Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Paris, 1925: To enter the Secret Circus is to enter a world of wonder-a world where women tame magnificent beasts, carousels take you back in time, and trapeze artists float across the sky. But each daring feat has a cost. Bound to her family's strange and magical circus, it's the only world Cecile Cabot knows-until she meets a charismatic young painter and embarks on a passionate love affair that could cost her everything.

Virginia, 2005: Lara Barnes is on top of the world-until her fiancé disappears on their wedding day. Desperate, her search for answers unexpectedly leads to her great-grandmother's journals and sweeps her into the story of a dark circus and a generational curse that has been claiming payment from the women in her family for generations.

Review:

I first became familiar with Constance Sayers when I read her novel, A Witch in Time, for my book club.  It was a good blend of the modern with the supernatural.  The Ladies of The Secret Circus moves further into the fantasy realm, with much of the novel set in the magical "Secret Circus", and the rest set in a small Virginia town.  Both settings had wonderful world-building, intriguing characters and a plot full of mystery and suspense.  This was a fun, exciting read.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

I enjoyed both the small town of Kerrigan Falls, Virginia and the chic world of Paris in the nineteen-twenties.  Sayers got the details of a small town just right.  Everyone had known each other since childhood.  This could be stifling, but also a comfort in difficult times.  I loved the details of how the downtown area changed over the years.  While there were several new businesses run by the younger generation, they were all housed in older buildings.  The radio station used to be a pharmacy, and the new coffee shop had been repurposed from a feed and supply shop.  

In the world of nineteen-twenties Paris, there was both excess and destitution.  While the young and carefree lived it up in bars and nightclubs, many people barely eked out a living.  Artists, especially, suffered in order to afford their paints.  

The Circus itself was a gothic nightmare, run be a daemon, Althacazur.  All of the performers were living in their own personal Hell.  There was a whole mythology associated with the Circus.  People in Paris would need to desperately willing to do anything in order to the Circus, and only then would they receive a ticket.  Did they sell their souls for this?  Possibly so.  But the Circus itself was so magical, people were eager to do whatever it took to get in.

Characters:

In Kerrigan Falls, Lara has been left on the altar by her fiance, Todd.  Is he really missing or did Todd just skip out on his wedding?  Lara is both angry that he abandoned her, and worried that he may actually be missing.  It's hard for her to move on.  

Lara relies on Ben, the police chief. At first, he is a strong, reassuring presence as Todd's disappearance brings news outlets from all over the U.S.  But when a year passes and there is still no lead on what happened to Todd, Lara begins to see Ben as a person she enjoys spending time with.  Ben, a divorced man who is a good ten years older than Lara, is obviously interested in Lara.  But he also worries that Lara isn't ready to move on.  I liked that even though Ben was very comfortable with himself, he still wasn't sure about starting a relationship with Lara.  He was also a shot of realism to the story that kept the novel from going over the top with the fantasy elements.

Cecile (of the Circus) is very innocent considering she lives in actual Hell.  Her Father, Althacazur, seems to indulge her, but is harsh with her twin sister, Esme.  Yet, Cecile is terribly jealous of Esme, who is the star of the circus.  Cecile doesn't feel as though she is really a part of the circus, since she only helps behind the scenes.  She is constantly looking to be valued by others.  It's no wonder that when a Parisian painter is interested in her, she falls madly in love.

Esme is both a tragic figure and a villain in the story.  Given how she is punished by Althacazur, it's no wonder she resents Cecile.  She has many reasons for hating her sister, which are revealed as the story progresses.  While this doesn't excuse her behavior, it does explain it.

Plot:

The main plot takes place in the more realistic world of Virginia, where there have been several mysterious disappearances, each thirty years, to the day, apart.  Somehow, they are connected to the Barnes family and their ancestor's past in the Secret Circus.  As Lara grieves for her missing fiance, she begins to learn about the Secret Circus, and it's connection to her family.  The portion of the plot reminds me more of a crime novel than a fantasy book, with Ben, the no-nonsense cop, following the clues.

