Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date: January 20, 2015Published by: Scholastic PressEmbassy Row, #1Source: LibraryFor fans of: Action, Thrillers, Mysteries, Suspense, YAA new series of global proportions — from master of intrigue, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter.
This exciting new series from NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter focuses on Grace, who can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world, and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row.
Now, at age sixteen, she’s come back to stay–in order to solve the mystery of her mother’s death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved.
*MY THOUGHTS*
“I don’t mean to get into trouble. Trouble just sort of finds me.'”
pg. 5
Grace’s mother died in a fire. Well so they say. Grace believes she was killed but no one believes her. Grace will do everything in her power to ensure that they finally start believing her and that they find who did it. Proving that she saw a scarred man and he’s the one who killed her mother is difficult as her grandfather is the US Ambassador and a very busy man.The fact that they’re surrounded by other Ambassadors and Prime Ministers makes it hard to just exist.
“Sometimes the walls that stand between us and our neighbors are all that stand between our country and war.'”
pg. 8
I loved that this mystery was so fast paced. There was something happening on every turn of the page! There were cliffhanger chapters and alot of things that surprised me each and every time. But that’s something that I love. Making me say “One more chapter” and then making me say that five more times in the same sitting shows that the book is good and addictive. I love being surprised, especially with mysteries.
“Are we done? […] “Cakes are done. People are finished, […]'”
pg. 64
The best part of this story was the fact that I wasn’t able to guess the person who did it until the very end. Normally I can guess before every piece of evidence is given to the reader, but this time I didn’t guess it until right before. I’m so glad I didn’t get it too early. That kind of thing can ruin my reading experience.
“Eventually, everybody falls.'”
pg. 118
The only thing I wasn’t happy with was the ending. I’m all for a cliff hanger and all, but to have one where nothing was really answered. I mean the facts were given, but there were no “why” questions answered. I get it, it makes me want to go and read the second one, but the rest of the story had already done that. I would’ve read it regardless of what the ending was. It just felt incomplete to leave it the way it was.
“Be careful […] The world is a dangerous place.'”
pg. 153
Although I wasn’t a fan of her first series, Carter’s second one has definitely changed my mind on her writing. This fast paced mystery will have readers on the edge of their seats flipping page after page to get all the answers. Forewarning though… That ending is a doozie.
" I'm all for a cliff hanger and all, but to have one where nothing was really answered." <– I hate that, but on the other hand, I like fast-paced mysteries. Ah, dilemma, dilemma.
Kim @ Divergent Gryffindor: BLOG || VLOG
I'm a fan of Ally Carter, but I was disappointed by the story. In fact I couldn't really find any words to say about it that's why I couldn't review it, even though I wanted to. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, more than you expected. We actually have the same rating, three stars!
I say go for it. It wasn't bad, but it was AMAZING either. At least give it a try!
Now I'm curious as to why you gave it three stars if you didn't really like it! *Off to read your review!*
Now I'm curious as to why you gave it three stars if you didn't really like it! *Off to read your review!*
I say go for it. It wasn't bad, but it was AMAZING either. At least give it a try!