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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
*Actual rating 3.5 stars*
With her mom, Avery has bounced from state to state and home to home for most of her childhood and youth. The weekend of Avery’s prom, her mom announces they are on the move again. But rather than stay home to pack for the impending move, Avery decides it is time to do a regular teenage thing: she goes to prom. That is the last normal thing she does as new student Jack reveals he is more than a student and the dashing Stellan sweeps Avery off to France. What follows is masked balls, treasure hunts, kidnapping, chases through Europe, and lots & lots of intrigue.
This was another book that grabbed my interest because of the exquisite cover but made me pick it up because of the enticing blurb. I am very glad I went into reading this knowing there was at least one sequel in the works. However, it did not slow me down as I whipped through the pages running frantically with Avery and trying to figure out the clues along her side. As I was laid up with my second horrid cold of the season, I was only too happy to snuggle in with a cup of tea and this wonderful story, losing myself in Avery’s world. This is the perfect read for fans of Ally Carter’s Heist Society and, as I always eagerly anticipate the next installment in Carter’s series, I now eagerly await the continuation of Avery’s adventures.
With her mom, Avery has bounced from state to state and home to home for most of her childhood and youth. The weekend of Avery’s prom, her mom announces they are on the move again. But rather than stay home to pack for the impending move, Avery decides it is time to do a regular teenage thing: she goes to prom. That is the last normal thing she does as new student Jack reveals he is more than a student and the dashing Stellan sweeps Avery off to France. What follows is masked balls, treasure hunts, kidnapping, chases through Europe, and lots & lots of intrigue.
This was another book that grabbed my interest because of the exquisite cover but made me pick it up because of the enticing blurb. I am very glad I went into reading this knowing there was at least one sequel in the works. However, it did not slow me down as I whipped through the pages running frantically with Avery and trying to figure out the clues along her side. As I was laid up with my second horrid cold of the season, I was only too happy to snuggle in with a cup of tea and this wonderful story, losing myself in Avery’s world. This is the perfect read for fans of Ally Carter’s Heist Society and, as I always eagerly anticipate the next installment in Carter’s series, I now eagerly await the continuation of Avery’s adventures.
This is an amazing book but I think what I loved the most about it is the transitions from scene to scene and how real she made it. Maggie Hall incorporates whats going on while the protagonist is thinking/ talking. For instance, at the prom scene, she would often go back to the prom celebration and awards. We weren't only hearing Avery's point of view or the conversation she was hearing but everything that was happening around her. I feel that because of these small details the story becomes so much realistic. When I'm thinking in the mall there's still the bustling of the crowd and the music on the speakers and to take it out makes everything less pragmatic and more of an imitation of reality. Maybe it's just me but I really loved and appreciated this and that's what changed this review from what would have been a 4-star to a 5-star.
This was a fun and entertaining read! Full of action and a little bit of innocent love and some conspiracy theories. I enjoyed it!
So I'll admit in advance that I might not have gotten the full feel of this book because I started reading it and got distracted then took weeks to get back to it. I didn't read it in one sitting like I read most books and I might have lost something of the story because of that. Admittedly my memory sucks so it's possible that the details of the first few chapters weren't as fresh for me when I came back. I think it's only fair to say this before I really go into the reasons why I gave a three stars to what was a good book.
The best way I can think to describe this story is The Da Vinci code, minus the religious undertones with a teen heroine as opposed to adult one, mixed with like well I guess maybe The Godfather. While it's not about the mafia at all, if you're terminated from working for the Circle you won't be able of searching for another job, or breathing. Loyalty without question despite personal morals or codes is also a big part of the families that make up the circle and the fact that they are families also gives it that mafia/godfather feel mixed with that constantly on the run for your life while searching out ancient clues to a hidden secret feel that makes me think of the Da Vinci Code.
The book is decent, and I liked the main character of Avery, but I disliked her as the only narrator. Avery has no clue about the families or the mandate or anything to do with the worlds of the Circle and The Order and because this is a first person narrative, the reader is fairly clueless through a lot of the book too. She can't tell us what she herself doesn't know, that's the downside of a first person narrative. In this instance I think having a second narrator who knew what was going on while also having Avery would have been seriously beneficial to this book.
The story is seriously fast paced, as in after the first few chapters basically all you have is nonstop action scenes complete with guns, knives and climbing down the sides of buildings to escape bad guys. While I liked the action scenes however, I think the story would have been better with a little bit slower pacing that offered the reader a chance to really understand the mandate and the families and exactly what we've fallen into when we've joined Avery on her adventure. Things move so quickly at times it has an almost whiplash feel to it in my personal opinion.
