Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover
26 May 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Ally Carter, Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
Well, carrying on in the vein of catching up on all my series I’ve just finished reading Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover (and I’m still behind). Before I start, I dare say there will be spoilers contained as this is book No.3. I think all the books will probably work alone but frankly I would recommend reading all. It’s a bit like the Harry Potter books. Of course you don’t have to read them all but it probably helps if you do (just saying).
What a very enjoyable series of books this is. There’s a little bit of romance. Good looking boys and kick ass girls. It’s set in a boarding school (similar again to HP) but it’s covert. I mean, really, what isn’t going to appeal to young girls. Firstly, we have all these smart girls. Doing brilliant things. Secondly, they’re all so smart that they can totally break all the rules and usually not get caught. Thirdly, they hold their own. But, fourthly, they’re still girls and they enjoy dressing up and going out and gossiping, etc,.
This was another good installment. The story sees Cammie taking a visit to Macey where a kidnap attempt takes place. Frankly, I’m not going to elaborate on the plot. Cammie helps to save the day but, there are going to be other attempts. The plot is thickening without doubt! There is some school activity but this one is starting to take the girls into more external settings. They’re starting to grow up, and, they’re in the spy business after all so each installment becomes a little more serious.
What is so good about this sort of novel is that you become invested in the characters and you feel like you’re watching them grow. I wanted the girls to band together and prove that they cared about each other. Which they did. And it’s so touching. They’re a family. They all have their own families but they also care a great deal about each other because they spend so much time together.
So, still light hearted. Definitely moving forward. The characters are all developing more. There is the presence of Zach and all that he is and the mystery surrouding him.
A very good read. Not with the laugh out loud moments of the first novel but as I say enjoyable and with no real criticisms. The girls are growing up and I figure that things are going to become more serious. These first novels are just the basics, setting them on their path and showing you all their skills, I think they’re going to be tested much more.
Rating A
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
1 February 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Ally Carter, I'd tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you
Well this story is all about the Gallagher Girls – who on the face of it look like a bunch of girls attending a private school for over priviledged young women. The Gallagher Academy is actually a school for amazing young women – with extraordinary ability and IQs, an ivy covered prep school – for future spies! The story revolves around Cammie and her two BFF, Liz and Bex.
Cammie’s mother is the Headmistress of the school and a former Gallagher girl – her father is dead (or is he missing?) – we have yet to hear the story. Basically Cammie has a lot to live up to following in her parents’ footsteps. She excels at her studies and has a reputation and nickname as a ‘chameleon’ – she enjoys her ‘invisibility’, that is until a young man notices her when she is out in the local town and a romance begins to develop.
I actually really liked this book. It’s just a really good fun read and a bit tongue in cheek. The Gallagher Academy is a bit like a Hogwarts for espionage instead of magic. The whole thing reminds me of a cross between Charlies Angels and Mission Impossible – but for teenage girls and I just found it a very light hearted and enjoyable read with lots of fun and a cute romance once Josh arrives on the scene. (Plus it has the line “Who buys plain vanilla ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, anyway? Is there a greater waste?” and you have to ask yourself ‘is there’??)
The story escalates as Cammie tries to balance her new found desire to appear normal for Josh with her friends and life at the Academy. She starts by keeping secrets to developing a different persona to sneaking around and telling fibs. But, you have to forgive her really – she’s just trying to have a little snippet of ‘normality’ – or more to the point a boyfriend!
What I also like about this is the idea that you will watch Cammie grow up and presumably make mistakes and learn from them as she matures on her path to becoming a spy. The scene is now set and presumably future series will eventually develop more intriguing plots.
Criticisms – well, I probably didn’t need the constant reminders of how brilliant the girls and the school are – but that’s only a very minor point (and maybe I’m just envious that they’re so smart!!)
I would definitely recommend this if you want a good fun read with giggles, a great school, gadgets, girls with character and a gentle romance.
Rating A
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls)
Books and travelling with Lynn 