Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her? Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rating: 5 of 5 stars
I first read this book when I was 13 or so, and I've read it at least 3 times since. I don't care what anyone says, it may be a little juvenile, it might not be the heart-pumping action you want from a spy book, and the plot may revolve around a normal boy that a spy girl has a crush on. But if you can get through this book without laughing or smiling, then you should really see a therapist and get your heartlytiessness checked out. I enjoy this book more and more every time I read it. Plus this is the only book in the series that isn't super exciting. The series definitely picks up with every book. If you're still skeptical, know that it takes a really short time to read and is perfect to get you out of a book slump.
This book was supposed to be formatted (is that the right word? I'll just go with it) to be a kind of mission report about what happened with her and Josh. So obviously it's in first person (my personal favorite) and it's meant to sound like a 15-going-on-16 year old girl is talking(or thinking, whatever). I've read many books meant to be told by that age and while some can pull it off, some fail miserably. I think Ally Carter did a very good job making the POV sound like a teenage girl. I think the casual writing style made this book all the more enjoyable and fun.
The plot revolved around Cammie's attempt to hide her secret, suburban boyfriend from her classmates(other than Bex, Liz, and Macy) as well as hide where she goes to school from said boyfriend. So, obviously not the most complicated or exciting plot but is still enjoyable and a fun read. Because it goes by so quickly and there are little subplots, by the end you don't feel like you wasted your time. If you're looking for a fun book- look no further. But if you're looking for an exciting/semi serios book- keep on stepping.
I once read an article(if you can call it that) called "How to know if you're living in a YA Novel" (I actually reposted it here, if you want to read it). Anyway, it had a few thing that described this book perfectly. "You or someone you know is named Cam, Cameron, or Cammie" and "Your world’s looking a little bit…whitewashed. And if you do know someone of color, they likely have skin that one might compare to a cafe au lait, mocha, or other beverage currently sold at Starbucks." Well how is Bex described? "Bex had spent six hours on a private jet, but her cappuccino-colored skin was glowing" Kind of irrelevant, but I had to point that out. Anyway... the teachers are probably my favorite part of this book. They each had a different quirky trait about them. Except for Cammie's mom and Solomon, who was basically James Bond (and he's described that way multiple times). My absolute favorite teacher would be Mr. Moskowitz, who was a genius when it came to math and codes, but totally inexperienced in fieldwork and the way he act was just hilarious(you'll get it when you read the book).
Finally the romance! Josh and Cammie- they were head over heels for each other even though most of what Josh knows about Cammie is what she made up over the first couple of times they met up. I loved how it was pointed out multiple times that although these genius Gallagher Girls know all these languages including French, Swahili, and Chinese they had yet to master the language of teenage boys (which I think is a struggle for some of us non-spy girls...Or is that just me? Awkward). The Romance was sweet, if a little Romeo and Juliet.
SUMMARY OF REVIEW(In case you don't actually feel like reading the review):
Writing: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5
characters: 5 out of 5
Romance: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
G
Series book: Yes
Will I read the Next: YesI first read this book when I was 13 or so, and I've read it at least 3 times since. I don't care what anyone says, it may be a little juvenile, it might not be the heart-pumping action you want from a spy book, and the plot may revolve around a normal boy that a spy girl has a crush on. But if you can get through this book without laughing or smiling, then you should really see a therapist and get your heartlytiessness checked out. I enjoy this book more and more every time I read it. Plus this is the only book in the series that isn't super exciting. The series definitely picks up with every book. If you're still skeptical, know that it takes a really short time to read and is perfect to get you out of a book slump.
This book was supposed to be formatted (is that the right word? I'll just go with it) to be a kind of mission report about what happened with her and Josh. So obviously it's in first person (my personal favorite) and it's meant to sound like a 15-going-on-16 year old girl is talking(or thinking, whatever). I've read many books meant to be told by that age and while some can pull it off, some fail miserably. I think Ally Carter did a very good job making the POV sound like a teenage girl. I think the casual writing style made this book all the more enjoyable and fun.
I once read an article(if you can call it that) called "How to know if you're living in a YA Novel" (I actually reposted it here, if you want to read it). Anyway, it had a few thing that described this book perfectly. "You or someone you know is named Cam, Cameron, or Cammie" and "Your world’s looking a little bit…whitewashed. And if you do know someone of color, they likely have skin that one might compare to a cafe au lait, mocha, or other beverage currently sold at Starbucks." Well how is Bex described? "Bex had spent six hours on a private jet, but her cappuccino-colored skin was glowing" Kind of irrelevant, but I had to point that out. Anyway... the teachers are probably my favorite part of this book. They each had a different quirky trait about them. Except for Cammie's mom and Solomon, who was basically James Bond (and he's described that way multiple times). My absolute favorite teacher would be Mr. Moskowitz, who was a genius when it came to math and codes, but totally inexperienced in fieldwork and the way he act was just hilarious(you'll get it when you read the book).
Finally the romance! Josh and Cammie- they were head over heels for each other even though most of what Josh knows about Cammie is what she made up over the first couple of times they met up. I loved how it was pointed out multiple times that although these genius Gallagher Girls know all these languages including French, Swahili, and Chinese they had yet to master the language of teenage boys (which I think is a struggle for some of us non-spy girls...Or is that just me? Awkward). The Romance was sweet, if a little Romeo and Juliet.
SUMMARY OF REVIEW(In case you don't actually feel like reading the review):
Writing: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5
characters: 5 out of 5
Romance: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
G
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