Review: Interesting concept, but the ending sucked.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 26, 2013
The publisher gave me a copy of this book to read and review (NetGalley).When I first opened this book, I was surprised to see that there were graphic novel elements in this book combined with a novel. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never read a novel that has both! It was an interesting concept and I actually grew to enjoy the little comics that were interspersed in the pages. It was something different and I applaud the author for venturing down a different, creative path (or maybe there are plenty of novels out there like this one and I’ve just never read them?).Cecilia Gray is a really good storyteller and I loved reading about Sasha’s struggles as the “truth wrangler”. She feels like she can’t form friendships because people are always spilling their real thoughts whenever she talks… and sometimes, those thoughts are negative and have the power to destroy relationships. When she gets picked up and transferred from the United States to Germany, everything she has known for the past four years completely vanishes. She has to start from scratch and finds herself forming friendships and embarking on crazy adventures (which are usually illegal) all while under the guise of a normal teenager (but, she is really a teen CIA agent).Okay, so I genuinely enjoyed this novel. It was a fun way to pass the time and Cecilia Gray’s writing style kept me flipping the pages.That being said, at the end of the novel, I felt pretty disappointed. Maybe Gray is planning a sequel, but the ending left many loose ends. I won’t give any spoilers! I just stared at the book when I reached the last page because (while it did have a good “family” ending for Sasha) Porter’s reaction to her obvious rebellion was never addressed and Sebastien’s health is never truly addressed.To be honest, I felt a bit ripped off. I NEED TO KNOW! I don’t understand how Cecilia Gray felt good about that ending because several key elements were completely left out. But, if Gray is indeed writing a sequel, I would definitely buy it. Sasha’s story is unique and compelling and I wouldn’t find taking another look at her “truth wrangler” life another time.I’d recommend this book to others. It was a fun Teen YA read, but the ending was a bit of a turn-off for me.