Review: Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter

Series: Embassy Row Book #3

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 327

Rating: 5 Stars

How I Got It: Gift for Christmas

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Centuries ago, the royal family of Adria was killed…or so everyone thought.

Now Grace Blakely knows the truth: There was one survivor, and that survivor’s blood runs through her veins. This simple fact could cause a revolution—which is why some people will stop at nothing to keep it from coming to light.

There is only one way for Grace to save herself, save her family, and save the boy she loves. She must outmaneuver her foes, cut through the web of lies that has surrounded her for years, and go back to the source of all her troubles, despite the risk.

If she wins, she will inherit a throne.

And if she loses, she will inherit the fate of all the dead princesses who came before her.

Review

Holy crap!!! This is the best book in this series and I've read this year. I'm kind of still recovering. I've enjoyed every Ally Carter book I've read, but this was her best work.

I was constantly on edge of my seat and trying to figure out what was happening next. The story was fast-paced and gave me everything I needed-even the things I didn't know I needed.

Grace was wonderful and really grew up throughout this story. I think it will be interesting to re-read know that I know what happens. I'm curious to see her development and any foreshadowing there is earlier in the series.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: See How They Run by Ally Carter

Series: Embassy Row Book #2

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages: 320

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Gift

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Inside every secret, there's a world of trouble. Get ready for the second book in this new series of global proportions--from master of intrigue, New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter.

Grace's past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn't stop it, Grace isn't the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.

The twists get twistier and the turns get even more shocking in the second thrilling installment of Embassy Row.

Review

I thought there wasn't a way for this to get any crazier. And then like 10 things happened. I should probably just give up trying to guess what will happen next.

It was nice to get to know new characters. And get more development on some from the previous book.

This story is very high-stakes. Ally Carter books usually are, but this feels even more so. Like I am truly concerned for all of these characters. It would make such an interesting moving.

I'm excited to read the next one and see how this story ends. And I totally keep thinking one of the Gallagher Girls are going to show up.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Book Review: All Fall Down by Ally Carter

Series: Embassy Row Book #1

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages: 310

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Grace Blakely is absolutely certain of three things:

1. She is not crazy.
2. Her mother was murdered.
3. Someday she is going to find the killer and make him pay.

As certain as Grace is about these facts, nobody else believes her -- so there's no one she can completely trust. Not her grandfather, a powerful ambassador. Not her new friends, who all live on Embassy Row. Not Alexei, the Russian boy next door, who is keeping his eye on Grace for reasons she neither likes nor understands.

Everybody wants Grace to put on a pretty dress and a pretty smile, blocking out all her unpretty thoughts. But they can't control Grace -- no more than Grace can control what she knows or what she needs to do. Her past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn't stop it, Grace isn't the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.

Review

Ally Carter's books are just so fun to read. And they just have a different feel than any other YA I've ever read.

This book was fast-paced and engaging. And there was a mystery throughout this one which helped keep me going. It was helped by the fact that I couldn't decide if Grace was a reliable narrator or not. It added a nice extra layer to the story.

I'm glad I already own this whole series so I don't have to wait to read them. I want to know what happens to Grace and her friends. I do really like that Ally Carter will flush out her books with good side characters/friends.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: The Grift of the Magi by Ally Carter

Series: Heist Society Book 3.5
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Overdrive
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: NLA Digital

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Katarina Bishop is a thief. To many it wouldn’t matter that she now uses her considerable skills to re-steal valuable works of art and return them to their rightful homes.

She’s still a thief.

So that’s why Kat’s surprised when an Interpol agent comes to her one snowy evening, asking for Kat’s help.

The Magi Miracle Network was set to auction off a very rare, very valuable Faberge egg two days before Christmas, but the egg’s been stolen and now the charity’s reputation—and their future—is on the line.
Kat’s family and Interpol might be opposite sides of most jobs, but someone just stole Christmas.

Now it’s up to Kat and her crew to steal it back.

The Grift of the Magi is a Heist Society novella and is approximately half the length of the other novels in the series. It stands alone, but if you want read more about Kat and her crew check out Heist Society, Uncommon Criminals, and Perfect Scoundrels.

Review

I didn't know this book even existed. That's not much of a surprise since I haven't been super involved in a while. But it was a nice surprise because I like Christmas and the Heist Society characters.

So, this was a decent novella. I absolutely loved all the little Kat and Hale moments. They are so adorable and I love them as a couple. The heist/mystery aspect was interesting and nice for the Christmas them. But sometimes I would get confused and not in a good way. Between chapters it felt like I missed things that would've explained the events a little bit. Although that is fairly normal for these books. It still bothers me a little bit.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter

My True Love Gave to Me

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 28

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Ally Carter. I was eager to get to this story because I figured it would be a more realistic story than her other stuff. She’s also the way I found out about this anthology.

                I really enjoyed this story. It was interesting to read because the main character has so many secrets even from the reader.

                And I liked the way the two relationships developed. Unlike a lot of the other stories this had a romance and a kind of paternal relationship. The romance was very cute, but I fell in love with Liddy’s relationship with Aunt Mary. I loved seeing them bond and get close.

My True Love Gave to Me Edited by Stephanie Perkins

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 321

Rating: 3.5 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                It seems like everyone and their mom is reading this short story collection. I haven’t read a lot of holiday stories and was excited to give this a try.

                Since there are twelve stories by twelve different authors there is a nice blend of stories. It’s not all contemporary romance with Santa and Christmas trees. This means there’s at least one story for every YA reader, in my opinion.

                My favorite story is Rainbow Rowell’s. I actually feel bad that’s the first one because all the others had to live up to it. Other favorites were Matt de la Pena’s, Stephanie Perkins’, Gayle Forman’s, and Ally Carter’s.

                While reading I wrote short reviews of each story as I read them. I’ll be posting them over the next twelve days. Below are my ratings in case you just want to know that.

Midnights-5 Stars

The Lady and the Fox-2 Stars

Angels in the Snow-4 Stars

Polaris is Where You'll Find Me-3 Stars

It's a Yuletide Miracle Charlie Brown-4 Stars

Your Temporary Santa -3 Stars

Krampuslauf-3 Stars

What the hell have you done, Sophie Roth?-4 Stars

Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus-3 Stars

Welcome to Christams, CA-4 Stars

Star of Bethlehem-4 Stars

The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer-3 Stars

 

Thanks for reading!

Holly 

Double Crossed by Ally Carter

Format: eBook

Pages:  60

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Free eBook

                This is a novella that connects the Heist Society and Gallagher Girls characters. Mostly it’s Hale and Macey which was pleasant surprise.

                This definitely felt more high stakes but had the hallmarks of an Ally Carter novel. And it made me want to see more of these characters together.  Can you imagine Cammie and Kat together? Or Simon and Liz? Ally Carter should write more novellas like this one, because I would just eat them up.

~Thanks for reading!

Holly