Thrilling action scenes, a dramatic tropical setting and two impressive plot twists: this is a not-to-be missed book for fans of fast-paced adventure stories.
Fourteen-year old stunt-double, Finn, has his second job. He’s again doubling for his former friend, Blake Saunders, on the latest Rio Dinoni blockbuster. They’re in another exotic location and Finn’s dreams appear to be coming true when he’s given the opportunity to travel to the location on a private jet. However, things quickly go wrong once filming starts. Finn quickly suspects someone is sabotaging his stunts. Has he made a deadly enemy or are the rumours about a curse true? If he’s going to survive, Finn needs to find out – and quickly before one of his stunts proves to be deadly.
The original Stunt Double book was one of my favourite books of 2017 and there was a hint at the end that there would be another book about Finn and his antics as a stunt double. I’ve, therefore, been eagerly waiting for the release of a sequel and hoping it would be just as thrilling. Happily, the second book is every bit as good as the first.
Stunt Double: Jungle Curse is a superb action-packed adventure set in yet another wonderful and dramatic setting – this time Thailand. As we turn the pages, we can almost taste the jungle and the tropical heat positively radiates off the pages.
The action scenes are suitable dramatic and – in keeping with this genre – at times totally extreme, verging on impossible. I particularly liked the way Finn struggles with some of the stunts: while he might be willing to hurl himself from the top of a tree or manage to cling on the back of a stampeding elephant, he finds it practically impossible to ride a horse or use a bow and arrow competently.
The characterisation continues to be strong and I was especially impressed with how both Finn and Blake grow and develop during the story. Blake becomes much more sympathetic, perhaps because we get such an insight into his family. There is also a simply inspired twist and revelation about Blake’s dad, Marcus, which adds an impressive layer of depth to the story. (Sorry, to tell you more would spoil your enjoyment).
I can’t finish a review without mentioning a second wonderful twist, even though I’m not going to tell you what it is. All I will say is that the very last line cleverly turns everything upside down and left me grinning for a long time after I put the book down.
If you enjoyed this and haven’t already read it, I’d recommend you search out Finn’s first adventure – Stunt Double by Tamsin Cooke – or why not try another action-adventure in a similar tropical setting in the fabulous Boy X by Dan Smith. Alternatively, you should also check out the now classic action stories about fourteen year-old reluctant spy Alex Rider: the series starts with Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz.
ISBN: 978-0192749840
Publication date: July 2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Pages: 288
Author: Tamsin Cooke
