WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin

By: Eoin Colfer

Narrated by: Maxwell Caulfield

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Riley, a teen orphan boy living in Victorian London, has had the misfortune of being apprenticed to Albert Garrick, an illusionist who has fallen on difficult times and now uses his unique conjuring skills to gain access to victims' dwellings. On one such escapade, Garrick brings his reluctant apprentice along and urges him to commit his first killing. Riley is saved from having to commit the grisly act when the intended victim turns out to be a scientist from the future, part of the FBI's Witness Anonymous Relocation Program (WARP). Riley is unwittingly transported via wormhole to modern-day London, followed closely by Garrick.

In modern London, Riley is helped by Chevron Savano, a 19-year-old FBI agent sent to London as punishment after a disastrous undercover, anti-terrorist operation in Los Angeles. Together Riley and Chevie must evade Garrick, who has been fundamentally altered by his trip through the wormhole. Garrick is now not only evil, but he also possesses all of the scientist's knowledge. He is determined to track Riley down and use the timekey in Chevie's possession to make his way back to Victorian London where he can literally change the world.

©2013 Eoin Colfer (P)2013 Listening Library Audio

Colfer writing for American film

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This was Fagan as an insane assasin who's training the Artful Dodger meeting up with Dr. Who.

What could Eoin Colfer have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He could have done a better job by being more considerate of his fans and not pieced together old fiction. It lacked more than just imagination. As a fan of Colfer's novels, I kept hoping for things to turn around. I just may return the recording.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the announcer said, 'Audible hopes..."

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. I'm not convinced this was all written by Colfer. But being so vacuous, it should really do well with American audiences. Perhaps that was the intent. I know that Hollywood would've ruined Artemis Fowl (making it into a pieced together mess). And this may be Colfer snickering at Hollywood and American audiences. Still, I take umbrage at being a true fan in the middle who gets the smack.

Any additional comments?

The reader was brilliant. The performance tops the story. And that is the only benefit owing to Colfer's latest. He was taking a p..s.

Was expecting better

What did you like best about WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin? What did you like least?

The characters seemed to have potential, but the writing- just seemed to not be up to par. It was like someone else wrote it and Eoin Colfer's name put on it. The villain had potential, but never seemed to grow - just kind of bla "here I am the bad guy come to ruin your day" without much motivation or menace other than the boy being afraid of him.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

This was just missing something- no flair or spark. Not much humor. Did not like the girl character's inside voice monologs. They were eye rolling bad. She was a bland character for what was supposed to be a secret agent type. everything was just safe and bland and not that interesting.

Disappointed

I can't believe that this was by the author of the Artemis Fowl books. Didn't care for the narrator either. Won't be bothering with the next book in the series

Fun story with some quality voices.

What made the experience of listening to WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin the most enjoyable?

I'm a big Eoin Colfer fan, and his combination of humor and action is well represented here. The characters are unique and interesting with their own personal issues and motivations.

Maxwell Caulfield does a great job of balancing the many different accents throughout, including the strange case of mixing two distinct character voices at times to imply the struggle for control.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The villian, Garrick is absolutely the best reason to pick this one up. Already one of the smartest, if vilest, men in Victorian London, the technology of time travel gives him familiarity with the technology of today. His self-confidence comes to the surface in a delightfully "Bond villian" style where he feels completely unthreatened by Riley and Chevie.

"Agent Orange" was my second favorite, and favorite supporting character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen on my commute, primarily, and at first this wasn't a hard one to stop when I got to work and home. As the story moved back to the past in the last act, howeve,r it grew ever more compelling to listen to. By this time in the tale, the listener shares the belief that there's really nothing they can do to stop or even escape from Garrick, and you need to keep listening just to find out how they might pull it off.

Any additional comments?

The one sticking point was Agent Chevron Savano's voice. Always a challenge for a grown man to pull off a young female character, but there seemed to be a lot of variation in her speech patterns. At times, the over articulation reminded me of Joe Mantegna from Criminal Minds.

Colfer starts a great new series

If you could sum up WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin in three words, what would they be?

Yes, I loved Artemis but it is done and it was time for his to start something new and this is every bit as good a series. Riley is a plucky young man who although shifted to the 21st century from the 19th, he handles it well despite the obvious confusion from such a time shift. Chevron is not Holly but she is a smart teen who just happens to be working for the government. I can't wait for book 2.

fun sci fi time travel.

the narrator was great with so many accents and voices. nice to hear someone with a range in both the English and American accents.

AWESOME. FUN & AMAZING READ!

I had started this last year but then I got busy and I couldn't finish it. But I am finally able to finish this book and it was just as AWESOME and AMAZING as when I started it! This is such a FUNNY and LIGHT and just A FEEL GOOD Book. That I will always want to come back to it when I need a good boost of FUN and LIGHT readin! I highly recommend it! AWESOME, AMAZING, BRILLIANT and EPIC! A MUST READ!

This is not in the same league with Artemis Fowl

Any additional comments?

Dialog is too juvenile for adults and there is too much graphic violence for kids. Colfer has the ability to craft clever stories that appeal to both as exemplified by the Artemis Fowl series. I'm not sure what happened with the WARP series but it doesn't meet the standards I expect from Colfer.

Enjoyed immensely

Colfer does it again with a new cast of characters. I found this to have a lot of the Artemis Fowl series fantasy flair, but to be far more grounded. The narrator was excellent. He had very distinct voicing that was consistent throughout.

Good Story, Okay Narrator

Eoin Colfer is a good author, but the narrator wasn't very good at showing it