Grade 8 Up-This work of contemporary suspense is a prequel novel, based on the enormously popular Alias TV series. Brainy but socially inept Sydney Bristow is a freshman at UCLA, where she plans to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a teacher. It's not long, however, before she begins questioning her reasons for wanting to teach. Meanwhile, she strikes out with a cute guy, gets fired the first day on a job, and spends a lot of time pitying herself. Then, a recruiter mysteriously appears from an organization Sydney believes is the CIA. With an offer to become a secret agent, she can move in a different, and far more exciting, direction. She is not quick to give up her old life, however. Half the book is over before she decides to accept the offer. It's understandable: the penalty for deserting, should she want out, is certain death. Also, she is not allowed to tell anyone about the offer. Readers are into the final quarter before Sydney becomes embroiled in heart-stopping danger, but they should feel that the payoff is worth the wait. While the prose and the plot development are workmanlike, the intended audience won't care. Because of its connection to the TV show, even reluctant readers should devour this one.
Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile

This "prequel" novel for the TV series tells the story of how Sydney Bristow first became involved with SD-6, what she believes to be a top-secret division of the CIA. The story itself has a typical teen plot: A brainy and socially inept girl finds a way to be tough and gorgeous, a transformation that leads to inevitable romance and adventure. Amanda Foreman reads with a light touch, conveying Sydney's emotions but making no attempt to distinguish among characters. The production features a funky, bass-heavy musical track that serves as filler between chapters and plays too loudly and obviously during important scenes. Even so, the production is good fun for "Alias" fans. A.F. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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36 Reviews

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4.2 out of 5 stars (36 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Look at Younger Sydney, Jun 23 2004

By	Melissa McCauley (North Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book answers the how, where and why questions of Sydney's recruitment into SD-6, so is great backstory for hard core Alias fans like myself. The writing was ok, but could be better, and would probably not be of any interest to those who are not fans of the TV series. I was disappointed that the book did not go into what is alluded to in later installments, that Sydney had know Arvin Sloan before this meeting.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting idea, but writing is meh (2.5 stars), May 15 2004

By	J. Williams "wispofacloud" (the depths of Lake Erie) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I must admit, I went into these books knowing they would not be of any superior quality. They are a YA series coming out fairly frequently which basically equates to average or less than average writing. Sadly, that did not stop me from reading them. I fear I just needed more of Sydney to keep my weekdays livable.

Seriously, the whole concept was great. If more care was made with the writing quality, then these could have been awesome to all Alias fans. The storylines are intriguing, the characters as we loved them, especially Francie, are there in full force, and we can get an idea of Sydney's original mindset working for what she thought was Uncle Sam.

BUT, and I say but because this really ruined the books for me; the timeline is so far off I couldn't bear to read some of it. It puts Sydney's first year talking about dot-com millionaires losing money, which is totally insane as the show started in 2001, when Sydney had been in SD-6 for several years. Dot-com millionaires would not have been much talk over 5 years before, since there weren't any. There were other time problems as well, which set the book at least in the very late 90's.

So, if you are obsessed with Alias, want a backstory, and don't mind poor writing and skewed timelines, then read the books. Otherwise, just don't. But buying them is not really worth it. Get them out from the library; it won't cost you anything, and if you don't like them, you won't have wasted your money.

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3.0 out of 5 stars The Recruit, April 6 2004

By A Customer

Well, it was an OK presequel to the Alias TV show. If you like the show and your a rabit fan like I am you will be a little disappointed in this book. One big beef I have with the writer of this book is the total disregard that she had a long time family relationship with Arvin Sloane. In watching the TV show you know Arvin and Emily practically raised her because Jake was a drunk after "Laura" died. So, I find it a bit hard to believe the whole bit in the book that she never knew Sloane until that meeting at HQ. It does one good thing it explains how she met Noah Hicks.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh RECRUIT
Think what you will about the quality of literature these days, but I -- for one -- am happy that any book or series of books is fanning the flames of interest for children to... Read more

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4.0 out of 5 stars A literary venture into a great TV series.
Alias Recruited, by Lynn Mason and based on the smash TV series by J.J. Abrams, was a sensational book. Read more

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5.0 out of 5 stars Totally True to Sydney
As an ADULT reading a YOUNG ADULT novel, i felt a little funny & immature. However, this book was totally true to the character i have come to know and love in watching Alias on... Read more

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