Whenever the story switches to 1925 Paris, we are transported to a strange, gothic world.  Cecile and her sister are humans living among daemons and magical creatures.  One false move, and the punishment could be being sent to the White Forest (where people go mad) or worse.  

The main plot in the circus portion of the book revolves around the rivalry between Cecile and her sister, Esme, and their infatuation with a French painter.  This is a wonderful vehicle for the author to delve into the fabulous Paris of the nineteen-twenties.  Famous artists, such as Hemingway, Picasso, and Gertrude Stein make cameo appearances.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 23rd, 2021

Author:  Constance Sayers

Publisher:  Redhook

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  448 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A suspenseful fantasy tale with the excitement of the circus and a murder mystery, as well.  A page-turner.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Michael Kingman thought he was going to die by the executioner’s axe, forever labeled as a traitor. Still alive, and under the protection of the Orbis Mercenary company, Michael and his family and friends are deeply involved in the seemingly rival conspiracies that are tearing The Hollows apart. With the death of the King, both the Corrupt Prince and his sister Serena are vying for the throne, while the Rebel Emperor is spreading lies amongst the people, and all of them want Michael dead. This is a story of betrayal, murder, and rebellion, and in this direct sequel to the debut novel The Kingdom of Liars, also some hope for justice.

Review:

For the most part, I try not to review books in a series unless I have read the previous books first.  Imagine how dismayed I was when I finally had time to read The Two-Faced Queen, by Nick Martell, only to realize that this was book two in a series!  I guess I was too enamoured by the beautiful cover when I requested it from NetGalley.

"Okay," I thought, "no problem. I can knock out the first book, then move on to the next one."

So, I downloaded the The Kingdom of Liars (book one) from the library and learned that it was nearly 600 pages!  I then checked on how long The Two-Faced Queen was, also around 600 pages.  Oh boy!  Well, after a marathon of reading over the last week and a half, I have finally read both novels.  My head is spinning from the rich world-building, the huge cast of characters, and layered storytelling.  It was totally worth it.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

This fantasy book has a complex world of magic, and societies, with checks and balances built into both systems.  Only some could use magic, but it's use came at a price.  The most common type of magic was called Fabrications.  People lose memories each time they use this type of magic.  The stronger the magic, the more memories a person loses.  If someone uses a small amount of magic they may forgets the name of an object.  If they use a large amount of magic  they forget entire days, or who their loved ones are.  Eventually. if one uses too much magic, they become a Forgotten, who loses all their memories.  I loved this check on power.  

The society that the novel is set in is really complicated.  The kingdom is called Hallow, and there is a rigid class system in place.  Besides royalty, there are high and low Nobles, several organized religions, military divisions like the Ravens and Scales, Mercenaries, and then there is the Kingman family.  This family is not royalty, but is directly bound to the royal family.  They are just as influential as the royals, and are the only people who can speak freely to (and be a check on) the royals they are bound to.

Language:

While I am not a person who normally likes lots of cursing in books, I found the language used in this novel to be quite refreshing.  Yes, this is a fantasy world that seems to be set in medieval times (aren't they all).  But there are an abundance of F bombs and other, more modern, speech.  Yes, the author could have made up curse words.  But, I've always felt that device was a bit trite.  If you have a bunch of twenty-something people together, no matter the time, there ought to be a fair amount of cursing, carousing, and bad behavior.  This made the characters much more relatable for me.

Characters:

The focus of the story is on Michael Kingman, who feels the full weight of his family's legacy.  He and his siblings, Gwen and Lyon, have been told over and over that they are to live a life of service to Hallow.  They really reminded me of the Kennedy clan in America.  There are people in this family who have done amazing things, and others who never live up to their potential.  Since their father has been found guilty of killing one of the royal princes ten years earlier, the Kingman family have been in disgrace.  But Michael never believed his father was guilty.  Now Michael has been accused of killing another royal, and he must convince Serena, the princess he is bound to, that he didn't do it.

There are many other characters who feel the weight of family history on their lives.  Besides Michael and Serena, there is Dark, a Mercenary who is hell-bent on destroying his father.  Chloe, a Raven who must try to live up to her mother's high standards as the group's leader.  Trey, Michael's best friend, grew up in an abusive situation and is determined to lift up his section of the kingdom out of poverty.  Everyone is driven to prove themselves.  There are a lot of backstories to keep track of.  However, the author weaves a tale where this all makes sense.  Thankfully, if the reader does become confused, there is a handy list at the front of the book to show who belongs to which family, and what part of society.

Story:

There are plots, and sub-plots, enough to make your head spin.  There is the constant threat that a royal or a nobel will kill Michael to avenge the death of Serena's father.  There is the thread about Michael's mother trying to rebuild the family's place in society.  There is a plot about immortals who may secretly be controlling everything.  There are several love stories happening as well.  All of this is happening while a rebellion is expected occur in the near future.  

At times, it was difficult to understand just where the story was headed.  Is it a story about the Princess's ascension to the throne?  Is this a story about a serial killer who is targeting pretty much everyone?  Or is this a story of revenge on the Kingman family by those who have been wronged by them in the past?  If you answered yes to ALL of these questions, you would be correct!  This is why the book is nearly 600 pages.

The story really goes in a million directions and it takes a while for everything to come together.  But, the result is a richly layered story in a vibrant world.  I really felt I could follow it for several hundred more pages, and I would still be enthralled. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 23rd, 2021

Author:  Nick Martell

Publisher:  Gallery/Saga Press

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  592 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Filled with a rich world and exciting characters, this is a wonderful fantasy series that you will gladly want to read more and more.  A thrilling page-turner.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Her advice, spot on. Her love life, way off.

Darcy Phillips:
• Can give you the solution to any of your relationship woes―for a fee.
• Uses her power for good. Most of the time.
• Really cannot stand Alexander Brougham.
• Has maybe not the best judgement when it comes to her best friend, Brooke…who is in love with someone else.
• Does not appreciate being blackmailed.

However, when Brougham catches her in the act of collecting letters from locker 89―out of which she’s been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service―that’s exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach―at a generous hourly rate, at least. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back.

Darcy has a good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she’s behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there’s a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again.

Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who’s already fallen for him once? What could go wrong?

Review:

At first, Perfect on Paper, by  Sophie Gonzales, seems like a typical YA novel,  There is a meet-cute, a somewhat improbable premise, and a sweet resolution.  But this novel is much better than this description.  The characters are an array of LGBTQ+ and straight people, with the main character, Darcy, being Bi.  I loved that this book brings up topics of Biphobia among the LGBTQ+ community.  Does Darcy need to prove she's Queer enough to be accepted by her LGBTQ+ peers, her parents, and even herself?

What I Liked:

Premise:

Darcy, a scholarship student at an elite private school, has a side-business as an anonymous advice giver.  Teens leave letters (and ten dollars) in locker 89, which Darcy, as soon as the coast is clear, collects and answers each day.  But one day, Darcy is seen by Brougham, another student, who blackmails her into helping him win back his ex-girlfriend.  This was a fun way to introduce the reader to all the many characters at this high school, and show some of the tricky situations these teens face.

Characters:

Darcy is a bisexual girl, which she sometimes finds challenging.  At the beginning of the novel, there are microaggressions described that come to a head later in the book.  I loved how this issue is presented (not something I really thought about before, to be honest).  It made me think about some of the prejudices I have held, and will attempt to erase in the future.

Brougham, is the straight boy who Darcy is helping (albeit via blackmail) to win back his girlfriend.  He is definitely shaped by his parent's terrible marriage.  When his parents argue it's an all out screaming, objects being thrown, fight.  It's embarrassing for Brougham to invite people over due to all the drama.  And this has caused him to be very reserved with other teens.  Darcy hs real empathy for Brougham, as her parents acted similarly before they finally divorced.

LGBTQ Representation:

Besides Darcy, there are several other LGBTQ+ characters.  There is her sister, Ainsley, a transgender girl, and Darcy's lesbian friend, Brooke.  These were more than superficial characters.  I really liked that they were very well fleshed out people, with many good, and not so wonderful, qualities.

