secretly working on a classified project and has been kidnapped by people intent on stealing it.

Along with his geeky best friend Sam and tough-talking Donna, Arun is plunged into a race to rescue his father and find his creation before the thieves can turn it into a destructive global weapon…

Full of thrilling high-octane car chases and more, this is the first in an explosive new action-adventure middle grade series. Perfect for readers aged 9+ and fans of Alex Rider, CHERUB and Mission: Impossible.

Genres: Crime, Middle Grade, Adventure

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2022

Reviews

[Denise Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Arun’s dad is kidnapped, Arun suddenly realises that his dad doesn’t actually have the boring job he’s purported to have. He has, in fact, designed a high tech piece of equipment for the secret intelligence services... and everyone is desperate to get their hands on it.

Instead of going to school, Arun and a couple of friends embark on an adrenaline filled adventure to rescue his dad and secure MANDROID before it falls into the wrong hands.

Fans of Alex Rider will love this book. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. As it was an ARC, the layout was perhaps different from the finished printed text. Without breaks between paragraphs it was tricky to follow when the story switched scenes. With police, intelligence services and the army all involved in the story, I also struggled to follow who was on which team, especially with some double crossing involved, but I just decided to go with flow and enjoy the story. I’m confident children won’t have such difficulties!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're after a high-octane adventure, then you can't go past this new series by Jason Rohan.

The action starts from the first sentence - "Why are the police at your house?" - when the rebellious Donna approaches the much less rebellious Arun and Sam and gets them involved in trying to find out just what the police ARE doing at Arun's house.

Arun finds out that his dad isn't what he thought he was, and he has been kidnapped by some very nefarious characters who will do anything to get the information they need out of him about a very secret project that he has been working on.

Arun and his friends decide that they are going to try and rescue his dad and get themselves mixed up with the baddies.

The reader is whisked along at pace as the children get themselves deeper and deeper into trouble. The story is a fun one - the adult characters are very much caricatures, but that just adds to the entertainment and excitement.

It is a classic goody versus baddie story, in the style of Alex Rider, and I can see it being very popular in our library.

[Rennai · Rating 3 out of 5]

This adventure novel will probably go down well with the younger audience who will happily suspend their disbelief as it is pretty faced paced and has the three children, Arun, Donna and Sam squarely placed as the heroes while most of the adults are ineffectual. It is set in England and Arun's dad has gone missing (kidnapped). It turns out Arun's dad is not who he seems and it appears that it is up to Arun and his friends to rescue him (and possibly save the world). The threesome has some pretty special talents and need to put them all to use to take on the baddies and to elude those tasked with finding Arun's dad and keeping the population safe. There are high-speed chases, lots of guns, explosions and high-tech gadgets sure to entertain the younger reader.

[D Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One normal school morning and three 12 year olds suddenly find themselves embroiled in a highly tense and dangerous situation. Not becoming involved isn’t an option as the life of one of the children’s fathers is at stake.
Rohan provides plenty of tension and adventure as he writes in a language relevant to modern children. This is certainly a book for upper primary and lower secondary age readers who want to divulge in exciting detective work and I would particularly also recommend it for those less reluctant readers who require a fast pace to maintain their interest.
Thank you to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

STEALTH is a team of agents making their debut in Access Denied. It is an exhilarating ride of non-stop action with a trio of resourceful school kids. All they have to do is outwit the villains who want to control a deadly AI weapon that could destroy the world! Their varied skills, determination and eventual friendship make this a team to follow. It might take me a while to recover but I’m sure there is a sequel to come and I’m looking forward to meeting Arun, Sam and Donna again.

[Julia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really was a case of high-octane, technology-driven, action-packed, page-turning adventure. Three seriously cool, smart twelve-year-olds saving the world from nuclear disaster - hell, yes.

It may not win literacy awards for the writing but it is so much fun. Lose yourself in out-of-this-world technology and teenagers having to work together to beat the bad guys.

My students are going to love it.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adrenalised hokum, but hokum none the less, as people get kidnapped, super-weapons are under threat – and the country has to rely on three schoolkids who aren't even good friends to put everything back in place.

For my full review, please click to:- http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/S...

[Helen Precious · Rating 4 out of 5]

STEALTH is a fun adventure thriller perfect for fans of the Cherub series. The unlikely trio of school children use their cunning to try and locate Arun's dad. Villains, police chases, the army, secrets and lies all play a part in this fun read, sure to appeal to the younger YA/Tween audience. Jason Rohan has created the first in what I imagine is likely to be a popular well-written series.

[Gabz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a genuinely enjoyable, well paced book with lots of twists and turns. Good fun!

[Hugo Bolton · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is defenitly for children above the age of 9.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An action packed and high adrenaline story; perfect for fans of the Alex Rider and Cherub series. Quite a bit of violence.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be better for younger kids. I would’ve liked it better if I was younger. But, nonetheless, I don’t regret buying it

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really think this book was awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the way to school, Arun Lal finds out his dad has been kidnapped and it is up to him, Sam and Donna to work out why. Qucikly, they find out that Arun’s dad doesn’t work for the Bank of England. Instead, he has been working on a classified project that could be turned into a destructive global weapon and that’s just what the thieves want! Arun, Donna and Sam race against time to save Arun’s dad and maybe even the rest of the world…

I absolutely loved (and still do) Alex Rider when I was growing up, so I was incredibly excited to receive this book that seemed it would be in a similar vein. S.T.E.A.L.T.H Access Denied did not disappoint with it’s fiercely fast paced action sequences including hacking and car chases – all of the marks of a good quality action novel! As an introduction to a new spy series, this was fabulous and will leave you desperately wanting more. I read this in one sitting and loved every second.

Rather than a singular spy, this novel has a trio of school children who will become agents. All three bring integral skills to the group. Arun is a natural leader of the group with the ability to figure out plans and situations quickly. He is also the moral compass of the group, holding the three together. Sam is a technology whizz, bedroom floor covered in pieces of half built computers. Lastly, Donna is feisty and world wise and far more realistic than the other two. She makes a fierce friend for the two and surprises them consistently. The team wouldn’t work without all three of them together!

Move over Alex Rider, there’s a new team in town! A fast paced thriller that’ll leave you breathless. 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Nosy Crow for my review copy.