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Tough enough? Smart enough? Max will require all his skills just to stay alive as a Special Forces Cadet...
And young and alone in the world....
The government needs teenage UNDERCOVER agents for challenging situations where adults would attract suspcion. Max Johnson is desperate to become a SPECIAL FORCES CADET. But will he and the others make it through the gruelling selection camp? And if they do, can they survive their FIRST MISSON - an ARMED SIEGE in an inner-city school?
And young and alone in the world....
The government needs teenage UNDERCOVER agents for challenging situations where adults would attract suspcion. Max Johnson is desperate to become a SPECIAL FORCES CADET. But will he and the others make it through the gruelling selection camp? And if they do, can they survive their FIRST MISSON - an ARMED SIEGE in an inner-city school?
213 pages, Paperback
Published February 7, 2019
64 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ryan
342 books1,020 followersColin Armstrong (b. 1961), usually known by the pen-name Chris Ryan, is a British author, television presenter, security consultant and former Special Air Service sergeant.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 19, 2020
3.5 Stars
CW: Terrorism, suicide bombers, MCs are orphaned by violent crimes.
A pretty engaging book! I liked the different characters and their back stories. Fellow YA librarians, I strongly recommend this for 12-14 year old Cherub fans.
CW: Terrorism, suicide bombers, MCs are orphaned by violent crimes.
A pretty engaging book! I liked the different characters and their back stories. Fellow YA librarians, I strongly recommend this for 12-14 year old Cherub fans.
February 23, 2022
*This book was read as part of Middle Grade Madness’ 2022 TBR Challenge*
An entertaining and engaging start to the series, but with little to set it apart from other teen military/spy books. Although, that wasn’t necessarily a negative as it remained an enjoyable read all the same.
Whilst credit for the writing must go to whoever the ghostwriter was, credit for the content itself should definitely go to Chris Ryan. His personal touch could be felt in all the military knowledge imbued in this book. That’s what surprised me about this book: the fact that it was such an educational read. In reading this book I learnt about abseiling techniques, proper gun usage, covert communication procedure, the ins and outs of military operation routines, and more.
Beyond the educational aspect, the plot had some unexpected twists and was well-paced. The book was split into half training montage, half military operation and both parts were equally good.
The array of characters had an interesting dynamic and a wide variety of backstories that were revealed in a great way. Some still remain a bit of a mystery, but that’s just all the more reason to pick up Missing!
An entertaining and engaging start to the series, but with little to set it apart from other teen military/spy books. Although, that wasn’t necessarily a negative as it remained an enjoyable read all the same.
Whilst credit for the writing must go to whoever the ghostwriter was, credit for the content itself should definitely go to Chris Ryan. His personal touch could be felt in all the military knowledge imbued in this book. That’s what surprised me about this book: the fact that it was such an educational read. In reading this book I learnt about abseiling techniques, proper gun usage, covert communication procedure, the ins and outs of military operation routines, and more.
Beyond the educational aspect, the plot had some unexpected twists and was well-paced. The book was split into half training montage, half military operation and both parts were equally good.
The array of characters had an interesting dynamic and a wide variety of backstories that were revealed in a great way. Some still remain a bit of a mystery, but that’s just all the more reason to pick up Missing!
July 11, 2019
Move over Muchamore's Cherub team - there's a new group of kids in town to save the world when grownups can't.
Max in a orphan, bullied at school and counting down until he is 18 and can enlist in the army. There he hopes he will find the family he's never had. The one good thing Max does have in his life is his involvement in cadets. Being outdoors undertaking rescue drills and training operations is his happy place. When Max is involved in a real-life rescue and proves what a calm, capable and compassionate young man he is, the Special Forces Cadets headhunt him and whisk him off to selection camp. There Max has to survive the gruelling initiations and the barely adequate camp food and earn a place in the top 5 cadets in order to pass. The backstories of the other cadets are fascinating - though they don't come until the end of the book. If you want a fast-paced, easy read full of action and adventure then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading others in this series - author Chris Ryan is former SAS so he definitely knows his stuff.
