What do you think?
Rate this book
Agent Six of Hearts #1
The Lab
The start of a fantastic new action/adventure series from a 20-yr-old author who knows how to thrill
In a near-future world run by an evil corporation, the only justice comes from an organization called the Deck. Each agent in the deck belongs to a suit -- the Hearts and Diamonds are the operatives, the Clubs do the training, and the Spades monitor internal affairs. The hero is a 16-yr-old, Six of Hearts. (The highest ranking in each group is the King, and so forth, with the whole shebang led by the two Jokers). Six of Hearts is the best operative they have -- all the more impressive (and convenient for us) because he never kills anyone.
In a near-future world run by an evil corporation, the only justice comes from an organization called the Deck. Each agent in the deck belongs to a suit -- the Hearts and Diamonds are the operatives, the Clubs do the training, and the Spades monitor internal affairs. The hero is a 16-yr-old, Six of Hearts. (The highest ranking in each group is the King, and so forth, with the whole shebang led by the two Jokers). Six of Hearts is the best operative they have -- all the more impressive (and convenient for us) because he never kills anyone.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Jack Heath
71 books754 followersJack Heath wrote his debut novel, The Lab, in secondary school and sent it to a publisher at age seventeen. He's now the award-winning author of forty novels for adults and children, including the international bestsellers Hangman, The Wife Swap and 300 Minutes of Danger. His books have been translated into ten languages, optioned for TV and adapted for film. He lives on Ngunnawal/Ngambri country in Canberra, Australia, with his wife, their children, several chickens, a few fish and a possum named Oreo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
January 13, 2013
It's very easy to say that bad scifi is both painful and abundant. To be honest, when I first saw the cover of The Lab, I thought it was going to be terrible. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, just a bit too reminiscent of another (absolutely awful) scifi book that I will not name for the sake of being kind.
Anyway, I read the blurb and was mildly intrigued. Since I've been on a scifi binge recently, I decided to go for it.
Now, allow me to start flailing like a fangirl.
I adored Six's character. He was cold and harsh and a bit condescending and cynical, but at the heart, human. Which, when you read the book, you'll find is a bigger deal than not. While I do wish there were a bit more development in some aspects, I still love Six to bits.
As someone else noted, The Lab would be best served in a more visual medium. Whether that be in a graphic novel, a film, or even (please don't hate me) a video game. Maybe I just want to pretend that I'm as badass as Six.
My only criticisms come in the action scenes, which are abundant. While I generally got the gist of what was happening, sometimes the motions described left me a bit lost. Again, a visual medium would help. Also, I occasionally found myself just skimming some of the action parts because I found them to be moving particularly slowly. I don't mind (in fact, I like) when a character is so intellectual that they think every motion out, but when you take a page to describe something that happened in 3.7 seconds, it gets a bit tiresome.
To be honest, I was floored when I learnt that Jack Heath wrote The Lab in high school. Needless to say, most high school students, even the ones interested in writing, couldn't write something this coherent or interesting. At least, I haven't met any.
It's definitely amusing, though, to look at the world Heath has built-- only a few decades away-- and compare it to the society we have now. It's not hard to find the modern-day sources of the futuristic ChaoSonic empire. Maybe that's another reason I liked The Lab.
Definitely recommended for slightly cynical people looking for a quick scifi read.
-Kelly
Anyway, I read the blurb and was mildly intrigued. Since I've been on a scifi binge recently, I decided to go for it.
Now, allow me to start flailing like a fangirl.
I adored Six's character. He was cold and harsh and a bit condescending and cynical, but at the heart, human. Which, when you read the book, you'll find is a bigger deal than not. While I do wish there were a bit more development in some aspects, I still love Six to bits.
As someone else noted, The Lab would be best served in a more visual medium. Whether that be in a graphic novel, a film, or even (please don't hate me) a video game. Maybe I just want to pretend that I'm as badass as Six.
My only criticisms come in the action scenes, which are abundant. While I generally got the gist of what was happening, sometimes the motions described left me a bit lost. Again, a visual medium would help. Also, I occasionally found myself just skimming some of the action parts because I found them to be moving particularly slowly. I don't mind (in fact, I like) when a character is so intellectual that they think every motion out, but when you take a page to describe something that happened in 3.7 seconds, it gets a bit tiresome.
