The Authors had their time to talk now it's Time to Talkback. This gives me the chance to review the book or books I have been reading. Now I'm all for a honest review and at times I can be a bit harsh with some of the judgements I voice, as far as book go. But it has nothing to do with the author(s) for without them what would my imagination be (goodness help us all). It is just my own opinion, constructive criticism (I say) and I just want to state it as so many of us sometimes do. Good or Bad, I am always thankful for the books I read and the author(s) who wrote them. So, welcome to Talkback and here to a honest review.
Title: The Conspiracy of Us
Author: Maggie Hall
Series: The Conspiracy of Us #1
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre Type: Mystery, Thriller
Publication date: January 13th 2015
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336 pages
Source: Books a Million, Bought
Author: Maggie Hall
Series: The Conspiracy of Us #1
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre Type: Mystery, Thriller
Publication date: January 13th 2015
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336 pages
Source: Books a Million, Bought
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A riveting tale of suspense and mystery, The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall, brings a whole new secret world to life. With gorgeous dresses, masquerade balls, and private jets, Hall exemplifies a stunning story of conspiracy, lies, prophesy, and danger. There is something enchanting and otherworldly about Maggie Hall’s writing, it is just simply beautiful.
Avery West, a common 16 year old girl in high school who craves family and stability. She has neither and her mother refuses to talk to her about her father, who abandoned them perhaps before Avery was born. Add in that 14 moves in 12 years, something like that, and stability of home flies right out the window. All this forces Avery to have a plan, don’t get close to no one, to make herself into a loner, and though she wishes things could be different, it does seems to better than inevitably saying goodbye to friends. However, things for her don’t turn out as they should, when Jack Bishop a fellow ‘new kid’ at school asks Avery to the Prom. Her mom not only refuses but orders Avery to pack for another move which seems to be imminent only 2 days’ notice. Rebelliously, Avery goes to prom in a thrift store dress and bargain store sandals and thinking it doesn't matter she's leaving anyway. The prom goes sideways and Avery finds herself on a plane to Paris with Stellan, who has literally appeared out of the woodwork and knows Jack. Once in Paris reality hits- yikes! Mom is going to Mad! But really that is the least of Avery's worries as she finds that her life may have been leading to this crisis all along. Perhaps her mom knew about all this and was protecting her? At any rate glamor, wealth, power and all the trappings of such collide as Avery attempts to unravel her place in this strangely redefined world while finding out who and what she and her new found family truly are.
Hall presents an amazing cast. The characters are brilliant and shine with personality all their own. Hall’s writing of the characters is not over embellished showing all sides to each of them. Avery West, our leading lady, is not only smart, compassionate, and understanding, she is also vulnerable and lacks a defensive mechanism, which make her seem more realistic and easy to connect with. It is her flaws that shows her determination and hope in the way she thinks and acts. Avery is highly aware of her own absurdity, especially in life and death situations, make a refreshing read. Though Hall’s descriptions of the male species is short and quick, the two main men still have unique qualities to them. Jack Bishop is secretive and protective. His compassion to Avery shows he is willing to do anything to help and protect her. The romance between him and Avery is so intimate and yet innocent, which makes the sacred promise of a love triangle with the second leading male figure, Stellan, an exciting possibility. Stellan dedicated to his job and his sister, is sometimes flirty and sarcastic, but he seems to always return to the job mode in true loyal fashion.
The political aspect being brought by a prophecy involving Avery is imaginative and stimulating. The families involved are deceitful and willing to go to extremes to make this prophecy part of their own plans to power. The other characters in the story add a life to each of these three main individuals while giving background to the conspiracy and book in which Hall’s has amazingly constructed.
The Conspiracy of Us is a fantastic start to this addicting, whirlwind of a read and the beginning of a series that promises more thrills, danger and romance! One not to be missed by adventurers, puzzle solvers, and swoony romantic lovers.
A riveting tale of suspense and mystery, The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall, brings a whole new secret world to life. With gorgeous dresses, masquerade balls, and private jets, Hall exemplifies a stunning story of conspiracy, lies, prophesy, and danger. There is something enchanting and otherworldly about Maggie Hall’s writing, it is just simply beautiful.
Avery West, a common 16 year old girl in high school who craves family and stability. She has neither and her mother refuses to talk to her about her father, who abandoned them perhaps before Avery was born. Add in that 14 moves in 12 years, something like that, and stability of home flies right out the window. All this forces Avery to have a plan, don’t get close to no one, to make herself into a loner, and though she wishes things could be different, it does seems to better than inevitably saying goodbye to friends. However, things for her don’t turn out as they should, when Jack Bishop a fellow ‘new kid’ at school asks Avery to the Prom. Her mom not only refuses but orders Avery to pack for another move which seems to be imminent only 2 days’ notice. Rebelliously, Avery goes to prom in a thrift store dress and bargain store sandals and thinking it doesn't matter she's leaving anyway. The prom goes sideways and Avery finds herself on a plane to Paris with Stellan, who has literally appeared out of the woodwork and knows Jack. Once in Paris reality hits- yikes! Mom is going to Mad! But really that is the least of Avery's worries as she finds that her life may have been leading to this crisis all along. Perhaps her mom knew about all this and was protecting her? At any rate glamor, wealth, power and all the trappings of such collide as Avery attempts to unravel her place in this strangely redefined world while finding out who and what she and her new found family truly are.
Hall presents an amazing cast. The characters are brilliant and shine with personality all their own. Hall’s writing of the characters is not over embellished showing all sides to each of them. Avery West, our leading lady, is not only smart, compassionate, and understanding, she is also vulnerable and lacks a defensive mechanism, which make her seem more realistic and easy to connect with. It is her flaws that shows her determination and hope in the way she thinks and acts. Avery is highly aware of her own absurdity, especially in life and death situations, make a refreshing read. Though Hall’s descriptions of the male species is short and quick, the two main men still have unique qualities to them. Jack Bishop is secretive and protective. His compassion to Avery shows he is willing to do anything to help and protect her. The romance between him and Avery is so intimate and yet innocent, which makes the sacred promise of a love triangle with the second leading male figure, Stellan, an exciting possibility. Stellan dedicated to his job and his sister, is sometimes flirty and sarcastic, but he seems to always return to the job mode in true loyal fashion.
The political aspect being brought by a prophecy involving Avery is imaginative and stimulating. The families involved are deceitful and willing to go to extremes to make this prophecy part of their own plans to power. The other characters in the story add a life to each of these three main individuals while giving background to the conspiracy and book in which Hall’s has amazingly constructed.
The Conspiracy of Us is a fantastic start to this addicting, whirlwind of a read and the beginning of a series that promises more thrills, danger and romance! One not to be missed by adventurers, puzzle solvers, and swoony romantic lovers.
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