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Alfred Kropp #2
The Seal of Solomon
Thousands of years ago, King Solomon used a powerful ring, known as the Great Seal, to imprison the fallen angels of heaven in a sacred vessel. Now both the ring and the vessel have been stolen from OIPEP by a doublecrossing Mike Arnold. Should Mike choose to wield the demons' power, all hell could break loose . . . literally. Led by the mysterious Op Nine, OIPEP has a plan to retrieve the artifacts, but their success depends on the least-likely candidate, none other than the last descendant of Lancelot, Alfred Kropp.
In this thrilling new adventure, author Rick Yancey proves once again that Alfred's unexpected role as a world-saving hero is definitely no accident.
In this thrilling new adventure, author Rick Yancey proves once again that Alfred's unexpected role as a world-saving hero is definitely no accident.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
41 people are currently reading
1,932 people want to read
About the author
Rick Yancey
40books9,812followersaka Richard Yancey.
Rick is a native Floridian and a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago. He earned a B.A. in English which he put to use as a field officer for the Internal Revenue Service. Inspired and encouraged by his wife, he decided his degree might also be useful in writing books and in 2004 he began writing full-time.
Since then he has launched two critically acclaimed series: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, for young readers, and The Highly Effective Detective, for adults. Both books are set in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Rick lived for ten years before returning to Florida.
Rick is a native Floridian and a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago. He earned a B.A. in English which he put to use as a field officer for the Internal Revenue Service. Inspired and encouraged by his wife, he decided his degree might also be useful in writing books and in 2004 he began writing full-time.
Since then he has launched two critically acclaimed series: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, for young readers, and The Highly Effective Detective, for adults. Both books are set in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Rick lived for ten years before returning to Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
March 20, 2016
Compared to the first book, this feels underwhelming. Truth be told, the writing is better, but the plot... it just felt loose at plenty of points. Yes, it was more serious, and there were some very gross and disturbing scenes involving garden gnomes, eyeballs and dead cats (I still gag when I think of it), but the unbelievable and convenient moments went too far for me to forgive them. The book's still fun to read because of Alfred's personality and cynical comments, however, he was the only character I genuinely liked in here - contrary to book 1, in which all the characters had a charm of their own.
This doesn't mean I won't finish the series. If you are curious about reading it, though, I think it'd be advisable to stop at book 1. It can be read as a standalone and it's truly worth it in my opinion. Now, if you still want to continue, there's nothing in me that will stop you. Maybe I was being overly critical and this book is in fact better than the first - who knows? Only you can find out.
This doesn't mean I won't finish the series. If you are curious about reading it, though, I think it'd be advisable to stop at book 1. It can be read as a standalone and it's truly worth it in my opinion. Now, if you still want to continue, there's nothing in me that will stop you. Maybe I was being overly critical and this book is in fact better than the first - who knows? Only you can find out.
March 5, 2018
Kropp isn’t just any 15-year-old. He is a big, strong lad with a habit of honesty that some people (including himself) confuse with being simpleminded. He also happens to be a billionaire, the last living descendant of Sir Lancelot, and a hero whose blood heals wounds. Nevertheless, by the same cruel logic that finds Harry Potter living with the Dursleys, this young lad is stuck in a crummy foster home in Knoxville, Tennessee.
This series was very intriguing for me, after I started reading I couldn't put the book down!Jam packed with boy-centric action, this series is perfect for fictional readers, I could relate to so many things he went through. Probably one of the reasons why I can't wait to read the next book.
This series was very intriguing for me, after I started reading I couldn't put the book down!Jam packed with boy-centric action, this series is perfect for fictional readers, I could relate to so many things he went through. Probably one of the reasons why I can't wait to read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2021
The Seal of Solomon (Alfred Kropp #2) by Rick Yancey is such a fun YA adventure fantasy sequel. It doesn't suffer from any kind of trilogy slump whatsoever. Rick Yancey is such a talented writer and this YA series of his is incredibly underrated. It's a perfect combination of the action and thrills of James Bond and the adventure and magic of King Arthur. I need to read the finale, The Thirteenth Skull, asap.
November 17, 2015
I discovered Rick Yancey through his Monstrumologist series, which is, imho, one of the best YA fiction series and some of the best horror writing I've ever read. When I learned he'd written another series, naturally I wanted to try it. THIS SERIES CAME FIRST. So, as expected, it's not quite up to the level of the Monstrumologist.
That said, I'm very much enjoying this so far. It's the kind of book you read just for fun. Fast-paced, a lot of action, a few over-the-top characters. Exactly the kind of book that would appeal to the target audience of a book with a teen boy protagonist who saves the world over and over.
The first book really ought to be read before this one. It explains how Alfred gets involved with the organization he's fighting alongside in this one, as well as the whole Arthurian legend tie-in that his history is based on. However, this book only uses elements of that, and focuses on Alfred and company fighting demons who get released into the world (I won't say why because of spoilers). I will say, this gets a little darker than the first book--I see hints of Yancey's penchant for horror writing in this one.