To be honest, I was floored when I learnt that Jack Heath wrote The Lab in high school. Needless to say, most high school students, even the ones interested in writing, couldn't write something this coherent or interesting. At least, I haven't met any.
It's definitely amusing, though, to look at the world Heath has built-- only a few decades away-- and compare it to the society we have now. It's not hard to find the modern-day sources of the futuristic ChaoSonic empire. Maybe that's another reason I liked The Lab.
Definitely recommended for slightly cynical people looking for a quick scifi read.
-Kelly
February 7, 2021
Y'know, between this book and Maximum Ride, I had a weird obsession with genetically engineered teenagers in high school. Was that just the thing around 2007? Dystopia before The Hunger Games made it all about weirdly segmented societies?
Whatever the reason, I loved The Lab as a teenager and re-read it several times. So, it was kind of fun going back. It is pure adventure—an action movie in print. I seem to remember the sequel more vividly, but this is still the one I read the most.
It is fun and creative. Now to find the rest of the series...
Whatever the reason, I loved The Lab as a teenager and re-read it several times. So, it was kind of fun going back. It is pure adventure—an action movie in print. I seem to remember the sequel more vividly, but this is still the one I read the most.
It is fun and creative. Now to find the rest of the series...
March 9, 2017
Agent Six of Hearts wakes up to find the tube he is in is heating up, so he breaks the tube from the inside and escapes the burning building. On that same day, King finds him, and raises him. King is part of a vigilante group called the Deck, who enforces the law, which is called the code, and fights the business that controls the land, chaosonic, as well as other evil organizations. Agent Six has a perfect mission record, but he is not a normal human. He was created by the lab, but luckily, only King and agent Six know this. Eventually though, the Deck comes across the lab, and agent Six is the only one that can take on the lab if he wants to keep his true identity a secret. But when agent six tries to infiltrate the lab, he is captured, but luckily another person who was also created by the lab, Kyntak, rescues Six and they both escape. Agent Six, despite his past failure, accepts another mission to take on the lab.
I like the futuristic setting of this book, and how it shows how air pollution can degrade society and the quality of life. It also has some fascinating technology and GMOs (Genetically Modified Organism) such as the chickens that are only organs and tissue essentially. I also like the character development, as agent Six starts off as a cold personality, but starts to warm up to others toward the end of the book. The villians of the book are very powerful, making agent Six's feats look all the more impressive. I would recomend this book to anyone who likes the science fiction genre.
I like the futuristic setting of this book, and how it shows how air pollution can degrade society and the quality of life. It also has some fascinating technology and GMOs (Genetically Modified Organism) such as the chickens that are only organs and tissue essentially. I also like the character development, as agent Six starts off as a cold personality, but starts to warm up to others toward the end of the book. The villians of the book are very powerful, making agent Six's feats look all the more impressive. I would recomend this book to anyone who likes the science fiction genre.
January 31, 2021
Disappointing.
February 27, 2015
The book that I’m doing for this next book review is called, “The Lab”. By Jack Heath, this book is about a teenager who at first didn’t know he was just created by mad scientists when he was a baby and also he realize that he has these powers that allow him to be more advance than a normal human being. By the time he was born, he’d escaped and manage to be free roaming around the streets. Since he was just a clone with feelings that he doesn’t have like the people around him does, he was putted in an orphanage for adoption. Until he was adopted and raised by a man who is in charge of one of the secret organizations called, “The Deck”. He was known as King of Hearts and the name that he calls to his new “son” is, Agent Six of Hearts.
As the title is referred to “The Lab” because since Agent Six was born from “The Lab”, its just that he was part of a project called, “The Falcon Kids Project”, which means that there are more of his type that was also raised by “The Lab”. This may sound confusing but you may ask why? The answer to that question is that Chao Sonic, the company’s name created their super children by using DNA and they do this to raise an army of super soldiers.
