Theme and Summary

The theme for the IQ series is investigate before you make a conclusion. Q and Angela and the entire country believed that Malak Tucker, Angela's mother, was killed. When Boone, an old spy posing as an ancient roadie revealed that he was a spy connected to helping Malak stop terrorist attacks, it was further proof that eveything isn't what it seems. Boone's revelations were just beginning though as we learned that he has super powers. He can teleport and has mental telepathy with his century old dog, Croc. This old dog didn't learn new tricks but was fine with the ones he knew. He ran like he was in his prime. These secrets would be overwhelming for a couple of teenagers who have been step-siblings for a little over a week but they do a great job of not cracking under pressure. They don't show it on the outside but we know that Q and Angela are overwhelmed at not being able to help besides keeping their mouths shut. And that is a challenge for our day and age. As for Book 2 where a huge plot point emerges, Q and Angela meet the president. They befriend him and figure out that he's an ally of Malak's. They also befriend his son PK. They strengthen their friendship after they save him from being kidnapped but lose the First Daughter in the process. The person who kidnapped the First Daughter? None other than Malak Tucker.

Las Verona

Has anyone else made the connection between Verona and Sin City? I have. A quote from the movie Ocean's Eleven may help us comprehend. Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) says, "In this town, your luck can change just that quickly." This quote universally speaks for Romeo's situation. He was feeling down in the dumps when Rosaline wasn't going to fall in love with him, but then he put down that perfect hand (or so he thought) and fell in love with Juliet. Remember his strength of 20 men rant? Well it seems that he bet too big thinking his winnings would continue. Merely hours after marrying Juliet, he kills Tybalt. This not only strengthens the family's rivalry with the Capulets but sends Romeo to banishment. I guess what happens in Verona doesn't always stay in Verona. He deserved this sentence if you ask me. Juliet's luck also changes instantly as she feels on top of the world after marrying Romeo but when news of the banishment hits her, she turns into a weeping mess just like Romeo. Currently in the story, Juliet is fake dead, but Romeo doesn't know this. He thinks she's dead for real. If Friar Larry doesn't get there in time the inevitable will occur. Remember, Romeo has an illegal dosage of illegal drugs in his pocket. Will their Royal Flush come along?

Wrong Guy....Idiots

Who says that there has to be an antogonist in a story? If you ask me, most stories flip your vision and make the main character the antagonist. Romeo and Juliet for example. Two main antagonists are Tybalt and Paris. Both trying to, by our standards, break Juliet up with Romeo and make her marry Paris. In my mind that means doing the normal thing for the time. Tybalt is just trying to please his uncle and Paris had already impressed Juliet's parents which we his original goal. During this time period, if you impressed the parents enough, you got the bride. I can only imagine how backstabbed he feels by the Capulets and Montegues. He was guaranteed a bride but hit was taken away by a guy who flaunts love around more than a new pair of Jordan's. Tybalt gets literally stabbed and all because he was sticking up for his family. The same issue occurred with slavery. Kids were born into this life, where owning a slave was a good thing. Being responsible for another human being was considered cool. Sure when we look at it now it's wrong but look me in the eye and tell that with it being 1835 you wouldn't buy a slave for your plantation. It's the same way with these 2. Don't get me wrong, some stories have definate antagonists like the Joker and Lex Luthor. But what I'm saying is it isn't fair to call a character an antagonist just because they differ from the hero. In a story like Romeo and Juliet, the antagonists are in the title. They went against every custom that their family had set. They broke poor Paris' heart and stabbed Tybalt. Romeo stole Juliet from Paris and killed someone! Whether it was out of "love" or not, you can't kill someone like that. Romeo is the bad guy and dumb readers like us are looking in the wrong direction.

Tone & Mood

The tone of The Alamo is suspicious and urgent. Everything has to be done quickly and the cost of failing is often times a life. Boone directs the tone because he is the general of the operation when he is serious your serious when Q is serious you wanna laugh. Because Q is a kid. The mood is that of what you'd expect in a spy thriller. Waiting for someone to turn the corner and blast them in the chest sort of thing. It never strays too far from that because it's an action novel anyways.

Character (Redo)

Angela Tucker looks like a scrawny little vegetarian who wouldn't hurt a fly. That statement couldn't be farther from the truth. She is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and isn't afraid to use it when she's in danger. She can elude you too, if your trying to spy on her. She, like all people, improve after experiences, traumatic or relaxing. Angela had been going through life believing her mother had died, when she met her for the first time in a long time, they embraced and shared a heartwarming moment together. Then duty called and Angela had to pretend that her mother was dead again. That can really take a toll on you. Thinking someone you love is gone when they're really not isn't a easy thing to get over. This happens several times over the course of the series but she gets better as it goes on. Angela is able to better cope with the fact that her mother is dead officially as long as she knows she's really alive. She becomes a stronger individual as well as an older sister and leader to Q. She develops herself into a whole new character. From shy and sweet to strong and firm.