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| The Dangerous Days of Daniel X | 
 enlarge | Author: James Patterson
Creator: Michael Ledwidge
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Category: Book
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $2.90
You Save: $17.09 (85%)
New (92) Used (78) Collectible (3) from $2.80
Avg. Customer Rating:  79 reviews
Sales Rank: 3425
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.6
ISBN: 0316002925
EAN: 9780316002929
ASIN: 0316002925
Publication Date: July 21, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW - - EXCEPTIONAL VALUE - EXCELLENT BUY!
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| Customer Reviews:
 X-tremely hard to finish July 27, 2008
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I had high hopes for this book because the premise seemed interesting. However, it's pretty obvious very early, like within the first chapter, that this first-person story of Daniel's X's life told from the point of view of 15 year old was going to be a let down. Add in aliens that are hard to believe, almost cartoonish, and you have a story that is going to be more palpable for a young adult reader - likely under the age of 13. I think even teenagers older than 13 are too savvy for this story.
I had to force myself to continue the story to the end. I enjoyed Daniel's powers and the premise, hence two stars, but the story was so poorly written that I had to force myself to finish the book.
This is definitely something you borrow from the library. You'll be upset if you spend your money on this book, which is unfortunate.
 "Dangerous Days" Like Old Times August 7, 2008
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I should start off this review with a couple of notes.
First, I'm not familiar with James Patterson's past works, though I have probably seen movies inspired by his books. So unlike many of the prior reviews I've seen, I didn't bring any expectations based on past experience into the reading of this book. Also worth noting is that I am a kid at heart, although I tend to read (and write) darker, more adult-oriented fair more often than not. But when this book came to my attention the day of its release, I felt strongly compelled to read it, and so I downloaded it to my Kindle and began reading it soon after. And yes, I am happy I did.
Daniel X is the story of a 15-year-old boy who is an alien hunter, the orphan of parents who themselves were alien hunters, but who were murdered when he was three by the number one target on the List of aliens, who goes by the name "The Prayer." While Daniel's ultimate goal is to find The Prayer and make him pay for murdering his family, in this book Daniel is searching out alien number 6, a particularly nasty child stealing, drug dealing, bad movie producing being named Ergent Seth. Daniel, who has the power to literally create out of thin air and frequently conjures up his dead family or his quartet of teenage friends, usually for either emotional support of for help in a tight spot, goes after Seth, the most powerful foe he's yet to face. At first Daniel seems to have everything under control, but as the best laid plans are wont to do, things quickly go awry, and the hunter suddenly becomes the prey.
"The Dangerous Days of Daniel X" is a fun and quick read, and the writing is clearly targeted for the young adult market, and I'd say even younger. Although 15 years old, Daniel often sounds and thinks more like an 8-year-old, so the book is a pretty safe read for most ages. In some ways it may even appeal to the younger kids more, given that today's young adult books usually cover more mature subjects and the issues of love and angst that are part of today's teen life. And therein lies both the strength and the weakness, such as it is, of this book. When reading the book, I can't help but feel that the book is almost too simplistic, that it was like a white wall scrubbed so hard to make it squeaky clean that the paint came a hair's breadth away from being peeled right off. While I personally enjoyed the book, which reminded me of some of my favorite childhood books like "The Forgotten Door" by Alexander Key and "Have Spacesuit, Will Travel" by Robert A. Heinlein, books that each beautifully capture the sense of childhood wonder that I remember so fondly, I just didn't buy that this teenage boy, who's presumably been on his own since the age of three and therefore grew up really fast, remains as sweet and innocent as Opie Taylor and Richie Cunningham with wings and a halo thrown in for good measure. Patterson may have been better served to make Daniel younger, perhaps ten or so, just to more convincingly fit into the childlike mentality which he's bestowed upon this boy. While I think the book should be judged on its own merits, and not compared to past works by Mr. Patterson, I can see why the book is disappointing to some. It has neither the maturity nor the complexity of the king of Y/A fiction, Harry Potter, and yet it seems to aim for an audience more mature than the writing itself speaks to.
Having said all of that, I enjoyed the book, and will probably read the sequels that are previewed at the end of the book. It'll be interesting to see where Mr. Patterson takes this series, because it has the potential of getting better with subsequent books, if the author decides to age Daniel so that he better fits into a teenager's shoes. If you have young kids, or prefer to read clean, wholesome kid fiction, this is the book for you. If you are looking for more, then I'm afraid you may find this book a let down.
Let's hope that like a fine wine, Daniel X gets better with age.
- Gregory Bernard Banks, author, reader, reviewer
 NOT an adult read August 12, 2008
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I have been a great James Patterson fan especially of the Alex Cross series and love books that have a supernatural theme. Thus, I was totally dismayed when I purchased this book thinking it was for adults when actually it reads like it was written by an elementary child and is geared towards someone in grade school (except for the gruesome violence). This book is being marketed for an adult audience when it should be labeled ages 10-13. DON'T waste your money unless you want an unbelievable, mindless story. VERY disappointing. Patterson, get back to what you do best.
Reviews by Nan Kilar - No up to Mr. P's Standards July 25, 2008
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Daniel X is a unique kid-he has telepathy and transformation abilities; he's never gone to school, but is a walking encyclopedia. He's an Alien Hunter. When he was three years old, his parents were murdered by The Prayer because they wouldn't turn over The List to him/it. Ten years later, Daniel found the list on a very advanced laptop buried in a creek at his folks' place. Now at age 15, his quest to defeat all the outlaw aliens on Earth continues. This particular story has him after #19 and #6.
Yep, this is the beginning of another sci-fi series by Mr. P. and geared for the younger crowd. But it's a quick read.
It could've been better- July 27, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X was defintely one of my least favorite Patterson books- It was a struggle to get started and a rush to get done. I don't know that I'll buy the sequels.
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