Now something to comeback that reason is that since this whole setting takes place on one single island that turns out to be the only place on Earth where its populated by humans and the rest of the Earth is covered with the ocean. So its pretty much stupid to raise an army of super soldiers on a huge island in a city surrounded by the ocean, to just get political power. For this my theory about the mood in the setting would kind of be lonely and helpless, even though theres a government that's running in a bad way, but still you feel hopeless and just alone when you realize that the city you're living in is already the only place on Earth. It is also sad that everyone except the government don’t know about this and probably this happen right after the world was going to end. Agent Six may seemed worried for once when he discovered about this but you should also feel that you were with him at the time and have the feeling that you are all alone with the remaining Earth’s population and hopeless that nothing will ever be right again.
The Point of View (P.o.V) in this book is third person, the reason I know this because in the book the author is describing and telling what's going on as if Agent Six hears him and does what he narrate. It sounds like Six wouldn’t be alive without the narrator giving him all these information. But for some reason don’t you think if the narrator was narrating the story for the whole time instead of the character because, if you happen to be a fan of Jack Heath than you can like read his thoughts about his book that he made. Reading his thoughts gets an idea that you take role as Six and let the author guide you through the story.
The Foreshadowing in this book puts you in an atmosphere of suspense which then makes you curious of what's going to happen next with Agent Six and so you should keep on reading. For example, every time when Six tries to kill someone you would think, “Is he going to do it?” or “Will he kill him?” but you have to keep on reading to find out, but he usually knocks out his enemies by forcing them to lose conscious, blacking out, stop breathing levels and making them faint or by putting them in a coma. So sorry spoiling these moments for you.
Finally I would like to make a recommendation to those that would like to read something that’s related to spy stuff, the future or military and government power. But the age group should first be at least 13 years or older to read a book like this because it might be too confusing or hard to understanding what’s going on at times for those under the age limit. Thank you and anybody whos a fan of Jack Heath should then also read this if you haven’t already and check out the second/last book of the series when you're done with The Lab first which is “Remote Control”.
As the title is referred to “The Lab” because since Agent Six was born from “The Lab”, its just that he was part of a project called, “The Falcon Kids Project”, which means that there are more of his type that was also raised by “The Lab”. This may sound confusing but you may ask why? The answer to that question is that Chao Sonic, the company’s name created their super children by using DNA and they do this to raise an army of super soldiers.
Now something to comeback that reason is that since this whole setting takes place on one single island that turns out to be the only place on Earth where its populated by humans and the rest of the Earth is covered with the ocean. So its pretty much stupid to raise an army of super soldiers on a huge island in a city surrounded by the ocean, to just get political power. For this my theory about the mood in the setting would kind of be lonely and helpless, even though theres a government that's running in a bad way, but still you feel hopeless and just alone when you realize that the city you're living in is already the only place on Earth. It is also sad that everyone except the government don’t know about this and probably this happen right after the world was going to end. Agent Six may seemed worried for once when he discovered about this but you should also feel that you were with him at the time and have the feeling that you are all alone with the remaining Earth’s population and hopeless that nothing will ever be right again.
The Point of View (P.o.V) in this book is third person, the reason I know this because in the book the author is describing and telling what's going on as if Agent Six hears him and does what he narrate. It sounds like Six wouldn’t be alive without the narrator giving him all these information. But for some reason don’t you think if the narrator was narrating the story for the whole time instead of the character because, if you happen to be a fan of Jack Heath than you can like read his thoughts about his book that he made. Reading his thoughts gets an idea that you take role as Six and let the author guide you through the story.
The Foreshadowing in this book puts you in an atmosphere of suspense which then makes you curious of what's going to happen next with Agent Six and so you should keep on reading. For example, every time when Six tries to kill someone you would think, “Is he going to do it?” or “Will he kill him?” but you have to keep on reading to find out, but he usually knocks out his enemies by forcing them to lose conscious, blacking out, stop breathing levels and making them faint or by putting them in a coma. So sorry spoiling these moments for you.
Finally I would like to make a recommendation to those that would like to read something that’s related to spy stuff, the future or military and government power. But the age group should first be at least 13 years or older to read a book like this because it might be too confusing or hard to understanding what’s going on at times for those under the age limit. Thank you and anybody whos a fan of Jack Heath should then also read this if you haven’t already and check out the second/last book of the series when you're done with The Lab first which is “Remote Control”.
