United We Spy: A Review

 

 

 

I didn't want to start reading this book because I knew it was going to be the last new Gallagher Girl book. This is one of the best series I have ever read. Ally Carter is an amazing writer, weaving small little details perfectly to create an adventure for the characters and the readers.

 

The young, naïve girl we met in book one is all grown up. She's about to graduate, but high school is the least of her concerns. Instead, she's chasing The Circle instead of letting them chase her. The last mission proves to be the most important. Lives hang in the balance, and Cammie and her friends finally learn what it is truly means to be a Gallagher Girl.

 

Although this isn't my favorite book in the series, it's still a great book and a solid conclusion to a terrific series.

 

I recommend this book for fans of YA featuring strong females, adventure, and a whole lot of spying.

 

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Double Crossed: A Review

What's next, Ally Carter? In this short story, Macey, spy in training, is held hostage at a social event along with Hale, thief extraordinaire  Although they don't know each other, they soon rely on one another to get out alive and to steal the diamond before the thieves can. 

Although this is just a short story (thanks for giving it to us free), it is done with the traits fan come to expect from Carter: action, precise plot, and a little bit of fun. 

After finishing it, I couldn't help but wonder what's next? Fans know Gallagher Girls ends with book six, so is Carter hinting at what's to come? A Macey series? Gallagher Girls showing up in future Heist books? A totally new series? I can't wait to find out.

Fans of the either series will enjoy this short story, and fans of one series will want to check out the other after reading about Macey and Hale. 

Out of Sight, Out of Time: A Review

Ally Carter is my favorite YA author, and sometimes when you have a favorite author, you expect their books to be so amazing that the book is often a letdown.

That is NOT the case with the latest addition in the Gallagher Girls series.

Book five takes a darker twist than the earlier books as Cammie struggles to find out what happened to her the last four months, the time she spent on a mission to find out what the Circle wanted from her and what exactly happened to her father. The time she can no longer remember. The time that somehow changed her from a regular spy to one who can put together weapons she had not seen before and point a gun at someone without thinking twice. This book delves deeper into Cammie's character, and I enjoyed seeing a character I've liked for years grow up into a strong and resilient senior who is no longer a chameleon but a fighter.

The action in the book is more intense as secrets are revealed...secrets that go well beyond the characters in the book.

The romance is prevalent in this book. I don't want to give away too much, but it's there and readers will be happy with it.

This fifth installment will satisfy readers yet leave them wanting book six to come out tomorrow!

As I always say, there are two things I love about Carter's books. First, you can tell she takes her time writing and editing. Each little plot thread weaves together to make the overall book perfect. Second, the girls, while obviously fictional, are good examples of strong, intelligent girls. In my opinion as a librarian, today's YA needs more characters like them.

Top 10 of 2010

Here is a list of my favorite books of 2010. They are in no particular order, and they range from children's books to financial advice. I guess that shows how eclectic my reading tastes are. :)


Out of my Mind--Sharon Draper


After Ever After--Jordan Sonnenblick


Unlocked--Karen Kingsbury


Listen--Rene Gutteridge


Predator--Terri Blackstock


An Eye for an Eye--Irene Hannon (It's the first book I read by her, and she's quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.)


Umbrella Summer--Lisa Graff


Financial Peace--Dave Ramey (It changed my life.)


Her Mother's Hope--Francine Rivers


Only the Good Spy Young--Ally Carter (I LOVE the Gallagher Girl series, and Heist Society is a close second.)

Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Quick Summary: Cammie Morgan, now a junior, must tackle her biggest mission yet: discovering who is after her, what they want from her, and just who belongs to this secret group.

My thoughts: This is my favorite Gallagher Girl book so far. I like the “darker” turn to the book as Cammie delves into her family’s (particularly her father) secrets. I tried typing my thoughts several times, but I found I was giving away too many of the plot’s twists and turns.  Cammie grows as a character and as a spy through this book: she is more confident in herself and her abilities in than in previous books. She also tackles on more difficult tasks, which adds to the adventure of the book. The supporting cast is as strong as in other books, and the character of Zach and the mystery surrounding him is developed further in this fourth book.


Once again, I must praise Ally Carter for the thought she puts into her books. Events are well-planned, and while the twists are surprising, they are not unrealistic. I can’t wait to see what happens in Cammie’s senior year!

Don't Judge a Girl by her Cover by Ally Carter

Summary: The third book in the Gallagher Girls series finds Cammie Morgan involved in a presidential campaign when her schoolmate Macey's father is running for vice president. When Cammie and Macey escape a kidnapping attempt, Cammie and the rest of the Gallagher Girls must protect Macey from those wishing to attack her. Old secrets are revealed, and the Cammie realizes Macey was not the intended target of the kidnapping...she was.




My thoughts: I bought book four in this series, and I decided to reread book three before starting book four. I LOVE this series. The book's plot moves along swiftly with several twists, turns, and surprises. Ally Carter plans her novels out carefully, and the end product reflects that thought as characters are fully developed, the plot twists aren’t contrived or expected, and the events are realistic (as realistic as having teens perform spy missions can be). There's also a little bit of age-appropriate romance involved. (I can't wait to see what happens next with Zach!)



As I've said about every Ally Carter book, I respect how she treats the young adult character. The girls are strong and intelligent. I'm tired of books that show teen girls as superficial and concerned only with materials things. Although the Gallagher Girls are fictional, they are good role models for young girls who have big dreams—work hard and work together.

I recommend this series to all teens and preteens. I let my sister borrow the series, and she's hooked too. So, it's a great series for a mom and daughter to read together.

Some of my Favorite--Middle School

I love young adult literature. Posting my favorite may take a few posts!

1. Ally Carter:

Her books are about strong, independent teenage girls who have more going for them than just finding a boy to like. The Gallagher Girls series is about Cammie, who is a spy in training. The Heist series is about a girl who has been raised in a family full of art thieves. I recommend both series to middle school and high school girls. Ally's books also have the catchiest titles!

2. Jordan Sonnenblick

Jordan Sonnenblick is one of the best at capturing the thoughts and feelings of young adults. I can't tell you how many times I've had students say that he writes like they think. He tackles tough topics in a funny way, and I love his books.

3. Suzanne Collins: Hunger Game series

This series is cutting edge and full of suspense. It's a springboard for great talks about society. The third book comes out in August, and I can't wait to read it!

4. Brandilyn Collins: Christian fiction writer

Brandilyn Collins has teamed with her daughter to write a teen suspense series, which turned out to be a great series. I recommend it to the mystery lovers.

More to come....