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Home > Mere Mortals Book Reviews > Action-Packed Throwback with a Soft Spot | Book Review Never Say Die
Podcast: Mere Mortals Book Reviews
Episode:

Action-Packed Throwback with a Soft Spot | Book Review Never Say Die
Category: Arts
Duration: 00:11:18
Publish Date: 2025-11-04 17:22:00
Description:

Alex Rider returns in Never Say Die — a fast, zany, throwback instalment that swaps grit for velocity. I break down what works (pace, scale, that classic Rider ingenuity), what doesn’t (the Jack twist), and the one big philosophy that matters: leadership is action, not announcement.

What you’ll hear:

How the plot kicks off post-Egypt and why Alex goes rogue to follow a single clue.
Why the “Jack is alive” reveal felt forced compared to the darker mid-series tone.
The pivotal switch: when Alex stops following orders and starts leading.
The core lesson: people follow what you do, not what you say.

Chapters
(00:00) – Welcome & series context
(01:18) – Setup: Jack presumed dead, mysterious email, post-Egypt timeline
(02:19) – Solo hunt: Egypt → Cromwell brothers → bigger operation revealed
(03:20) – Verdict: not as strong as the darker mid-series books
(04:16) – The Jack twist: why it doesn’t land
(05:21) – Throwback energy: action, travel, excitement
(06:05) – Adults feel clumsy; impact drops
(06:45) – Real stakes: not gold — kidnapped kids; Alex steps up
(07:27) – “Shoot me out”: the ejector plan & leadership in motion
(08:20) – Leadership by doing, not telling
(09:39) – Older, more capable Alex (with restraint)
(10:17) – Final thoughts & recommendation

If you’re new to Alex Rider: read earlier books first; this one assumes you know the history.

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