Book Review: I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff

I’d like to first start off that I’ve been a fan of Allen Zadoff for quite some time. From his fiction to nonfiction writing, everything he has written has more than held its own. His writing is solid- his fiction novels are perfect with regards to writing style, characters and plot. Additionally, his personal memoir regarding his relationship with food is captivating and candid. What writer can top the top in both fiction and nonfiction? Yup, you got that, no one. I am the Mission is no exception.

In I am the Weapon, Boy Nobody ended up not exactly following his orders. Karma’s a b*tch though, and now he’s given a new test, to take out Eugene Moore. Eugene Moore, a regular guy, except for the fact that he leads an extremist camp training teens to be soldiers. Add in a girl, multiple questionable guys, and some returning characters, and you’ve got I am the Mission.

I would especially like to commend Boy Nobody. Allen Zadoff had me captivated by Boy Nobody in the first book, but this time he had me in love with Boy Nobody. I love how much Boy Nobody has developed as a person. He’s able to convey a large amount of emotions while keeping his head. His shrewdness does not overpower his goodness, and that in itself shows what type of person he is. His development is astounding yet realistic, and honestly, I’ll just conclude this paragraph by saying I truly love Boy Nobody that much.

As for the plot, this plot beats the first book’s by light years. Honestly, the plot of I am the Mission is completely different from its predescessor’s. I am the Weapon was more standard, more cliche, more along the plots of typical spy novels. As for I am the Mission, it’s completely crazy. And it works. Our villains are true villains, in the sense that they’re kind of psychotic, unpredictable and insane. Yup, I am the Mission is actually possibly hipster.

What’s also really cool is that this series has a main plot in every book and a developing plot regarding the Agency itself. We slowly learn more about the Mother and the Father, as well as more about Boy Nobody’s true identity. The plot twist is pretty epic as well. EVERYTHING IN THIS BOOK IS WAY LEGIT.

To conclude, I’d like to use Allen Zadoff’s words to describe this book- “ It’s bigger, faster, more intense.” Check, check, and check. And to conclude with a quote of my own, “Just buy the darn book.”

Rating: 9 out of 10

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 17, 2014)

Length: 432 pages (Hardcover)

Source: Netgalley

ISBN #: 9780316199698