See How They Run by Ally Carter

Title: See How They Run
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: December 22nd 2015
Source: Review copy from publisher (Thank you Scholastic & Scholastic Audio)

Summary from Goodreads:

Inside every secret, there's a world of trouble. Get ready for the second book in this new series of global proportions--from master of intrigue, New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

Grace's past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn't stop it, Grace isn't the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.

The twists get twistier and the turns get even more shocking in the second thrilling installment of Embassy Row.

Review

See How They Run starts off in the same scene that ended book one. (Side note: I reread book one right before picking up See How They Run, I definitely recommend it!) Grace continues to be an unreliable narrator. At times her instability grates on me. While it drives me crazy at times it’s done with purpose, the elements of her life have and continue to make her slightly unstable and the authors does not shy away from that.

I listened to the audio book version of both books are really enjoyed them.. The voices were well done and brought the characters to life.  I also think it highlighted the nervousness, fear and other emotions that Grace was feeling.  As mentioned in the blurb, the stakes get higher and the twists get crazier.

See How They Run does not suffer from second book syndrome, if anything I enjoyed book two even more than book one.  The events were crazier, riskier, and more surprising, granted all events should be taken with a grain of salt.  The events are not the most believable but they are definitely fun and entertaining.    Even though Grace is not my favorite character she suits the story and the mystery; I also liked that she was not a traditional character and does not follow all the same predictable tropes. I look forward to continuing this fun series!

Stacking The Shelves (164) - March 5th

Stacking the Shelves - hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews - features books that you bought, borrowed, rented from the library, received for review, etc.

Upcoming Reads

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Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks) by Miranda Kenneally
See How They Run (Embassy Row #2) by Ally Carter

What books are stacking your shelves??

All Fall Down by Ally Carter

Title: All Fall Down
Author: Ally Carter
Series: Embassy Row #1
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: January 20, 2015

Summary from Goodreads:

This exciting new series from NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter focuses on Grace, who can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world, and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row.

Now, at age sixteen, she's come back to stay--in order to solve the mystery of her mother's death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved.

Review

All Fall Down was way more traumatic than I was ready for. Grace is still suffering from having witnessed her mother's murder years ago and absolutely loses it when she returns to Embassy Row and comes face to face with her mother's murderer, who is seemingly planning to kill again. She is frequently overwhelmed by memories of that night and is a little unstable. Add to that the fact that is that no one believes her - the evidence doesn't support that her mother was murdered and Grace has wrongfully accused other scarred men in the past. This casts doubt on Grace, making her a little bit of an unreliable narrator. Since I was expecting more of a light and fun mystery/spy story, the whole  psychological thriller feel caught me a little off guard. And I felt like Grace spent a lot of time having  breakdowns (not to say that it wasn't warranted).

I liked the idea behind this story, I am just not sure I am 100% convinced by the execution. The setting was interesting - a city of Embassies which a tenuous peace between them - but a little underdeveloped. I did like the  secondary characters. Noah is the 'funny guy' of the novel and provided a steady stream of comic relief. Meanwhile, Megan is this girly-girl computer genius and Rosie reminded me of a kid ninja. I think this gang - with all of their differences and quirks - has a lot of promise. But then there was the ending. I am not sure that I liked the twist because it is just too difficult to bear. If I were Gracie I would lose it even more now. And I don't understand what the reveal was all about at the end. *Shrugs* But I guess that otherwise, I liked the surprises.

So you see, there were things I liked and things that I think could have been done better, which is leading to my just average 'I liked it' rating. Also, my expectations might have been a little high for this one after seeing all of the raving reviews but without having previously read anything by Ally Carter. But I am interested in continuing this series and maybe trying some of Ally Carter's other work.

I'm Waiting On United We Spy (Gallagher Girls #6) by Ally Carter

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine to shine a spotlight on upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

This week I chose...

Title: United We Spy
Series: Gallagher Girls #6
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: September 17, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

Cammie Morgan has lost her father and her memory, but in the heart-pounding conclusion to the best-selling Gallagher Girls series, she finds her greatest mission yet. Cammie and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle’s elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie—and her country—forever.

I can't wait to see how this series ends and what happens to Zach and Cammie!

What are you waiting on?

SERIES REVIEW #79: Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

Overall, I really enjoyed this series; I went on an audio book binge. I highly recommend the series if you are looking for something very FUN and LIGHT HEARTED.  It reminded me a lot of a TV show, each book for the most part is stand alone with some underlying plot lines and character development through the whole series. It was an awesome blend of spies, friendship, teenage drama, and prep schools. Cammie has a fantastic set of friends that each play an important role in her life and as a spy.

The first three books were less intense than the last two.  I would give the first 3 books three stars and books 4 and 5, four stars.   The 3 stars are not to say I found anything wrong with the book, it was fun but nothing was  that magical, it is not a book I would say you need to read right this minute.  I would definitely recommend this as a beach read.

I'd tell you I Love you But Then I'd have to Kill you-Book 1 is about Cammie’s first boyfriend and the problems that ensue when dating a non-spy.

Cross my Heart Hope to Spy-Book 2 is when we are introduced to Zach, a boy from the male equivalent to the Gallagher Academy. Zach and Cammie have some chemistry :) The boys from Black Thorn are guests at the Gallagher Academy for the semester.

Don't Judge a Girl by her Cover-Book 3 Cammie is with Macey over the summer and they almost get kidnapped by a secret organization seeking revenge on the Gallagher family. (This was probably my least favorite out of the series).

Only the Good Spy Young -Book 4 The storyline really picks up. There is more development and backstory about Zach. I really love the dynamic between Zach and Cammie but want more!  We also learn more about Cammie's father and the secret organization. The story ends with Cammie taking off on a mission of her own to find answers

Out of Sight, Out of Mind - Book 5 is by far the most intense book in the series.   Cammie is found months later with no recollection of what happened in the past months.  The spy aspects of her life really take a toll on her in this book.  Her disappearance effects her relationships with her friends and Zach.

Since I could easily see this series as a TV show, I decided to create a dream cast for The Gallagher Girls. I just couldn't decide on Zach.