Max in a orphan, bullied at school and counting down until he is 18 and can enlist in the army. There he hopes he will find the family he's never had. The one good thing Max does have in his life is his involvement in cadets. Being outdoors undertaking rescue drills and training operations is his happy place. When Max is involved in a real-life rescue and proves what a calm, capable and compassionate young man he is, the Special Forces Cadets headhunt him and whisk him off to selection camp. There Max has to survive the gruelling initiations and the barely adequate camp food and earn a place in the top 5 cadets in order to pass. The backstories of the other cadets are fascinating - though they don't come until the end of the book. If you want a fast-paced, easy read full of action and adventure then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading others in this series - author Chris Ryan is former SAS so he definitely knows his stuff.
January 18, 2022
Just discovered this series and despite them being short books this was really exciting. Looking forward to getting into the rest of the series and getting to know the special forces codettes better.
June 8, 2023
Fast paced
February 17, 2019
I have read some of Chris Ryan’s adult work and can say that I am a fan. But generally I find that writers can be particularly good at one type of genre but when they attempt something out of their usual scope of work, it tends to be not as brilliant as their usual work. Upon seeing Siege I figured, well hey this could go either way. It could be really good or it can go horribly wrong. Well I’m bloody glad I gave it a go as Siege is a perfect action packed middle grad book that is missing for kids book cases. And I have never read a middle grad book like this is a long time!
From the get go this book was action packed, full of dangerous situations and a plot that would leave any kid on the edge of their seat. Max, a young orphan gets taken to a covert military group where he is trained to sneak into any situation unnoticed and take down the bad guy. After all, kids are completely innocent right?
I love the fact that Ryan includes some history of our characters that build to the story and his characters were oh so brilliant. I want them all to be picked and couldn’t flaw them in the slightest. And the controversy and the competition between the selected group of kids is real and hard hitting and you truly do find yourself invested in the story.
Besides the characters the writing was bloody brilliant. I am beginning to think that there is nothing Chris Ryan can’t do.
Over all, I loved this book, the only thing that let me down was the fact it wasn’t long enough. The characters were great, the story was brilliant and creative and it was just a fantastic book. And the cover, well that is intensely awesome as well. I highly recommend that you pick this book up for your children if they love action.
From the get go this book was action packed, full of dangerous situations and a plot that would leave any kid on the edge of their seat. Max, a young orphan gets taken to a covert military group where he is trained to sneak into any situation unnoticed and take down the bad guy. After all, kids are completely innocent right?
I love the fact that Ryan includes some history of our characters that build to the story and his characters were oh so brilliant. I want them all to be picked and couldn’t flaw them in the slightest. And the controversy and the competition between the selected group of kids is real and hard hitting and you truly do find yourself invested in the story.
Besides the characters the writing was bloody brilliant. I am beginning to think that there is nothing Chris Ryan can’t do.
Over all, I loved this book, the only thing that let me down was the fact it wasn’t long enough. The characters were great, the story was brilliant and creative and it was just a fantastic book. And the cover, well that is intensely awesome as well. I highly recommend that you pick this book up for your children if they love action.
April 25, 2019
This was a really fast-paced and thrilling adventure story for kids aged 12 and up. I’m hesitant to recommend it for those younger, despite its accessibility, because there’s a storyline involving suicide bombers in a school. I listened to it and the narration was great.
Max is an orphan, and finds himself as a candidate for a top-secret government special cadets program, where children under 16 are trained and sent in to situations so as not to arouse suspicion as an adult would. Despite Max’s intelligence and skills, he finds himself rejected until circumstances thrust him back into the action and he can prove his worth again.
It sounds cliched, but it was fast-paced, action packed and will appeal to many, particularly fans of Robert Muchamore’s “Cherub”’series.
Max is an orphan, and finds himself as a candidate for a top-secret government special cadets program, where children under 16 are trained and sent in to situations so as not to arouse suspicion as an adult would. Despite Max’s intelligence and skills, he finds himself rejected until circumstances thrust him back into the action and he can prove his worth again.
