Centuries ago, the royal family of Adria was killed . . . or so everyone thought.
Now Grace Blakely knows the truth:
There was one survivor, and that survivor’s blood runs through her veins. This simple fact could cause a revolution — which is why some people will stop at nothing to keep it from coming to light.
There is only one way for Grace to save herself, save her family, and save the boy she loves. She must outmaneuver her foes, cut through the web of lies that has surrounded her for years, and go back to the source of all her troubles, despite the risk.
If she wins, she will inherit a throne.And if she loses, she will inherit the fate of all the dead princesses who came before her.
Hardback Published December 27th 2016 by Scholastic Press
Series: Embassy Row Book 3
Source: e-book provided vis netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Review
4.5 Stars
I loved opening (or more accurately clicking on) a new Ally Carter. I was nice to sink back into Ally's smooth writing style, a style which I have been reading for a number of years now. I just love her story style as well, with a relatable (in some ways at least) teenage girl who are also extraordinary in their individual way. Ally also has this great skill of blending action and suspense, with developing friendships and tantalizing hints of romance. Take the Key and Lock Her Up was another great Ally Carter book, following this signature story style, that I love.
This book picks up on Grace's story a short-time after the dramatic ending of book two with Grace, Jamie and Alexei now on the run for their lives. Within the first quarter of the book I could really feel the love and fear that the three of the of them had for each other, as they try their best to protect one another.
It took a while for Megan, Rosie and Noah to get dragged into the action, but one the 'gang' was back together it felt like a more life threating version of their adventures from the first few books. Although as I think about books one and two of the Embassy Row series, it is not hard to see how these characters have changed and grown-up.
There we moments when I began to question how Grace was going to survive the dangers coming her way from multiple directions. As I got nearer the end of the book I enjoyed the tense and heart racing moments as Grace digs ever deeper into her own family history, and uncovering some of Adria's best kept secrets.
Although I very much enjoyed this book, and love this series, there were a few things which I couldn't work out, and so I had to take away that 0.5 star. Firstly, Grace and Jamie's dad! I know that he was supposed to be a busy man but you would think with both of his children in life threatening danger he might have lent a hand? Maybe he was kept in the dark, if so why? Secondly, when Grace disappears to try and solve their issues peacefully, why does Jamie stay away? With his determined personality and love which he clearly holds for his sister why does he suddenly step back?
Despite these few things, I really enjoyed this series and look forward to Ally Carter's next project. She has definitely become an auto-buy author for me.
