Moving Target

Moving Target #1

by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Cassie Arroyo, an American studying in Rome, has her world ripped apart when someone tries to kill her father, an art history professor at an Italian university. Is she their next target?

Cassie sets out to uncover what is happening, only to learn that she is a member of an ancient bloodline that enables her to use the Spear of Destiny—a legendary object that can alter the future. Now running from a secret organization intent on killing those from her bloodline, Cassie must—with the help of some friends—decipher the clues that will lead her to the Spear.

Christina Diaz Gonzalez has created a fast-paced thrill-ride of a book, rich with riddles and myth, that young readers will not want to put down.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery, Young Adult, Fiction, Action

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2015

About the author

Christina Diaz Gonzalez is the Edgar® award-winning author of several books including The Red Umbrella, A Thunderous Whisper, the Moving Target duology, Stormspeaker, Concealed, and two upcoming books, Invisible (a graphic novel available in August 2022) and The Bluest Sky (a historical fiction novel available in September 2022). Her books have received numerous honors including the Florida Book Award, the Nebraska Book Award, and the International Latino Book Award. Her work has also been designated as an American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection, and as an International Reading Association's Teachers' Choice book. Christina currently lives in Miami, Florida with her husband, sons, and a dog that can open doors. Learn more at www.christinagonzalez.com

Reviews

[Durch.Welten.Und.Zeilen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ich hatte mir mehr von dem Buch erhofft. Ich bin einfach nicht wirklich in die Geschichte hineingekommen. Die Charaktere waren super oberflächlich. Und auch wenn ich weiß, dass es Urban Fantasy ist und damit natürlich nicht so bei uns möglich wäre, hatte ich durchgehend den Gedanken, dass es soo unrealistisch ist. Deshalb werde ich den zweiten Band auch nicht mehr lesen.

[Jacobe D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie Arroyo lives the boring, all-too-average life of a professor's daughter. Not that she's complaining. Sometimes she just wishes that she lead a more exciting life style. But what Cassie doesn't know, is that you must always be carful what you wish for...

Everything is out of control. Cassie's father was shot, and she has left him at a hospital smack-dab in the center of Rome, only to be told that she must leave immediately. Leave him? Her Papi? Choices determine destiny. So here we are, Cassie and her best friend Simone on the hunt for safety. With everything from narrow escapes beside the cold nose of a gun, to secret passages hopefully leading to safety, Cassie has managed to get in contact with the man that her father told her to. There, Cassie learns that she is being hunted by a deadly society called the Hastati. Although they are not bad guys, in their eyes Cassie must be killed. All because she was born with a weird birthmark, Type O blood, oh, and the power to shape destiny. Wait, what?! Cassie is one of very few people in the world that has the ability to use the Spear of Destiny. This spear can shape the future, but in the wrong hands, destroy it. Only one descendant can use the spear at a time, but once a marked descendant uses the spear, they are bound to it for life. The Hastati are the protectors of the spear, but it has gone missing. Their only solution is to kill every marked descendant, since the spear's powers will soon be up for grabs. Cassie must escape the Hastati, find the spear, and trade it for her father's safety. What could go wrong? Cassie is rapidly learning that you never, ever know who you can trust. Are friends really your friends? Are enemies really your enemies? And with her friends Asher and Simone, Cassie is now on the run and on the hunt. But after all, it's harder to catch a moving target, now isn't it?

Moving Target was such an amazing book! Oh my gosh, I recommend it to anyone who loves a mysterious adventure, intertwined with bravery and passion. I also want to say, that this book is more about friendship and family than romance. I absolutely adore romance, but this book was just as good, even without it! Throughout the book, I felt happy, sad, but scared at times. The rising action builds up wonderfully, and the climax is totally unexpected! This book reminds me of Ink and Ashes, and, in a way, the danger of Harry Potter. I loved Moving Target, and I just know that you will too!

[LeeAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was hard for me to get through. It seemed to follow the genre of "special people who are supposed to save the world but don't know it and someone is out to get them and they don't know who to trust and they are kids." And I like that genre - read it a lot, but this story was very predictable which may be good for younger readers to learn foreshadowing and making inferences. The ending was good and may prompt me to read the sequel, but I'm not sure.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for: grades 5-8

Pairs well with: students who enjoy fast-paced action-adventure combined with plot twists. It reminds me of Rick Riordan’s series but the book is much shorter, clocking in at 250 pages rather than 400+

Book talk:

Cassie Arroyo is an eighth grader living in Rome with her art historian father. She is surrounded by art and culture, but what Cassie really wants to do is leave school during the day during her free periods, like the high school students can.

One day, Cassie gets what she wishes for…. her father pulls up to the school gates and insists that Cassie get in the car, no matter about school. He gives her a gun and tells her that she’s incredibly valuable…. and incredibly dangerous.

See, Cassie was born with the Mark of the Spear. If she comes into contact with the spear, she can control the future. That sounds like it could be a lot of fun … but it could also be incredibly dangerous.

There’s a group of people called the Hastati who would rather see Cassie dead than at risk of endangering others. And then there are other groups fighting over who has control over the spear or where the spear even is.

All Cassie wants is to identify and return the spear so that she can go back to living a normal life. But that might not be so easy….

Review:

There’s a lot to like about this title for teen and tween readers:
1. It’s a thoroughly middle-grades read with a cover that’s cleverly age and gender-ambiguous…. there are many terrific middle grades books out there that won’t get picked up by my seventh graders based on their covers
2. Christina Diaz Gonzalez is a Cuban-American writer with Cuban-American characters. Some of my Hispanic readers will be delighted by the Spanish that’s dashed into the dialogue between Cassie and her father.
3. The book starts with a bang (almost literally, the guns come out early on in the book) and is well-paced. Some of the mysteries that Cassie solves will see juvenile and simplistic for adult readers but will be fun for younger readers.

Experienced adult readers will probably find the story predictable and the characters a little wooden. However, even with these weaknesses, I found this one a great “popcorn” read.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I think this will be a great read for my reluctant readers who love adventure, but for an adult who prefers her characters and plot a little more complex, it was just okay. Some of the supernatural elements feel outlandish, and there seems to be a lot of action with very few results. I was also hoping that the setting (Rome) would play a bigger role in the story. I'll definitely get this one into the hands of my students, but it wasn't really my thing.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud to a Grade 5 class. It is a fast paced adventure story that held their attention. Chapters are short which makes it perfect to read to students. Great for grade 4-8.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a complete thrill ride - perfect for kids who like a lot of rip-roaring action in a book they can't put down.

When Cassie's father picks her up in a panic after school one day, she learns that there is an ancient group called the Hastati that wants her dead. Cassie is part of an ancient bloodline that allows her to control the Spear of Destiny and alter the course of human history. Before she knows it, Cassie's father has been shot and she's on her own to figure this out - with the help of a few friends.

There are lots of twists and turns to the plot and the nonstop action really keeps the pages turning. Hand this to kids who are looking for something exciting to read. And of course it ends on a total cliffhanger, so be sure to have the second book, Return Fire, close by!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Special thanks to the MCBD for providing a copy in exchange for this review.



Another reviewer compared Moving Target to the DaVinci Code and I have to agree. It’s like DaVinci Code Light. Or Diet DaVinci Code. It’s a great introduction to kids who are into that kind of adventure story.

This is a fairly short book, so I personally could have done with some more character building, but I think for the target age there is just enough for them to get connected and engaged.

The action starts off with a bang - literally - when Cassie and her dad start running from she doesn’t even know what. When Cassie’s dad is shot, she’s on her own, left with only one cryptic clue from her father, which sends her down the rabbit hole and change her life forever.

I like that the author chose to use the Spear of Destiny as the object the kids are after. I like the lore she created for the Spear, that one person can control the destiny of the world. And I love that if Cassie gets her hands on it, the fate of the world will rest in the hands of an 8th grader. Yikes!

The action in this book was pretty much non-stop, only slowing down in the beginning once Cassie gets to the Monastery. I’m really not sure if there’s anything else that could have helped that though because that info needed to be given, the scenes had to happen.

It was cool to see a variation of languages in this book as well. Cassie's father is of Cuban descent so she and her father speak Spanish from time to time. The story takes place in Italy, so there is also some Italian sprinkled in. It makes me want to start using my DuoLingo app again because I recognized some of that Italian, but I couldn’t translate it in my head!

