rileyreads11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A fast paced book that just left me feeling a little disappointed.
melanieg123's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
archdukeanna's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
annamariahz's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book is so fun and suspenseful! I love a mystery with an unreliable narrator! The plot kept me on my toes, and the setting on Embassy Row added tension to the book! The idea that one misstep as a teenager could cause World War 3 raises the stakes. Add in the mysterious death of her mom and see the "Scarred Man" who may have killed her mom everywhere, and the stakes are very high! I love Ally Carter and can't believe I somehow missed reading this series! Her wit and swift-moving plotlines are on display in this book, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
joliendelandsheer's review against another edition
5.0
Originally at The Fictional Reader
Before I say anything else, I want to mention that I am a huge fan of Ally Carter. I absolutely love her Heist Society and really enjoyed the first book of the Gallagher Girls as well -I haven’t read the others. She writes about all of the things I love most: spies, thieves, heists, intrigue and deception. I was so excited when I found out she had started a new trilogy (?) called Embassy Row and always screamed from excitement when I not only saw it on Netgalley but got approved for it as well.
My expectations for this book were set quite high. And it did not disappoint! This book was about ambassadors, which is something I haven’t read a lot about. It was set in a place called Embassy Row in a country called Adria. It basically consists of a street -or streets- filled with embassies from different countries. So you could walk over different countries’ territories in one place!
The plot of this book was truly captivating. I have to study every moment of the day now but I started reading this when I woke up and only got up and had breakfast when I finished it. I know, I am a master of priorities. I don’t want to tell you too much about the actual novel, because it’s something you have to experience yourself. I will say that this is a bit darker than her other books. And I LOVED that!
Grace watched her mother die in front of her and while everyone says that it was an accident, Grace knows it wasn’t. Her mom was murdered. And yes, that must leave enormous emotional scars on anyone. I really loved how Ally Carter handled this. While Grace is definitely a strong character -you have to be, to believe in yourself when others keep telling you you’re wrong- she is still a person who has giant emotional scars. She has panic attacks, etc. I think this is what made Grace feel so real to me. She was strong even though she has seen terrible things. Even though sometimes she can’t handle the panic anymore. She gets up again. That is strength to me.
I really loved the side characters as well! Noah is such a sweet guy and witty as well. And Megan -or Meghan, ah names…- I found intriguing as well. She showed me -and Gracie- that maybe our perceptions of someone might be wrong. Then there’s Alexei! I don’t even know where to start on him. And Rosie! The cute little sneaky girl. Every side character is an important part of Grace’s life or her mission. And they all have their own, unique strengths. All of these teenagers are from different embassies -so different countries. And her grandfather. In the beginning, I kind of disliked him. But he grew on me, just like Ms. Chancellor did. I loved them all.
I would highly recommend this book. The storyline is captivating and honestly, the twist at the end… I did NOT see that coming. If you like YA or contemporaries or even mysteries, I feel like you’d like this.
I can’t wait for the next book! Literally. I wish I had it right now.
Before I say anything else, I want to mention that I am a huge fan of Ally Carter. I absolutely love her Heist Society and really enjoyed the first book of the Gallagher Girls as well -I haven’t read the others. She writes about all of the things I love most: spies, thieves, heists, intrigue and deception. I was so excited when I found out she had started a new trilogy (?) called Embassy Row and always screamed from excitement when I not only saw it on Netgalley but got approved for it as well.
My expectations for this book were set quite high. And it did not disappoint! This book was about ambassadors, which is something I haven’t read a lot about. It was set in a place called Embassy Row in a country called Adria. It basically consists of a street -or streets- filled with embassies from different countries. So you could walk over different countries’ territories in one place!
The plot of this book was truly captivating. I have to study every moment of the day now but I started reading this when I woke up and only got up and had breakfast when I finished it. I know, I am a master of priorities. I don’t want to tell you too much about the actual novel, because it’s something you have to experience yourself. I will say that this is a bit darker than her other books. And I LOVED that!
Grace watched her mother die in front of her and while everyone says that it was an accident, Grace knows it wasn’t. Her mom was murdered. And yes, that must leave enormous emotional scars on anyone. I really loved how Ally Carter handled this. While Grace is definitely a strong character -you have to be, to believe in yourself when others keep telling you you’re wrong- she is still a person who has giant emotional scars. She has panic attacks, etc. I think this is what made Grace feel so real to me. She was strong even though she has seen terrible things. Even though sometimes she can’t handle the panic anymore. She gets up again. That is strength to me.
I really loved the side characters as well! Noah is such a sweet guy and witty as well. And Megan -or Meghan, ah names…- I found intriguing as well. She showed me -and Gracie- that maybe our perceptions of someone might be wrong. Then there’s Alexei! I don’t even know where to start on him. And Rosie! The cute little sneaky girl. Every side character is an important part of Grace’s life or her mission. And they all have their own, unique strengths. All of these teenagers are from different embassies -so different countries. And her grandfather. In the beginning, I kind of disliked him. But he grew on me, just like Ms. Chancellor did. I loved them all.
I would highly recommend this book. The storyline is captivating and honestly, the twist at the end… I did NOT see that coming. If you like YA or contemporaries or even mysteries, I feel like you’d like this.
I can’t wait for the next book! Literally. I wish I had it right now.
rae_2009's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
acadiagrenier's review against another edition
3.0
Bought this book seven years ago at a scholastic book fair and never read it. For a book meant for middle schoolers it was fairly good
ashe_michaela's review against another edition
4.0
while waiting for the printer at work, i happened to pick this book up off a cart and started reading through the first few pages. ended up immediately finding the audiobook to listen to while i was working and finished it just a couple days later.
i’ve always been a huge fan of ally carter’s work, and this is no different. not my absolute favorite of her books, but definitely a good ya read.
i’ve always been a huge fan of ally carter’s work, and this is no different. not my absolute favorite of her books, but definitely a good ya read.