Reviews

City Spies by James Ponti

curious_artifact_reads's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

amber_hastings's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A thrilling and fast-paced story with exceptional opening chapters. While the mystery at the heart of this story wasn't as interesting as I'd have hoped, the book sets the series up nicely, introducing a strong and lovable cast of characters who'll have to work together on future mysteries. I particularly liked that there is an adult character, Mother, with a personal mystery of his own, which lends a more mature tone to the story. A few things irked me beside the mystery itself and they included the switch to include one of the villains' perspectives very late in the story (how convenient!) and the overall lack of development for the main character, who ends the story slightly braver and more confident but ultimately quite unchanged emotionally from where she started. But otherwise I enjoyed reading this and will be reading book 2.

typographic_whimsy's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

library_kb's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This was a fun adventure read--though I am starting to wonder about how MI6 feels about all the middle grade books written about them recruiting child spies. Definitely some interesting characters, despite their lack of flaws. Quick paced--definitely a crowd pleaser for the middle grade audience!

bookmaster4's review against another edition

4.0

A great middle school fiction novel. Well written, interesting characters, enticing plot, number two is already on my to be read list.

crafty_bookworm99's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is amazing! I cant wait to read the other four!!!

handmaderiot's review against another edition

5.0

Love and care about these characters. The plot is unexpected and fun. It's an easy middle grade (that is fun at any age) recommendation.

rice83's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

mediaman55's review

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

insearchof_wonder_'s review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

🔍I have decided I don't really liked spy stories. And I'm not sure if it's that the premises for the spy missions often seem so thin, or if that's the reality of spying. Either way, questions are always raised in my mind when I'm reading a spy book, and those questions are never answered satisfactorily. So there's that. This is a spy book.

🔍 The collection of characters and how they come together is delightful, and what makes this book what it is. It's not JUST a spy story, it's about belonging and then importance of purpose and finding your purpose. It's also about developing your skills ... And using them for good. 

🔍 All in all, I enjoyed it and so did my son, who went on to read the entire series. I don't recall anything truly objectionable in the book, no language or lifestyle issues that parents might want their children to avoid. It's overall pretty wholesome.