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Jordan Stryker #1
Bionic Agent
Twelve-year-old Ben's life is changed forever when a chain-reaction of explosions rips through his home, killing his mother and blowing off his right arm. But where Ben Smith dies, Jordan Stryker is born -a technologically-enhanced, bionic boy built to fight crime.
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Rose
59 books64 followersBelieve it or not, until Easter 1996, I was a Lecturer in Chemistry at The Open University. I carried out research in analytical chemistry, particularly in the area of health, and I taught mainly organic chemistry. The teaching part of the job predominantly involved writing, with some radio, TV and video work. It also left very little time for fiction writing which I tackled mostly after midnight. Perhaps that is why some of my strongest scenes are set on dark nights! Anyway, I am now a full-time writer.
Many people think it odd and fascinating that a scientist should also be a novelist but I don’t find it strange. After all, scientists have to be creative and show perseverance to carry out research. They also write a lot; in particular, they produce textbooks and articles on their research. Anyone who is imaginative, can stick to a task, and knows how to construct a sentence has the credentials for writing a novel. On top of that, my chemical research was aimed at understanding a little better some aspects of human life. A novel also seeks to illuminate some aspects of human life. The aims are similar even if the tools are different.
I reckon novel writing is not so removed from chemistry as you might think. In one life, I mix chemicals, stew them for a while and observe the reaction. In the other, I mix characters, stir in a bit of conflict and, again, observe the outcome.
I began writing stories while I was carrying out research at York for my DPhil degree in chemistry. Writing became a means of escape from everyday life. While I was at York, my then girlfriend (now wife) read my efforts and commented that I ought to try and get something published. I had never thought of writing as anything other than a hobby. Besides, as I thought then, a budding chemist couldn’t possibly be any good at it! Anyway, I joined a writers’ club to find out how to submit a manuscript to a publisher and, to cut a long story short, found a publisher in William Collins for my first novel, Rift.
I am now over half a century old, married to Barbara and have one son (Colin) who is an architect. I read all of my stories aloud to Barbara and Colin and they help me with their comments.
Many people think it odd and fascinating that a scientist should also be a novelist but I don’t find it strange. After all, scientists have to be creative and show perseverance to carry out research. They also write a lot; in particular, they produce textbooks and articles on their research. Anyone who is imaginative, can stick to a task, and knows how to construct a sentence has the credentials for writing a novel. On top of that, my chemical research was aimed at understanding a little better some aspects of human life. A novel also seeks to illuminate some aspects of human life. The aims are similar even if the tools are different.
I reckon novel writing is not so removed from chemistry as you might think. In one life, I mix chemicals, stew them for a while and observe the reaction. In the other, I mix characters, stir in a bit of conflict and, again, observe the outcome.
I began writing stories while I was carrying out research at York for my DPhil degree in chemistry. Writing became a means of escape from everyday life. While I was at York, my then girlfriend (now wife) read my efforts and commented that I ought to try and get something published. I had never thought of writing as anything other than a hobby. Besides, as I thought then, a budding chemist couldn’t possibly be any good at it! Anyway, I joined a writers’ club to find out how to submit a manuscript to a publisher and, to cut a long story short, found a publisher in William Collins for my first novel, Rift.
I am now over half a century old, married to Barbara and have one son (Colin) who is an architect. I read all of my stories aloud to Barbara and Colin and they help me with their comments.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 16, 2010
Alan Smith no longer exists – he was severely injured in a huge bomb explosion which wreaked havoc in the South of England. But, just like The Six Million Dollar Man (or Astroboy for those too young to recall Steve Austin) “we can rebuild him”.
A top secret agency, Unit Red, even more secret than MI5, has the technology to repair and replace Alan’s injured limbs and he is reborn as Jordan Stryker, a cybernetically enhanced teenager complete with bionic arm, supersonic hearing, enhanced vision and the ability to remotely access computers – everything a young boy would love!
In this fast paced adventure story, Jordan is assigned the task of discovering the identity of the bomber who was responsible for his injuries and for wiping out his family. He does this by a process of elimination, visiting all known suspects and using his special skills to eventually get to the truth but he is not allowed to let anyone know of his previous incarnation as Alan Smith, not even his friend and budding romantic interest, Amy Goss who happens to be the daughter of a local gangland boss – phew, there’s so much going on!
Simple yet strong prose makes this ideal for young boys (about 9+) who enjoy a fast paced thriller including bombs, speed boats, explosions with the added bonus of the whodunnit element. But it’s not all show – I liked the way the author portrays Jordan’s inner sadness at being forced to give up his previous life and relinquish all that is normal for a teenager. At first all these cyber enhancements are a novelty for him - what young boy would turn up his nose at having supersonic hearing and x ray vision – but working as an undercover agent for Unit Red is certainly not child’s play.
A gripping, unputdownable read which will really appeal to any boy who has a taste for adventure and gadgets – Alex Rider and Young James Bond had better up their game, there’s a new kid in town!
A top secret agency, Unit Red, even more secret than MI5, has the technology to repair and replace Alan’s injured limbs and he is reborn as Jordan Stryker, a cybernetically enhanced teenager complete with bionic arm, supersonic hearing, enhanced vision and the ability to remotely access computers – everything a young boy would love!
In this fast paced adventure story, Jordan is assigned the task of discovering the identity of the bomber who was responsible for his injuries and for wiping out his family. He does this by a process of elimination, visiting all known suspects and using his special skills to eventually get to the truth but he is not allowed to let anyone know of his previous incarnation as Alan Smith, not even his friend and budding romantic interest, Amy Goss who happens to be the daughter of a local gangland boss – phew, there’s so much going on!
Simple yet strong prose makes this ideal for young boys (about 9+) who enjoy a fast paced thriller including bombs, speed boats, explosions with the added bonus of the whodunnit element. But it’s not all show – I liked the way the author portrays Jordan’s inner sadness at being forced to give up his previous life and relinquish all that is normal for a teenager. At first all these cyber enhancements are a novelty for him - what young boy would turn up his nose at having supersonic hearing and x ray vision – but working as an undercover agent for Unit Red is certainly not child’s play.
A gripping, unputdownable read which will really appeal to any boy who has a taste for adventure and gadgets – Alex Rider and Young James Bond had better up their game, there’s a new kid in town!
May 22, 2020
14 year old Ben Smith and Amy Goss should never be friends. Ben is the son of the local sergeant, Amy the daughter of a petty criminal who has managed to stay one step ahead of the law. An enormous explosion under the River Thames tears Ben’s life apart, leaving him with horrific injuries. His home and family have been destroyed. Ben ends up in Unit Red, a secret level of British Intelligence, with a specialist clinic to repair body and mind with super advanced bionic technology. Ben’s strange new life begins - as Jordan Stryker, undercover agent.
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August 8, 2010What I can't believe this book.
I would have given it 3.5/4.
But I hated the ending so much.
...
I would have given it 3.5/4.
But I hated the ending so much.
...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2013
As if they killed Amy...
June 29, 2015
Excellent! Really enjoyed that a fun quick read.
December 22, 2015
It was okay. Obvoiusly the whole teen-spy thing has been done before, so it has to be well-written and exciting to really stand out. I don't feel that this book had that.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews