Have you ever dreamt of becoming a secret agent? This week we begin with an outstanding review by site member anna1310 of a book where exactly that happens: Gallagher Girls: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter. Cammie attends the Gallagher academy (an undercover spy school) and – posing as a pavement artist – has to take on a new relationship to complete her mission.
"The reason I love this book so much is because of the mystery and action. As well as being action packed, this book is heart-warming. I find this book very similar to the whole Ruby Redfort series, so if like the Ruby Redfort series I guarantee you'd like this book."
Another detective book that one of our members has sleuthed out, The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith was brilliantly reviewed by Butterfly Rainbow. Precious Ramotswe ("Silly name, don't you think, for a grown up woman!", chastises our reviewer!) decides to set up her own detective agency, and encounters a host of mysteries.
"I really enjoyed this book, I found it thoroughly entertaining. Sometimes, while reading, I'd get so involved with the case Mma Ramostwe was solving that I wouldn't leave my chair until the case got over. Some of the mysteries are really quite funny, while others can be a bit scary! Although I picked this book up from the adult section, I am sure that young readers will also enjoy this book and I recommend the entire series to you. The writing was easy to understand and the plot was interesting, which kept me turning every page until the book was over."
Of course, if you're to be a super sleuth you've got to know who to trust… and that's the theme of another YA novel showcased on our site this week as OrliTheBookworm reviewed of The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson. In this novel, Hayley – who has spent the last five years on the road with her war veteran father – meets a guy called Finn who teaches her to trust again.
"I can't recommend it enough: it's sharp, it's funny, it's everything that's right in YA fiction. It's Halse Anderson at her very best, tackling a hard topic with patience, sensitivity and fantastic realism. Brilliant. Whether it was the sharp wit, the ingenious quotes, or the true beauty of the book, I loved every second. I cannot recommend it enough, it is truly a fearless masterpiece."
Now to a book with a similarly distrustful protagonist, thedauntlessbookthief wrote an excellent review of The Jewel by Amy Ewing, a novel which they likened to Divergent and The Hunger Games. It's certainly dystopian enough: Violet Lasting has lived her life preparing to be sold as a surrogate mother, but when she is brought by the Duchess, things turn out to be far worse than she imagined.
"This book is gripping and thrilling. There are so many unexpected cliffhangers and plot twists it's insane! It took me a while to get into, but, once I did, I was completely hooked. Being a huge fan of dystopia and futuristic type books, I enjoyed reading this one immensely and cannot wait to read the next book in the series when it comes out. I love all the characters, even the bad ones, and the ending was incredible!"
Another futurist read features in our next pick, but this one has a heart-warming and quirky twist of the paranormal: a fantastic review by site member Noggin of Noggin by John Corey Whaley (and no, we didn't even plan the coincidence!) Just before 16-year-old Travis dies of leukemia his head is cryogenically frozen, and he is placed on a surrogate body and reanimated just five years after his death. But he finds that where he is still the same, everyone else has moved on and it's a hard adjustment to make…
"There are some incredibly emotional scenes in this book, both happy and sad. They give you a real insight into the world of those who suffer from and survive leukemia (I guess Travis is sort of both?!). My favourite aspect of the book were the characters. John Corey Whaley really makes them seem real, like they're not just fictional people. You can imagine them being your friends. Overall, I loved this book. It was very touching, but at the same time it gave a sense of hope. I would give this book five stars!"
Finally, we end Friday's roundup with a terrific review by ShadowKissed Hannah of the fantasy finale, Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas. In this, the final novel in the Throne of Glass series, Celaena must come to terms with the death of the King of Adarlan's assassin, and continues her quest to destroy the king.
"The series has been excellent so far, and this book was no exception. Vibrant, confident and full of epic characters and a fearless and tear-worthy ending, Maas has taken her world by the reins and steered it towards a hopefully magical next instalment. New characters and storylines met head on, but the original trio of Chaol, Dorian and the sensual and deadly Celaena, truly shone through the pages and made me fall even more in love with their world, thoughts and even their inner demons. I can't speak highly enough of this series, and the anticipation for book #4 has now officially begun!"
A rippling round of applause to our site members for all their outstanding reviews this week! If your review has been featured above, be sure to email the book elves and we will send you a very readable prize in the post!