Some of the riddles/puzzles Cassie had to solve to complete her quest were too easy in my opinion. It baffled me that no adult character had figured it all out sooner. I had to keep reminding me that the target audience for this book would not have the same reasoning skills as an adult.

The characters also read a little young to me. I kept forgetting that the girls were 8th graders and Asher was 15. They just felt younger to me.

There was a twist at the end, but I saw it coming, which was sort of disappointing. Until the last twist happened that I did not see coming, so that was a real treat! I’m curious to read the second book just to see what comes next for Cassie.

Overall it was a quick read. It wasn’t a book I couldn't put down, but I also didn’t dread having to pick it up again. For me as an adult, it was average. But I’m not the target audience and I think middle grade kids will enjoy it.


So, should you read it?

I don’t think adult readers will get much out of this story, but I think middle grade kids would, especially those who like fast past books with puzzles and riddles. I considered having my 4th grader read it, but I think she may be a bit young for it. Perhaps in a year or two.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never rated a book this low before. Ever! So, where do I start? This book almost immediately reminded of the 39 Clues Series. I really did love that series. The main problem is that when I start reading this, I am reminded of that and how much better 39 Clues is than this. Like 39 Clues, but minus the geniuses that were the 2 main characters, the grand locations all over the world, and the power that was wielded by the different factions seeking the weapon. Like 39 Clues, there are various riddles located all over the place, all of which must be tracked down and solved to get to the powerful object at the end of the hunt. The riddles were very simplistic and very easy to solve and see coming. I saw lots of the twists coming and there really wasn't much hidden, like what happened with the main characters friend towards the end. The biggest and most difficult riddle, the key to everything, was located in a random little town located in the middle of nowhere. Another problem I had was that these are MIDDLE SCHOOLERS who are somehow able to evade these powerful factions that are hunting them down. As you can tell, I really don't like main characters whose job is to safe or defend the world, but they are in middle school. High school, I can excuse, but certaintly not middle school. In 39 Clues, it wasn't just the main characters completely by themselves. Also, the power of the spear really isn't explained too much. Just that it was imbued with power after coming into contact with the blood of Jesus, and that that somehow, who knows how, has time distortion abilities. Just what?! Where did that come from?! I also found the book to be cliche and frustrating. Like in the beginning, when Cassie's father is trying to get out of town. 'Cassie. I am so, so sorry. They tracked me down. I thought I was off of their radar. I am so sorry for not telling you about this earlier. I just wanted to keep you out of this! You would never believe me if I were to tell you what is happening. We should be driving for a couple more minutes, but I will SOMEHOW manage to NOT tell you anything you need to know to succeed or possess any knowledge of anything that is currently happening.' The 'didn't tell you to keep you safe' cliche, the 'mysterious, powerful organization that is never explained' cliche, and the 'we have the time, but I still will manage to not tell you what is happening' cliche, just to mention a few. Maybe if you are a younger reader and either don't know of or will look past the problems that I had with the book, I guess it could be good. But I certainly wouldn't read it again, neither would I ever recommend this to an adult. If you are looking for a book like this, just read 39 Clues. It should keep you occupied for a while, as well as being just better.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eighth-grader Cassie, an expat living in Rome, knows nothing about her destiny until the day her Cuban father rushes her away from school, saying her life is in danger. When her father is shot, her only recourse is to find Brother Gregorio--the only thing her father managed to tell her. Cassie flees to her friend Simone's house, which is soon under attack. The girls flee and find the monastery, where Cassie learns that she is a potential bearer for the spear that pricked Christ on the cross, and there are people who will kill her before allowing her that power. Gregorio orders her to stay safe in the monastery, but Cassie never listens to anyone so she and Simone decide to find the spear on their own. Gregorio's teenage nephew Asher reluctantly accompanies them as they try to escape the clutches of the Hastati, the group trying to kill Cassie. The chase leads them to Bagnaregio for a clue, then back to Rome and the Knights of Malta. Nowhere is safe, though, and Cassie is always thinking of her father, who might be dying. Whom can she trust? What will happen if she finds the spear? What will happen if she doesn't? A cliffhanger ending doesn't give anything away.

