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united we spy

Stacking the Shelves (15)- The Review Book Edition

Posted on 7 September, 2013

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! It is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.

I didn’t post a book haul last week so this is my haul for the past fortnight.

Bought:

The Elites by Natasha Ngan- I pre-ordered this one months ago and am so happy to finally receive it! The cover is gorgeous and it looks great alongside my other UKYA books.

Review Books

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher- I received a gorgeous finished copy of this so now I have an ARC and this one. Thank you, Chicken House!

United We Spy by Ally Carter- I was so pleased to receive this one and you can read my review here. Thank you, Orchard!

Memory by Christoph Marzi- This one sounds a lot different to anything I’ve read before and I’m really intrigued. Thank you, Orchard!

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake- I love Greek mythology so think this is the book for me. Thank you, Orchard!

Dead Jealous by Sharon Jones- I can’t wait to read this one. It looks so good! Thank you, Orchard!

Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid- I am a HUGE fan of Carmen Reid’s books so can’t wait to start this one. Thank you, Random House!

Fearsome Dreamer by Laure Eve- Squee! Squee! Squee! I am SO excited to read this and will be doing so as soon as possible. Thank you, Hot Key!

Won

Every Day by David Levithan- This one sounds amazing and I love the idea. I’m hoping to read it very soon. Thank you, Egmont!

Gifted:

After I posted my book addict post last week, Fiona from Eventide Reads tweeted me to say she had found these two in a charity shop and I had the biggest freak out ever. It’s my favourite series and I’m collecting all the editions so I’ve got nearly all of them now. Thank you, Fiona!

What did you get this week?

REVIEW: United We Spy by Ally Carter

Posted on 5 September, 2013

I’ve loved Carter’s books since before I started blogging, when I didn’t really know what I was picking up. I’d go into a bookshop and pick up anything I liked the look of with no preconceptions or presumptions. I didn’t know of the hype surrounding these books until I started seeing them pop up wherever I went and then, when I finally became a part of the blogosphere, I realised that these books have a special quality that people gobble up in handfuls.

United We Spy is the last book in the Gallagher Girls series and I was very worried about reading it beforehand. How could I say goodbye to this series that I have loved so dearly? The events of the last book meant that I knew this was bound to be dramatic, but I’d forgotten just how action-packed these books are.

In United We Spy, we see the familiar array of characters embark on their last semester at the Gallagher Academy, which, I must tell you, made me feel very nostalgic! It seems like yesterday I was reading my way through the first book, and then the second and third and fourth and fifth. I felt all the emotions when reading this. Even after finishing, I’m still clinging on to the world fiercely. It’s definitely not a series I’m going to forget in a hurry.

Cammie still had to overcome the issues that she was left to face after the events of the last book and we see her develop even more in this one. She has to deal with some really hard stuff and is thrown into lots of difficult situations but it seems like she always comes out stronger.

I really loved seeing Bex, Liz and Macey again. Liz was as nerdy as ever but also has to face her own demons, as do Bex and Macey. The girls are all so loyal to each other which is very admirable. I’d love to be friends with them!

United We Spy was a brilliant conclusion to a much-loved series and I’m so sad that I won’t be anticipating another book in this series any more. At least we have the Heist Society novels to keep us busy!

Blog Tour Uncategorized

United We Spy Blog Tour ~ It’s All About Bex

Posted on 3 September, 2013

I’m very excited to be on the United We Spy blog tour today! My review will be up on Thursday, but for now I have a post all about one of my favourite characters in the Gallagher Girls series, Bex Baxter.

Cammie Morgan has lost her father and her memory, but in the heart-pounding conclusion to the best-selling Gallagher Girls series, she finds her greatest mission yet. Cammie and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle’s elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie—and her country—forever.

Why do I like Bex? I think that’s a very good question. I’m going to try and answer this question as best I can today in this post.

Bex is certainly a very memorable character. She was one of the first characters that popped into my head when I was asked to write this post and my favourite secondary character from the series.

Bex really adds humour to the books, with witty lines and her so-cool attitude that makes me want to either be her, or be friends with her. And she’s English, which makes her all the more relatable. We could even talk about the weather!

Bex is also extremely loyal to her friends. It’s a quality that I greatly admire because it’s not always that you find someone who would do anything for you. If anybody is in trouble, you will find Bex rushing to their side. Where can I buy a Bex?

My favourite Bex quotes:

“The only way Bex would miss this would be if she were unconscious. And tied up. And in a concrete bunker. In Siberia.”

“Most little girls in England grow up wanting to marry
a prince. Bex grew up wanting to kick James Bond’s butt and assume his double-0 ranking.”

“‘Well…” [Liz] said, stumbling over the obvious, “Bex has always been kind of rules-optional.”

“Bex was a natural born spy.”

“Bex was the bravest person I knew. I’m not exaggerating when I say that. It is the honest truth. And I knew a lot of seriously brave people.”

“Bex had spent six hours on a private jet, but her cappuccino-coloured skin was glowing, and she looked as if she’d walked out of a skincare commercial.”

You’ll notice that a lot of these quotes are written in third person and I think this demonstrates the point that Bex is dearly loved. Her parents care about her, the Gallagher Girls do and readers love Bex, as shown in this post here. If you haven’t read these books yet, you need to so that you can find out for yourself just how much of a bright character Bex is.

Have you read the Gallagher Girls books? What did you like most about Bex?