Boy Nobody (The Unknown Assassin, 1)

The writing is short and concise. I felt as though I was seeing the world through Boy Nobody's thoughts rather than how he experiences it. In a way, this reflects who he is. He's a soldier on a mission. Every time he moves on to the next target, he adopts a new identity, one that allows him to get closer to the mark (who will bring him close to the target). There isn't "somebody" within him to experience the world. At the same time, the narrative style doesn't allow for much detail to be incorporated into the story, and there is a feeling of distance between (1) the reader and Boy Nobody and (2) Boy Nobody and the rest of the world.

Because of the narrative distance, it's hard to relate to Boy Nobody on an emotional level. He notes facts, but he keeps a tight rein on his emotions with almost superhuman control. Even when he lets some opportunities to complete his mission go, he finds excuses for himself resolves to figure out why he can't do what he was sent there to do. The way he acts, it's like he's almost like some form of artificial intelligence. Only, he really is human, and he's finally remembering what it's like to be one.

Here, the plot becomes one we've seen many times. The girl and her father open the boy's eyes to what it means to be human, and he begins to question his life and what he wants to do with it. Sam wasn't quite what I expected. She's beautiful to what seems like model perfection, but she's also kind of a badass, and she's able to confuzzle Boy Nobody, which nobody has done yet. Inside, however, she's fragile when it comes to love, and she's an emotional wreck from her mother's death, her mysterious relationship with her ex, and her father's job. The way she opens up so fast to Boy Nobody is freaky and unexpected. I wish that the story didn't move so fast, but at the same time I understand that it's necessary because of the time limit on Boy Nobody's mission.

What I love the most is the mission side of the story. The way Boy Nobody communicates with his supervisors is interesting and reminds me a little of spy novels--how they have all this crazy gadgetry. Boy Nobody's "gadgets" are more toned down and inconspicuous though, consistent with how his entire life is kept low profile. I also really like the action scenes, especially the ones at the end where he learns the truth about why he was sent to mark Sam.

Not much is revealed about The Program that Boy Nobody works for, which is understandable given Boy Nobody's lack of knowledge about it. During his mission, however, he comes across some startling, though expected, facts that make him further question who he is and what he's doing. It looks like we'll be learning more about The Program and Boy Nobody's role in it with the publication of book two, and I'm curious enough to want to read it.

I can't say this enough but truly, infinite thanks to Victoria of Hachette Children's Books for sending me an ARC of Boy Nobody and giving me the chance to read and review this gem before it even comes out in the world. Now, I can go around and shout at the top of my lungs how good this book is. Or the modern equivalent - tweet about it like mad. I will surely do. I am tempted to just smash my keyboard because that's what I did right after I read Boy Nobody. I was speechless and I didn't realize I was holding my breath while reading the last pages. Releasing a big exhale, I pounded on my keyboard to release pent-up awesomeness. True story. So if this review doesn't end up convincing you, picture yourself releasing a breath out of awesomeness read and acquired and smashing your keyboard. Do you want to experience that for yourself? Do you want to read something that will make you do that? Grab Boy Nobody.

At twelve, his best friend killed his parents. At twelve, he was plucked and trained by The Program. At fourteen, he became a ruthless assassin. Now sixteen, he's supposed to kill the mayor of New York City. Boy Nobody does not have feelings, no emotions, only sensations. He's given an assignment and he finishes it. He's a patriot, a soldier, trained to kill enemies of the United States. For months, he integrates in his target's life, then kills him with one swift stab of a pen and leaves, moving on to his next assignment. With six successful missions in two years, he gets to his most difficult assignment yet: kill the mayor of New York City in five days. Complication: the mayor's daughter, Sam.

Allen Zadoff has crafted an antihero with no name as the main character and it works so well. Maintaining the anonymity of the protagonist creates the desired effect, he could be anyone. He didn't even describe the MC's physical features. But alongside the apparent distance this style creates, it also works the other way, making you feel for the character. Maybe it's just me but I have a soft spot for flawed characters. Label him an antihero and I am pretty much on his corner.

Boy Nobody is told in the first person point-of-view, as the main character tells us his story. We see into his mind, sift through his memories and think along with him. The narrator is calculating, with his actions and his words. He gauges situations, analyzes them and acts out of necessity, specifically, he kills only when necessary.

The protagonist takes on the name of Benjamin and enrolls in Sam's school to get close to her and her father. With the timeline of this mission so short, Ben gets into Sam's circle in no time. But Sam's difficult. She isn't like most girls and he can't quite predict and understand her game. Moreover, the mayor reminds him of his beloved father. During missions, he only thinks about finishing his assignment but this time it's different. Memories stashed away in a corner of his mind comes surfacing and he starts to hesitate, finding himself faltering, questioning The Program and breaching protocol. And when he falters, The Program comes for him.