Again, this isn't amazing literature, but it's loads of fun and Alfred Kropp is a really likable character. I'll definitely be continuing the series.
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
That said, I'm very much enjoying this so far. It's the kind of book you read just for fun. Fast-paced, a lot of action, a few over-the-top characters. Exactly the kind of book that would appeal to the target audience of a book with a teen boy protagonist who saves the world over and over.
The first book really ought to be read before this one. It explains how Alfred gets involved with the organization he's fighting alongside in this one, as well as the whole Arthurian legend tie-in that his history is based on. However, this book only uses elements of that, and focuses on Alfred and company fighting demons who get released into the world (I won't say why because of spoilers). I will say, this gets a little darker than the first book--I see hints of Yancey's penchant for horror writing in this one.
Again, this isn't amazing literature, but it's loads of fun and Alfred Kropp is a really likable character. I'll definitely be continuing the series.
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
August 3, 2007
Fan-bloody-tastic book! I read the first Alfred Kropp book a few years ago and was surprised at how good it was. Alfred is a oversized kid who ends up being the heir to a legendary bloodline. The action in this book focuses on the release of the demon Paimon and the host of hell from the brass vessel they've been imprisoned in for 3000 years. Kropp has sacred blood running through his veins, and the secret organization attempting to fight the legions decides to kidnap him, steal his blood, and douse their ammo with his blood. These are the opening chapters! The action and the story never lets up! This is not an action book featuring a teen main character that attempts to pander to readers, or ride on Alex Rider's coattails. Kropp is the real deal and I hope Yancey keeps it going!
September 2, 2008
I love Alfred Kropp's voice; he is what makes this series so much fun! And Yancey definitely has his self-deprecating wit down in this sequel.
The book is a fast paced action adventure novel that quickly veers into supernatural fantasy. It is a fun book that could appeal to reluctant readers, especially boys, but could also cross over to many other types of readers.
But, what keeps the reader interested is Alfred's journey of self discovery as he learns how to be the knight that he was named.
I highly recommend this series!
The book is a fast paced action adventure novel that quickly veers into supernatural fantasy. It is a fun book that could appeal to reluctant readers, especially boys, but could also cross over to many other types of readers.
But, what keeps the reader interested is Alfred's journey of self discovery as he learns how to be the knight that he was named.
I highly recommend this series!
July 29, 2016
Another great ride with Alfred. This time around, they're facing one of the greater demon princes, fresh from Hell! Alfred has to find the Seal of Solomon (his signet ring, that is to say) and use it to defeat Demon Prince Paimon. More is revealed about Alfred's past, and OIPEP.
These books are amazing just for their intense yet smoothly written mixture of technology, espionage, fantasy and humor. Where else do you find a self-deprecating, awkward teenage boy using high tech weaponry to defeat a creature out of legend?
These books are amazing just for their intense yet smoothly written mixture of technology, espionage, fantasy and humor. Where else do you find a self-deprecating, awkward teenage boy using high tech weaponry to defeat a creature out of legend?
September 7, 2011
Read the entire review .
After reading the first one, I immediately grab this so the adventures of Alfred Kropp would not be interrupted :). With this one, I like how the author withholds the information and suddenly drops it to you like a bomb in perfect timing to give the readers the effects he wanted. The consistency was there, which I think is necessary for a series. It should feel and read like the main character from the first is still the character your reading up until the end of the series. I suggest that you read the first one before you grab a copy of The Seal of Solomon because some of the events here was directly related to the first. You wouldn’t enjoy it much because there would be a lot of questions unanswered. A great follow-up book. I can’t wait to read the next Alfred Kropp adventure. :)
After reading the first one, I immediately grab this so the adventures of Alfred Kropp would not be interrupted :). With this one, I like how the author withholds the information and suddenly drops it to you like a bomb in perfect timing to give the readers the effects he wanted. The consistency was there, which I think is necessary for a series. It should feel and read like the main character from the first is still the character your reading up until the end of the series. I suggest that you read the first one before you grab a copy of The Seal of Solomon because some of the events here was directly related to the first. You wouldn’t enjoy it much because there would be a lot of questions unanswered. A great follow-up book. I can’t wait to read the next Alfred Kropp adventure. :)
May 20, 2015
Alfred Kropp has made some costly mistakes, but eventually he comes through. How does he come through? He saved the world from complete annihilation...And he isn't done yet. When Alfred Kropp is faced with another chance to save the world, will he do it? Or will his luck run out?
This book is about fate, friendship, and courage.
This book is about fate, friendship, and courage.
July 2, 2009
this book is better than the first book
July 15, 2018
A Very Engaging Hero
I really, really enjoyed the first Alfred Kropp book. I enjoyed it so much that shortly after finishing it I bought this second volume. But then I got distracted, and the book got mislaid and sort of rattled around the shelves for a few years. I just found it again and decided this would be a good time to read it. And here's the best part; I got to discover and to acquaint myself with Alfred Kropp's world and his excellent adventures all over again. This go round was just as impressive and entertaining as the first.