I thought I would like this a lot more than I did, because I usually like stories with research and mystic clues and secret passages. This one, however, was just contrived, derivative, and totally predictable, with a gigantic McGuffin plopped in the middle. I'll admit the description is well done and the pace is good, and kids will probably enjoy it, but it didn't work for me. The characters were as predictable as the plot, and Cassie was annoyingly dense and self-centered. It made me miss Kendra from Fablehaven, who was unusual in that she mostly did try to follow rules and do the right thing, and wasn't looked down on as a goody-goody. Anyway, this was just Dan Brown lite. For a much better book of this type, try Endymion Spring by Matthew Skelton. Or the Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper.

Oh, and in reading an interview with the author, it comes up that the main characters is Hispanic. I guess I did know that, but I remember thinking that Cassie felt background-less to me, and I found that unbelievable in a character who had apparently led such a cosmopolitan life. I didn't feel that her ethnicity or background played any role in the story, which bothered me. I remember an old favorite of mine, Greensleeves, in which the character had spent her life in transit all over Europe, and was both a fascinating character and had massive identity issues as a result; I wish I'd seen some of that in Cassie. This was a great opportunity lost, in my opinion.

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving Target
There should have been some sort of warning.
- First Sentence
 
"Everything is part of the same painting," as my dad liked to say. "But we are each the artist of our own life. We choose what colors to use."
- Chapter 1
 

 
Cassie is an eighth grader living with her father in Rome, having an ordinary, boring life (except for the fact that she is an American girl living in Rome). One day, Cassie's father comes to school and yanks her into the car, speeding through the city, blabbering about how much he loves her, how he is going to fix things, and how he should have told her when she was younger. He finally tells Cassie that the Hastati are after her. Cassie has no idea what that means and she thinks he might be crazy, but then a motorcycle pulls up and the rider starts shooting at them. When her dad gets shot, Cassie takes him to the hospital, but he insists she must run to find Brother Gregorio for help. Cassie is terrified and runs to the only place she thinks might be safe, her friend Simone's house. But when the danger follows her even there, Cassie and Simone must find Brother Gregorio and find out what all of this means.
 
 In her dad's notebook, Cassie finds this message:

The Guardian will be bound for life once the spearhead is used.

It turns out the Hastati are a two thousand year old organization entrusted with one important duty - protect the spear (The Spear of Destiny). The spear can shape destiny, but only certain people can use the power - and Cassie is the last of that bloodline.

I was just an average girl. Things like this were not supposed to happen to people like me. The palette of my life's painting was gray or maybe a boring variety of beige, not psychedelic neon.

 
Well, this book starts off running and doesn't slow down. Cassie is constantly trying to figure out who to trust and how to keep Simone and herself safe. They are racing to find the spear, but they aren't the only ones. They must figure out baffling clues at every turn and stay ahead of the two factions fighting each other for control of the spear.
 
This is an edge of your seat adventure that will keep readers guessing until the end. I highly recommend it to kids in grades 4-8 who enjoy mysterious adventure stories with strong female heroines.
 

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Moving Target from Scholastic New Zealand to review. I’d never heard of it before I received it but when I read the synopsis I thought it sounded like something I’d like.

I kept forgetting how old Cassie and the others were in the book because of all the things they were dealing with. It made them seem older in my head. I’m not sure how old Cassie and Simone were meant to be or if it was mentioned.

I was able to predict a few things while I read Moving Target. I’m not going to go into details because I don’t want to spoil anyone (I hate when people do that to me) but being able to predict these things didn’t ruin the story in any way for me. I read this in one sitting. There was just so much going on and I didn’t want to put it down.

This book ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’m assuming there will be another one after this but I’m not 100% sure. If there is another book coming out then I look forward to seeing what’s next for Cassie.

Cassie is a pretty brave girl. Her father kept a lot of secrets about her her family and her role with this Spear of Destiny but instead of resenting him (like a lot of people would) and being angry at him she is determined to save him so they can go back to normal. Not that anyone can be normal when a secret society is after you. On her journey to rescue her father and find the Spear, Cassie is almost killed more than once. Instead of backing down and hiding from the people trying to kill her, it only makes her want to find her father more.

If there is another book like I think there will be then I’m definitely looking forward to reading about Cassie’s next adventure.

