Book Review: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

SUMMARY (From Goodreads):

After staking out, obtaining, and then being forced to give up her first boyfriend, Josh, all Cammie Morgan wants is a peaceful semester. But that's e...more After staking out, obtaining, and then being forced to give up her first boyfriend, Josh, all Cammie Morgan wants is a peaceful semester. But that's easier said than done when you're a CIA legacy and go to the premier school in the world... for spies.

Cammie Morgan may have a genius IQ and attend the best school in the country, but as she starts the spring semester of her sophomore year there are a lot of things she doesn't know. Like will her ex-boyfriend even remember she exists? And how much trouble did she really get in last semester? And, most of all, exactly why is her mother acting so strangely?

All Cammie wants is a nice, normal semester, but she's about to learn her greatest lesson yet—that when you go to a school for spies, nothing is ever as it seems


OPINION: 4 STARS

Picking up not long after book 1 leaves off, Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy slips the reader back into Cammie's world smoothly. With small reminders about events from book 1 and easy tie ins to book 2, the action picks back up quickly. A new semester brings new classes and challenges and Carter adds in plenty of twists to this one to keep interest.

Cammie's character is similar to the girl we meet in book 1 though she is noticeably changed at having lost Josh. She still misses him and her thoughts drift to him often, keeping with a girl of her age and situation. Though she can understand the necessity, it still pains her to know she couldn't have him. As the plot progresses, Josh gets pushed to the side often in her mind, only to be thrust back in either in person or from a jarring reminder and this is played out smoothly. Her character continues to grow, both in her spy abilities and her overall mental state.

Zack is a new character, introduced in a fantastic way with a strong presence throughout. He has his own air of mystery, his multiple sides, and his own motivations and background. His interactions with Cammie are great to read and add a spark to an already intriguing plot. Carter pitches him in a perfect light for the reader to question many things about him before exposing the truth at the end.

As with book 1, this plot moves at a steady place, gives plenty of focus on both the school/world, the characters, and the current events, and ties everything up at the end. The reader is left in a good place overall. Because of her spy upbringing and education, Cammie questions things others wouldn't and has interesting views on things. This plays out well, and Carter does a fantastic job continuing to build the world she's created and the missions posed to the girls.

The writing gives Cammie the same strong, distinct voice seen in book 1, blending her spy aspects with her teenage girl aspects. Humor, emotion and action all tie together to make Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy a great, quick, light read.

Details:
Source: Purchased
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Hyperion; 1 edition (October 2, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1423100050