Story:

I enjoyed the story so much.  Each chapter begins with one of the letters Darcy answers from locker 89.  And her advice is actually pretty good!  Because Darcy's advice is anonymous (and people often do not say who they are), she is privy to many secrets in and around the school.  She also has given anonymous advice to a student she can identify, namely her best friend Brooke.  But is the advice she gives to help Brooke, or help Darcy?  

Another part of the story which I really loved was about crushes.  Darcy (as is often the case in YA books) has a crush on her best friend.  In most stories, Darcy would declare her love and Brooke would confess she also was secretly in love with her.  But Perfect on Paper is much more realistic.  

What I Was Mixed About:

Story:

While I liked the story very much, there was one aspect of the novel I didn't appreciate.  While one character really has to pay a steep price for their actions, others did not.  I was really glad that there was some accountability in this book, something many books lack.  But one of the most annoying characters in the book really gets away with some serious misconduct without any consequences.  I found this very frustrating.  I was surprised that the other character didn't call them out on it.  But I supposed that this is what happens in life. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 9th, 2021

Author:  Sophie Gonzales

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Contemporary

Page Length:  304 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun YA book with solid representation of LBGTQ+ characters and situations.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

An alien armada lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can destroy it, and Fleet Captain Nine Hibiscus is running out of options.

In a desperate attempt at diplomacy with the mysterious invaders, the fleet captain has sent for a diplomatic envoy. Now Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass—still reeling from the recent upheaval in the Empire—face the impossible task of trying to communicate with a hostile entity.

Whether they succeed or fail could change the fate of Teixcalaan forever.

Review:

The first book in this series, A Memory Called Empire, was one of my favorite books of last year.  This space opera explored colonialism, and how cultures see other societies, often as less than.  It also looked at what it means to be a person, as the main character, Ambassador Mahit, has the memories of her predecessor, Yskandr. embedded into her brain.  Is she Mahit, or is she Yskandr, or somehow both?  If memories can live on, is a person really dead?

Author Arkady Martine explores this further in A Desolation Called Peace.  With poetic language as a key component to the plot, there are new species of life, more wonderful characters, and a plot that kept me guessing.  This was a wonderful book.

What I Liked:

Language/Communication:

One of the themes of the book is communication.  How do species communicate with each other?  Is it only through spoken language?  Can it be done in other ways?  Is one way superior to another?  As the Teixacalaanli Empire encounters a new threat, it has to confront the ideas of how communication works. If a species communicates, in whatever form it does, can they be recognized as people?  Since the Empire always sees themselves as superior (and any other species as "barbarians"), this is a challenge.  

But the book also uses poetry, a form of language that Teixicalaanlis revere, to create haunting imagery.  Just the names of the Teixicalaanlis, from Three Seagreass, to Nine Hibiscus, evoke such beautiful depictions.  Pay special attention to the title of the book, A Desolation Called Peace.  The beginning of the novel begins with what this means.  When both sides destroy everything, then there is nothing left but peace.  It is both terrifying, and sadly how some wars resolve.

Characters:

Besides Mahit, and Three Seagrass, we learn much more about Eight Antidote, the eleven year-old clone of the deceased emperor, Six Direction.  Many of the chapters are from his point of view.  This is really a smart device, that lets us see how a new perspective, albeit from within the Teixicalaanli society, can be catalyst for fresh solutions.  

There are also several new military characters, like Nine Hibiscus, her second in command Twenty Cicada, and the ambitious Sixteen Moonrise.  There are strong bonds forged from years of shared experiences, to petty rivalries that all feed the story.  Their characters bring out the human costs of war, and the choices soldiers have to live with once a war is over.

Relationships:

I loved that many of the relationships from the first book continue on in A Desolation Called Peace.  We get to see how the feelings between Mahit and Three Seagrass are more complex than we can imagine.  Is Mahit Three Seagrass's "pet", as many refer to her as?  Is Three Seagrass drawn to Mahit mainly because she is an exotic foreigner?  We also see the very complex relationship that Mahit has with Yskandr (both old and young versions).  Will they be constantly an echo in her head, or can they all integrate?  Does Mahit even want that?  And I loved the relationship between Eight Antidote and the current emperor, Nineteen Adze.  Eight Antidote is the heir of Nineteen Adze, so they are much like a parent and a child.  But Nineteen Adze alway is aware of the burdens Eight Antidote will bear when he ascends to the throne.  With this in mind, she never treats him as a child.  She is a patient teacher and mentor for Eight Antidote, showing him how politics work.  Even when she was being ruthless, I liked that she never was impatient with her young heir.