March 9, 2014
The Deck is the only justice organization in the near-future world. Each agent in The Deck belongs to a suit – the Hearts and the Diamonds are the operatives, the Clubs do the training and the Spades monitor internal affairs. There is a King, in every suit whose job is to assign and monitor mission progress. There are also the two jokers, the main source of information that produce mission briefings but are anonymous to the operatives of The Deck except to the King’s. The protagonist is 16 year old Six of Hearts, a chemically born child (Lab Embryo born) who’s faster and stronger than an average human. Although King of Hearts knows about Six’s origins, everybody else doesn’t resulting in Six not wanting to have the worst nightmare of all come true, being imprisoned because of his true origins. Because of his unique abilities and skills, he’s never had a mission where he’s shot and killed a person, instead using stealth to enter buildings and leaving no trace afterwards that he was there. Although in some missions he’s been caught breaking into buildings, he hadn’t needed to shot and kill a person.
In his latest mission Six of Hearts is tasked with breaking into The Lab, which has mysteriously resurfaced after 12 years. The Lab, the one place he fears the most, his birthplace. He's the only agent able to, because if others were given the mission his true origins could be revealed. Once Six has broken into The Lab he finds that King is unknown to the security cautions 12 years on, the security is much more tougher then he was expecting. Shoot on sight, advance security that others couldn’t beat he isn’t able to survive. After Six is shot with a tranquilizer dart he wakes up in a prison cell, with a guard who looks familiar monitoring him. The guard informs Six that there is no need to be cautious, as the security camera and microphone that were located in the room are underneath his bed. The gun that the guard was given is located also underneath the bed, along with the ammo that was in it. Who is the guard? What will happen to Six?
The Lab is one of the most memorable books that I have read. When I first started reading books in the Young Adult’s section of the Invercargill Library I picked up a bunch of random books which included The Lab. Originally it was my first time, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was originally disappointed with The Lab because it had too much action for me. After reading The Lab recently, I feel ashamed with myself. Because rereading it I loved it, the complete opposite of the other time. The Lab encouraged me to buy some EBook’s off ITunes, and my first purchase was The Lab. Reading it recently made me realize that as I grow up the genre of books that I read change, from originally disliking full on action books at the age of 12 I now mainly select to read action packed books. The Lab is the book that all Action Packed and suspense fans need to read. Ben K
In his latest mission Six of Hearts is tasked with breaking into The Lab, which has mysteriously resurfaced after 12 years. The Lab, the one place he fears the most, his birthplace. He's the only agent able to, because if others were given the mission his true origins could be revealed. Once Six has broken into The Lab he finds that King is unknown to the security cautions 12 years on, the security is much more tougher then he was expecting. Shoot on sight, advance security that others couldn’t beat he isn’t able to survive. After Six is shot with a tranquilizer dart he wakes up in a prison cell, with a guard who looks familiar monitoring him. The guard informs Six that there is no need to be cautious, as the security camera and microphone that were located in the room are underneath his bed. The gun that the guard was given is located also underneath the bed, along with the ammo that was in it. Who is the guard? What will happen to Six?
The Lab is one of the most memorable books that I have read. When I first started reading books in the Young Adult’s section of the Invercargill Library I picked up a bunch of random books which included The Lab. Originally it was my first time, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was originally disappointed with The Lab because it had too much action for me. After reading The Lab recently, I feel ashamed with myself. Because rereading it I loved it, the complete opposite of the other time. The Lab encouraged me to buy some EBook’s off ITunes, and my first purchase was The Lab. Reading it recently made me realize that as I grow up the genre of books that I read change, from originally disliking full on action books at the age of 12 I now mainly select to read action packed books. The Lab is the book that all Action Packed and suspense fans need to read. Ben K
October 31, 2016
The Book is about Agent six who is a spy. He works for a group called "The Deck" and is not like any other human. What I liked about the book was that, it had lots of imagery and detail. Like when Agent six was in combat, it described his actions. My favorite character was Kyntak. When Six was captured, Kyntak showed him mercy and treated him with respect. Kyntak is a rebel and secretly wants to help Six. The characters were not real because they had super powers. Agent six was not human at all. In the story, agent Six is made up of all different types of animals to make him better at combat. The story kept me guessing because six was always on a dangerous mission. Even though His Partners advised him not to, he still went, sometimes coming close to death. My Favorite part of the book was when Kyntak Helped Six escape. Six believed that Kyntak was one of them and wanted him dead. But Kyntak Proved him wrong by letting him be free, and being alongside him in combat. A well written scene is when Six battled a robot. The robot was made to defend but Six asked if he could test it out. This part of the story was well put together because I could actually imagine it in my head. It was well detailed on what was happening and what Six thought about the robot during testing. The story was interesting, but did not keep me turning pages. It Kept going from mission to mission and became very repetitive. Six goes here, meets someone or tries to find info, then has to escape in a flurry of bullets.
i disliked how the story did not have a real story line and many different one. If the story stayed on one subject it would be better. I did not really care For the main character six because he was always able to defend himself.
I give this a three because the story and plot was not too interesting but it had lots of good detail and you could really imagine it in your head.
i disliked how the story did not have a real story line and many different one. If the story stayed on one subject it would be better. I did not really care For the main character six because he was always able to defend himself.
I give this a three because the story and plot was not too interesting but it had lots of good detail and you could really imagine it in your head.
January 11, 2016
I wanted to read this book because I thought it was really awesome that a teenager wrote it! That aside, the book massively surprised me. I usually don’t read action stories and initially I was at once impressed and put off by it. Put off by it because of too much description and impressed since I liked the detailed logical thought process of the main character during those action sequences. And that was the biggest winning factor for me –the protagonist Agent Six of Hearts …who, erm, won my heart!
From the blurb I expected him to be some show-off wonder kid. What I got instead was a 16-year-old who is mature beyond his years and has a philosophical look at life. And that’s what I loved about the book –the contrast between the high flying action and this kid trying to figure out what it means to be human and exploration of nature versus nurture. The other massively impressive thing is that apart from telling us the protagonist is a 16 year old boy it had zero need to prove that we’re dealing with a teenage boy. None. No girl issues/fantasies, course language or fitting in problems! Well, maybe that last one is there but in a broad way. It’s great when teenage issues are well written but I like stories that make teenagers not just about those things.
Six’s interactions with other characters, particularly Kyntak, is also good fun to read. Glad to have read something that makes you care about and respect the characters.
From the blurb I expected him to be some show-off wonder kid. What I got instead was a 16-year-old who is mature beyond his years and has a philosophical look at life. And that’s what I loved about the book –the contrast between the high flying action and this kid trying to figure out what it means to be human and exploration of nature versus nurture. The other massively impressive thing is that apart from telling us the protagonist is a 16 year old boy it had zero need to prove that we’re dealing with a teenage boy. None. No girl issues/fantasies, course language or fitting in problems! Well, maybe that last one is there but in a broad way. It’s great when teenage issues are well written but I like stories that make teenagers not just about those things.
Six’s interactions with other characters, particularly Kyntak, is also good fun to read. Glad to have read something that makes you care about and respect the characters.
April 13, 2009
It was entertaining, mostly – not particularly engrossing or ... well ... smart, but something light and exciting to pass the time. I thought the plot showed some potential; it was creative, but a little Maximum Ride-esque, what w/"The Lab" being a lot like "The School", in that it combined humans with animals to enhance them. Also, the whole thing was just a string of action sequences; it didn't leave much room for character development. The main character's lack of imperfections made it sorta boring in a way. I mean, since he was just soooooo awesome and indestructible, it was like: "Well ... what can happen to him?" I know he was supposed to be arrogant, but it still bothered me. I could tell the author made some attempts to make him a more interesting character, but it seemed forced and it didn't really work.
I was a little confused, too. It was one of those books that threw you right into the plot, and never bothered to back up and explain everything. I got the gist, but just a page or two on the background of this imaginary world would have been helpful.
Anyway, it was okay. I liked it. If there's ever a sequel – which, judging by the cliffhanger ending, there's supposed to be – then I'll probably check it out, out of curiosity. Although I wasn't overly impressed by The Lab, I'm intrigued to see where the series leads. It might have some potential.
I was a little confused, too. It was one of those books that threw you right into the plot, and never bothered to back up and explain everything. I got the gist, but just a page or two on the background of this imaginary world would have been helpful.