It sounds cliched, but it was fast-paced, action packed and will appeal to many, particularly fans of Robert Muchamore’s “Cherub”’series.
February 16, 2020
3.5 stars
Siege was a great, action-packed read for younger teens. It was filled with some nail-biting moments and I liked the calm, level-headed maturity Max showed in those moments. It was a quick read, but I felt it needed to be fleshed out in parts.
However, I did like the backstories of the young people who became the finalists at the Special Forces Cadets. Max, Abby and Sami were definitely my favourite characters and the friendship that developed between them was touching. An enjoyable read and I would happily read the sequel when it is released.
Siege was a great, action-packed read for younger teens. It was filled with some nail-biting moments and I liked the calm, level-headed maturity Max showed in those moments. It was a quick read, but I felt it needed to be fleshed out in parts.
However, I did like the backstories of the young people who became the finalists at the Special Forces Cadets. Max, Abby and Sami were definitely my favourite characters and the friendship that developed between them was touching. An enjoyable read and I would happily read the sequel when it is released.
January 22, 2020
The Cherub series, but with the SAS. Great read for younger teens.
September 9, 2025
Lots of spoilers, so read at your own risk.
They tested the kids on almost everything, from mental fortitude and physical fitness to pain tolerance. But the "watchers" forget one very important thing: loyalty. Realistically speaking, why the ef would those kids who were practically kidnapped suddenly want to defend the UK from terrorist attacks? Sure, there might be a few, but for the other 50-100 kids, who, by the way, came from all over the world (as Woody mentioned), including the US, Afghanistan, South America, Australia, etc. Again, why the hell would they fight for England?
Their system of recruitment is just plain stupid.
When the MC is about to be booted out, miracle of miracles, a situation occurs that gives him a second chance. It seems there is a mission only they can do. Huh? Why? The reason they are recruiting new special forces cadets is that the last batch is getting older. They are getting older but still young. The fact that they have survived until now means they are better suited to deal with the situation. But nope, the MC's team must be the one to deal with it because ... what? Destiny?
Look, the premise of the book is good, but the many plot holes because of the bad plot outline are just too big to force you out of the immersion.
They tested the kids on almost everything, from mental fortitude and physical fitness to pain tolerance. But the "watchers" forget one very important thing: loyalty. Realistically speaking, why the ef would those kids who were practically kidnapped suddenly want to defend the UK from terrorist attacks? Sure, there might be a few, but for the other 50-100 kids, who, by the way, came from all over the world (as Woody mentioned), including the US, Afghanistan, South America, Australia, etc. Again, why the hell would they fight for England?
Their system of recruitment is just plain stupid.
When the MC is about to be booted out, miracle of miracles, a situation occurs that gives him a second chance. It seems there is a mission only they can do. Huh? Why? The reason they are recruiting new special forces cadets is that the last batch is getting older. They are getting older but still young. The fact that they have survived until now means they are better suited to deal with the situation. But nope, the MC's team must be the one to deal with it because ... what? Destiny?
Look, the premise of the book is good, but the many plot holes because of the bad plot outline are just too big to force you out of the immersion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2019
I thought that the book was an action-packed thriller with a lot of different storytelling elements. It would draw you in to the book and therefore became a very quick read. We follow a young-orphaned boy called Max Johnson through his mission to become a special forces cadets. The government needs teenage agents to undertake missions in which adults would cause suspicion. These are special forces cadets. When Max saves the life of another student in his military training class, a watcher called Hector comes to get him. Through the gruel training process, we find Hector being exceptionally mean towards our main character. After an attack at a school, all 6 untrained cadets have to enter this school without attracting suspicion. After the end of the mission, Max finds out that Hector was relectunt to recruit him because he had worked with his father and led his mother into battle and didn’t want him to get hurt. I really enjoyed the book and hope to read more - continuing the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
3.5 Stars
Quick , easy and entertaining read. Its very much Alex Rider coded , except the only difference is this has a more of a group of young people fighting danger compared to Alex's solo style. We follow Max as he gets selected for a training program , the tests he has to face like Climbing a mountain in the snow , gun shooting etc. When their training is almost over , they have to go undercover into a school that has been taken hostage. Their job is to relay information to the SAS teams outside the school on the events going on inside. Its the only high intense moment in the book - in my opinion.