I want to understand more of this world, it's history and the people in it. Avery's just entering it and never getting the chance to breath after she does so that she can really figure things out, never give the reader the chance to completely do that. You get a decent feel for Jack and a little of Stellan but most characters are kind of a blur because of the lack of a chance to breathe.
That said, I did enjoy the book and plan to read more from Maggie Hall. With the ending she presents it's pretty much impossible not to want to know what happens next. I truly hope the future titles within this series explore more of the secrets and history of the circle as well as the interactions between the character. Don't get me wrong, I loved the action and the bits of history littered throughout the story, but it was like I was starving and only being offered crumbs if that makes any sense.
It's a good book with a great premise and I would recommend it, don't get me wrong, I just want to know more than what's been provided so far. Maybe that was intentional since this is clearly the first book in a series, but I'm not a patient person, I want to know this stuff now.
(On a side note that's not really related to the writing, because this is very much an action oriented tale, the girl in the dress on the cover might actually deter a lot of male readers who I think would really love this book. While she got my attention, mostly because of the symbols and cities behind her, she's the reason my boys didn't even want to read the description and assumed automatically this was a "girl's book" (because despite what I keep telling otherwise they continue to believe that books are for girls or for boys no matter how many times I prove to them that that supposed girl's book is awesome and they'll enjoy it because books aren't written for just one gender to enjoy) I also feel in terms of reading taste this book would appeal more to my sons than my daughter because it's nonstop action and danger. )
The best way I can think to describe this story is The Da Vinci code, minus the religious undertones with a teen heroine as opposed to adult one, mixed with like well I guess maybe The Godfather. While it's not about the mafia at all, if you're terminated from working for the Circle you won't be able of searching for another job, or breathing. Loyalty without question despite personal morals or codes is also a big part of the families that make up the circle and the fact that they are families also gives it that mafia/godfather feel mixed with that constantly on the run for your life while searching out ancient clues to a hidden secret feel that makes me think of the Da Vinci Code.
The book is decent, and I liked the main character of Avery, but I disliked her as the only narrator. Avery has no clue about the families or the mandate or anything to do with the worlds of the Circle and The Order and because this is a first person narrative, the reader is fairly clueless through a lot of the book too. She can't tell us what she herself doesn't know, that's the downside of a first person narrative. In this instance I think having a second narrator who knew what was going on while also having Avery would have been seriously beneficial to this book.
The story is seriously fast paced, as in after the first few chapters basically all you have is nonstop action scenes complete with guns, knives and climbing down the sides of buildings to escape bad guys. While I liked the action scenes however, I think the story would have been better with a little bit slower pacing that offered the reader a chance to really understand the mandate and the families and exactly what we've fallen into when we've joined Avery on her adventure. Things move so quickly at times it has an almost whiplash feel to it in my personal opinion.
I want to understand more of this world, it's history and the people in it. Avery's just entering it and never getting the chance to breath after she does so that she can really figure things out, never give the reader the chance to completely do that. You get a decent feel for Jack and a little of Stellan but most characters are kind of a blur because of the lack of a chance to breathe.
That said, I did enjoy the book and plan to read more from Maggie Hall. With the ending she presents it's pretty much impossible not to want to know what happens next. I truly hope the future titles within this series explore more of the secrets and history of the circle as well as the interactions between the character. Don't get me wrong, I loved the action and the bits of history littered throughout the story, but it was like I was starving and only being offered crumbs if that makes any sense.
It's a good book with a great premise and I would recommend it, don't get me wrong, I just want to know more than what's been provided so far. Maybe that was intentional since this is clearly the first book in a series, but I'm not a patient person, I want to know this stuff now.
(On a side note that's not really related to the writing, because this is very much an action oriented tale, the girl in the dress on the cover might actually deter a lot of male readers who I think would really love this book. While she got my attention, mostly because of the symbols and cities behind her, she's the reason my boys didn't even want to read the description and assumed automatically this was a "girl's book" (because despite what I keep telling otherwise they continue to believe that books are for girls or for boys no matter how many times I prove to them that that supposed girl's book is awesome and they'll enjoy it because books aren't written for just one gender to enjoy) I also feel in terms of reading taste this book would appeal more to my sons than my daughter because it's nonstop action and danger. )
3.5 stars.
