by Kat Carlton
to be published by Simon & Schuster
on September 3, 2013
I received an e-ARC for review from the publisher via Edelweiss. Please see my full FTC disclosure on right sidebar.
Connect with the author: Official Book Site | Facebook.
Summary from Goodreads: When sixteen-year-old Kari’s dad sends her an unexpected text, she and her brother immediately go into hiding. Because when your parents are superspies and your dad declares a Code Black, it can only mean something bad. Very bad. Kari soon discovers that her parents have been disavowed and declared traitors, and she’s determined to clear their names. Breaking into the Agency seems like a reasonable plan, especially with the help of a team that includes her longtime crush, Luke, as well as her two best friends—an expert hacker with attitude and a master martial artist—and Luke’s popular, vindictive twin sister. Oh, and a new guy, who’s as cute as he is complicated…
My take: I love YA spy books. Yes, there is always some suspension of disbelief involved based on the age of the characters and what they are involved in, but that's worth it for me to get a fun, fast-paced read.
Two Lies and a Spy starts with a bang, as high school student Kari gets a Code Black text from her dad -- a signal to grab her younger brother Charlie and run. Charlie was adorable -- precocious and whip-smart -- and I wish he'd been a bigger part of the story.
As the blurb says, Kari soon learns that terrible accusations have been leveled against her parents, and wants to help them clear their names. So she pressures Luke, her crush, into helping her break into Langley. Yes, Langley, as in CIA headquarters. No, this isn't very likely, but it is a lot of fun, involving disguises, subturferge, hairspray, and a crew that includes a judo expert, a senator's daughter, and Evan, a sardonic British guy from Kari's school. Yes, having Evan in the picture does give the book a love triangle, but it's an interesting one. I also loved the fact that the plot took a very unexpected turn -- you can read about that under spoiler protection in my Goodreads review. Let's just say that there are at least two lies involved in this story, as well as some interesting loose ends. Like Also Known As, another recent YA spy fic favorite of mine, Two Lies and a Spy will have a sequel, and I'm definitely curious to see where this story goes.
Thanks to the generosity of Simon & Schuster, two winners will receive a copy of Two Lies and A Spy! Prizes can be mailed to US addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm very curious as to how Kari pressures Luke into helping her break into Langely-I can't imagine what someone would have to say to me to get my help in that endeavor! I haven't really seen this one around but I do have a weakness for spy novels so it's definitely one I'll want to check out.
ReplyDeleteHa -- you will have to read and find out!
DeleteI really enjoyed this one! And I started to suspect the ending, but I loved that the book went there.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking, "Wouldn't it be cool if…" but I really didn't think it would come about.
DeleteThis sounds really good! I don't think I've read anything like it but it sounds super interesting! I didn't like the Spy Kids movies but I'm older so maybe that's why? This sounds a little more mature and my kind of fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
mrsjtucker2012[at]gmail[dot]com
It's definitely more mature than Spy Kids! Though those movies were pretty fun :)
DeleteThis sounds like a fun series. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this one but sounds like a fun series
ReplyDeleteYou definitely have my interest now-the whole spy concept sounds fun, but now I want to know what the very unexpected turn is. Ha-ha. Thanks for the great review Jen!
ReplyDeleteOooo, hadn't seen this one yet!! No other spy books I've read have lived up the the Gallagher Girl Series but I'm willing to give it a try =)Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis is so weird, but this book wasn't on my radar at all, and I love thrillers! I'm not going to enter the giveaway because I have such a huge TBR to get to already, but thanks for the heads up. Definitely adding to my list. :)
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
Fantastic review, Jen. This reminds me a lot of Heist Society and Pretty Little Liars.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, hon! <33
Sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great review!
Andreea
I'm not sure about the triangle, but I agree with your love of YA spy books. They can be really fun when done well. I'm also super curious about that unexpected turn, though I won't peak beforehand. I hadn't heard of this yet, so thanks for putting it on my radar!
ReplyDeleteHow have I never heard of this book before? Spy books are the best! Like you, I totally adored Also Known As and Ally Carter's books! :) And come on, that cover is gorgeous and the tagline sold me. "Heists. Hunks. Homework." One of the best alliterations out there, in my opinion. ;) Though yeah, some YA spy books are kinda unbelievable, but they're just so fun to read! I wish there were more spy books... I really can't wait to read this one, and I just know I'm gonna love this. Thank you so much for the review! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the kind of book I will LOVE. I definitely need to read it.
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic.. crossing fingers and toes! erikalrhodes at gmail dot com
ReplyDelete