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I'm an Ally Carter fanatic, so I stuck this one through to the end, even though it wasn't my favourite of her novels. As a young adult (emphasis on the adult) who reads and enjoys a lot of teen fiction, I found that this one read a lot more juvenile than good YA novels, including her other series. It didn't capture my attention like the Heist Society books or the Embassy Row series. The male love interest fell completely flat compared to Hale or Alexei.
As long as you don't take the story or the teen girl angst too seriously, this is still an enjoyable, lighthearted read!
As long as you don't take the story or the teen girl angst too seriously, this is still an enjoyable, lighthearted read!
This is one of the most adorable and just plain fun books I've read in a long time. :)
Cammie goes to Gallagher Academy, a boarding school for super spy teens. I really didn't need to know much more than that to see how awesome this book was going to be, but add in hilarious dialogue, a completely heart-warmingly sweet guy, and surprise missions, and yeah, I'm completely sold.
I absolutely loved this, and I can't wait to read the next one, since this book ended on a little bit of a cliffhanger (not the annoying kind where if feels like the author just left out the last chapter though, thank goodness). Cammie and Josh were absolutely adorable, even if Josh is a little too perfect to be real. Bex, Liz and Macey were amazing characters too, and I almost laughed out loud lots of times. I'd recommend to anyone looking for a fun, light & unique read.
Cammie goes to Gallagher Academy, a boarding school for super spy teens. I really didn't need to know much more than that to see how awesome this book was going to be, but add in hilarious dialogue, a completely heart-warmingly sweet guy, and surprise missions, and yeah, I'm completely sold.
I absolutely loved this, and I can't wait to read the next one, since this book ended on a little bit of a cliffhanger (not the annoying kind where if feels like the author just left out the last chapter though, thank goodness). Cammie and Josh were absolutely adorable, even if Josh is a little too perfect to be real. Bex, Liz and Macey were amazing characters too, and I almost laughed out loud lots of times. I'd recommend to anyone looking for a fun, light & unique read.
I love these bitches....Josh is nothing of consequence to me
*3.75/5 stars*
“You shouldn't judge someone until you've walk a mile through an underground tunnel in her uncomfortable shoes”
I had a tough time deciding on the final rating of this book: Most of the time, my enjoyment was on the 4 star level, but this book also isn't flawless and some parts begged for more logical 3 star rating. In the end, I'm going to give it lower 4 stars, because it was so much fun and an amazing introduction to a potentially kick butt series. I'm very excited to continue!
One of the things I enjoyed most about it was the setting of the secret spy school! The Gallagher Academy iself, the teachers and subjects - I found myself wanting to know more about each individual subject especially. I'm hoping we get to know much more about the classes in the sequels.
“If you can be still enough and common enough, then it's really easy to be invisible.”
Another pro of this book: Gallagher Academy is an all girls boarding school, so there was a lot of female friendship! Each girl has her own distinctive personality and it was simply fun to follow Cammie and the girls - attending espionage classes and taking on their new spy project involving The Subject of Cammie's interest.
“Did you say something Macey?' I asked, but she cut me a look that could kill. She reached into her bag, ripped off a sliver of Evapopaper, and scribbled:
'Can we study tonight? (Tell anyone, and I'll kill you in you sleep!)”
It was a lot of fun. Fast and easy read to get through quickly. But at the same time, the humour combined with some slightly more serious elements, which makes me hope for more action, intrigue and general kick assness in the sequels.
The romantic aspect of the book was just ok-ish. The romance wasn't the strongest point of the book, which I stated above, but nor was it a con either. Josh, alias, The Subject was rather bland character. Nice, normal guy, but very bland character overall. That's why I like the first half - and the very last part - of the book more than the second half. The second half was a bit too focused on the romantic aspect, understandably, but it just wasn't my favourite. Cute but ultimately forgottable aspect of the book for me.
Relating to that, there was the minor thing that made me cringe. How much the town kids disliked and dismayed the - supposedly rich - boarding school girls. Like Josh's friend, Dillon, hated them so much he even lowered to publicly harassing a girl, for no reason whatsoever. Because she was rich and priviledged to him. And I can also point out that he lives in a middle class american suburban neighborhood, which the heroine described as very nice looking. He is a privileged kid himself, so don't even start me on that one...
Him, and the other guys in his group, to not only disdain but outright mock and hate on the girls 24/7 was just such an unecessary element to the book. Not prevalent throughout, don't worry, but it was not my fave. Over the top unrealistic and fake, and honestly, nope.
<-- But this is about the only real con I have about the book, so safe to say it was a great ride anyway.
“Women of the Gallagher Academy, who comes here?" she asked.
Just then, every girl at every table (even the newbies) stood and said in unison, "We are the sisters of Gillian."
"Why do you come?" my mother asked.
"To learn her skills. Honor her sword. And keep her secrets."
"To what end do you work?"
"To the cause of justice and light."
"How long will you strive?"
"For all the days of our lives," we finished and I felt a little like a character in one of my grandma's soap operas.”
*********************************
THE GALLAGHER GIRLS CAST:
Cameron (Cammie) Morgan
Codename: The Chameleon
Info: Main heroine. Her mother, Rachel Morgan, is kick ass headmistress of the Gallagher Academy. Good at going unnoticed.
