Nolan Hawker is used to moving around a lot with his mum being a travelling IT consultant. He’s been in lots of schools over the years, but luckily finds schoolwork easy.

Sitting in a French language class in his latest school in Coppins Crossing, Nolan is bored. This usually gets him into trouble, scoring himself detentions, suspensions and a terrible school record that follows him around. Today is going to get him in more trouble than ever. His boredom takes his gaze out of the classroom window, never expecting to see three black clad armoured strangers sprinting through the school grounds.

Nolan’s spur of the moment actions from this point throw him straight into trouble again, but this time it’s serious. He’s soon leaving yet another school behind, and heading to a prestigious boarding school named Rothwell Grammar. At least, that’s what his mum and anyone else interested, is told.

In fact, he has been chosen as “…someone with potential,” and is recruited into a secret organisation that trains kids like him to become weapons. Once trained in the use of high tech custom made equipment, anatomy, psychology, combat and other skills required to be a spy, Nolan will be an agent for The Peak. He will be part of a diverse team against a counter organisation called The Swarm, whose goal it is to upset world order.

Finally, Nolan is at a school that challenges his quick mind. But he quickly realises that people, situations and all before him is not as it seems. Danger awaits him at every turn, even before he completes his training. His new skills are put to the test as the entire Peak and everyone in it are under imminent threat.

Is it too late to save The Peak, his new friends, and his future?

The Peak (Spy Academy 1) reminds me much of a favourite series of mine called Special Forces Cadets by Chris Ryan (UK). I gobbled up that series, and Spy Academy is already proving to be another that is perfect for readers who love action, intrigue, and a fast-paced adventure.

The Peak (Spy Academy) has an Australian cast of characters, incredible technology and gadgets, and a spy school inside a mountain. There are cars that transform into submarines, self driving planes, reverse parachute technology, and anatomical advancements out of this world.

Nolan is a likeable character – smart, but always keen to learn more, courageous in a heartbeat when required, but still misses his mum.

The Peak (Spy Academy 1) is a ripping read with short punchy chapters and a racing plot with ever increasing tension. I’ll definitely be grabbing the next book in the series, the moment it hits the shelves.

Author – Jack Heath

Age – 10+

(2024, Scholastic Aust, Series, Action, Teenage Spy, Spies, Spy Training, Gadgets, Technology, Robots, Guns, Mystery, Intrigue, Tension, Short Chapters, Mountain, Family, Adventure, Courage, Bravery, Friendship, Teamwork, School, Secrets)