Review: All Fall Down by Ally Carter
All Fall Down (Embassy Row #1)
by: Ally Carter
Publication Date: Jan. 20, 2015
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: Mystery/Contemporary
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from Library
Page Count: 320 pages
Order Links: Amazon
My Rating: 3/5 stars
A new series of global proportions -- from master of intrigue, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter.
This exciting new series from NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter focuses on Grace, who can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world, and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row.
Now, at age sixteen, she's come back to stay--in order to solve the mystery of her mother's death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved.
This exciting new series from NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter focuses on Grace, who can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world, and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row.
Now, at age sixteen, she's come back to stay--in order to solve the mystery of her mother's death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved.
Upon hearing the premise of this one, I knew I had to give it a read. I am glad I did, even though it was just an okay read for me. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and the idea behind Embassy Row. It's cool to think of a little place where you are isolated from everyone else in the world, except for the countries that surround you. This world is all about political alliances and making sure reputations are upheld and rules are followed.
Enter Grace who is a notorious wild child and rule breaker. She is still reeling from her mother's death and being back in the Embassy is not easy for her. Having witnessed her mother's murder, Grace is frustrated no one seems to believe her and want to help her uncover the truth. Grace's character was a hard one for me to like. She is impulsive and reckless and comes across as a bit of a whiny child. Some of her snark just didn't work for me. I also didn't like how she constantly kept brushing Alexei off. What may start as a favor to her older brother, certainly turns into more and I found myself wanting to shake Grace for ignoring his well-meaning wishes.
The romance is pretty subtle in this one and I'm not sure if you can even call it that. As I said, things with her and Alexei are rather sticky, as Grace only believes he's hanging around as a favor to her brother. Alexei eventually makes it clear that he likes her because of her and not her brother though, but Carter still doesn't cross into a relationship territory in this book. I am hoping there will not be a love triangle, as I feel Grace's new friend Noah is better off as just that: a friend.
One thing I did really enjoy in this one were Carter's secondary characters. I loved Megan, Rosie, and Noah. They were a great addition to the story and most of all they proved to Grace that she didn't have to do everything alone.
This was a pretty fast paced book, but I did have trouble keeping up toward the end. I wasn't sure what was real anymore or who was on what side and Carter made me wonder what was really going on underneath all the layers. I am looking forward to seeing the direction she takes in the next book. While I enjoyed this one, it just didn't wow me. I struggle to write this review, as I am finding myself having trouble remembering the details and the emotions I felt as I read. Unraveling the mystery of this one is what really kept me going and I'm glad Carter kept me on my toes while reading.
4 comments
My sister really loves this author so I have been meaning to read her, but I think I'll start with the spy books after reading your review. Great review as always.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by this author, but it does sound like an interesting read. I'm not sure if I'll pick it up, but the whole premise does draw me in!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review!
Hmmm ... I won a copy of this book, but I think every review I've seen for it is three stars. Not horrible by any means, but there are so many AMAZING books out there that I haven't had time to read ... I might just skip this one after all.
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I am struggling a bit getting through this one. It is going to be tough to finish if it gets even more confusing! The premise is unique and the setting is so different! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteAshley @ The Quiet Concert
Leave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.