Monday, December 07, 2009

What's scarier - terrorists or politicians?

This 3rd book in the Gallagher Girls series was just as much fun -- and as well-written -- as the first one. Cammy Morgan, 16-year-old daughter of two spies and a student at the exclusive Gallagher Academy just outside Washington D.C., is the central character in this series. After her father's death in some foreign country about four years ago, her mother "retired" from active service and became the headmistress at the Gallagher Academy, ostensibly a snooty school for spoiled rich girls, but actually a training ground to prepare girls for a future as a spy, researcher, or some other illicit government service. Cammy is now in her junior year, and has moved on from basic language study, history, and "the best ways to evade a pursuer" to more advanced study of "Covert Ops." This year they're getting into disguises -- which comes in very handy when Cammy, Bex, and Liz need to escape the school to protect Macey. Since her father is running to be America's next Vice President, Macey is out on the campaign trail helping with the "family image" so important to candidates today. But someone is out to kill Macey. Cammy just happened to be on hand in Boston when someone made the first attempt, and she and Macey barely escaped, though with serious injuries. Cammy's long-lost Aunt Abby (also a spy) shows up to serve as Macey's personal security guard, but she's only one person, and doesn't know everything that Cammy and her friends have found out -- so they know they just have to chip in when Macey has a command appearance at the next stop on the campaign trail. But other considerations are complicating the whole story -- why does Zach, the romantic but mysterious boy from the OTHER spy school, keep showing up when things go wrong? And is Macey seriously interested in that dorky son of the presidential candidate? Is there really a secret society whose mission is to destroy anyone connected with the Gallagher Academy? There is definitely more here than meets the eye!

For its clever dialogue and writing style, for the romance, adventure, and suspense, and definitely for its unexpected twist at the end, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorite books.