Mundie Moms

Friday, March 16, 2012

Book Review: Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: February 12, 2012
Source: Purchased
5 out of 5 stars - I really, really, really love this series

Synopsis: With more than a million Gallagher Girls books sold, a legion of fans have fallen in love with the New York Times best-selling spy-girl series, and the fifth book delivers the most nerve-wracking, high-stakes adventure yet.

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan—an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers that months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.


What can I possibly say about one of my most highly anticipated books this year? Let me do this in the spirit of one of my favorite YA heroines, Cammie herself:

PROs and CONS of READING Ally Carter's Out of Sight, Out of Time. (A list compiled by a tired mom-of-three who skipped sleep in favor of finishing the latest installment of a beloved series. WARNING: This may not make sense except when read during pre-dawn hours).

PRO: First, and most importantly, I finished this book at 3 a.m. It's that kind of can't-put-this-book-down story. Ally Carter is such a master of increasing stakes in each story and chapter that just when you think it couldn't possibly get worse, well, it does and it does so believably. Her perfectly timed reveals should be studied in writing classes.

CON: You will read these books in a day. There are expected side effects to the resulting sleep loss, so if you see me today, please point me in the direction of the nearest caffeinated beverage.

PRO: Ally has a way of leaving the ending, not quite cliffhanger-y, but giving you that soft landing before you realize another precipice is near. I love this so much because it makes me remember and want to re-read every moment until next year's release.

CON: I may be more crazed than usual when you find me in a book store because I will be talking to perfect strangers and insisting they buy all five books at once. I'll keep muttering to them something about "you'll need to know."

PRO: You will add to your list of Fictional Characters I Love. Yes, even (removed for spoilers).

CON: If Sophie's removing names for fear of spoilers and forgetting that she's referencing herself in third person, those characters are ones you must meet.

PRO: It's not a story just about teenagers. I know, I got those judgy looks at the pool this past summer when "those other moms" walked past me wondering why I was reading a book clearly not meant for my age group. This story, more so than even the other four, is ALL about family. The family we are born into and the family we make with our friends. The adults in this book are so well written that I want to meet them in real life. Especially Cammie's mom.

CON: I want to meet Catherine, too. (Who is she and why am I blatantly referencing her? Read the books. Yes, all five. You'll need to know.)

PRO: Zach.

CON: Your Hot Fictional Boys List will be reshuffled.

Have I convinced you? Are you going to get all five books at once?? Remember my warning -- you'll need to know. As for me, I'm going to re-read this by listening to the audiobook on my way to Ally's San Jose signing next week. If you see me, I promise I'll be much more rested and logical. Or at least more caffeinated.

Oh, and don't forget to check out The Gallagher Academy. You'll want to read the short story there just for all the different POVs (Zach's too) and yes, it dovetails nicely into Out of Sight, Out of Time.

15 comments:

  1. I agree with you on ALL points 100%..As a mother of 4 my youngest now 14 has been a huge fan,She dared me to read just one of Ally Carter's books so i took the dare..Needless to say i have now read EVERTHING Ally Carter has written.I am not afraid to admit that as a 40 year old i love her books..Please keep writing them.

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    1. Anon - As a 40-something mama myself, I couldn't agree more. And I can hardly wait for my girls to be old enough to read them!

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    2. Welcome to the club of older women enjoying YA books!! We're totally proud in announcing we love reading YA and MG books as well :)

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  2. Love the pros and cons. Gallagher Girls language. Lol.

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    1. bookworm105 - See what happens when you write a review at 3 a.m.?? Crazyness sets in. :)

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  3. I love this series too! You have made me all excited to go read it. I agree with the pro of Zach too! Fun fun review.

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    1. Kathryn - When he points to himself and says "Spy" I laugh out loud every time.

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  4. Ohmygosh!!!! I love this series so much, and I absolutely LOVE your review! (I don't think I'll ever get tired of Cammie's PROS and CONS lists! <3) I just finished this last night and I think it was definitely the darkest and most intense book of the series! :)

    I loved this con of your review especially: "CON: Your Hot Fictional Boys List will be reshuffled." <-- SO TRUE! x)

    Amazingly fun review, Sophie! I'm super happy that you're a Gallagher Girl too! :) <3

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    1. Mimi- You are too sweet. :) I love this series SO much and I get excited when others loce it, too. As for Zach...he may be very, very, very close to that first place spot. ;)

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  5. Love your review Sophie, though I'm totally snickering over the fact you left out the Zach quotes you kept teasing me with. I can not wait to have this book in my hands!!

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    1. MMs - You will adore Zach. He and one of your favorite Shadowhunters share that determination to do the right thing in spite of their odds. And I know how you love that. Also, stop being naughty in comments. ;) To everyone else reading, Zach appearing shirtless is ummm, well, as interesting as Jace appearing shirtless.

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  6. Oh mi gosh! I finished it at one last night, or this morning? I don't know. All I know it had me crying towards the end! Ally Carter is one of the main reasons I got into reading in the seventh grade, and now I can't stop. I blame her for this unhealthy addiction:)
    Great Pros and Cons list. I love Zach, I love him soo soo much!

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  7. Samjam - Oh, you always but always remember the author who fueled your passion for reading! Ally's an incredible writer. What she does in a short amount of pages is astounding. And her stories keep getting better and better. As for Zach...I think all generations of readers can agree that he is a character who is swoony and so well written. ;)

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  8. I really like your pro about how they are about family. The relationship between Cammie and her mom is so nice to read.

    I was at the San Jose signing.

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