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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I’ve seen this book described as a YA National Treasure which is a little bit of a stretch and is probably why I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I would have hoped. It’s not a bad book by any means, but I was just expecting something else. While there are a few scenes where some of the characters are looking of clues, the bulk of the plot focuses on a secret society. I like the idea of the secret society more than I liked the execution: everything about it is extravagant and very over the top (celebrities, private jets, flying to different countries to go to a club). I will say that I did like how Hall incorporated actual historical figures and events into the history of the secret society.
The main character Avery is a little bland and falls into the “not like other girls” trope, but she grew on me throughout the book. I appreciate that Avery was emotional, but still a strong character because too often authors assume that characters have to lack emotion in order to be considered strong. There are situations that Avery finds herself in that are high-stress, life or death and she reacts like any normal human would – not with determined ferocity, but with panic.
There are two main male characters as well and while there are times where it’s a little love triangle-ish, those moments are few and far between. Unfortunately the main male leads are pretty typical YA men: Jack is loyal and sweet while Stellan is mysterious and determined. Thankfully, Hall expands on both of their histories and motivations that prevent them from becoming caricatures.
Maggie Hall’s writing is very direct and effective. There were times in the book where I could tell that she wanted me to feel a certain way about a character or relationship, but it didn’t even bother me. Typically, when I can tell that an author is trying to manipulate my feelings about something; it ruins the reading experience because it pulls me out of the story. I wish there were more details about a lot of things, but I do understand that this is a very plot focused book.
The Conspiracy of Us does have its faults, but it’s a compulsively readable thrill ride; it’ll grab your attention right away and then leave you wanting more.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
The main character Avery is a little bland and falls into the “not like other girls” trope, but she grew on me throughout the book. I appreciate that Avery was emotional, but still a strong character because too often authors assume that characters have to lack emotion in order to be considered strong. There are situations that Avery finds herself in that are high-stress, life or death and she reacts like any normal human would – not with determined ferocity, but with panic.
There are two main male characters as well and while there are times where it’s a little love triangle-ish, those moments are few and far between. Unfortunately the main male leads are pretty typical YA men: Jack is loyal and sweet while Stellan is mysterious and determined. Thankfully, Hall expands on both of their histories and motivations that prevent them from becoming caricatures.
Maggie Hall’s writing is very direct and effective. There were times in the book where I could tell that she wanted me to feel a certain way about a character or relationship, but it didn’t even bother me. Typically, when I can tell that an author is trying to manipulate my feelings about something; it ruins the reading experience because it pulls me out of the story. I wish there were more details about a lot of things, but I do understand that this is a very plot focused book.
The Conspiracy of Us does have its faults, but it’s a compulsively readable thrill ride; it’ll grab your attention right away and then leave you wanting more.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Good for those who read & loved 39 Clues but ready for a beginning romance book. 2.5
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
still a 5 star read the second time through.
as usual, the complete last third of the book had me squealing non stop.
and that ending is, i think, the best ending to a book i've read so far.
TEAM STELLAN AND AIN'T NO ONE GONNA CHANGE MA MIND.
as usual, the complete last third of the book had me squealing non stop.
and that ending is, i think, the best ending to a book i've read so far.
TEAM STELLAN AND AIN'T NO ONE GONNA CHANGE MA MIND.
I actually gave this a 3.5 out 5 stars. This was a cute and quick thriller. I can't wait to continue on in this series!
Reread: Feb 2016
Rereading this again because I barely remembered the plot; also lowkey rereading this to see if I'd change my mind about Stellan...
but nah, still #TeamJack
*rows the one-man kayak into the horizon*
also I noticed the annoying little things this time:
- my god has Avery always been this annoying
- also the contacts thing...now that Nazeefa pointed it out, I was also uncomfortable with it
- also WHERE IS THE COMMON SENSE IN THESE KIDS (thanks for pointing that out too, Katie)
- the ending is still ahghsdjsksf
First read: Feb 2015
3.5 stars
it would have been a 4 had the first half of the book not be so tedious to read. I had to restart this book 3 times because I can't find my groove with it.
ANYWAY
once I got into it I really enjoyed all the conspiracies in the story. The last quarter of the book had me at the edge of my seat, and that cliffhanger was really mean. Damn you, Maggie Hall (but I love you).
#TeamJack
My friends are mostly crazy about Stellan but Jack has my heart. He kinda reminds me of Chaol Westfall (although Chaol wouldn't have been so...reckless).
HOW IS THE SECOND BOOK COMING OUT IN 2016 I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG
Rereading this again because I barely remembered the plot; also lowkey rereading this to see if I'd change my mind about Stellan...
but nah, still #TeamJack
*rows the one-man kayak into the horizon*
also I noticed the annoying little things this time:
- my god has Avery always been this annoying
- also the contacts thing...now that Nazeefa pointed it out, I was also uncomfortable with it
- also WHERE IS THE COMMON SENSE IN THESE KIDS (thanks for pointing that out too, Katie)
- the ending is still ahghsdjsksf
First read: Feb 2015
3.5 stars
it would have been a 4 had the first half of the book not be so tedious to read. I had to restart this book 3 times because I can't find my groove with it.
ANYWAY
once I got into it I really enjoyed all the conspiracies in the story. The last quarter of the book had me at the edge of my seat, and that cliffhanger was really mean. Damn you, Maggie Hall (but I love you).
#TeamJack
My friends are mostly crazy about Stellan but Jack has my heart. He kinda reminds me of Chaol Westfall (although Chaol wouldn't have been so...reckless).
HOW IS THE SECOND BOOK COMING OUT IN 2016 I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG
I can't help but wonder if I would have enjoyed The Conspiracy of Us more if my expectations were more accurate. I was expecting something like the movie National Treasure - filled with treasure-hunting and clues to solve, but to my disappointment it ended up being more romance centered than anything else.
Avery is shocked when she discovers that she is the lost heir of a secret society called The Circle of 12. And if that's not enough of a surprise, it turns out that Alexander the Great has a secret treasure hidden, and Avery is the Circle's only chance of finding it. She must solve the clues he has left behind, or risk the enemy finding it first.
One of the problems I had with The Conspiracy of Us was the main character Avery. While she was definitely an intelligent girl, some of the choices she made were a bit selfish and impulsive. (She leaves the United States without even telling her mom she's leaving - with a stranger too!) Yet, she is easy to like and sympathize with, which makes me curious to see how her character grows and matures within the next two books of the trilogy.
I think where this lacked for me was the fact that it was so romance-based, and I didn't completely connect to the romance. There was a love triangle that felt a bit unnecessary. It felt as if the only reason a love triangle was added was to promote it as being for a young adult audience - there wasn't much depth or development to it.
Despite all this, I really did love the concept, and because of that I suppose I'm going to continue on to the second book. I'm crossing my fingers there will be less emphasis on the romance and more emphasis on finding and solving the clues.
it wasn't bad by any means, i just didn't feel anything for the characters and that's key for me.
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes