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nicolelovesbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
A captivating middle grade thriller, this book kept me on my toes with all of its action, mystery, betrayal, secrets, and suspense. It’s very popular in my library, especially with kids who enjoy spy books. It had some interesting sci-fi elements as well. Loved the friendship between Katrina and Parker and all the family dynamics, too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
katja24's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Decently paced for a middle grade. The ending was very weird. Would a good recommendation for early teens/middle schoolers who like spy movies.
thepurplepixel's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
iffer's review
3.0
This was entertaining, but it seemed short and/or rushed, though perhaps because I didn't realize that it was a middle-grade book until after I started it, so I had different expectations. I think this would make for a cool animated TV series.
kelsjoy's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
librariann's review
4.0
Ages 9+, 3.5 stars
Are you looking for a plot-driven twisty thriller that will appeal to fans of Margaret Peterson Haddix? Are you willing to suspend your disbelief on MULTIPLE OCCASIONS?
I am on a quest to read more modern middle-grade, and this fit the bill for an on-demand booktalk. "Katrina" has been on the run with her family in the Witness Protection Program. Savvy older or adult readers will probably pick up that there's something fishy going on relatively quickly. After her mother is taken (by the Feds...or someone else?), Katrina ends up on the run to a safe house with her new neighbor, Parker, a foster kid who just happens to be a super-powered hacker. But as she begins to learn more about her family and her "handler"...who can she trust?
Like I said, suspension of disbelief all up in this one. But the scenes were cinematic and after what seemed like a standard start, the book was packed with action. Cow trailer stowaways! Trains! Boats! Jet Skis! Helicopters!
The sci-fi element was there, but like with Haddix's books, the later half of the book takes its cues from the action plot, and I wouldn't necessarily tag this for those actively seeking out sci-fi. Will definitely hand to any kid who says they are looking for an "exciting" book.
Are you looking for a plot-driven twisty thriller that will appeal to fans of Margaret Peterson Haddix? Are you willing to suspend your disbelief on MULTIPLE OCCASIONS?
I am on a quest to read more modern middle-grade, and this fit the bill for an on-demand booktalk. "Katrina" has been on the run with her family in the Witness Protection Program. Savvy older or adult readers will probably pick up that there's something fishy going on relatively quickly. After her mother is taken (by the Feds...or someone else?), Katrina ends up on the run to a safe house with her new neighbor, Parker, a foster kid who just happens to be a super-powered hacker. But as she begins to learn more about her family and her "handler"...who can she trust?
Like I said, suspension of disbelief all up in this one. But the scenes were cinematic and after what seemed like a standard start, the book was packed with action. Cow trailer stowaways! Trains! Boats! Jet Skis! Helicopters!
The sci-fi element was there, but like with Haddix's books, the later half of the book takes its cues from the action plot, and I wouldn't necessarily tag this for those actively seeking out sci-fi. Will definitely hand to any kid who says they are looking for an "exciting" book.
heisereads's review
4.0
I'm a sucker for spy/heist type suspense, figure-it-out stories, & this one would be a Perfect Pairing™️ with Greetings From Witness Protection (Burt) & Crossing the Line (Rogers).
wendahh324's review
4.0
This was fun! We read it as a read aloud book in the 5th grade class I assisted in. The kids predicted the genre change early on and loved the twist.
yapha's review
4.0
There are a lot of twists in this book, and I really don't want to spoil them, so apologies if this is necessarily vague. Kat has no memories earlier than three years ago, when her family went into hiding. They are living off the grid, moving from place to place, changing their names each time. Kat is frustrated with a lack of knowledge and presses them for answers. When her father leaves for a couple of days, her mother is captured. Kat narrowly avoids capture herself, and with the help of her new friend Parker sets out for the safe house she was told to go to in case of trouble. But nothing is what it seems and Kat and Parker become more and more embroiled in the twists and turns of what is safe and who to trust. Fast moving and hard to put down! Recommended for grades 5 & up.
eARC provided by Edelweiss
eARC provided by Edelweiss