Plot:

The story follows the start of a war (one that Mahit kind of started in the first book), that Mahit's people hope will keep the Teixicalaanlis busy so they won't be conquered themselves.  Clever.  But the new enemy is powerful enough that the Stationers (Mahit's people) may be caught in the crossfire, anyway.  

When Three Seagrass is sent to try and negotiate with this new life-form, she brings in Mahit to help.  But why would a Teixicalaanli bring in a "barbarian"?  The actual motivation for Three Seagrass is that she really misses Mahit.  But who will believe that a Teixicalaanli would want to spend time with a "barbarian"?  There's got to be a secret reason!  Could it have something to do with Yskandr's closeness to the Emperor?  It's what makes all sides suspicious of Mahit.

With all the various factions so jaded, Eight Antidote lives up to his name, as he is a fresh set of eyes on the situation.  

The story moves from the battlefield to the Palace through time and space, in such an urgent manner, that I couldn't put the book down.  It was thoroughly entertaining, and thought-provoking.   

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 2nd, 2021

Author:  Arkady Martine

Publisher:  Tor Books

Genre:  Science Fiction

Page Length:  496 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  With beautiful language and thought-provoking themes, this is a worthy sequel to A Memory Called Empire.  

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

With sinister forces at work, Wren and Hal realize they’ll have to join together if they have any hope of saving their kingdoms. But as Wren circles closer to the nefarious truth behind Hal’s illness, they realize they have no escape from the monsters within the mansion. All they have is each other, and a startling desire that could be their downfall.

Review:

YA fantasy is one of my favorite genres.  Besides all the fantasy elements, there are characters that have very relatable motivations.  They want to be seen, and loved, for who they are.  I was very drawn to the character of Wren in Down Comes The Night, by Allison Saft.  She want's what everyone wants, to be accepted for who she really is.  Finding that acceptance is a challenge, as all those who should love Wren unconditionally do not.   This was a book filled with excellent world-building, empathetic characters, and a compelling story. I loved this book.

What I Liked:

World-building:

The world in this book has countries at war, magic, and political intrigue.  Throughout Wren's life, her country has been at war with it's neighbors.  There have been countless battles with many dead.  That is why all young people are conscripted into the military, especially if they have magic.  But Wren's magic is of a very particular kind.  She is a healer.  So she sees the worst injuries after a battle. She also is the Queen's illegitimate niece.  But, the Queen finds her to be an embarrassment.  So instead of being a court favorite, Wren is constantly in trouble.  That is because of her natural tendency toward empathy, even with the enemy.  The book sets up this problem of talented people being asked to do terrible things in the name of country in a way that one can see parallels in real life.  It's easy to see the Other as the enemy, less so when you get to know the people on the other side of a conflict.

Characters:

I really liked Wren, who just couldn't find acceptance, not from her girlfriend, and not from her aunt, the Queen.  She was treated always as a problem.  So she was constantly chasing affirmation from others.  This compelled her to take lots of unnecessary risks, that usually got her in trouble.  When she meets Hal, an infamous warrior from the enemy nation, she immediately judges him by his reputation (something everyone else has done to her).  But there is more to Hal than meets the eye.

Hal is a tortured soul.  His magical talent is the opposite of Wren's.  He can kill someone just by looking at them. Whether he want's to or not, Hal has been pushed to use his deadly magic to benefit his country, and his family.  But he is sick of war, and his part in it.  When he becomes seriously ill, he needs to convince Wren that he is worth saving.  But first, he needs to believe it himself.  Even if someone shows remorse, are they worth redemption?

Story:

This book was full of schemes and intrigues!  I loved that you weren't certain of any character's motives for a while.  Even with a terrible war that is costing both nations dearly, it seems like neither one wants peace.  No one can be trusted.  When Wren uncovers who is really behind a series of disappearances, she can hardly believe it.  It's up to Hal and Wren to find the proof that will stop the war.  But there are betrayals ahead that Wren can even imagine. I enjoyed all the misdirection, as the plot twists and turns.  It made for a page-turner of a book!

