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What Members Thought
3-1/2 stars, rounded up to 4.
This book surprised me by being solidly YA. I like reading YA, but I was expecting something more complex and nuanced than what I got. The bad guy was immediately obvious to me, and Mary didn't even consider the possibility until page 303 or so; as a result, she didn't seem terribly clever. But okay, this is YA so the plot is a bit simpler, and this was Mary's first mission (but far from my first mystery novel), so that all fits. I'm not usually one to cry "argh! An ...more
This book surprised me by being solidly YA. I like reading YA, but I was expecting something more complex and nuanced than what I got. The bad guy was immediately obvious to me, and Mary didn't even consider the possibility until page 303 or so; as a result, she didn't seem terribly clever. But okay, this is YA so the plot is a bit simpler, and this was Mary's first mission (but far from my first mystery novel), so that all fits. I'm not usually one to cry "argh! An ...more
My first impression is that it's Edwardian Torchwood without aliens. (Anne and Felicity remind me a lot of Alice and Emily - definite tension there.) A little too complicated, with every character having secrets and agendas and never knowing who to trust. It also started a bit overwritten and overwrought. But I like Mary and James, the plot was interesting, and I'll definitely look for the rest of the series.
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Strong heroine, mysterious goings-on, and a secret past. Everything a great teen book needs. Did I mention the heroine is an orphan? Of course she is!
This held me and let me go. Held me and let me go. I loved the non-white protagonist, but some of the other things just didn't hold me.
I will read the next one though. ...more
I will read the next one though. ...more
Aug 03, 2010
Cassandra
marked it as to-read
Apr 22, 2011
Rachel
marked it as to-read
Dec 22, 2012
Caitlin H
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Jan 29, 2014
Kate McCartney
marked it as to-read
Jun 13, 2016
Maryanne
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Feb 20, 2017
Camille
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Aug 26, 2017
Martha
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Sep 02, 2019
Kerry
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2020
Adjrun
marked it as to-read