Avery was such a whiny and annoying main character. I didn't like any of the characters tbh. Plus, I felt really detached from what was going on. The plot itself was really interesting and cool. The ending was phenomenal. It was a really decent book, and aside from my problems getting into the story, yes I do recommend to anyone who loves con/spy/thief type books.
Full review to come.
Avery was such a whiny and annoying main character. I didn't like any of the characters tbh. Plus, I felt really detached from what was going on. The plot itself was really interesting and cool. The ending was phenomenal. It was a really decent book, and aside from my problems getting into the story, yes I do recommend to anyone who loves con/spy/thief type books.
Full review to come.
2.25/5
Stellan rested his chin in his hand and watched me, like he understood things I wasn’t saying.
How did he know that? How did he know exactly the way to describe the gnawing hollow in my chest?
This was a surprise!! I thought it would be pretty typical and predictable, with a fairly boring plot but it was a lot better than expected. Perhaps it was my low expectations, or maybe not. I'm not sure, though I liked this book, I loved Stellan. Kinda feel unsure for not going 4 stars (because it easily could have gone 4 stars for me) but I've got some (serious) issues.
1. The writing was really mediocre. The first few chapters were extremely bland. I don't know if it was just me but the characters were flat. I find this hard to reconcile with the writing though, because Stellan just stood out even before we knew his name so idk why I couldn't really like any of the other characters, but the only saving grace is that at least Avery herself wasn't that bad, even if she was a very cliche and sort of annoying protagonist :/
2. The fact that this book isn't sci-fantasy or any other kind of fantasy, made it even more annoying that despite such serious injuries, hours after the characters were left bleeding heavily, cuts, bruises, glass shards embedded in their body, literally stabbed too, they are off doing parkour in Istanbul ??? Avery's injury was mentioned like once after the incident, when she ripped open a wound, but it was not really mentioned that she was in pain from injuries she sustained barely even 24 hours ago, and now she's jumping off buildings in Istanbul?? Idk this was just very unrealistic. Even in contemporary fiction I don't expect absolute reality, but this was just lazy and inconsistent writing, because her injuries would have hindered her ability to parkour and that would be inconvenient to the plot lmao.
3. There was this one scene where there was a comment about Istanbul being "progressive" [for an Islamic country/city] lmao that was such a Western/White thing to say.
Western culture isn't a standard for social reform; other cultures aren't backwards for not fitting into the Western idea of progressiveness. That was really an offensive thing to read, period.
4. Despite having an interesting plot (the whole Circle and Order thing. And Alexander the Great's legacy was a welcome touch to the history, I'm always in for ancient stuff) it was severely underdeveloped. So much of what happened, Avery impulsively going off with someone she barely knew to an entirely different country, trusting a boy she's known for a few weeks, to meet a family she's never heard of.. this was all convenient to the plot. It wasn't properly explained or justified and idk, for lack of a better word, it was plain stupid, and very confusing.
Also, the Circle's involvement in wars was a bit too much for me to digest. It was never really said why they started WWI and WWII but it seemed very insensitive to throw in wars like that, where millions were persecuted and murdered, and say it was because of families vying for power, what the hell!!!
The political landscape of the Circle was never clearly established either, and I feel like that should at least have been a priority, especially if you're going to callously credit the deaths of millions to a fight between families. Idk about you, it sounds really cold and unsympathetic to me.
A better idea would have been tying in the Circle's interests in the war, rather than crediting them for it inconsiderately. And it's not like this book is an alternate timeline where concentration camps didn't exist during WWII (because again, all of this was never explained, and so we are to apply our own history to this) so what the fuck was the Circle's interest in persecuting millions?? It was just plain cruel to do this.
5. I didn't care too much about the whole purple eye thing, but why the hell, over thousands of years, had there never been another girl with purple eyes in any of the Circle families??? Where's the explanation?? So many things were stated, and I was supposed to roll with it because reasons, but it's just super annoying, because it never made sense or added up!!
6. Everything was so... superficial and shallow?? I'm sick of hearing about love interests being compared to looking like models, and being inhumanly beautiful lol. This goes for Stellan too, so don't think I'm just attacking Humdrum Jack and Avery's shallow (and pretty annoying) attraction to him.
...And that's basically the gist of all that's pissed me off about this book. I sound like I really hate it, but I actually did like it. It was fun, despite it's many (and very seriously offensive) flaws.
“Could we maybe go sightseeing later?”
