WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin - Book Review

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If you're looking for an action-packed YA novel that combines magic, science, and murder, then look no further than WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer. This is the start of a new book series by the author of the Artemis Fowl books.

Described by the author himself as Oliver Twist meets The Matrix, WARP introduces readers to a 14-year-old boy named Riley living in London in 1898. He is in the custody of a murderous criminal/former magician named Garrick. When one of their murder-for-hire plots goes awry, Riley finds himself transported from 1898 to present-day London, more specifically locked in a prison cell by a very confused 17-year-old sort-of FBI agent named Chevron Savano. Savano was stationed in London on a mysterious assignment that she's only now beginning to realize involves time travel. Riley and Savano quickly realize that they must stick together, especially when Garrick arrives in present-day London with some interesting new time travel-induced powers that make him even more dangerous than before.

This is a pretty entertaining book. Although, some of the explanations of how the science and magic stuff worked went over my head. I found myself re-reading several passages to make sure I fully understood what was happening.

I haven't read the Artemis Fowl series, but I expect that if you liked those books, you'll enjoy this new world that Eoin Colfer has dreamed up. The book is age-graded for 12 and up, and in terms of language and sex, the book is pretty free of both. (Which is a nice change of pace, considering some of the other YA novels I've read recently.) However, there is a lot of violence, some that parents might consider too graphic for their 12-year-olds. I was thinking more of a 14 and up age grading.

WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin is published by Disney-Hyperion and is available to purchase now. I received a free review copy for my honest review.