Well, maybe not quite as good. But that's just because in the first book we start off with Kropp not knowing he's special, and his unique abilities are revealed to us as they are being revealed to him. Naturally, this time around, those mysteries have been solved and so, with just a little bit of pretty smooth recapping, we hop right into the adventure. The details don't actually matter that much, (although it's violent, riveting and darned creepy in places). Once again Alfred has been extracted by OIPEP because they need his help on another adventure/crisis/operation. When you realize that OIPEP stands for "Office of Interdimensional Paradoxes and Extraordinary Phenomena" you know that the plot is going to be out there. This time it's about King Solomon's Greater and Lesser Seals, (the first is a ring that's actually a key and the second is a vessel that holds a bunch of angry fallen angels). Somehow Alfred is the focus of the battle over who gets to wield/destroy the ring. (Alfred makes a number of smartmouth comments about "The Lord of the Rings" when the plot is being monologued to him by the OIPEP operatives.)
Anyway, this book has everything we know and love. Alfred is funny and wry in a cool/reluctant/winging it teenager sort of way, and his fundamental decency and even keel, coupled with his ironic sense of humor and deadpan narration, confirm that he remains one of the most engaging and appealing teen reluctant-hero action guys on the middle grade/YA scene.
He is aided in all of this by an excellent supporting cast that hits two important bases. First, they can be just as funny, deadpan, dry and unflappable as Alfred, which spreads the joke around. Maybe more important, except when they are clearly eeevil and villainous, the adults in these books tend to be resourceful, dependable, and competent. I'm not a huge fan of middle grade books in which all of the parents and adults are idiots or clueless, and it's sort of refreshing to have a book in which the hero starts out clueless and the adults have to bring him along. (That's not to say, though, that the adults can't be sneaky or have their own doubts and/or failures of nerve.)
So, as in the first book, there's no smarm or snark, and no weird or odd undertones. Just a good guy having ripping adventures, and tossing off some wisecracks while he saves the world, again.
I really, really enjoyed the first Alfred Kropp book. I enjoyed it so much that shortly after finishing it I bought this second volume. But then I got distracted, and the book got mislaid and sort of rattled around the shelves for a few years. I just found it again and decided this would be a good time to read it. And here's the best part; I got to discover and to acquaint myself with Alfred Kropp's world and his excellent adventures all over again. This go round was just as impressive and entertaining as the first.
Well, maybe not quite as good. But that's just because in the first book we start off with Kropp not knowing he's special, and his unique abilities are revealed to us as they are being revealed to him. Naturally, this time around, those mysteries have been solved and so, with just a little bit of pretty smooth recapping, we hop right into the adventure. The details don't actually matter that much, (although it's violent, riveting and darned creepy in places). Once again Alfred has been extracted by OIPEP because they need his help on another adventure/crisis/operation. When you realize that OIPEP stands for "Office of Interdimensional Paradoxes and Extraordinary Phenomena" you know that the plot is going to be out there. This time it's about King Solomon's Greater and Lesser Seals, (the first is a ring that's actually a key and the second is a vessel that holds a bunch of angry fallen angels). Somehow Alfred is the focus of the battle over who gets to wield/destroy the ring. (Alfred makes a number of smartmouth comments about "The Lord of the Rings" when the plot is being monologued to him by the OIPEP operatives.)
Anyway, this book has everything we know and love. Alfred is funny and wry in a cool/reluctant/winging it teenager sort of way, and his fundamental decency and even keel, coupled with his ironic sense of humor and deadpan narration, confirm that he remains one of the most engaging and appealing teen reluctant-hero action guys on the middle grade/YA scene.
He is aided in all of this by an excellent supporting cast that hits two important bases. First, they can be just as funny, deadpan, dry and unflappable as Alfred, which spreads the joke around. Maybe more important, except when they are clearly eeevil and villainous, the adults in these books tend to be resourceful, dependable, and competent. I'm not a huge fan of middle grade books in which all of the parents and adults are idiots or clueless, and it's sort of refreshing to have a book in which the hero starts out clueless and the adults have to bring him along. (That's not to say, though, that the adults can't be sneaky or have their own doubts and/or failures of nerve.)
So, as in the first book, there's no smarm or snark, and no weird or odd undertones. Just a good guy having ripping adventures, and tossing off some wisecracks while he saves the world, again.
April 27, 2012
Beberapa bulan setelah Alfred bertempur dengan Mr. Myers alias Mogart, dia kembali ke kehidupan lamanya, kembali jadi objek bulan2an di sekolahnya dan merasa bosan bukan main. Bahkan sekalipun dia adalah keturunan Sir Lancelot du lac, berhasil mengalahkan seorang megalomaniak dalam adu pedang, dan memiliki pedang ksatria yang merupakan pusaka milik para Ksatria Meja Bundar, dia harus menerima fakta bahwa di mata dunia dia hanyalah seorang yatim piatu yang kini dititipkan pada sepasang keluarga Tuttle yang sangat menyebalkan bersama enam anak pungut lainnya yang tak kalah menyebalkan.
Tapi keadaan mendadak berubah menjadi semakin baik... atau buruk. Mendadak Alfred didatangi oleh Mr. Needlemier yang ternyata adalah pengacara pribadi Mr. Bernard Sampson, yang, kita ketahui, di akhir buku pertama ternyata adalah ayah kandung Alfred. Tiba2 saja Alfred menjadi milyuner dengan aset 400 juta dolar, belum termasuk harta tak bergerak dan investasi perusahaan milik ayahnya. Alfred menjadi milyuner muda! Keluarga Tuttle langsung ingin mengadopsinya.
Uang itu memang memberikan kebahagiaan, tapi untuk kasus Alfred dia justru malah merasa nelangsa begitu dinobatkan sebagai pewaris tunggal Bernard Sampson. Uang tak membuatnya bahagia, uang merubahnya menjadi anak yang tak diinginkan menjadi objek rebutan. Dengan atau tanpa uang, Alfred hanyalah aset dan bukannya remaja yang butuh kasih sayang dan perhatian normal.
Sadar bahwa dia hanya akan dijadikan sapi perahan oleh orangtua angkatnya, Alfred, tentu saja, menolak mati2an ide itu. Dia memutuskan untuk melarikan diri dari rumah. Sialnya, belum sempat dia mengeksekusi rencananya, mendadak seorang mantan agen OIEP bernama Mike Arnold menculiknya. Beruntung dia diselamatkan oleh seorang agen OIEP lainnya bernama Ashley yang sempat menyamar jadi murid SMA di sekolahnya.
Di markas OIEP, Alfred bertemu dengan dr. Abby dan seorang mantan pastor yang hanya dikenal dengan kode nama Operative Nine, yang menjelaskan bahwa selepas pencopotan jabatannya sebagai agen lapangan, Mike Arnold mencuri sepasang artefak dari gudang OIEP. Artefak itu disebut segel Raja Salomo yang terdiri dari sebuah cincin dan sebentuk guci besar. Tanpa mengetahui kegunaan artefak itu, dr. Abby dan Op. Nine 'memaksa' Alfred turut serta dalam misi mereka menuju Gurun Sahara untuk merebut kembali cincin berikut gucinya.
Pada akhirnya Alfred baru tahu bahwa guci misterius itu berisi 72 legion iblis yang dipimpin oleh Paimon yang merupakan tangan kanan Lucifer sendiri sebelum akhirnya Michael menyegelnya dalam guci yang sebelumnya diserahkan pada Raja Salomo yang kemudian mengontrolnya dengan cincin. Guci itu sempat raib selama beberapa abad sebelum OIEP berhasil menemukannya dan menyimpannya.
Dalam pertempuran supranatural itu, Alfred tak sengaja memandang langsung ke mata Paimon (hal yang SAMA SEKALI tidak boleh dilakukan dalam bertempur melawan iblis) dan pingsan selama berhari2. Misi penyerbuan itu berakhir dengan bencana karena cincin itu justru berhasil direbut oleh Paimon sendiri dan gucinya raib dibawa Mike Arnold yang melarikan diri.
Bersama Operative Nine, akhirnya Alfred berpetualang menelusuri jejak Mike Arnold sambil mencari cara untuk merebut cincin dari tangan Paimon sebelum dunia benar2 kiamat, itu kalau dia bisa bertahan hidup sebelumnya sebab tubuhnya sendiri perlahan luluh perlahan dari dalam akibat kutukan Paimon sewaktu mereka berdua bertukar tatapan.
Dengan kata lain, Alfred Kropp membusuk secara perlahan2...
Mengapa Alfred begitu penting bagi OIEP dan kenapa Op. Nine mati2an melindunginya? Apa sebenarnya yang direncanakan organisasi OIEP yang makin lama makin terasa seperti The Company dari serial televisi HEROES ini?
Okayyy... perhatian perhatian... untuk novel yang kedua ini nampaknya si pengarang menambahkan genre HOROR dalam elemen berceritanya. Amit2... Alfred Kropp membusuk dari dalam itu bisa dikatagorikan sebagai body horor dan gue benci banget ama yang namanya body horor... huekkk!!
Tapi... diluar tambahan genre horor yang menjijikan plus belatung2 bermunculan... cerita ini jadi makin seru aja. Though sebenernya gue jadi agak gamang dengan novel ini, apakah novel ini novel remaja? Atau dewasa? Absennya kata kasar, dan seks membuat novel ini nampak seperti novel yang ditujukan untuk pembaca remaja. Tapi dengan banyaknya adegan gory horror di dalamnya, gue jadi bertanya2 apakah ceritanya tidak terlalu berat untuk remaja.
Anyway, gue jauh dari kata remaja, so nggak masalah buat gue sih. Dengan adegan kejar2an menggunakan mobil salju yang dimodifikasi di tengah gurun Sahara, tembak2an antar pasukan agen OIEP dengan legion iblis, serta aksi laga over-the-top lainnya, gue bener2 tenggelam dalam cerita ini sampe selesai. Dan lo tahu mobil keren apa yang keluar kali ini? THAT KOENIGSEGG CCR!!
Rick Yancey cukup cerdik dengan mengutak-atik pendekatan berceritanya. Berbeda dengan pendahulunya yang terasa seperti Indiana Jones, di buku kedua, unsur X-Files-nya jauh lebih kental, penuh dengan konspirasi. Di sini mulai dijelaskan organisasi macam apa OIEP itu dan bagaimana hirarki dalam tubuh mereka. Dan gue bener2 tertarik dengan departemen sembilan, sebuah divisi Black Ops dalam OIEP yang memberikan SPA-nya kebebasan absolut yang bisa melampaui Direktur utama OIEP sendiri. Oh... okey... divisi bayangan dalam sebuah organisasi bayangan, OIEP is so creepy!!
Diluar departemen 9 yang serba misterius seperti departemen misteri dalam Kementrian Sihir. Fakta bahwa OIEP ternyata organisasi bayangan yang menyusup di berbagai departemen di tiap negara2 di dunia dan perjanjian rahasia antar negara bagi agen2 OIEP untuk bekerja lintas kontinen adalah salah satu konspirasi yang seru dalam novel ini. Gue suka karakter banget sama SPA Departemen Sembilan, Operative Nine, yang total badass in very twisted way, beberapa kali dia mengingatkan gue dengan 'the man with horn rimmed glasses' alias Noah Bennet dari HEROES.
Kali ini landasan teorinya berbasis mitos cincin Salomo yang konon bisa mengontrol iblis, jin, dan bicara dengan hewan. Mitos ini tidak diambil dari legenda yang sungguh2 ada melainkan dari Kisah Seribu Satu Malam yang termasyhur itu. Teori yang digunakan, tentu saja, berasal dari teori demonologi Kristen.
Tapi keadaan mendadak berubah menjadi semakin baik... atau buruk. Mendadak Alfred didatangi oleh Mr. Needlemier yang ternyata adalah pengacara pribadi Mr. Bernard Sampson, yang, kita ketahui, di akhir buku pertama ternyata adalah ayah kandung Alfred. Tiba2 saja Alfred menjadi milyuner dengan aset 400 juta dolar, belum termasuk harta tak bergerak dan investasi perusahaan milik ayahnya. Alfred menjadi milyuner muda! Keluarga Tuttle langsung ingin mengadopsinya.
Uang itu memang memberikan kebahagiaan, tapi untuk kasus Alfred dia justru malah merasa nelangsa begitu dinobatkan sebagai pewaris tunggal Bernard Sampson. Uang tak membuatnya bahagia, uang merubahnya menjadi anak yang tak diinginkan menjadi objek rebutan. Dengan atau tanpa uang, Alfred hanyalah aset dan bukannya remaja yang butuh kasih sayang dan perhatian normal.
Sadar bahwa dia hanya akan dijadikan sapi perahan oleh orangtua angkatnya, Alfred, tentu saja, menolak mati2an ide itu. Dia memutuskan untuk melarikan diri dari rumah. Sialnya, belum sempat dia mengeksekusi rencananya, mendadak seorang mantan agen OIEP bernama Mike Arnold menculiknya. Beruntung dia diselamatkan oleh seorang agen OIEP lainnya bernama Ashley yang sempat menyamar jadi murid SMA di sekolahnya.
Di markas OIEP, Alfred bertemu dengan dr. Abby dan seorang mantan pastor yang hanya dikenal dengan kode nama Operative Nine, yang menjelaskan bahwa selepas pencopotan jabatannya sebagai agen lapangan, Mike Arnold mencuri sepasang artefak dari gudang OIEP. Artefak itu disebut segel Raja Salomo yang terdiri dari sebuah cincin dan sebentuk guci besar. Tanpa mengetahui kegunaan artefak itu, dr. Abby dan Op. Nine 'memaksa' Alfred turut serta dalam misi mereka menuju Gurun Sahara untuk merebut kembali cincin berikut gucinya.
Pada akhirnya Alfred baru tahu bahwa guci misterius itu berisi 72 legion iblis yang dipimpin oleh Paimon yang merupakan tangan kanan Lucifer sendiri sebelum akhirnya Michael menyegelnya dalam guci yang sebelumnya diserahkan pada Raja Salomo yang kemudian mengontrolnya dengan cincin. Guci itu sempat raib selama beberapa abad sebelum OIEP berhasil menemukannya dan menyimpannya.
Dalam pertempuran supranatural itu, Alfred tak sengaja memandang langsung ke mata Paimon (hal yang SAMA SEKALI tidak boleh dilakukan dalam bertempur melawan iblis) dan pingsan selama berhari2. Misi penyerbuan itu berakhir dengan bencana karena cincin itu justru berhasil direbut oleh Paimon sendiri dan gucinya raib dibawa Mike Arnold yang melarikan diri.
Bersama Operative Nine, akhirnya Alfred berpetualang menelusuri jejak Mike Arnold sambil mencari cara untuk merebut cincin dari tangan Paimon sebelum dunia benar2 kiamat, itu kalau dia bisa bertahan hidup sebelumnya sebab tubuhnya sendiri perlahan luluh perlahan dari dalam akibat kutukan Paimon sewaktu mereka berdua bertukar tatapan.
Dengan kata lain, Alfred Kropp membusuk secara perlahan2...
Mengapa Alfred begitu penting bagi OIEP dan kenapa Op. Nine mati2an melindunginya? Apa sebenarnya yang direncanakan organisasi OIEP yang makin lama makin terasa seperti The Company dari serial televisi HEROES ini?
Okayyy... perhatian perhatian... untuk novel yang kedua ini nampaknya si pengarang menambahkan genre HOROR dalam elemen berceritanya. Amit2... Alfred Kropp membusuk dari dalam itu bisa dikatagorikan sebagai body horor dan gue benci banget ama yang namanya body horor... huekkk!!
Tapi... diluar tambahan genre horor yang menjijikan plus belatung2 bermunculan... cerita ini jadi makin seru aja. Though sebenernya gue jadi agak gamang dengan novel ini, apakah novel ini novel remaja? Atau dewasa? Absennya kata kasar, dan seks membuat novel ini nampak seperti novel yang ditujukan untuk pembaca remaja. Tapi dengan banyaknya adegan gory horror di dalamnya, gue jadi bertanya2 apakah ceritanya tidak terlalu berat untuk remaja.
Anyway, gue jauh dari kata remaja, so nggak masalah buat gue sih. Dengan adegan kejar2an menggunakan mobil salju yang dimodifikasi di tengah gurun Sahara, tembak2an antar pasukan agen OIEP dengan legion iblis, serta aksi laga over-the-top lainnya, gue bener2 tenggelam dalam cerita ini sampe selesai. Dan lo tahu mobil keren apa yang keluar kali ini? THAT KOENIGSEGG CCR!!
Rick Yancey cukup cerdik dengan mengutak-atik pendekatan berceritanya. Berbeda dengan pendahulunya yang terasa seperti Indiana Jones, di buku kedua, unsur X-Files-nya jauh lebih kental, penuh dengan konspirasi. Di sini mulai dijelaskan organisasi macam apa OIEP itu dan bagaimana hirarki dalam tubuh mereka. Dan gue bener2 tertarik dengan departemen sembilan, sebuah divisi Black Ops dalam OIEP yang memberikan SPA-nya kebebasan absolut yang bisa melampaui Direktur utama OIEP sendiri. Oh... okey... divisi bayangan dalam sebuah organisasi bayangan, OIEP is so creepy!!
Diluar departemen 9 yang serba misterius seperti departemen misteri dalam Kementrian Sihir. Fakta bahwa OIEP ternyata organisasi bayangan yang menyusup di berbagai departemen di tiap negara2 di dunia dan perjanjian rahasia antar negara bagi agen2 OIEP untuk bekerja lintas kontinen adalah salah satu konspirasi yang seru dalam novel ini. Gue suka karakter banget sama SPA Departemen Sembilan, Operative Nine, yang total badass in very twisted way, beberapa kali dia mengingatkan gue dengan 'the man with horn rimmed glasses' alias Noah Bennet dari HEROES.
Kali ini landasan teorinya berbasis mitos cincin Salomo yang konon bisa mengontrol iblis, jin, dan bicara dengan hewan. Mitos ini tidak diambil dari legenda yang sungguh2 ada melainkan dari Kisah Seribu Satu Malam yang termasyhur itu. Teori yang digunakan, tentu saja, berasal dari teori demonologi Kristen.
February 21, 2019
3.5 stars. Interesting story with lots of demons and poor Alfred needs to save the world again. It feels like a middle school boy book, but it felt clumsy like Alfred Kropp.
Likes:
* Alfred blood heals
* OIPEP ~ Office of
* Demonologist
* Blade of the Last Knight of the Order of the Sacred Sword of Kings
Dislikes:
* Alfred's bumbling way
With-reservations:
demon possession, end of the world, lying, using people, demon hoard,
Zombie:
one scene
Likes:
* Alfred blood heals
* OIPEP ~ Office of
* Demonologist
* Blade of the Last Knight of the Order of the Sacred Sword of Kings
Dislikes:
* Alfred's bumbling way
With-reservations:
demon possession, end of the world, lying, using people, demon hoard,
Zombie:
one scene
December 26, 2017
Yancey, Rick Alfred Kropp: The Seal of Solomon, 336 p. Bloomsbury �
Alfred Kropp is kidnapped right out of the wretched foster home he is currently existing in. You would think a young man who controls a billion dollar corporation could do better for himself. But being dragged around the world to face demons released from hell is better than listen to his foster father plot to control his money any day. With the best intentions, Albert continues to do right by messing everything and everyone up. His dogged perseverance and unassuming personality help this book shine. However, it and its companion book still win the prize for ugliest cover, so you will have to direct students to it � they won’t pick it up on their own, unfortunately. Kropp is a lovely antidote or “Harry-it is�.
MS � ESSENTIAL
Alfred Kropp is kidnapped right out of the wretched foster home he is currently existing in. You would think a young man who controls a billion dollar corporation could do better for himself. But being dragged around the world to face demons released from hell is better than listen to his foster father plot to control his money any day. With the best intentions, Albert continues to do right by messing everything and everyone up. His dogged perseverance and unassuming personality help this book shine. However, it and its companion book still win the prize for ugliest cover, so you will have to direct students to it � they won’t pick it up on their own, unfortunately. Kropp is a lovely antidote or “Harry-it is�.
MS � ESSENTIAL
September 28, 2019
Entertaining.
I listened to the first book, and read this one on Kindle, and wasn't as thrilled with this one as I was with the first.
As I was reading early on I thought, didn't AK do poorly in school? What does he know about sea life to give such a detailed description of his dream? His adventures didn't seem to be much in the way of learning experiences, how is he getting smarter? How does he know enough to determine that OP 9s speech quirks are because English isn't his first language? I know I'm picking on a fantasy YA book, am enjoying the story and ideas behind it, going to gloss over the annoying details going forward.
I listened to the first book, and read this one on Kindle, and wasn't as thrilled with this one as I was with the first.
As I was reading early on I thought, didn't AK do poorly in school? What does he know about sea life to give such a detailed description of his dream? His adventures didn't seem to be much in the way of learning experiences, how is he getting smarter? How does he know enough to determine that OP 9s speech quirks are because English isn't his first language? I know I'm picking on a fantasy YA book, am enjoying the story and ideas behind it, going to gloss over the annoying details going forward.
April 8, 2022
Just when Alex thinks it's finally over for him and he will live his everyday life like an ordinary teenage boy, things stir up again, and it's time for him to go on another adventure. However, the challenges this time are more intense, with the whole world's fate resting on his shoulder.
I know I'm reading a fantasy story, but I still feel the storyline is ridiculously unbelievable for a fifteen-year-old boy. Alfred is portrayed as clumsy and does poorly in school, yet he has some profound knowledge to ensure his success in the mission impossible.
Nevertheless, I still have fun reading the story. Alex has so much on his plate. He gets bullied at school, his foster parents aren't nice to him, OIPEP deceives him, and I guess the knowledge he picks up throughout his adventure is how he gets the sudden wisdom in the end to save the world.
I know I'm reading a fantasy story, but I still feel the storyline is ridiculously unbelievable for a fifteen-year-old boy. Alfred is portrayed as clumsy and does poorly in school, yet he has some profound knowledge to ensure his success in the mission impossible.
Nevertheless, I still have fun reading the story. Alex has so much on his plate. He gets bullied at school, his foster parents aren't nice to him, OIPEP deceives him, and I guess the knowledge he picks up throughout his adventure is how he gets the sudden wisdom in the end to save the world.
July 4, 2017
I thought this one was not quite as strong as the first -- it may just be because the characters are already familiar, it may be that the end-of-the-world scenario seems too big to be settled so relatively easily, who knows? But even so a great read, like the first it took me back to being a teenager (in a good way) and it's just a rollicking romp of a tale. Definitely looking forward to the third one!
June 18, 2018
Adults will enjoy this high speed installment in our unlikely hero's adventures. While the Alfred Kropp novels are perfect for older teen boys, we adults will like the story, good writing, fast pace and the more subtle conflicts.
Please see my full review here:
Please see my full review here:
January 17, 2019
The second installment of the Alfred Kropp series was good, but not as good as the first installment and the reason is because they took a different part of "fantasy" and threw it into the already existing mix. Also Alfred almost seems invincible now, from being a knight to fighting demons, as a build that makes him big and clumsy, he sure gets lucky often.
January 12, 2022
Another pretty quick read with further adventures of young Alfred. Life has not gotten any quieter or easier for Alfred since his escapade with Excalibur. This time around he’s enlisted by OIPEP to help stop an invasion of demons after they lost the ring of Solomon. It’s another fun (albeit violent) adventure where Alfred suffers great loss and learns some very big lessons about life.
August 21, 2020
Not as good as the first
Not as good as the first of the series but it was decent the ending was kind of lackluster and seem to wrap up way too quickly in the last moments of the book. I don’t think I’ll be reading the third book in the series.
Not as good as the first of the series but it was decent the ending was kind of lackluster and seem to wrap up way too quickly in the last moments of the book. I don’t think I’ll be reading the third book in the series.
May 15, 2021
So I nearly gave this book three stars when I started reading but halfway through I began to enjoy the story. The beginning was slow but you get to like the pacing though the characters to me were a bit one dimensional. Maybe its because I read the book two first. But I recommend it.