Anyway, it was okay. I liked it. If there's ever a sequel – which, judging by the cliffhanger ending, there's supposed to be – then I'll probably check it out, out of curiosity. Although I wasn't overly impressed by The Lab, I'm intrigued to see where the series leads. It might have some potential.
August 2, 2016
The lab was where he was created,the lab is where he shall return...
That is his deadly secret,he was created by an illegal experiment.He is a superhuman the strongest, the smartest.After escaping the lab after a fire just barely being a baby,then found by King and raised by him.At 13 he began working for the Deck.The Deck is a law enforcement a organization trying to fight crime or ChaoSonic an evil organization.
King of Hearts the one that saved him and also his boss, only know his secret,which the Spades would kill to know if he was a threat,which are another division of the Deck.He is assigned to stop anybody from learning his secret,his identity.But he is one of the most important of the Deck,to valuable to loose.
He is Agent Six of Hearts the most powerful asset of the Deck.
The Lab by Jack Heath
November 28, 2014
My brother read this book when he was about thirteen, and raved and raved about it for years. He's 20 now, and I finally was bored enough to pick it up... and boy, am I glad I did.
From reading the other reviews, it seems that a lot of people don't enjoy this series, finding it droll and slow; I completely disagree. I find it intriguing, intelligent and sharp. It's not often I find a protagonist who I can relate to, but Six is certainly that rare find. Admittedly, not many people can relate with him, and thus lose their grasp on the story, but for me it's like looking into an alternate life of mine if I were ever antisocial.
This, naturally, is not the case with everyone. I guess this is what makes The Lab a book for the calculating scientific mind; a hardship for anything less.
Overall, I personally enjoyed it, and if you are partial to detailed stories of intricacies and complexities, The Lab is the book for you.
From reading the other reviews, it seems that a lot of people don't enjoy this series, finding it droll and slow; I completely disagree. I find it intriguing, intelligent and sharp. It's not often I find a protagonist who I can relate to, but Six is certainly that rare find. Admittedly, not many people can relate with him, and thus lose their grasp on the story, but for me it's like looking into an alternate life of mine if I were ever antisocial.
This, naturally, is not the case with everyone. I guess this is what makes The Lab a book for the calculating scientific mind; a hardship for anything less.
Overall, I personally enjoyed it, and if you are partial to detailed stories of intricacies and complexities, The Lab is the book for you.
October 29, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has plenty of action and suspense for people who like those type of books.
In this story there is an Agent who is the best of the best, but is not human. He does plenty of difficult tasks but finding out where he is from may be his biggest one yet. In the government he leaves in it is very different from today because a bad event happened. During his task he meets different types of people and needs to learn how to "work" with them. Will he finish his task? or will he die...
I would recommend this book for people who want a book that's easy to read and keeps you at the edge of their seat. I know this book certainly kept me wanting to read on. I cant wait to read the next book in this series.
Read this book if you wish to know what happens to this boy.
In this story there is an Agent who is the best of the best, but is not human. He does plenty of difficult tasks but finding out where he is from may be his biggest one yet. In the government he leaves in it is very different from today because a bad event happened. During his task he meets different types of people and needs to learn how to "work" with them. Will he finish his task? or will he die...
I would recommend this book for people who want a book that's easy to read and keeps you at the edge of their seat. I know this book certainly kept me wanting to read on. I cant wait to read the next book in this series.
Read this book if you wish to know what happens to this boy.
March 11, 2015
The lab was an action packed page turner. The book is split into four daredevil missions that all make you stand on your heels. It really expressed itself in different ways. And the plot really helped you picture the corrupted world there living in. I'm nothing like agent six. He's so strong and tough basically a super human. At some points, the writing was a bit difficult, but I was able to get through it.I don't see any weaknesses in the book, but through are many strengths. An example would be like how the text can grab your attention especially at suspenseful moments. The book is part of a series and I think I'll continue to read considering how satisfied I was with this book. If you love action, adventure, and suspense I think you'll enjoy this book.
December 13, 2015
First read: August 29, 2009
Second read: December 13, 2015
Since I'm writing the third draft of the sci-fi assassin novel that this book (I believe) helped to inspire, I figured there was no better time to take a reread.
