Customer Reviews

Alias: Recruited

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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 ... ALIAS: RECRUITED is certainly written for the budding adolescent but even the more deeply seasoned fan of ABC's hit spy TV series can find moments of enjoyment in this brisk tale of Sydney Bristow's 'recruitment' into what she believes is the CIA but turns out to be SD-6.

The situation is generic enough: the college student draws the attention of Wilson, a SD-6 recruiting officer who gives her a one-time-only chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity to join what he says is the CIA. Within six months, Sydney's outperforming all of those recruits that came before her, and, as a result, she's moved up into the 'field agent' status without her knowledge of being sent on the first mission.

There's some relatively simple prose, a perhaps all-too-common villain, and some moments of rolling the eyes, but RECRUITED still manages to muster some of ALIAS's small screen magic by putting the reader smack dab inside the mind of a budding Bristow. Portrayed possibly just a tad too young for what her true age is in the book, Bristow is nonetheless likeable and full of energy at being selected to serve her country. Lynn Mason (author) does a wonderful job at presenting an entirely plausible backstory for Sydney's unseen years as an adolescent in creating memories of incidents that, inevitably, would easily have influenced the character viewers of the show come to know. In fact, Sydney comes across as not-much-more than a modern day Huckleberry Finn ... with ample patriotism, a great 'bod,' and James Bond gadgets!

It's a fun read, intended for fans of the show. Taken in that measure, RECRUITED should get readers signing onboard for other adventures in print.

Alias Recruited, by Lynn Mason and based on the smash TV series by J.J. Abrams, was a sensational book.
The Book not only answered questions that might have ever confused the fans of the TV series, but also opened the fans to a new world. Fans were used to watching the TV show, but are now able to read about their favorite characters.
This book, a prequel to the show, brings the fans of the show into the mind of Sydney Bristow, the main character. There have been many people who have wondered what was going on with Sydney, all anyone ever saw was her character in situations, and they never got to get deep into her thoughts. The book follows Sydney through her training and to her first days as an operative.
I highly recommend this book to any fan of the TV show. You get to go where the show never had.

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 ABC that i so totally loved this book! it was really wonderful to read about who sydney was and what her life was like before we were introduced to her 2 1/2 years ago. to know the unsure, frustrated and humble beginnings she started out with. i think Lynn Mason has done an excellent job in sticking very tightly with the character created by j.j. abrams. there were moments in the book when i said to myself, "oh my gosh, i have totally heard sydney say that!"

if you are an alias devotee, you will really enjoy this novel!

Ok, I wanted to like this, I really did, I even bought the silly book, but it's just not worth it.
As Victor Garber (Jack Bristow) once said "...back stories are overrated." In this case he was right. There is absolutely nothing you needed with which to understand the show encompassed between the two cheesey covers. Compared to the show, the writing level is very poor. Chances are if you are young enough that you are impressed by this book's scholastic merits, then you are too young to understand the show anyways.

I found this book helped explain a little more about Sydney and actually put you in her head a little better. I would recommend reading this book to anyone who just began watching season 1 or even a confused person on season 3. I love the Alias TV Show and I think anyone else as obsessed as I am would love the novels from beginning to end.

I got Alias Recruited for free when I bought the DVD locally, but I must say that I'm glad I didn't actually shell out any money to buy it. The novel is written at what has to be an elementary-school reading level, yet it still contains some material that are aimed more towards middle-school or junior high kids. The older you are, the more you are going to roll your eyes. The book itself wasn't THAT bad. It's a very fast read. I read it in an hour, personally. True, it is fun for Alias fans to read, but it does have some plot inconsistencies with the show, which makes me wonder just how much effort was put into researching or writing this thing. It's not terrible, but I suggest that you check the book out at the library before deciding whether to buy it or not. I guess it depends. Personally, I think the show would do a lot better if they tried to market books for older readers. Frankly, I have found that Alias fans tend to be much more intelligent than what this book is aiming for. Your call...

Today I read Alias: Recruited by Lynn Mason. It's a prequel to the Alias TV series which I love. The story was quick and breezy and I finished the 207 page book in a little over 2 and a half hours.
Not really much to say, if you watch the show then it just go into depth on Sydney's acceptance into SD-6, her freshman year of college and her first mission.