United We Spy (Gallagher Girls #6) - Ally Carter

Review: United We Spy
Series: Gallagher Girls (#6 - Final)
Author: Ally Carter
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: espionage

**Spoilers for Book Five**

Ahh the end to a childhood series is always a heartbreaking thing. The Gallagher Girls series did not start out in the best fashion (in fact I thought the first book was terrible), but it really began to shine as the actual plot built up. These books will always strike me on the juvenile side of YA fiction, but they are so much fun to read. The are light, quick, cute, and full of action.

After the end of book five, I was very surprised. It was my favorite out of all of them, and I believe it had a bit of a darker vibe. Cammie struggling to regain her memory after torture was probably more intense than all of the book combined. I had pretty high expectations for book six, but it wasn't as much of a high hitter as I'd wanted it to be. The series took a couple of steps back in this book, but overall it was a satisfying end.

The plot was excitable, it took a few twists and turns. It showed us different sides of many characters that we previously knew, and it threw some revelations our way. Again, it wasn't as mature as I wanted it to be, after all that the girls have been though I wanted some more intensity, but it was still good. 

The characters are all the same people, only this time they are seniors and need to figure out what they will be doing for the rest of their life. I enjoyed how Cammie has to find herself, and really figure out what she want to do. After all, training as a spy leaves you a surprisingly large number of options for the future. Bex, Liz, and Macey are all pretty much the same though. I didn't see too much character development, except maybe with Liz, (we learn some very interesting information about Ms. Sutton). Finally, there's Zach. Still cute and enigmatic as ever, and still grappling with his origins.

It wrapped up nicely, and there was a lot that went on, but it ended satisfactorily. I liked the flow of the books, and they are perfect to read when you want something light and easy. Since there isn't much dark content it makes them a little flat to read occasionally, but I would still recommend them. 

Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3) - Ally Carter

Review: Perfect Scoundrels
Author: Ally Carter
Rating: 4/5

Genre: Espionage

Recommend To: fans of the Gallagher Girls, the Specialists

Ally Carter writes the some of the cutest literature. Don't take that the wrong way, it's a compliment. If you need something light-hearted and simple to read curled up somewhere on a rainy day, Ally Carter is your way to go. I'm going to say her Gallagher Girls series didn't start of that well, but it's definitely much better in the later books. However, Heist Society is good throughout the series. 

The plots are very simple; there's a bad guy, then Kat's adorable family gets involved. They pull the biggest con ever attempted, and they win YAY. It's very suitable for younger kids, (except for when Hale gets drunk). But even then, it's written for a more juvenile audience. If you're looking for a complex. emotional plot, with twists and turns this is not it. BUT, it's still so, so enjoyable. It's fun and adventurous. The names of some of the Heist capers are ridiculous (ex. Three Blind Mice, the Anastasia, Cat in the Cradle, Count of Monte Cristo). It's so much fun imagining all the different cons those could possible refer to!

The characters are definitely one of the best aspects of this book. Kat, Hale, Uncle Eddie, Bobby, Gabrielle (who I really love), Angus, Hamish, Simon, Silas Foster, Marcus, Marianne. They're all fantastic and whimsical and hilarious and very, very lovable. And the bad guys are fun to hate too! Hale's entire family is horrible, Garrett was despicable. But it was all so lighthearted. Although, there was a scare towards the end, there is nothing awful that happens in these books. They'll just make you plain old laugh in amusement. 

The relationships are beautiful. Kat and Hale go through some bumps, but they still love each other. Kat and her Uncle Eddie are always there for each other. Kat and Gabrielle...I adore them and their little cousin bickering. The characters never let each other down though, they are loyal to the end. In these books, family is everything, and it just adds a bright spot to your day.

Overall, these books are simple, delightful, and heartwarming. It's just a pleasure to read, and will take your mind off your problems.