Rebecca (Bex) Baxter
Codename: The Duchess
Info: Only Brittish student of the Academy. Loves attention and danger. Beautiful. Good actress.
Elizabeth (Liz) Sutton
Codename: The Bookworm
Info: Studious. Smart. A clutz in the field. Loves taking notes.
Macey McHenry
Codename: nonexistent yet
Info: The newcommer. Seemingly perfect. Rich father. Lonely. Hard on the outside, nice on the inside *somewhere deep down*
********************************
Overall: a great start to a fun spy series, with boarding school setting, girl friendship and lots of promise.
“You shouldn't judge someone until you've walk a mile through an underground tunnel in her uncomfortable shoes”
I had a tough time deciding on the final rating of this book: Most of the time, my enjoyment was on the 4 star level, but this book also isn't flawless and some parts begged for more logical 3 star rating. In the end, I'm going to give it lower 4 stars, because it was so much fun and an amazing introduction to a potentially kick butt series. I'm very excited to continue!
One of the things I enjoyed most about it was the setting of the secret spy school! The Gallagher Academy iself, the teachers and subjects - I found myself wanting to know more about each individual subject especially. I'm hoping we get to know much more about the classes in the sequels.
“If you can be still enough and common enough, then it's really easy to be invisible.”
Another pro of this book: Gallagher Academy is an all girls boarding school, so there was a lot of female friendship! Each girl has her own distinctive personality and it was simply fun to follow Cammie and the girls - attending espionage classes and taking on their new spy project involving The Subject of Cammie's interest.
“Did you say something Macey?' I asked, but she cut me a look that could kill. She reached into her bag, ripped off a sliver of Evapopaper, and scribbled:
'Can we study tonight? (Tell anyone, and I'll kill you in you sleep!)”
It was a lot of fun. Fast and easy read to get through quickly. But at the same time, the humour combined with some slightly more serious elements, which makes me hope for more action, intrigue and general kick assness in the sequels.
The romantic aspect of the book was just ok-ish. The romance wasn't the strongest point of the book, which I stated above, but nor was it a con either. Josh, alias, The Subject was rather bland character. Nice, normal guy, but very bland character overall. That's why I like the first half - and the very last part - of the book more than the second half. The second half was a bit too focused on the romantic aspect, understandably, but it just wasn't my favourite. Cute but ultimately forgottable aspect of the book for me.
Relating to that, there was the minor thing that made me cringe. How much the town kids disliked and dismayed the - supposedly rich - boarding school girls. Like Josh's friend, Dillon, hated them so much he even lowered to publicly harassing a girl, for no reason whatsoever. Because she was rich and priviledged to him. And I can also point out that he lives in a middle class american suburban neighborhood, which the heroine described as very nice looking. He is a privileged kid himself, so don't even start me on that one...
Him, and the other guys in his group, to not only disdain but outright mock and hate on the girls 24/7 was just such an unecessary element to the book. Not prevalent throughout, don't worry, but it was not my fave. Over the top unrealistic and fake, and honestly, nope.
<-- But this is about the only real con I have about the book, so safe to say it was a great ride anyway.
“Women of the Gallagher Academy, who comes here?" she asked.
Just then, every girl at every table (even the newbies) stood and said in unison, "We are the sisters of Gillian."
"Why do you come?" my mother asked.
"To learn her skills. Honor her sword. And keep her secrets."
"To what end do you work?"
"To the cause of justice and light."
"How long will you strive?"
"For all the days of our lives," we finished and I felt a little like a character in one of my grandma's soap operas.”
*********************************
THE GALLAGHER GIRLS CAST:
Cameron (Cammie) Morgan
Codename: The Chameleon
Info: Main heroine. Her mother, Rachel Morgan, is kick ass headmistress of the Gallagher Academy. Good at going unnoticed.
Rebecca (Bex) Baxter
Codename: The Duchess
Info: Only Brittish student of the Academy. Loves attention and danger. Beautiful. Good actress.
Elizabeth (Liz) Sutton
Codename: The Bookworm
Info: Studious. Smart. A clutz in the field. Loves taking notes.
Macey McHenry
Codename: nonexistent yet
Info: The newcommer. Seemingly perfect. Rich father. Lonely. Hard on the outside, nice on the inside *somewhere deep down*
********************************
Overall: a great start to a fun spy series, with boarding school setting, girl friendship and lots of promise.
"To learn her skills. Honor her sword. And keep her secrets."
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Young Teenagers Will Love This
Great book....for a very young and adventurous soul. Just a bit too young for me. The whole concept was a bit much for me to swallow, but I did enjoy the imagination. Just couldn’t sink my teeth into 15 year old girls getting that deep into spy techniques and a school right out of James Bond territory.
Great book....for a very young and adventurous soul. Just a bit too young for me. The whole concept was a bit much for me to swallow, but I did enjoy the imagination. Just couldn’t sink my teeth into 15 year old girls getting that deep into spy techniques and a school right out of James Bond territory.
A perfect cross between 'Alias' and 'Gilmore Girls'. Loved it and couldn't put it down!
Good book for young ladies to read. Strong female leads without high school smut.
Perfect!
Good book for young ladies to read. Strong female leads without high school smut.
Perfect!
in my YA era, read these in middle school and tbh enjoying every minute. got the series from the library
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No