Stellan stopped. “Do I look like I want to play tour guide? We’re not sightseeing.”
I totally did a progress update with this quote but goodreads keeps eating them. Anyways, this is the moment I really fell in love with Stellan. This book definitely did not have enough of Stellan, and way too much of Jack.
On the next partner switch, I fell into a set of arms that held me exactly how they were supposed to, if a little closer than normal. The man’s palm wasn’t even sweaty.
“Looking lovely as usual, kuklachka,” he said in my ear.
Idk, I have really mixed feeling about this. I want to hate it but there are some reasons (Stellan) that also makes me like it somewhat, ugh.
Overall, it's a book full of YA lit cliches, average writing, less than average characters, underdeveloped plotlines, convenient things the author throws in to compensate for the lack of world-building, and quite a few offensive and insensitive comments/poor attempt at explaining and expanding the world-building.
And it turns out I don’t want to see you get killed, kuklachka. So don’t do anything stupid.
I really hope the next one is better, and not half as offensive and insensitive.
Stellan rested his chin in his hand and watched me, like he understood things I wasn’t saying.
How did he know that? How did he know exactly the way to describe the gnawing hollow in my chest?
This was a surprise!! I thought it would be pretty typical and predictable, with a fairly boring plot but it was a lot better than expected. Perhaps it was my low expectations, or maybe not. I'm not sure, though I liked this book, I loved Stellan. Kinda feel unsure for not going 4 stars (because it easily could have gone 4 stars for me) but I've got some (serious) issues.
1. The writing was really mediocre. The first few chapters were extremely bland. I don't know if it was just me but the characters were flat. I find this hard to reconcile with the writing though, because Stellan just stood out even before we knew his name
Spoiler
you know... that random dude just crossing the roAD, HONESTLY WHat the hell. I can't believe Stellan was more alive crossing the freaking road than all the other characters combined???Spoiler
I'm not sure I could've finished the book if she was half as insipid and dull as Jack. Noah fence, but that boy's blandness was so grating I had to congratulate myself for not completely losing it every time I had to read about him2. The fact that this book isn't sci-fantasy or any other kind of fantasy, made it even more annoying that despite such serious injuries, hours after the characters were left bleeding heavily, cuts, bruises, glass shards embedded in their body, literally stabbed too, they are off doing parkour in Istanbul ??? Avery's injury was mentioned like once after the incident, when she ripped open a wound, but it was not really mentioned that she was in pain from injuries she sustained barely even 24 hours ago, and now she's jumping off buildings in Istanbul?? Idk this was just very unrealistic. Even in contemporary fiction I don't expect absolute reality, but this was just lazy and inconsistent writing, because her injuries would have hindered her ability to parkour and that would be inconvenient to the plot lmao.
3. There was this one scene where there was a comment about Istanbul being "progressive" [for an Islamic country/city] lmao that was such a Western/White thing to say.
Western culture isn't a standard for social reform; other cultures aren't backwards for not fitting into the Western idea of progressiveness. That was really an offensive thing to read, period.
4. Despite having an interesting plot (the whole Circle and Order thing. And Alexander the Great's legacy was a welcome touch to the history, I'm always in for ancient stuff) it was severely underdeveloped. So much of what happened, Avery impulsively going off with someone she barely knew to an entirely different country, trusting a boy she's known for a few weeks, to meet a family she's never heard of.. this was all convenient to the plot. It wasn't properly explained or justified and idk, for lack of a better word, it was plain stupid, and very confusing.
Also, the Circle's involvement in wars was a bit too much for me to digest. It was never really said why they started WWI and WWII but it seemed very insensitive to throw in wars like that, where millions were persecuted and murdered, and say it was because of families vying for power, what the hell!!!
The political landscape of the Circle was never clearly established either, and I feel like that should at least have been a priority, especially if you're going to callously credit the deaths of millions to a fight between families. Idk about you, it sounds really cold and unsympathetic to me.
A better idea would have been tying in the Circle's interests in the war, rather than crediting them for it inconsiderately. And it's not like this book is an alternate timeline where concentration camps didn't exist during WWII (because again, all of this was never explained, and so we are to apply our own history to this) so what the fuck was the Circle's interest in persecuting millions?? It was just plain cruel to do this.
5. I didn't care too much about the whole purple eye thing, but why the hell, over thousands of years, had there never been another girl with purple eyes in any of the Circle families??? Where's the explanation?? So many things were stated, and I was supposed to roll with it because reasons, but it's just super annoying, because it never made sense or added up!!
6. Everything was so... superficial and shallow?? I'm sick of hearing about love interests being compared to looking like models, and being inhumanly beautiful lol. This goes for Stellan too, so don't think I'm just attacking Humdrum Jack and Avery's shallow (and pretty annoying) attraction to him.
...And that's basically the gist of all that's pissed me off about this book. I sound like I really hate it, but I actually did like it. It was fun, despite it's many (and very seriously offensive) flaws.
“Could we maybe go sightseeing later?”
Stellan stopped. “Do I look like I want to play tour guide? We’re not sightseeing.”
I totally did a progress update with this quote but goodreads keeps eating them. Anyways, this is the moment I really fell in love with Stellan. This book definitely did not have enough of Stellan, and way too much of Jack.
On the next partner switch, I fell into a set of arms that held me exactly how they were supposed to, if a little closer than normal. The man’s palm wasn’t even sweaty.
“Looking lovely as usual, kuklachka,” he said in my ear.
Idk, I have really mixed feeling about this. I want to hate it but there are some reasons (Stellan) that also makes me like it somewhat, ugh.
Spoiler
Also kinda sorta got a feeling the love triangle will take the Shatter Me route, aka Avery is going to get some major character growth and realise things, like that she deserves better, and she will be more in control of her emotions and understand herself better. Let's see.Overall, it's a book full of YA lit cliches, average writing, less than average characters, underdeveloped plotlines, convenient things the author throws in to compensate for the lack of world-building, and quite a few offensive and insensitive comments/poor attempt at explaining and expanding the world-building.
And it turns out I don’t want to see you get killed, kuklachka. So don’t do anything stupid.
I really hope the next one is better, and not half as offensive and insensitive.
Re:read 12/10/2020: I re-read in anticipation of continuing the series. My thoughts remain the same from the original although, the audiobook heightened my enjoyment. 3.5/5 stars
Conspiracies. History. Secret Societies. Treasure. Love. What more can you ask for?
National Treasure meets DaVinci Code in a YA contemporary world, "The Conspiracy of Us" is enjoyable to any fan of the historically based treasure hunts.
Avery West has never spent more than a few months in any on location. Propelled all over the country by what she believes to be her mom's work, and never knowing her father or his family, she lives a tentative life...one that is about to become even more unstable.
With the arrival of a mysterious new boy at her school, Avery soon finds herself an important piece of a conspiracy that involves her father's family, who are part of a vast and old and powerful secret society called The Circle that essentially controls the world.
In a race against the clock to solve the mystery of "the One" and find the treasure of Alexander the Great, Avery is taken across Europe and will learn a great deal about herself in the process.
I enjoyed this book. As a huge fan of National Treasure I really appreciated the premise. But it overall felt fairly unremarkable. Aside from Avery, there seemed to be little character development, and we aren't told a great deal about The Circle or its members. We are essentially just forced to accept it as a fact of life, sort of as Avery comes to do astonishingly quickly.
Even though it did not blow me away as much as I hoped it would, I think I am intrigued enough to continue on with the series, especially since I enjoyed the historical aspects and the adventurous vibe.
Conspiracies. History. Secret Societies. Treasure. Love. What more can you ask for?
National Treasure meets DaVinci Code in a YA contemporary world, "The Conspiracy of Us" is enjoyable to any fan of the historically based treasure hunts.
Avery West has never spent more than a few months in any on location. Propelled all over the country by what she believes to be her mom's work, and never knowing her father or his family, she lives a tentative life...one that is about to become even more unstable.
With the arrival of a mysterious new boy at her school, Avery soon finds herself an important piece of a conspiracy that involves her father's family, who are part of a vast and old and powerful secret society called The Circle that essentially controls the world.
In a race against the clock to solve the mystery of "the One" and find the treasure of Alexander the Great, Avery is taken across Europe and will learn a great deal about herself in the process.
I enjoyed this book. As a huge fan of National Treasure I really appreciated the premise. But it overall felt fairly unremarkable. Aside from Avery, there seemed to be little character development, and we aren't told a great deal about The Circle or its members. We are essentially just forced to accept it as a fact of life, sort of as Avery comes to do astonishingly quickly.
Even though it did not blow me away as much as I hoped it would, I think I am intrigued enough to continue on with the series, especially since I enjoyed the historical aspects and the adventurous vibe.
fast-paced