[Olympe J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving Target is about a girl named Cassie whose father has recently been shot. The killer is now chasing Cassie. Along the way Cassie learns that she is part of an ancient bloodline that can control the spear of destiny. The spear of destiny can control what your destiny will be. Cassie later learned that the group is called Hastati and that they shot her father.Hastati is chasing all of the remaining decedents of the bloodline. Cassie has to find the spear before Hastati finds Cassie. With the help of some friends Cassie is determined to fin the spear and save her father. Can Cassie do it? Read the book to find out. This book is good for anyone who likes a good mystery.

[Bridget Neace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie Arroyo is an American living in Rome with her art history professor father. One day, Cassie’s father picks her up from school in a frenzy, telling Cassie that it’s no longer safe and that they are leaving Rome as soon as he picks up some passports. He makes cryptic comments about wishing he’d told her something long ago; finally, he tells her about a secret organization, called the Hastati, which is apparently after Cassie. Shortly after picking up new travel documents, Cassie’s father is shot. He manages to drive himself to a hospital; before being taken inside by paramedics, Cassie’s father gives her mysterious documents and instructs her to go to Brother Gregorio at the San Carlo Monastery, claiming that he is the only one who can protect Cassie. *“The Hastati are after her because Cassie is apparently a descendant of an ancient bloodline that will allow her to use the Spear of Destiny—an object that in the right hands can shape the future, and in the wrong hands, destroy it. But the spear has been missing for years. It seems that the Hastati will do whatever it takes to control it—and if they can’t find the spear itself, they’ll go after the ones who can use it.”

*The quoted text is taken from the back cover of the book.

I really enjoyed this book--a fast-paced story, with some plot twists that will keep you engaged and guessing. The story ends with hope for a sequel and I can't wait to see how Cassie's story continues!

[M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

12 year old Cassie and her art historian dad are currently living in Rome when the dad disappears and that starts a fast paced story full of adventure. It turns out that Cassie is the heir to the Spear of Destiny and there are people looking for her. Some may welcome her into her new role and others, well, the others want to kill her. What's a girl to do? First of all, what is the spear and where is it? Who can Cassie trust? In the end, nothing can be taken for granted.

The action moves around Rome and a few other parts of Italy although the setting is very much secondary to the plot. Other than a few place names, it could be set anywhere--we don't learn much about Italy at all. Nor do we learn anything about the Spear of Destiny itself. What does it look like? What exactly does it do? There's a lot of descriptive narrative left out of this story, but most middle school readers won't care.

This is an interesting story but is almost too fast paced. I felt I missed some important bits of the narrative as Cassie and her friends raced from one dangerous situation to the next. In the end, there are a whole lot of threads which are left hanging and it's likely many or most readers will forget the story line by the time the sequel comes out. However, that may be reason to reread this one.

This is Book 1 of a new series. Amazon doesn't tell us when the next one is due out.

[Sarah Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl connected to ancient power on the run in Rome. Cassie’s typical day is interrupted when her art professor father grabs her from school and says people are after them. When he is shot in the chase, her father shocks her again by confessing Cassie is the real target and that they must separate. Given a couple of her father’s journals and a warning not to trust anyone, Cassie grabs her best friend Simone and runs to the monastery where her father said she would be safe. Here she is blinded by another shock, Cassie is one of a few who have the power to change destiny through the use of the spear that pierced Christ’s side centuries ago. While the spear is missing, some want her dead and others will want to use her. Thinking that locating the spear will return her family’s life to normal, she and Simone, followed by the mysterious teen Asher, follow clues throughout Rome on a dangerous hunt for the spear and the truth. Although sophisticated readers might find all the obvious secrets tiresome, middle school readers will be entranced by the well-paced action and unique setting. The book's ending is a set up for a sequel.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

13-year-old Cassie Arroyo is an American living in Rome with her father,an art history professor at an Italian University. Her world falls apart when someone shoots her father and tries to kill her. Before he's whisked away in the ambulance, he tells Cassie that her life is in danger and she must go stay with an old friend, a monk. Brother Gregario tells her that she has inherited the mark and has the ability to control the future when in possession of the Spear of Destiny, an ancient Christian artifact.

That begins a race through Italy for Cassie, her best friend Simone, and Brother Gregario's nephew Asher as they follow clues to find the spear and avoid capture of the secret organization that wants to control Cassie because she can control the future. Who can Cassie trust? How can she find her father?

