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 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 (94) Used (70) Collectible (3) from $2.82
Avg. Customer Rating:  77 reviews
Sales Rank: 2346
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
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| Customer Reviews:
 Thankfully, it is a fast read November 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
After completing the current books in Patterson's Maximum Ride series, I was told that I should read the latest "teen" novel by James Patterson (and Michael Ledwidge), The Dangerous Days of Daniel X. Like Maximum Ride, Daniel X will be a series of at least three books. But Patterson and Ledwidge will have to release the next two without me.
Daniel X is a fifteen year old orphan with some supernatural powers. These powers; shape shifting, telekinesis, and the ability to create animate objects out of nothing, are needed as he is an Alien Hunter on Planet Earth. For eons, Earth has been inhabited by aliens, and a good portion of them are evil. Daniel, orphaned when his parents were killed by an alien called The Prayer, uses a "hit list" (called The List) left to him by his parents, to track down and kill the bad aliens. Naturally, as such lists are numbered, the closer you get to #1, the aliens get more difficult to dispatch.Skipping ahead on The List, Daniel determines he is ready for #6. But that particular alien is well aware of his approach and his weaknesses. And he is waiting for Daniel.
I realize that this book is targeted to the 7-17 reader, but I had a very difficult time relating to or caring about Daniel. I think that it was mostly due to knowing that somewhere along the line, Patterson will get heavy-handed on some ecological topic. While that did not appear in this novel, you know that it is coming. He is addressing global warming in Maximum Ride, and I *think* that they will be addressing global population in this series, based on some throw away comments late in this book (they did address child labor in this novel). But my other issues with this book are probably very silly; where does Daniel get the money to live and eat? Why isn't he taking some time to improve his powers with the lower numbered aliens, while moving up The List? A weapon that kills his parents seems to only give him a "flesh wound" *? For the most part, I think that this book may hold the interest of most 7-17 year olds. But it certainly holds no interest to me
* - my thow away "Monty Python" reference :-)
 A book for all ages! November 5, 2008
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but James Patterson was one of the writers, so I had to read it! Here is a good synopsis about the book on the inside cover:
"Daniel's secret abilities --- like being able to manipulate objects and animals with his mind or to re-create himself in any shape he choses -- have helped him survive. But Daniel doesn't have a normal life. He is the protector of Earth, the Alien Hunter, with a mission beyond anyone's imagining."
David has "the list" of the worst aliens, which includes the assassins that killed his parents. As a young kid, he doesn't understand his abilities, but as he gets older he realizes the importance of his skills and how important he is to keeping Earth safe. He believes he is alone in his battle, but finds out that you can go home and find yourself again.
My first thoughts about this book was that this was another 'kill the alien" book, but it's much more than that. The alien hunter part of the story is only a small part of the book. We see a boy grow and learn about himself and what part in the world he is meant to be a part of. The history of his family and where they came from (another planet) is a moving part of the book that facinated me. The speech of Spock and Kirk from Star Trek comes to mind when reading this book for me: "The needs of the many - outweigh the needs of the few or the one!"
I would recommend reading this book and the sequel that will be coming out soon! Patterson has been careful of the language and content of the book to allow anyone from 10 to 100 to read the book!
 Ho-hum October 27, 2008
Entertainment for all ages, which is how this book was advertised, does not mean boring. The Harry Potter books are a good example of a storyline that all ages may enjoy.
In the first few pages, I thought this might be similar to the Odd Thomas books by Dean Koontz, but this was not to be the case. With chapters being 1.5 to 4 pages long and larger than typical print size, I am glad I didn't pay $20 for this.
Ben 10 Ripoff October 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If I did not have children, I would not have known the TV episodes of Ben 10 (cartoon)existed. This book provides the same materials and suitable for children only. Adults stay away. However the secret is told on how to beat all the villians.
The Dangerous Days of Dumb Books October 17, 2008
Let me start out by saying that I have very low standards when it comes to liking books. I can read almost anything and enjoy it. But not this book.
The dangerous Days of Daniel X was like a really bad fan fiction. It was beyond unbelievable, and it felt like James Patterson was just making the story up as he went along. With all the plot holes in this story it felt like I was trying to read swiss cheese. It was all I could do to finish reading it.
To say that I do not recommend this book is an understatement.
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