Book Review: Embassy Row YA Series

I’ve just finished reading the Embassy Row young adult series by Ally Carter. The series consists of three books: All Fall Down, See How They Run, and Take the Key and Lock Her Up.

As a writer, when I find a book or series I really enjoy I ask myself why.

Why do I like this particular book? Why does it interest me?

Reading is subjective. No one will like a book that’s poorly written, but we all have our own tastes and preferences. We prefer specific genres, certain types of characters and plots. We even prefer particular authors and writing techniques.

I like the Embassy Row series because it has the same feel and excitement as my (not yet published) Divine Destiny series.

The three Embassy Row books involve a group of friends who live on Embassy Row in a fictional country called Adria. It’s difficult to find books with multiple characters or large groups of friends like my books. This immediately drew me to Embassy Row.

I have been warned by “experts” that Team Seven, the group of friends in my series, is too big. They say the reader will get them confused. Obviously, Ally Carter’s readers didn’t have this problem, so that encourages me.

The young characters in Embassy Row come from different countries and live in Adria because their parents work at the embassies. America, Russia, Israel, Brazil, and Germany are all represented. In my Divine Destiny series, a group of diverse friends attends a special high school for talented youth.

Grace Blakely is the main character in the Embassy Row series. She is certain of three things: 1. She is not crazy. 2. Her mother was murdered. 3. Someday she is going to find the killer and make him pay. As certain as Grace is about these facts, nobody else believes her—so there’s no one she can completely trust. In Adria, Grace spots the “scarred man” she believes killed her mother and the adventure begins.

The characters in my series also deal with various issues though none are as damaged as Grace.

The fact that Grace’s mother is dead and Grace is struggling with mental issues might be too depressing for some readers, but I enjoy getting into the psyche of a damaged character and Ally Carter never gets too morose or carried away with Grace’s problems.

In fact, Grace can be very comical. She’s a bit klutzy and always getting into trouble.

Ms. Carter does an excellent job of creating believable, unique characters. Each one of the teens was likable and interesting and drew me into their circle of friends.
I hope to do this with Team Seven, the nine students in my series. Each one has a unique personality as well as a special talent or gift.

Of course, there is romance in the Embassy Row series. It wouldn’t be a book for teen girls without it. Grace and her Russian friend, Alexi, share a special relationship
Alexi has his own baggage because his mother abandoned him when he was a child and his father is cold and unfeeling, but he cares a great deal about Grace. She isn’t sure she should trust him, but the two are very attracted to one another.

There is a ton of mystery and suspense in this series.

This is what I love in a book!

Expect several twists to keep up the reader’s interest and lead the plot in a different direction with a lot of heart-stopping action.

My books are full of action and excitement too as Team Seven tries to rescue a group of kidnapped students and stop an assassination.

The holidays are here, and you may find yourself with more time to read. If you’re looking for an exciting, gripping YA series to dive into—I highly recommend the Embassy Row series.

Do you have a favorite YA series? Is there a book you’d like for me to read and review? Please comment below.