Blurb: The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan–an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.
Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.
Review: I picked up the Gallagher Girls series a few years back after hearing Ally Carter tell an audience she was inspired by ALIAS. That grabbed my attention, because we loved that show and it's why Girls Just Reading exists (the story of GJR). Her premise, "what if there was a school for spies?" While the series started out light and charming, it's gotten dark and twisty... and I love it.
I bring all this up because there is a very strong ALIAS theme to this book... Julia Thorne (WAIT! Don't freak out ALIAS fans. This is Julia Thorne done right. This is everything that storyline should have been...) Cammie left to find answers and to keep her friends and family safe. Unfortunately something or someone found her, because when she wakes up, it's October and she's can't remember the summer at all.
While everyone is glad Cammie is back safe and sound, they know they need answers. What if she's a walking time bomb? They want Cammie to take it easy though, some things are better not being remembered... but can a trained spy live with that? Of course not. Plus they need whatever is locked in Cammie's mind not only to solve her summer mystery but to unravel the larger mystery of the Circle of the Caravan.
What I love about this book is how much Cammie grows. Cammie the Chameleon is no longer invisible; she's the center of the investigation. She has to learn that even though they live lives of danger, sometimes the best way to protect your friends and family is to let them help you. I love that the girls aren't just over the moon about her being back (although some are still downright furious at her for leaving), they're cautious. Cammie is damaged, how badly is yet to be determined, but they love her and they take care of her... and keep an eye out for her. And then there's Zach. He loves her too... or does he?
The last book of the series, United We Spy (perfect title!) is out September 17, 2013 and I can't wait. (Obviously, because I've added a count down timer to the side of the blog!) I will be sad to see Gallagher Girls end, but there is still Heist Society (also awesome and movie optioned(!)) and Ally Carter has a new series project on the horizon. What started out as a cute sometimes-read is now must-read. I love the way this series has grown with the characters and it's audience. Ally Carter is one of those authors to whom I just keep coming back.
Until we meet again, Gallagher Girls...
Final Take: 5/5
Google+
I bring all this up because there is a very strong ALIAS theme to this book... Julia Thorne (WAIT! Don't freak out ALIAS fans. This is Julia Thorne done right. This is everything that storyline should have been...) Cammie left to find answers and to keep her friends and family safe. Unfortunately something or someone found her, because when she wakes up, it's October and she's can't remember the summer at all.
While everyone is glad Cammie is back safe and sound, they know they need answers. What if she's a walking time bomb? They want Cammie to take it easy though, some things are better not being remembered... but can a trained spy live with that? Of course not. Plus they need whatever is locked in Cammie's mind not only to solve her summer mystery but to unravel the larger mystery of the Circle of the Caravan.
What I love about this book is how much Cammie grows. Cammie the Chameleon is no longer invisible; she's the center of the investigation. She has to learn that even though they live lives of danger, sometimes the best way to protect your friends and family is to let them help you. I love that the girls aren't just over the moon about her being back (although some are still downright furious at her for leaving), they're cautious. Cammie is damaged, how badly is yet to be determined, but they love her and they take care of her... and keep an eye out for her. And then there's Zach. He loves her too... or does he?
The last book of the series, United We Spy (perfect title!) is out September 17, 2013 and I can't wait. (Obviously, because I've added a count down timer to the side of the blog!) I will be sad to see Gallagher Girls end, but there is still Heist Society (also awesome and movie optioned(!)) and Ally Carter has a new series project on the horizon. What started out as a cute sometimes-read is now must-read. I love the way this series has grown with the characters and it's audience. Ally Carter is one of those authors to whom I just keep coming back.
Until we meet again, Gallagher Girls...
Final Take: 5/5
Google+
No comments:
Post a Comment