Embassy Row #2: See How They Run

Embassy Row #2: See How They Run by Ally Carter (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-76015-357-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

See How They Run takes up where All Fall Down left readers hanging. Grace has discovered who killed her mother. But instead of helping her to move on, it has devastated her.

Grace is still angry and confused. About her past, about her family, about her friends, and about the role she must now assume. She must make decisions about which secrets to reveal and which ones are even more dangerous if they come to light. On top of that, she now needs to trust the one person she has spent her life believing was her greatest enemy if she wants to get through the next few weeks alive.

This is another fast paced, action adventure from popular teen author Ally Carter. Full of intrigue and suspense, it is hard to put down and the twists the story takes are mostly unexpected.

Set on the fictitious island of Adria, the use of the unique concept of Embassy Row, allows for an intertwining of countries and alliances in a way I have never come across before. I love that Grace move between America and Russia by climbing the back wall, or go next door to Israel, or secretly party in Iran (an empty and unused embassy).

But also, there is a delicate balance in their lives here. How often can the diplomats down play their children’s activities before they become international incidents? Can Grace the American Ambassador’s granddaughter, have a relationship with Alexi, the son of the Russian diplomat?

This is an entertaining, fast read for teens. It is filled with secret societies, murder plots and misplaced alliances. But it is also a book which raises questions about loyalties, trust, politics, power and mob mentality.

All Fall Down: Embassy Row #1

All Fall Down: Embassy Row #1 by Ally Carter (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-894-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Grace has come to live with her grandfather in the place where she spent her childhood summers, Embassy Row. But Grace sees life differently now. Her mother is dead and no-one will believe her when she says it was murder, they just think she is crazy. Her grandfather is perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world so Grace must tread carefully in her determination to prove these claims and find the killer. On Embassy Row politics and diplomacy are the priority as here, countries stand shoulder to shoulder and one wrong move could bring the whole row of dominoes tumbling down.

Ally Carter is the author of two best selling-series' for teens - Heist Society and Gallagher Girls - and All Fall Down should be another success. Well written and fast-paced, the espionage and intrigue feels fresh, possibly because the setting - among the embassies of the world - is a new angle. The characters are likeable, especially Grace, and they feel real. The mix of nationalities and cultures is interesting and stereotypes are not always conformed to.

There is a touch of romance and the themes of loyalty, diplomacy, and self-belief add weight to what is essentially a fast-paced thriller.

This is a story for older teens (14+) and will keep them hooked and eager for the next instalments.

Uncommon Criminals

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter (Lothian/Hachette)

PB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978 7344 1193 8

Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

For readers hooked by Heist Society the second book, involving Katarina Bishop and her crew, will not disappoint.

Kat is determined to shake off the “thief” image of her family background although she does not hesitate when it comes to returning stolen art or jewellery to its rightful owners. But a heist involving the Cleopatra Emerald is another matter, one her Uncle Eddie has forbidden. When an elderly woman, Constance Miller and her grandson Marshall ask Kat and Hale, her close, fabulously rich teenage friend, to do this very thing, Kat is in a quandary.

A decision is made to do the heist after Kat and Hale are told that they have been recommended by Romani Visily, a sacred name used only by the best thieves for the most worthy causes. Also, Kat’s confidence levels are high, having just returned to New York from a successful solo mission to Moscow.

Even though the 97 karat Cleopatra Emerald is known to be cursed, Kat is more concerned that her relatives gathered in Paraguay (or Uraguay – she is never quite sure) will find out their intentions. Gabrielle, her beautiful cousin is in town and the three teenagers set out to formulate a plan to somehow grab the emerald from its present owner, auctioneer Oliver Kelly. The Kelly Corporation is bringing the gem to New York.

The Cleopatra Emerald is the most heavily guarded gem in the world and all attempts in the past to capture it, including the ones by Kat’s uncles, failed. But with clever planning and a visit to reclusive Uncle Charlie in Austria for a replica emerald, the heist is carried out and the genuine emerald returned to Constance Miller. And then Constance Miller appears in a TV documentary and Kat knows she has been conned – brilliantly conned. The real Constance Miller in the documentary is not the elderly woman Kat met. When Kat next sees that woman she is once again on TV calling herself Margaret Brooks and claiming to have discovered the Antony Emerald, the other half of the Cleopatra. She announces the gem will be auctioned.

Devastated by her mistake, Kat is equally determined to redeem herself by besting Maggie Brooks, undoubtedly a superb thief, maybe the most accomplished in the world.

Ally Carter’s highly sophisticated storyline and enigmatic writing skills are a delight to the reader. The problems presented to the heist crew seem insurmountable, but each teenager has vital talents to contribute. Kat, Hale and Gabrielle are joined by Simon, a computer genius, twins Hamish and Angus Bagshaw, Nick whose mother, Amelia is with Interpol, and Marcus, Hale’s chauffeur, to foil Maggie and secure justice for the real Constance Miller.

Against a lavish background involving Hale’s private jet and yacht, the Casino de Monte-Carlo and the Palace, Kat Bishop, with the backup of the heist crew, uses all her thief skills and experience to bring this mission to a stunning end. I can highly recommend Uncommon Criminals.