Russian Roulette: The Story of an Assassin

Written by Anthony Horowitz

Narrated by Simon Prebble

ALEX RIDER’S LIFE CHANGED WITH ONE BULLET AND THE PULL OF A TRIGGER.

It was the cold-blooded contract killer Yassen Gregorovich who changed Alex Rider’s life. Aged just fourteen, Alex was thrust into the chaos of international espionage—the world’s only teenage spy. The two have been mortal enemies ever since.

Yet, as a boy, Yassen was mentored by someone very much like Alex. What turned him into such a ruthless assassin? In some ways, Alex and Yassen are mirror images of each other. One chose to be a hero. The other chose evil.

This is Yassen’s story. A journey down a darkened path.

International #1 bestselling author Anthony Horowitz delivers an unforgettable thrill ride in this Alex Rider novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781470392864

Anthony Horowitz

ANTHONY HOROWITZ is the author of the US bestselling Magpie Murders and The Word is Murder, and one of the most prolific and successful writers in the English language; he may have committed more (fictional) murders than any other living author. His novel Trigger Mortis features original material from Ian Fleming. His most recent Sherlock Holmes novel, Moriarty, is a reader favorite; and his bestselling Alex Rider series for young adults has sold more than 19 million copies worldwide. As a TV screenwriter, he created both Midsomer Murders and the BAFTA-winning Foyle’s War on PBS. Horowitz regularly contributes to a wide variety of national newspapers and magazines, and in January 2014 was awarded an OBE.

Reviews for Russian Roulette

[Zachary Lybbert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! I was hesitant at first to listen to a book all about Yassen Gregorovich. And the first chapter took some getting used to with the documentary style writing. But this is one of my favorite books of the series now. Intense and sad. Makes you relate more to Yassen as a character and builds the Alex rider universe so much further.

[begivens · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not the best book in the series, but a very good look at the bigger picture surrounding the Alex Rider story. I truly enjoyed the parallels between Alex and Yassen in this book

[nx74defiant · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable. The tragic backstory of the villain. We learn of his relationship with John Rider (Alex's father). Alex Rider only comes in at the end.

[startwithgivens · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not the best book in the series, but a very good look at the bigger picture surrounding the Alex Rider story. I truly enjoyed the parallels between Alex and Yassen in this book

[weisser4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good addition to the storyline. Filled in a but of information regarding Alex's father and his life before Alex was born.

[sgrame_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yassen Gregorovich was left orphaned when his parents were killed in an accident at an anthrax factory in Russia. They lived just long enough to make it home and inject him with a serum that made him the sole survivor of the village and sent him off to Moscow in haste. The village is totally destroyed and Yassen is pursued by the Russian government. He falls in with pickpockets and then is kidnapped and kept as a slave for a wealthy businessman for 4 years. Yassen escapes with the man sent to kill his enslaver, and becomes Scorpia's poster child during training. Will he be able to pass the final test of killing and enter the field of assassins? Will he kill Alex Rider? This 400 page book is the 10th book and conclusion of the Alex Rider Adventure series and a great read for grades 6 & up.