Max himself is an orphan at the beginning and figures out more about his family as the story progresses.
Overall - it was not bad , I was expecting more of a Alex Rider atmosphere and it definetely delivered to an extent , but not fully. Still recommend reading if anyone likes Alex Rider , teen spies , MI6 with teenagers etc.
Quick , easy and entertaining read. Its very much Alex Rider coded , except the only difference is this has a more of a group of young people fighting danger compared to Alex's solo style. We follow Max as he gets selected for a training program , the tests he has to face like Climbing a mountain in the snow , gun shooting etc. When their training is almost over , they have to go undercover into a school that has been taken hostage. Their job is to relay information to the SAS teams outside the school on the events going on inside. Its the only high intense moment in the book - in my opinion.
Max himself is an orphan at the beginning and figures out more about his family as the story progresses.
Overall - it was not bad , I was expecting more of a Alex Rider atmosphere and it definetely delivered to an extent , but not fully. Still recommend reading if anyone likes Alex Rider , teen spies , MI6 with teenagers etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2023
4.5 stars.
When I was younger, I adored the Alex Rider series and even as an adult, it remained one of my favourites. So, going in to this, I had my younger self and current self' high standards for this type of book!
I didn't expect much and I thought that maybe as someone in their 30s, this would be too young or immature for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find interesting and complex characters who I found myself wanting to get to know more.
It was fast-paced with a great amount of action and the right amount of sentimentality in it. I think this would be great for any age, adults included (probably 11/12 and up as there is a fair bit of violence)
I'm glad to have found this series and look forward to reading the rest.
When I was younger, I adored the Alex Rider series and even as an adult, it remained one of my favourites. So, going in to this, I had my younger self and current self' high standards for this type of book!
I didn't expect much and I thought that maybe as someone in their 30s, this would be too young or immature for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find interesting and complex characters who I found myself wanting to get to know more.
It was fast-paced with a great amount of action and the right amount of sentimentality in it. I think this would be great for any age, adults included (probably 11/12 and up as there is a fair bit of violence)
I'm glad to have found this series and look forward to reading the rest.
April 3, 2019
This was pretty good, and I think I would have really loved it had I read it as a pre-teen. It was well written, action packed, but not very long. Things moved along quickly, but in that way that it just didn't feel very fleshed out. This meant I didn't feel any attachment to the characters.
Also, why wouldn't this organisation keep a group of active operatives until they trained up the new recruits? Only having one group sounds a bit unlikely.
And the premise has been done before. It's not that original.
Also, why wouldn't this organisation keep a group of active operatives until they trained up the new recruits? Only having one group sounds a bit unlikely.
And the premise has been done before. It's not that original.
July 14, 2019
A really great new alternative to Cherub and Stormbreaker. Pretty intense situation arising on their first mission which the whole team is ill prepared for, which I found a bit unbelievable but once you get over that, the action is pretty gripping. A very modern scenario which could happen and I think would capture the imagination of fans of teen secret agent fiction and the Chris Ryan SAS type fiction too. I have boys at school who choose war machines, fighter jets and general war when they have to choose a topic to research, and I think will pick this up for novel reading.
July 23, 2022
Good, straight-forward adventure story. Orphan Max is on a trip to the Lake District that goes badly wrong. When he displays courage beyond expectations, he’s whisked off by helicopter to a remote part of Scotland and given to chance to join a secret group of Special Forces Cadets. The team are thrust into a siege situation and the story develops from there. Whilst it is military in theme, it’s not a violent boom and neither does it glorify killing and death. Great middle grade action and adventure story for boys and girls.
March 15, 2020
This was a good action/adventure novel and you can tell that Ryan knows what he's talking about. This first book in a new series introduces some really interesting characters and a premise that will get readers who want an adrenaline fuelled story hooked. The thing I really appreciated about this book was that it managed to be full of high-stakes scenes and battles, without glorifying the violence, or being overly gory. Fine for most MG readers, and definitely all YAs.