All of the characters had dimension, depth and their own histories. This novel is a prime example how characters that you can't categorize as completely evil or entirely good are the best ones. Take for example the protagonist. He does it under orders for the greater good but who gets to decide what's the greater good? Who decides which life is more important than the other? As much as it's riveting, Boy Nobody also makes you think, as it raises bigger questions about good and bad.

The twists and turns in Boy Nobody totally surprised me, it had me reeling at the edge of my seat. Allen Zadoff completely pulled my chair out of me. Engaging is an understatement as reading Boy Nobody is a complete experience. I can actually picture it as a film while I was reading it. That vivid, that good. I was completely immersed in this world of Arab henchmen and unassuming teenager assassins with pens that can kill and phones that might have been invented by Q of James Bond with all the encryptment and "applications".

I recommend Boy Nobody to all action buffs out there and to reluctant teenage boy readers as the action is non-stop. Thrilling, gripping, compelling and at times heart-tugging, Boy Nobody is a book you won't be able to put down. In the end, your heart will go out to a heartless teen. I certainly cannot wait for the sequel.

I thought I would try this out. Didn't know the author but I loved the book. I read it in 3 hours and enjoyed every minute of it. I hope Zadoff continues with this series.

Boy Nobody is an engrossing work of fiction that could have easily been written for the adult market rather than for YA. I can't wait for the next in the series.

Breath-taking from page one, Allen Zadoff's BOY NOBODY is an extraordinary novel of true suspense. Taking us into the mind of a student assassin, issues of nature vs. nurture are presented in a heart-pounding journey that paints a vivid portrait of a teenager caught between two worlds. Living in the world but off the radar, the protagonist is faced with choices of life, death, and morality. This is a young adult novel that will be enjoyed by adults as well: Characters are created with a raw honesty and a true complexity. Who is right and what is wrong--the impact of action and passivity--all are gathered into this tightly woven thriller. BOY NOBODY is a page-turned from beginning to end; Zadoff, whose earlier works were truly excellent, has surpassed himself.

This is a great book for reluctant readers, especially for male reluctant readers. I teach a high school class for students who are reading far below grade level, and this is the first book we read together as a class. Every year at least half of the class has finished the entire trilogy before they're even scheduled to have finished Boy Nobody. So the fact that kids who hate to read devour these books should tell you something. As an adult, I enjoy it. It's fast-paced, there's never a lull, and it has a somewhat unexpected ending.

Boy Nobody is suspenseful and is definitely a compulsive read. It's a real pleasure to find a book in which the story keeps me on the edge of my virtual seat, wondering where it's going to go next.

Totally vivid and engrossing, tons of action, dark in all the right ways. This novel pushes the spy envelope hard. About time. You gotta check it out.

Imagine being a trained assassin as a teenager. You get missions from your "parents." You complete your mission and move on to the next target. Normally, you don't feel any attachment or emotion. That's what you are trained for. Then, suddenly, your next target is the mayor or New York, and your way in is his daughter, someone you instantly fall for. Will you be able to put feelings aside and finish the mission?

What an action-packed story. I was quickly drawn into this one. It was a quick read because I had a hard time putting it down. Yes, I am sure this isn't realistic. As an adult, that didn't bother me at all. I just enjoyed a fast-paced, adventure-filled story. It left me guessing the whole time, and the ending was a surprise. It was emotional, unpredictable, and well thought out. I would recommend this to any teen that likes adventure, and can see it as a great series for reluctant readers.

Free ARC provided through NetGalley for an honest review.

Boy Nobody is the first installment in Zadoff's new series about a teenage boy who has been drilled for years into becoming a lethal assassin. Sounds kind of generic right? Well, Zadoff has done a phenomenal job in creating a protagonist who sounds cold, intelligent, and professional, without being cheesy or fake. The story is excellently paced, and keeps you reading to find out what's next. I read it in two sittings, over one day and one night. Needless to say, school he next day wasn't a very fun affair.

I do have one nitpick though. I don't like it when these kind of books get so pretentious, almost childishly so. There were so many times when Zadoff would describe all these scenarios and then inform us that his protagonist processes all that in 2 seconds. Ok, we get it. Your kid is a cold, calculating Jason Bourne-assassin-kid with no flaws except uhh...feelings. Which isn't really a flaw at all. Just a cliche one. But that's a small negative, because every teen spy series is like this except maybe the Young Bond books.

In my opinion, this book trumps the Alex Rider series, as Zadoff's characer is more bad-ass than Rider, and it is much more believable in what he does and what decisions he makes. This book is one of the best spy/assassin YA novels I have read thus far.