Author: Ally Carter
Rating: ★★★★★
As her junior year begins, Cammie can’t shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn’t feel like the safe haven it once did.
Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion’s corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions, Who is after Macey? And how can they keep her safe?
Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey’s private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth…
Oh Ally, I am so hooked on this series like I haven't been over one in quite some time. I have to say that at the end of the book, I suddenly remembered the third book of Harry Potter - the last book that had a happy tone before things became dark.
Well not that attempted kidnappings are a joke, especially when they include the Secret Service. And politicians running for office, especially when the positions they're jockeying for are the big ones - the presidency and vice-presidency. Of the world's current super power, the United States. I have to hand it to Ally, the book titles of the series are really a tease. They pose as light and teasing, but they pack a wallop (only figuratively, though maybe Liz - or the Gallagher Academy - can probably make some walloping books) when you read them.
Here, we see Macey truly becoming part of the group, becoming one of their best friends. Their friendship is forged when Macey's safety - and sense of self - has been threatened. I really think she is going to make an awesome spy, and I have learned to respect all four of them for their skills. They're really good. And it has finally started to sink into my consciousness that Bex is going to be a really good spy. She's already living the life. I almost want to be her but I don't think I'm capable of it.
In Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover, we also meet Abby Cameron, Rachel Cameron's sister, and Cammie's super cool aunt. We don't really know anything substantial about her, except that she's done all these amazing ops. And she understands Cameron's "teenager" way of thinking. She's that cool aunt everyone loves to have around with all these cool stories, and my heart stopped for a moment when that scuffle in the end happened. My hopes over a Rachel-Joe tandem is slightly dashed in the end, but I hope that's nothing. I'm still hoping, you know?
Josh is totally (except for maybe about three seconds) gone, and that is actually a good thing. And Zach is starting to infuriate me. But as Cammie and her friends have repeatedly concluded - boys are confusing, and spy boys even more so. He's so secretive but he keeps popping in and out of Cammie's life, he keeps protecting her, and yet he doesn't budge. At all. In the end, a pretty interesting five-second scene happens, but in that moment, I knew. I knew why Zach is so secretive. I can't wait for the next book. Oh Ally.
If you girls (and guys) haven't picked up the Gallagher series, and you're a YA fan, don't hesitate, pick up your copy and read. Just be prepared to be hooked and not want to do anything else.
Happy reading!
