United We Spy by Ally Carter: Review

Before I start my review, I want to say thank you Ally Carter, for making such an amazing series! I have grown up with the Gallagher Girls, and despite the fact that it's now over, I am quite happy for the ending.

Author: Ally Carter

Pages: 296 pages

Release Date: September 17th, 2013

Status: final book in the Gallagher Girls series (cue hysterical sobbing)

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Cammie Morgan has lost her father and her memory, but in the heart-pounding conclusion to the best-selling Gallagher Girls series, she finds her greatest mission yet. Cammie and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle’s elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie—and her country—forever.

So this story starts off during the winter break of their senior year. This means, that Cammie is writing this in the future, after graduation.

Cammie is in London with her mom, visiting Cambridge University. She is later joined Bex whom helps her break into the library. There, they find a Circle member, Mr. Knightly, who is currently in hiding.

He is shocked to see Cammie alive, and refuses to go away with into hiding. He is later murdered by Zach's mom, but before he died, he tells them 'it' has begun.

The girls return to Gallagher where they struggle to readjust to their normal lives and accepting the fact that it's their final semester at Gallagher. However, in the end, the girls band together and save their sisterhood, and finally are able to go on with their lives.

Usually, I would give my own little summary to the book with a bit more detail, but I had to speed through this book because I was reading it at Chapters (I had no money to buy it :$) and because I just don't wanna give out any spoilers.

Like seriously, you need to go out and buy the book and read it. I read the book, but I'm still going to go out and buy a nice hardcover for my collection.

It was two pages longer than Out of Sight, Out of Time and had a lighter tone than books 3-5, probably because Cammie and the gang knew what they were dealing with at the end.

I had a lot of mixed emotions, not in a bad way though; I just really didn't want it to end!

The plot was good, and I was really intrigued at the fact that Ally is still able to put some HUGE plot twists. Like...I see that she hinted it in the earlier books now that I went flipping through them, but seriously, there were some things I just didn't see coming!

While the plot was good and Ally was able to keep us on our toes, I was really pleased with the character development. Cammie, Bex, Liz, and Macey have all grown up and I am just so happy ! Rachel and Joe, I think we all saw that coming, along with Townsend and Abby (although it got a little awkward for me at the end, because for those who read the book should know why). Zach was Zach with his Goode-liness, and I loved how we got to dig a little deeper with his past. (I can die happy now that we got to know a bit more about both Hale and Zach :D)

I was surprised to see Grant and Jonas make a cameo to be honest, and Max Edwards whom we met in book 1 briefly. I felt like he should've been hinted more. And little Amy (despite having a little feature) will be a Chameleon in the making :)

What I wasn't surprise though, was Catherine Goode's presence, whether it be looming in the air making tension or her actually being there. But to be honest with you, I sort of pitied her in the end, and was just a little more sad that we didn't get a full answer as to why she's, you know, crazy.

Now I suppose that I should be rambling off about Zammie right now, or Macey & Preston (do we have a ship name for them or...? I really can't remember), but to be honest with you, I really don't want to. Not because I don't like the ships, but because the story isn't all about them.

Yes, there were a lot of couple moments from both the teens and the adults in this book, but even with all the romance and such, it paled in comparison for their love of each other as a big family.

I literally had to force myself not to cry at the end, especially at Liz's graduation speech. It really made me feel sad and happy and proud and old at the same time.

The final chapter of the book ends six months later, with Cam narrating in present tense and her admiring that she and the girls are no longer together. It's an open ending, and to be honest with you, I'm not really fond of them. But Ally Carter has made her character's lives like that, and it seemed appropriate that it ended like it did, because to be honest with you, what 18 year old would sure of her life? I know I won't when the time comes.

Overall for me, this book was a 5 out of 5 stars. It was a great series, and I hope to see you Gallagher Girls at Embassy Row (or in the next Heist adventure, whichever comes first).