This is the Davinci Code for kids and it's fun and fast. I really appreciated the multi-cultural feel with bits of Italian and Spanish language thrown in as well as art history. Perfect for 4th grade and up.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unsuspecting eighth-grader Cassie finds out from her art historian father that a secret society called the Hastati is after her as they search for a powerful ancient artifact. When her father is shot and hospitalized, Cassie is directed to Brother Gregorio, where she learns that she is the Chosen One and only she can release the power of the Holy Lance, purportedly the spear used at the Crucifixion. Cassie, Brother Gregorio’s nephew Asher and best friend Simone race through Rome in search of clues to find the relic before it falls into the wrong hands. There are numerous puzzles and twists and plenty of danger as they frantically search for the spear. As Cassie’s decisions determine her fate, readers will cheer her unfailing determination. The banter between Simone and Asher keeps the story light in spite of the many threats around them. There is a good balance of reality, legend and history in this fast-paced adventure; the setting of the dazzling Eternal City is inspired. And the cliffhanger ending will no doubt hook readers for the sequel.

[Liz Friend · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the publisher:
Cassie Arroyo, an American studying in Rome, has her world ripped apart when someone tries to kill her father. Is she the next target? Cassie sets out to uncover what is happening, only to learn that she is a member of an ancient bloodline that enables her to use the Spear of Destiny--a legendary object that can alter the future. Now running from a secret organization intent on killing those from her bloodline, Cassie must--with the help of some friends--decipher the clues that will lead her to the Spear.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (gang violence) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: This was a fun, fast-moving adventure that managed to set a reckless pace without having objectionable content. Gotta love that!

[Aliana Fernandez De Cossio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and wildly imaginative, this novel is a gem for kids and teens of all ages. With rich culture and mixtures of Spanish, Italian and English languages, Moving Target is a action adventure mystery similar to the likes of the popular Dan Brown master pieces.
Cassandra Arroyo is a gutsy hero who will teach any reader that it is our choices that make our destiny! Even with two funny side kicks and a supernatural secret, Arroyo is relevant, relatable and completely believable.
A great read!

[Polly Holyoke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this smart middle grade adventure story. MOVING TARGET is set in Italy, and the author does a fabulous job of making that foreign setting vivid and engaging for young readers. I loved the heroine, her friend and the mysterious boy who helps them on their quest. The codes, puzzles and prophecies will hook young folks. They certainly hooked me. I would pitch this as a Da Vinci Code for bright middle grade boys and girls.

With plenty of action, adventure, and atmosphere, this series is off to a great start!

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely do I read books for middle graders that are so action packed that you find it hard to put it down. I don't mean those books that are so good that they grab your heart and you can't put it down. I mean those books that are non-stop, every chapter is a cliffhanger, and you just have to see how it's going to end books. This is one of them. Kids who are looking for a book that pulls them in right away, this is the one you want to hand off. Loved it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dan Brown / Alex Rider girl power conspiracy adventure mash up. This is a roller coaster adventure with a great Latina main character and a plot about the spear of Longinus that is full of twists and turns -- some predictable and some not. The first book in an exciting middle grade series with a lot of action, car chases, some gun fire, and a great cover.

[Ofilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this one in a day. Fast paced, action packed and a touch of mystery makes it hard to put down. I love the mix of fantasy and history in regards to the Holy Spear. Cassie is a smart, strong and brave heroine, plus she is a Latina which is awesome! This is going to be a huge hit with tweens.

[Audrey Laurey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The adventure, the action packed pacing, the diversity of characters. All very awesome and well done. A great middle grade read that would engage the most reluctant of readers. I will be recommending this book a lot!

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterious adventure in the vein of National Treasure. Spies, artifacts, secret societies, and maybe a little magic. A non-stop adventure for boys and girls with plot twists and a cliffhanger ending. Warning: very open-ended. Story continues in book two, Return Fire.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like The Davinci Code for 5th-8th graders. Lots of action and mystery, plus complex characters.

[Morgan McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving Target was a very good book. I only wish it was not a cliffhanger! I need more of it! :)

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Amelia E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a really long time ago but I remember enjoying both it and the sequel