Title: Mad Dogs
Author: Robert Muchamore
Series: CHERUB #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Easy reading, Spy novels
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hachette Children’s Books
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I’m only asking for one little favour,’ Mr Large coaxed.

The British underworld is controlled by gangs. When two of them start a turf war, violence explodes on to the streets.

The police need information fast, and James Adams has the contacts to infiltrate the most dangerous gang of all. He works for CHERUB.

Cherubs are trained professionals, aged between ten and seventeen. They exist because criminals never suspect that kids are spying on them.

Although this is a YA book and focuses on the actions and journeys of children, there are some very adult and serious consequences to their actions and work. Mad Dogs beautifully reminds us of the consequences of their actions. These very real penalties left my emotions on a razor blade throughout the book, which is why I read it in just a few days.

James’ talent and skill is beautifully highlighted throughout the story. Although he is more than slightly obnoxious, he is an incredibly talented and skilful secret agent. The CHERUB series definitely honed him, and this is beautifully illustrated by the character of Junior. He indicates exactly what and whom James could have turned into if he didn’t have the rigours of MI5 training at his back. I love this comparison in the story, it reminds us that our choices and actions can all add up to change who we are and where we are going in life. Although these choices are constantly reshaping our lives, sometimes we start walking down paths that are incredibly difficult to walk away from, and Junior illustrates this astoundingly well.

This is the first story in which we get to learn about James and Dana’s new relationship. Where Kerry and James were constantly arguing and unable to get along at the best of times, Dana shows herself to be one of the most understanding and accepting girlfriends. I certainly wouldn’t be able to cope with much of James’ antics and attitudes. This relationship is well-balanced and a much better fit to James’ personality.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: The Fall
Author: Robert Muchamore
Series: CHERUB #7
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Easy reading, Spy novels
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hachette Children’s Books
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: An elderly man was crossing the road, but he wasn’t going to be any kind of problem.

When an MI5 operation goes disastrously wrong, James Adams needs all of his skills to get out of Russia alive.

Meanwhile, his sister Lauren is on her first solo mission, trying to uncover a brutal human-trafficking operation.

And when James does get home, he finds that his nightmare is just beginning…

CHERUB agents have one crucial advantage: adults never suspect that children are spying on them.

The Fall was a drastic change of pace from the rest of the CHERUB books. Instead of investigating the ethics, and potential impacts of terrorism, drugs and any number of criminal acts, this story looks at what can happen when a mission goes drastically wrong. The lack of mission is balanced by Lauren’s assignment, but primarily focuses on James’ state of mind and what happens when things go bad.

Lauren’s task in this book is to delve into the world of child prostitution. Although it is an area that we would all rather believe didn’t exist in first world countries, Muchamore’s unabashed mentioning of this is one of the reasons that I have enjoyed his work so much. Although it is not a pleasant topic, he still wakes us up to the realities and difficulties of such a terrifying truth.

Kerry and James’ relationship up to this point has been incredibly dramatic – full of ups and downs and frustrations. This story reminds us that whilst opposites can (and often do) attract, sometimes they really don’t work out. In the case of Kerry and James, their different priorities and approaches to life bring things to a head and eventually leads to the removal of their romantic entanglement. However, as the following books show, this isn’t a bad thing and I found this change very refreshing.

Image source: Cherub Campus

Title: Man vs. Beast
Author: Robert Muchamore
Series: CHERUB #6
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Easy reading, Spy novels
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hachette Children’s Books
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: The downside is that we’ve only got three bedrooms.

Every day thousands of animals die in laboratory experiments. Some say these experiments provide essential scientific knowledge, while others commit acts of extreme violence in order to stop them.

James and Lauren Adams are stuck in the middle.

They’re CHERUB agents. Trained professionals with one essential advantage: adults never suspect that children are spying on them.

I’ve spent the last six years of my life studying conservation and restoration practices. And the years before that taking care of and loving a myriad of animals that have come through our doors. At this very moment two of my dogs are curled up next to me in a kind of fur nest. Which is why the issue of animal ethics and rights is something that has always fascinated me. Muchamore’s sixth CHERUB book investigates this issue wonderfully.

For me there are two discussions when it comes to animal ethics and rights; the process of eating them and their use in scientific experimentation. Now, as this is a book review, I am not going to getting into this ethical discussion – that’s a topic for another day and space. Numerous points of this discussion are mentioned and highlighted throughout this book though, and, that, combined with the presence of a beagle (like my own beautiful puppy) being saved from medical experimentation created a book that left me thinking for days afterwards.

Aside from animal ethics, Muchamore also uses this book to investigate the relationships between his main characters. Firstly there is the sibling rivalry between Lauren and James. They are constantly bickering and arguing, even when they are in a situation that is incredibly serious and requires a higher level of maturity. Then there is James’ relationship with Kerry – they have been chaotic throughout their courtship and this is the first book in which they seem to find a level playing field for their relationship.

James’ best friend, Kyle also has a revolutionary moment within his relations – he gets his first boyfriend. Not only do I love the fact that there is a main character within the story who is gay, but it’s also interesting to read about a character who finds this concept difficult. Eventually James comes to accept and even support Kyle’s sexuality, but it is not a simple and magical acceptance of this aspect of his best friend’s personhood.

Image source: Booktopia

Title: Divine Madness
Author: Robert Muchamore
Series: CHERUB #5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Easy reading, Spy novels
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hachette Children’s Books
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: According to the books, the truth was different.

CHERUB exists for the simplest of reasons: even a master criminal doesn’t suspect that the kid next door is a spy.

When CHERUB uncovers a link between eco-terrorist group Help Earth and a wealthy religious cult known as The Survivors, James Adams is sent to Australia on an infiltration mission.

It’s his toughest job so far. The Survivors’ outback headquarters are completely isolated, and the cult’s brainwashing techniques mean James is under massive pressure to conform.

This time he’s not just fighting terrorists.
He’s got to battle to keep control of his own mind.

The idea of cult life is fascinating. I think because it is always connected to so many horror stories; people being raped and killed, torn from their families, and having their life savings squandered away. The idea that it is incredibly easy to fall into and that perfectly ‘normal’ people are bought into this reality, just makes it all the more frightening.

Divine Madness also introduces a far mellower and more tolerable James. He is still flawed, but his attitude and actions in the past two books had begun to become tedious. Although he is still a hormonally-driven fool and can be a bit of an ass, he has less anger issues and thinks more before he acts than in the past.

I also loved that this book was set in Australia – basically anything Australian is going to peak my interest really. I loved Muchamore’s description of the countryside, however, there was very little mention of the heat. And, although I know it is often talked about, I can’t think of anybody from the UK who would not comment on the heat when they arrived here.

As with the rest of the CHERUB books thus far, the ending to Divine Madness was completely unpredictable.

Image source: Booktopia