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 2nd, 2021

Author:  Allison Saft

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Page Length:  400 Pages

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun, YA fantasy filled with characters who you will root for. This is a must read for fans of the genre.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

London, 1967: Sixteen-year-old Kitty Granger has always known that others consider her peculiar. She hates noise and crowds, tends to fixate on patterns, and often feels acutely aware of her surroundings even as she struggles to interpret the behavior of people around her. As a working-class girl in London’s East End, she’s spent her whole life learning to hide these traits. Until the day when she notices the mysterious man on the bus and finds herself following him, driven to know why he seems so out of place…only to accidentally uncover the location of a Russian spy ring.

When Kitty’s keen observation and quick thinking help her survive a dangerous encounter, two secret agents working for Her Majesty’s government offer her a job in their espionage operation.

Kitty's first mission pits her against a conspiracy led by a prominent politician―who's also a secret fascist. With help from an unusual team of fellow spies, Kitty must use her wits, training, and instincts to get out alive. And she might as well save the country while she's at it.

Review:

What a book!  Set in nineteen-sixties London, Kitty Granger is introduced to the world of Cold War spies and conspiracies, where she is uniquely qualified to succeed.  Kitty, although it doesn't explicitly say so, is autistic.  In her regular existence, she is considered strange, and a burden by her protective father.  But, in the world of espionage, her unusual traits are valued.  This was a fun, and exciting book.

What I Liked:

Setting:

Who doesn't love London's swinging sixties?  The mod fashion, music, and general feelings of optimism and change are apparent in the details from the author.  Growing up in London's East End (a very poor area), Kitty is used to scraping by in life.  Despite this, her neighborhood is comfortable and home.  I loved that Kitty instantly felt at ease when she met another fellow East Ender.  

The Sixties were a time of great change in England.  As more immigrants started to settle in England, some people became alarmed by what they considered an invasion of foreigners.  A reactionary element in politics gained momentum.  This is the political climate in which the novel takes place, and it becomes important to the progression of the story.  The author did a good job of explaining the foundations of this movement to the reader.

Characters:

Kitty is autistic.  The book does a wonderful job of describing how Kitty sees the world.  She uses many different coping skills when she becomes overwhelmed.  But the author also highlights many positive aspects of Kitty's mind.  She can focus intently on an issue, and notices small details that others miss.  She can also mimic other's voices, and has an amazing memory.  I love how the author shows that Kitty can use her talents when others give her a chance.  

But some situations are more challenging than others.  Kitty has to really think through social interactions before understanding what others expect out of her.  Loud noises and large crowds can trigger a panic.   This is really stressful for Kitty.  I could empathize with her struggle to maintain control.  Having just finished The Queen's Gambit on Netflix, I can see Anya Taylor Joy as Kitty.

One of the other stand-out characters, in my opinion, is Mrs. Singh.  She is a glamorous, independent woman.  I could definitely see Jameela Jamil playing this character in a movie.  Calm, and always prepared, she was such a great role-model for Kitty.

Story:

I love a good spy story.  I found Kitty's training: learning martial arts, how to fire a gun, and using spy gadgets, to be really fun.  The part of the story where Kitty finally gets to use all her training as she goes undercover was exciting.  I couldn't put the book down!  

Strangely, the plot central to the book is rather timely.  Fascists push the slogan, Britain for the British, a racist reaction to immigration.  Groups of these people are plotting something big to create change,  I do not want to spoil it, but what happens echoes events happening today.

A Note about this novel's category designation:  This book is being marketed as young adult fiction.  But it would also be very appropriate for middle grade readers.  There is no cursing, and I think younger readers in middle school will enjoy the action.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 2nd, 2021

Author:  G.D. Falksen

Publisher:  Carolrhoda Lab

Genre:  YA Historical Fiction

Page Length:  280 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This was a fun novel that I hope will become a series.  I would follow any adventure where Kitty Granger is headed!  Read this book!