December 1, 2022
Audiobook.
Siege was such an entertaining listen! The reveal was definitely predicable at the end (I guessed it instantly), but this story is more about the main character's journey and their experiences, than the book's conclusion. Tense, heavy moments are done well and leave you wondering what'll happen next. The second book is, without a doubt, on my radar!
Siege was such an entertaining listen! The reveal was definitely predicable at the end (I guessed it instantly), but this story is more about the main character's journey and their experiences, than the book's conclusion. Tense, heavy moments are done well and leave you wondering what'll happen next. The second book is, without a doubt, on my radar!
August 28, 2023
Chris Ryan did not disappoint. What an incredible first outing of the Special Forces Cadets. Looking forward to the rest of the series, which I can tell will join Agent 21 as one of my absolute personal favorite book series of all time. Massive kudos to Dan Morgan as well, the narrator of the audio book for adding a lively layer to Ryan's already thrilling story.
May 16, 2019
Great Story
Have read all of Chris Ryan's books and this one is as good as if not better than the rest. I hope that this is the first of many that will be a hugely popular and successful series.
Have read all of Chris Ryan's books and this one is as good as if not better than the rest. I hope that this is the first of many that will be a hugely popular and successful series.
October 6, 2022
When I first started reading this book I had high hopes and was very excited. The first chapter had me hooked. Hanging off striding edge!!
But sadly as the book went on I started to lose interested and nothing was the same as the first chapter.
But sadly as the book went on I started to lose interested and nothing was the same as the first chapter.
July 9, 2024
Quick and excellent read.
The content was like Alex Rider (Anthony Horowitz) meets Brother Band (John Flanagan). Themes from Alex Rider in this book: ordinary but resourceful teen, military missions. Brother Band themes: mentorship, teamwork / team building.
The content was like Alex Rider (Anthony Horowitz) meets Brother Band (John Flanagan). Themes from Alex Rider in this book: ordinary but resourceful teen, military missions. Brother Band themes: mentorship, teamwork / team building.
April 4, 2025
Unlike some of Ryan's books, this took me a while to get into. However the military action feels authentic (no surprise!) and the emotional relationships are interesting and open to development. Truly pulse pounding towards the end.
September 18, 2018
Attention-stealing from the start, this is the story of Max, a young orphan taken to join a covert military group. He is a really likeable character that you will instantly care for. There is a mystery around why he was chosen. That there is more to his selection, than meets the eye.
With Ryan's descriptive, on the nose, no frills writing, you feel as if you are in training too, part of a military '21 Jump Street' type group.
Thrown in the middle of a dangerous situation while still novices, makes it even more suspenseful and emotional, and the author excels at conveying that to us. Also his descriptions of the complex situation with all the little details are well laid out, so even though there is so much going on, the events are mostly clear to us.
At some parts I had to go back and read them again to understand what was transpiring, but that may have to do with me reading so fast, as to find out what will happen next.
Wrapping up maybe a little too quickly then I'd like, this is still a great action movie of a book.
With Ryan's descriptive, on the nose, no frills writing, you feel as if you are in training too, part of a military '21 Jump Street' type group.
Thrown in the middle of a dangerous situation while still novices, makes it even more suspenseful and emotional, and the author excels at conveying that to us. Also his descriptions of the complex situation with all the little details are well laid out, so even though there is so much going on, the events are mostly clear to us.
At some parts I had to go back and read them again to understand what was transpiring, but that may have to do with me reading so fast, as to find out what will happen next.
Wrapping up maybe a little too quickly then I'd like, this is still a great action movie of a book.
March 4, 2019
A short, rapid, highly energetic book.
March 14, 2019
3.5 stars
April 26, 2019
The perfect next stop for Alex Rider fans.
August 11, 2019
4.25 stars. A quick and pacey read by an author that knows his military background. Will definitely read more by this author.
October 7, 2019
Just finished listening to this on Audible and wow what a great action pact listen .
January 28, 2020
A fun fast read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews