The main character makes a LOT of poor choices, and this adds a sense of realism as well as the reassurance that even 'heroes' make mistakes. In response to the review claiming that the main character is not a suitable 'hero', maybe that's because these books try to be somewhat realistic? Not every kid wants to read about some goody goody who gets everything right all of the time. Some adult reviewers of this are incredibly pathetic. They are all well rounded human beings studying at university. Did they grow up to be psychotic maniacs? NO. I know friends who started to read these books aged 9/10. It would be such a shame to disregard these books because of helicopter parenting.

That is entirely down to who they choose to be around as well as their parents being good role models. Parents need to understand that simply reading a series of books isn't going to make a child violent, a sex addict or craving heroine.

In these books there is always an authority figure punishing them when they go wrong and teaching them lessons. Not to mention that they probably have watched porn by the time they reach 12. But you're being extremely naive if you think that your child doesn't already talk about these topics when they aren't around you. There are swear words, there is violence, and there is talk about sex. I can still remember what happens in each one because they were so packed with excitement. I'm not exaggerating- I often finished each book in about a week at the age of 11 or 12. I'd always been into reading as a child, but I was never addicted to a series of books like these, nor have I since been.

Cherub the recruit