Alex Makes a Questionable Call (SPOILER)

[davidzizza]

My kids love AH's books. I think they have read them all, and so have my wife and I. They are a fun read, but I had started Snakehead today and I came across a recurring thing that happens in many young adult books that is beginning to annoy me. I would like to hear what others think.

On page 75 Alex finds someone staring at him at the airport and finds that same man again on page 84 staring at him at the hotel. Now, he hems and haws and decides not to tell Ash. It was "impossible" for it to be Snakehead, and it could mean him being sent home. What about jeopardizing the mission? Or getting him and Ash killed? What was he thinking? How many missions had he been on previously for him not to realize the error he had just committed? I haven't even read further (and please don't tell me), but I bet that by the third time they meet, it will be too late. Or is AH playing with my mind? We'll see.

But regardless, even in the Harry Potter series of books and others, we see the protagonist unwilling to tell people he trusts some of the things he has learned only to find himself in trouble again and again. Aren't there any smart young adults out there in the literary world, that actually think it's a good idea to trust a friend, family member or adult with important information? Are we sending the wrong message here?

There, I feel better now.

[Rainbowstar]

I think the main reason for that is not that they aren't smart, but you have to keep things interesting.  It's necessary for it to be exciting, and to keep some suspense.

Like your annoyance about this, I have some problems with how in movies the people never shoot straight, and never hit someone in a big shoutout, but when it's necessary they can shoot very well, hitting a person just where he needs to be hit.  It's a similar thing, it is just needed to keep the suspense in, nothing more, nothing less.

I do urge you to read on though, AH always makes the ends of his books worth while, and it usually explains everything.

[davidzizza]

Or in movies, where you see the groups of guys with weapons, the leader always has a handgun, everyone else has automatic rifles, as if to say "I don't need the firepower since I can shoot better than you." But in reality that would be dumb. I already read past the part where Alex finds out who the guy is, but my point still stands, I think. Thanks for the reply.

[Hunted]

yeah you don't want a book that is boring to the fact that everything was done perfectly and no mistakes were made. then the reader can easily predict what happens next and he/she will be right. it just won't make for a good story when no mistakes are made.