October 31, 2022
I put reading this book of for about 2 years after starting it. It's not that the book is too bad but the story started dragging a little but I finally finished it and I gotta say I am not Disappointed.
September 22, 2017
Not as good as the first, but still enjoyable.
December 5, 2019
Ντάξει. Ξεπέρασα την κρίση ηλικίας.
Back to normal.
Αν και παρεμπιπτόντως αυτό ήταν λίγο καλύτερο από το προηγούμενο. Λίγο.
Back to normal.
Αν και παρεμπιπτόντως αυτό ήταν λίγο καλύτερο από το προηγούμενο. Λίγο.
April 28, 2021
Absolutely loved this. Very action packed and James Bond feel. It's like a prequel to JB when he is a teenager. So excited for the last book.
September 17, 2021
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first Alfred Kropp adventure. The book got off to a great start, but the last third was plodding and tedious.
June 1, 2021
I love Alfred's growth.
October 21, 2019
I thought that this book is action packed and really shows how good the character development is. How the hoards of demons were described. Also the part with the “mother� and how they tried to get here as a hostage, but really they were babmozelsed by then demon instead. I recommend this book for its fast paced and fun action.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2015
One of the more interesting things about the Alfred Kropp series is that each book seems to come out of a different genre. This book’s predecessor belongs to the urban fantasy genre; its successor belongs to the espionage genre. And this book belongs to the horror genre. The horror genre is, to be certain, my least favorite genre, mostly because it does a number on my all-too-tenuous psyche. The Seal of Solomon is no different. Yet I enjoy this book nevertheless because Yancey is a tremendously skillful author. Once more, Yancey provides us with a thrilling foray into the supernatural with a protagonist who is as natural as possible.
Life has just gotten from bad to worse for Alfred Kropp. His abusive foster parents are bent on adopting him and squandering all his money. Bullies are on his case more than ever. But all of this becomes insignificant when he’s kidnapped by an old enemy who is bent on using the Seal of Solomon to control demons with practically unlimited power. As Alfred is about to find out, however, the only thing worse than demons under someone else’s control is demons under the control of no one at all. The apocalypse nears, and, once again, only he can stop it.
Once again, Yancey does a great job of showing Alfred’s character as a hapless loser growing slightly less hapless. He undergoes character growth in this novel, but it’s more or less out of desperation when there’s no other choice. Instead, he embraces the character that he already has. His ability to know exactly who he is and that his life isn’t likely to change is extremely helpful when dealing with demons who are masters in temptation. Yancey thoroughly dissects Alfred’s character in this novel and shows us exactly what makes him tick.
Also welcome is the really great new character known only as Operative Nine. Nine is a special agent of the spy agency OIPEP given unprecedented authority over practically everything. His thoroughly dry wit, uncompromising attitude, and knowledge of the demons makes him a good asset to this novel. His commitment to doing what must be done neatly contrasts Alfred’s determination to remain a good person in terrible circumstances. In the end, Yancey makes it clear that both perspectives are often necessary to defeat evil.
The Seal of Solomon is a great addition to Yancey’s least known but best series. It blends battles with external supernatural darkness seamlessly with fights against very mundane internal darkness. Even though this book has some truly horrifying scenes (you will NEVER look at a gnome the same way again), it more than makes up for it in the brilliance of its characterization and writing. Although filled with darkness from beginning to end, at each point in the novel, it is made clear that there is also hope.
Life has just gotten from bad to worse for Alfred Kropp. His abusive foster parents are bent on adopting him and squandering all his money. Bullies are on his case more than ever. But all of this becomes insignificant when he’s kidnapped by an old enemy who is bent on using the Seal of Solomon to control demons with practically unlimited power. As Alfred is about to find out, however, the only thing worse than demons under someone else’s control is demons under the control of no one at all. The apocalypse nears, and, once again, only he can stop it.
Once again, Yancey does a great job of showing Alfred’s character as a hapless loser growing slightly less hapless. He undergoes character growth in this novel, but it’s more or less out of desperation when there’s no other choice. Instead, he embraces the character that he already has. His ability to know exactly who he is and that his life isn’t likely to change is extremely helpful when dealing with demons who are masters in temptation. Yancey thoroughly dissects Alfred’s character in this novel and shows us exactly what makes him tick.
Also welcome is the really great new character known only as Operative Nine. Nine is a special agent of the spy agency OIPEP given unprecedented authority over practically everything. His thoroughly dry wit, uncompromising attitude, and knowledge of the demons makes him a good asset to this novel. His commitment to doing what must be done neatly contrasts Alfred’s determination to remain a good person in terrible circumstances. In the end, Yancey makes it clear that both perspectives are often necessary to defeat evil.
The Seal of Solomon is a great addition to Yancey’s least known but best series. It blends battles with external supernatural darkness seamlessly with fights against very mundane internal darkness. Even though this book has some truly horrifying scenes (you will NEVER look at a gnome the same way again), it more than makes up for it in the brilliance of its characterization and writing. Although filled with darkness from beginning to end, at each point in the novel, it is made clear that there is also hope.
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