Recruited (Alias S.) [Paperback]

Lynn Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 2003 | ISBN-10: 075221537X | ISBN-13: 978-0752215372

Sydney Bristow is recruited into the ranks of SD-6, initially believed to be a covert branch of the CIA but actually an organised-crime cell. So she tackles it from within, using disguises, martial arts and high-tech gadgetry. Read how she goes from "A"-grade student to top-secret spy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

Terror-filled eyes. Lungs choked with water. A pounding heartbeat.
For Sydney Bristow, it?s a typical day in her not-so-typical after-school job?she?s an agent for SD-6, a top-secret division of the CIA. Or so she thinks.

This prequel is the first in a new series based on the smash ABC show Alias?it?s Sydney?s life before she discovers she?s working for the bad guys, juxtaposing normal college life against her fabulous exploits as a working spy. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Channel Four Books P/B (January 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075221537X
• ISBN-13: 978-0752215372
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #981,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alias Recruited, October 21, 2002

By 

Amy R. (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Recruited: An Alias Prequel (Mass Market Paperback)

Alias Recruited is an excellent beginning for the Alias series. This book gives insight into the life of Sydney Bristow before she finds out the truth about SD-6 and joins the CIA as a double agent. In the book, Sydney is a college student studying to be a teacher like her late mother. She is smart and studious, but is shy and doesn't have any luck on the dating scene. Her only close friend is her outgoing roommate Francie. Her father has always been distant. She feels like she doesn't belong and she can't do anything right. That soon changes when she is recruited by an organization that says they are the CIA. She finally excels at something and finds a place where she belongs. This book focuses on her life in college, her recruitment into SD-6, and her first 6 months in SD-6. It also introduces the characters of Francie, Noah Hicks, Sloane, and Jack Bristow. It is a must read for any fan of Alias.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Background to the TV Show, October 29, 2002

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Recruited: An Alias Prequel (Mass Market Paperback)

Sydney Bristow has finally entered college. Reserved and a book worm, she hopes to find independence in the academic setting. But making friends and finding a good job isn't all it's cracked up to be. She's getting discouraged when her life changes forever.

One day, a stranger offers her a job as an agent for SD-6, a covert branch of the CIA. Once her training begins, a new world opens up to her. But is she really capable of fitting in to this new world?

As a diehard fan of the TV show, I had to read this book. I was very impressed by it. Even though fans already know the basics of what is presented here, the author still manages to make it interesting. I had a hard time putting it down, dying to know what happened next. Furthermore, the author maintains continuity with the show for even small details, which is great fun for fans. The characters read like they sound on TV, and I was also impressed by the author's use of the cast of characters. Not all the characters from the show appear in this book or play major roles, which perfectly fits the show's timeline.

My only complaint is that the first chapter spends a bit too long giving us the background on Syd we know from the show without developing this novel's plot. Overall, it's a fast, entertaining read that will please fans of the series. I'm looking forward to future prequel novels.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not much substance..., January 6, 2005

By 

LaurieinCA,USA (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Recruited: An Alias Prequel (Mass Market Paperback)

I love the show Alias and had hoped the books would fill in some holes about Sydney's past, her recruitment, etc. The books do provide some details but the books stay pretty general. It's obvious they cannot provide too much detail or it might conflict with the writing for the show (which frequently draws from the past to explain the present) The books focus on getting to know Sloane, her strained relationship with her dad, etc. The writing is pretty bland--this is one situation where the show is BETTER than the book. My final irritation with the books (and I've read several) is that they tend make Sydney look dumb and naive. She will "save the day" and then we the reader see the final "secret email" proving she helped the bad guy, etc. She comes off looking really dumb. Read the books if you must but get them from the library....