A Secret Life

Alias Prequel #2

by Laura Peyton Roberts

It’s Sydney Bristow’s first mission–in Paris.

Her first alias.
Her first real enemy.
Her first real crush.
And her first big mistake.

There are a lot of firsts for Sydney.
But no second chances.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Adventure, Espionage, Tv, Action

202 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 14, 2003

About the author

Laura Peyton Roberts is the author of numerous books for teens and tweens, including the Clearwater Crossing series, Ghost of a Chance, The Queen of Second Place, Queen B, Green, and Walk on Water. Visit her at www.LauraPeytonRoberts.com

Reviews

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Glad Sydney's first mission to Paris was a success. It was nice that she got to work with Noah. Wonder if Noah is hiding something. Hope Sydney will be able to go on more missions.

Can't wait to read Alias: Disappeared!!!!!

[Sara ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the Alias prequel series before (though I never got into the later series with Nadia, etc.). They're awesome! I loved them! So when I had to read a book associated with my favorite TV show for a book challenge, I was excited to reread one of these books!

I chose this one, because I love n00b Sydney! She's a freshman in college, who's still in spy-training... This recounts her very first mission, which is just supposed to be recon... but of course it goes awry. Plus her partner is Noah Hicks (see Alias Season 1, episodes 18 and 19)... (*cough* Yes, I DID know that off the top of my head...) and as we know from the show, Sydney and Noah have "history"... and this book delves into the very beginning of that storyline. At this point, Sydney's just got an I've-seen-you-around-the-office crush on Noah, but then spending time in the field... ;) It's adorable. Makes me love Eps 1x18 and 1x19 even more, that's for dang sure!

Anyway, lovely little story... The story flies by, and you can just see it in your mind like you're watching the show. I wish the show hadn't gone down the crapper... Stupid J.J. Abrams and Lost! Grrr!

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's book number 2 in the series, but it's Sydney's first mission, as she goes to Paris with her crush, a slightly older fellow agent, who actually knows what he's doing.

She gets in over her head, but comes through with flying colors, despite a lot of whining about lying to her friends about being a spy.

A good adaptation, but not necessarily a good novel.

[Lavonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and fast read. Loved the tv show so when I found this at a garage sale I decided to pick it up, glad I did. Gives insight into Sydney becoming a college/CIA spy before she became the confident counterspy she becomes in the the tv show.

[Jeremiah Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was visiting family and swung by the Savers to see if I could find any movie novelizations. I found a Star Trek TV show novelization and scooped it up then saw a whole bunch of Alias novels.

I never saw the show but that won’t stop me from reading a media tie-in book!

I looked up each one on Goodreads and liked how reviews of this one mentioned it was about a spy who was still learning how to spy. I always like that kind of thing.

I enjoyed it! I read it on a plane trip which enhanced reading about a jet setting spy. There was a part where Sydney infiltrated a business and had to sneak around and gather information. I liked that stuff more than the chases and explosions, but the author makes those parts very readable, so no complaints!

In general I thought the reading was very efficient, simple, like a middle school book, yet it still made me turn the pages with suspense!

[Rebekah Haas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to finally cross it off my TBR list, and for all the waiting and putting it of, it wasn't too bad. It's the second book in the trilogy, but it didn't matter as far as understanding what was going on-- it just read en media res, which I don't particularly dislike.

It's your classic CIA agent is sent to Paris (the Romance City) with her new partner, Noah, while she's posing to be his new wife. What can go wrong?

[Kendy Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting to see where Sydney started as an agent before she became one of the best, strongest, and most fearless is a lot of fun. It was also nice to see the beginning of Sydney's and Noah's romance before its tragic end.

[MarylineD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that Alias book as well as all the others, maybe not my favorite though

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting a YA shelf for my niece. Remember loving these in hs

[Karli Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cheesy, but fun.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, fast paced. The plot was a little see through or else I would have given it 5 stars.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. I liked this one a little better than the first book.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

cotton candy

[Skyler Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book! The author really shows how The characters grow their relationship and it’s not just love and romance, it’s action, thriller, and drama.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that I like the second Alias prequel novel, titled A Secret Life, just a tad better than the first novel in the series. It's a tad more exciting and suspenseful than the first novel, but the main complaint that I have with it is that the plot seems to build up to a confrontation that never happens. I also feel like Sydney is very out of character in this novel, and I say that as a diehard fan of the television series. For example: "On Noah, it [referring to his scar] looked good - visible proof that he'd been through something dangerous and come out on the other side. It made her feel safer to know that he could fight his way out of a corner" (Roberts 108). On the television series, Sydney would never have such a patriarchal thought; she is very independent and more than capable of taking care of herself. With that being said, however, at this point in the story, she is not yet a full agent and hasn't had the experience that she has had at the start of the television series, so it is probably still consistent, especially considering how meek and timid that she seems to be in the first novel. Perhaps, these novels are going to show Sydney's development from a scared, timid girl to the strong, independent woman who she is on the television series. I, overall, really enjoyed this novel as such a devoted Alias fan (I especially love the ironic nod to SD-6's true nature near the end of the novel), but it, of course, doesn't live up to the television series.

[Jim C · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is based on the television series. This is the second book of a series that take place before the first season of the television series. In this one, Sydney is assigned her first mission in Paris and when she gets there she will meet her partner.

I could probably copy and paste my review for the first book here because this book suffers from the same problems. It is a decent story that is intended for the younger audience. The problem is the characterization of the main character, Sydney. She is too meek and love-struck in this novel. The authors are trying to portray Sydney as not the super spy that we see in the show but they are going too far in the opposite direction. This version of Sydney is not working for me.

I like media tie-in fiction novels but the characters must be portrayed correctly. I have not seen that yet with these books and the only reason I am continuing this series is that I picked up a handful of these books for practically nothing.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The nice thing about the Good Reads app is that I can check to see if I've already read a book. As forgettable as "Alias: Recruited" was, I wasn't sure when I saw this book if I had already read it or not. Of course, the other nice thing about the app *should* be that I steer away from disappointments like the Alias series. I paid more than three times as much for this one (okay, 50 cents) and although the plot was better and more exciting, in the end, I couldn't even like it better than #1. This author didn't "get" Sydney Bristow any better than the other one. I don't care if she is a young, green recruit, Sydney is not a little girl and yet that's how she came across in this book. Silly, girly, petulant, sappy. Ugh. Now I really *won't* read another one.

[Chalise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun spy novel. I am a bit annoyed by Sydney because she has such back bone in the TV series and in this book she is a lovesick wimp. I just hope that she gets a back bone soon or I will be done with the series. I guess it was her first mission, I shouldn't be so hard on her.

[Kaylee Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 15-year-old I have to say I love this book it was super light-hearted not too intense, and cute. I would definitely recommend this book. The only thing I have to say is for an older audience that the woman love interest is a little immature.

[Graceyyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was pretti interesting!
read it

[Cws]

A#343Rob

[Bianca Bouie]

that being a csi and a mia is fun but can also be dangerous

[Gabbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

[April James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An addicting series you just cannot put down.

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F ALI

Based on J.J. Abrams' television series, Alias.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the Alias Prequel series. Fun, fast-paced, and enjoyable.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. Great for Alias fans, as it gives more insight into Sydney's character.

[Gabriel Mero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed!

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first two!

[Chelsea Slone]

Loved it can't wait to get my hands on the rest of ther series. :)