It's not as awesome as I remember it.
The writing is distant and choppy, Six's character development and arc are underwhelming, and the externals of the plot are disjointed and too quickly brushed over. It's a short book and it would have been served better to be longer.
Sadly, I can't even rescue it with nostalgia, since I barely remember enjoying it. The concept is good, but the execution is poor. Sad.
Second read: December 13, 2015
Since I'm writing the third draft of the sci-fi assassin novel that this book (I believe) helped to inspire, I figured there was no better time to take a reread.
It's not as awesome as I remember it.
The writing is distant and choppy, Six's character development and arc are underwhelming, and the externals of the plot are disjointed and too quickly brushed over. It's a short book and it would have been served better to be longer.
Sadly, I can't even rescue it with nostalgia, since I barely remember enjoying it. The concept is good, but the execution is poor. Sad.
September 13, 2019
I am really enjoying this book because of the action scenes in the book. Whenever Agent Six is in a fight I like how the author makes it very descriptive and tells us what he is thinking. The author makes the book really good in my opinion because of his descriptive words. This helps me visualize what the area is like and what he is doing better. I also love how they try to hide that Agent Six is a super agent and try to hide that from the other agents, because if they found out he, would be destroyed. This creates like the secretive factor of the book. Overall, the book has a really good story and if you enjoy books with fighting in it this is a book you should read.
September 28, 2012
It is an amazing book that all you sci-fi action people will love. It is about this character "Full name" Agent six of Hearts or six as a lot of people call him. coinsadentally he is the most intersting carracter. He is the one that the book revoles around and he does suicidel stuff that no mere human would ever think of doing. I would love to read the next book in the series if I could just find. That is what I think of the book.
August 10, 2016
So, how do i put this? I like this book. IN fact, i like it a lot. Now, Six of hearts isnt my favorite series, this isnt my favorite book and not quite my favorite author. Yet somehow i like this book best. I know thta makes little if nay sense but its true. Six is a great character and Kyntak is awesome in the second. It is just a great book and it is really like an actiony movie in book form. Saying that, i still cant figure out why i like it so much...
November 14, 2018
Although the main character might not be a real human, this book makes lots of very real questions about humans creating life, not birthing it. The name has to do with the lab that “ created” the main character, Agent Six. The authors writimg style is very deliberate and planned out, very detailed and specific. I believe the purpose of the book has to do with causing difficult questions about humanity and what makes us human.
May 29, 2021
I read this when I was in middle school and then reread it as an adult. It was just as good now as it was then. Typically if I read YA or younger as an adult, I find myself not enjoying it because I've grown and my tastes are different. But this one is still just as intriguing as the first time I read it. Dystopian and fast paced, you find yourself rooting for our protag as he rushes to uncover all of the secrets.
June 6, 2013
This book was amazing. JAck got really creative about what he wrote. Then to think that he was in high school when he wrote this was really amazing to me. He has to hide his past from all of his co-worders but at the same time he can't let the other side know and dieing is not a very good option. I would recommend, hands down.
May 31, 2022
One of the best books I've ever read. It's so great. Some of the best character development I've seen (it continues on through the series). It's action-packed, creative, fun, and exciting. Reading this as a teenager, I often related to Six's loneliness and it really helped me through a very hard spot in my life. I highly recommend this book.
October 2, 2009
i loved this book! it is one of my top five favs as number 2. i think the endig was spectacular. it really is an amazing book. it has a very good leason which is that you decide who you are, no one else. no matter what you are you have place in the world.
March 2, 2013
I really liked this book. It was a little more mature and had a little more depth than the Alex Rider books, but wasn't nearly as mature as the Jason Bourne books. It's a good mixture of the two for older teens. I recommend it.
December 11, 2009
If u like si-fi action thrillers this is the book 4 u
October 13, 2010
5 Starz
November 11, 2010
I loved this book so much. It was full of action. I'm going to buy the second.
February 15, 2011
AMAZING!
April 13, 2011
Amazing read. Still waiting for the second installment.
June 21, 2011
Very different from anything else I've read. It's action from begining to end, yet you can still really get into the characters.
September 25, 2011
Cool. Like 24 meets Dark Angel!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews