All Fall Down
Author: Ally Carter
Series: Embassy Row #1
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Summary:
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. Not her grandfather, a powerful ambassador. Not her new friends, who all live on Embassy Row. Not Alexei, the Russian boy next door, who is keeping his eye on Grace for reasons she neither likes nor understands.
Everybody wants Grace to put on a pretty dress and a pretty smile, blocking out all her unpretty thoughts. But they can’t control Grace – no more than Grace can control what she knows or what she needs to do. Her past has come back to hunt her…and if she doesn’t stop it, Grace isn’t the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.
First Sentence: “When I was twelve I broke my leg jumping off the wall between Canada and Germany,” I say, but the woman across from me doesn’t even blink.
My Review:
As soon as I saw that Ally Carter was writing a new series, I automatically knew that I had to somehow get my hands on it asap. For those who don’t know, I am a huge fan of Ally Carter ever since I read I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You when I was in fifth grade. I was extremely lucky to win an ARC of All Fall Down from one of Ally Carter’s social media giveaways and flailed when I received it in the mail, especially when I saw that it was signed.
Fans of Ally Carter will definitely not be disappointed with All Fall Down. Like her other two series that I’ve read (but yet to completely finish), Gallagher Girls and Heist Society, All Fall Down contains tons of “spy” moments, which made me ridiculously happy. There are tons of Grace and her crew following suspects, hacking, and exploring mysterious tunnels.
“Power has always corrupted, my dear. Even the promise of power. It is a hard thing to look at through a fence for hundreds of years without wondering what it would be like on the other side.” (ARC 99)
I love how Ally Carter teases and slightly tortures you throughout All Fall Down. Throughout All Fall Down, Grace witnessed many things happening, but people keep telling her that hey, what you saw did not happen. You did not see that. After reading and seeing this happen multiple times, I couldn’t help but wonder if Grace was indeed an unreliable narrator – she certainly acted like one. I found myself constantly stopping and wondering, is Grace crazy? many times while I was reading. I won’t tell you if Grace is really an unreliable narrator or not; you guys will have to find out yourselves.
I sadly didn’t really feel the friendship in All Fall Down, but that’s probably because I wasn’t invested in any of Grace’s new friends. I couldn’t really connect with any of of them because I feel like I barely know them besides their main personality trait. I wanted more backstory on them so I could connect with them and start to care for them. Hopefully this will all change when we hopefully learn more about Grace’s friends in the sequel.
Megan’s gaze burns into me…”You were always a daredevil, but you never had a death wish. The girl I knew was always running toward something. Last night…you were running away.” (ARC 86)
And oh my goodness, the ending of All Fall Down was shocking. I wasn’t expecting that ending at all, although I should have. The last page of All Fall Down also made me super excited to read the sequel – I need to know what happens next!
For people who aren’t fans of romance, you’ll be happy to know that there is absolutely no romance in All Fall Down. All Fall Down only contains small hints of what romance that will (hopefully) come in future books.
Overall, All Fall Down is a pretty good start to Ally Carter’s new series and I’m really looking forward to seeing what will come next.
Surprising endings is one of the things that I live for! I’m glad you liked this one! Great review :)
Kim @ Divergent Gryffindor
Kim recently posted…Review: Never Never
I love Ally Carter’s books, and have been so excited for this one! Hmm, surprising ending, how fun. I’m debating about whether I should read this one almost right after it’s released, or wait until closer to when the next one comes out!
Lakin recently posted…Bookish Relationships (#1) – The One
I’ve read lots of great things about this book… I just might have to read it!
Raven recently posted…ARC Book Review – 99 Days by Katie Cotugno
I’ve been meaning to read Ally Carter’s books since I bought the first book in the Gallagher Girls series three years ago – but I still haven’t gotten around to it! I recently read Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger that was supposed to be a spy school book but it didn’t live up to my expectations and I think I’d enjoy the GG series a lot more. This looks really good though and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for it! Great review! :)
Kyra recently posted…The Bookworm Problems Tag!
LOVE how Ally is branching out in a series that’s somewhat different from her previous ones, less carefree in a way.
LOVE Grace and how she has to navigate a new world.
It would be awesome if we loved her friends as well.
Lovely review :)
This was the first ever Ally Carter book I have read. The Gallagher Girls series has been on my to be read pile for years! I had mixed feelings about All Fall Down…But I did love how it kept you guessing!
Glad you enjoyed it
Gabby recently posted…REVIEW: I Was Here by Gayle Forman
I really enjoyed this one too, even though I’d never read anything by Ally Carter before. I liked how it seemed like it would be a good transition book from middle grade to YA. Oh, and I loved Adria. It seemed like such a cool and beautiful place that’s full of secrets. I can see this one being a pretty entertaining movie or TV show.
Erin @ The Hardcover Lover recently posted…Audiobook Tour: Crossing the Ice by Jennifer Comeaux
I love Ally Carter’s previous books, so I’m really looking forward to this! I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I’m hoping that I will too… Yayy, can’t wait for my copy to arrive! Great review :)
Lara recently posted…I Don’t like YA Contemporary Romance Covers || They Put Me off the Entire Genre
Ally Carter books are on my TBR Shelf. I want to read Heist Society but I’ve heard a reasonable amount about this series. i was thinking about requesting it, but from your review, I think i’m going to try her other books first.
Nova @ Out of Time recently posted…Book Review: Mind Games – Kiersten White
I have been wanting to read Heist Society for a long time, but I have never made it actually happen. But All Fall Down just sounds too good to pass up. I love the synopsis! I haven’t read a ton of spy type stories, but I love those types of movies and I am a huge Sherlock fan, so I can’t see why this wouldn’t be a book for me! Thanks for the fantastic review, and yay for a book that stands on its own without romance!! (But I do love some romance!)
Jaime Lester recently posted…Exquisite Captive
I’m not sure if this will be shocking or not, but I’ve never read any of Ally Carter’s books. None. Zero. Zilch. I’m not sure why…? I guess I never found interest in them…? But I might start reconsidering that since you enjoyed All Fall Down. Though I’m wondering why you rated this book three instead of four or five? Was there something you didn’t like? Well, besides the lack of connection with the friends? As always, thanks for your honest opinion!! :D
this is one of the books i’m looking forward to this year…i really enjoyed her Heist Society series…it’s the first series i’ve read by Ally Carter and have yet to add to my tbr her Gallagher Girls series..coz i wasn’t so sure if it’s my kind of book. But after the Heist Society i find that i really like her writing style . She really knows how to weave a great story based o espionage and mystery and adventure!
Thanks for this great review!
I’ve never read a Ally Carter book I must admit but this first book in a new series sounds really interesting! The only thing that confuses me is that when reading your review it feels like you gave it a 4 star rating but in the end it’s only a 3 star rating. I’m not going to ask why because that might spoil us but it was a bit confusing for me. Still a wonderful review and you definitely made me want to pick up this book!
I am SO EXCITED for this series OMFG I can’t even deal with the emotional pressure that comes with waiting to finish other obligations and get to All Fall Down! I’m so glad you liked this :)
Cheers!
Rhea @ Rhea’s Neon Journal recently posted…The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun Hutchinson {Review}
I’ve really enjoyed Ally Carter’s other books and so I’ve been looking forward to All Fall Down since I found out about its creation! I’m glad you enjoyed it, your review’s made me all the more excited to read it!
I have the first book, the I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have To Kill You on my shelf as of from Christmas, but I still have to read it! I am looking forward to it though, because I have only heard positive things about them. It sounds like her new series is one I should look out for as well!
Olivia recently posted…Editing Your Story (Guest Post)
Ugh, I’m so completely torn on whether or not to read this book. The reviews I see are all over the board. I’m glad to see you enjoyed it overall, despite not feeling the friendship, etc. Great review! :)
Lisa @ Lost in Literature recently posted…Audiobook Review: Ricochet by Krista & Becca Ritchie
I saw this book in the new Scholastic flyer. Thinking about ordering it just so I can see how it is….then my students will borrow it, too!
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So glad to hear that you enjoyed this one! I am hoping to read this soon and this will be my FIRST Ally Carter (I know, I know). Ashley is a big fan but so far this one sounds the most ME. I am really excited for spy moments and I don’t care if there is or isn’t romance. I won’t expect TOO much but I am really excited to read it!
Nicole @ The Quiet Concert recently posted…Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
I really liked this one and was so psyched when the ARC came signed!! Grace was really interesting as a narrator because she kept telling everyone she wasn’t crazy, but the reader had to wonder if she actually was. The people around her were SO adamant that she was wrong about everything. I got so frustrated that nobody believed her, but it seems like everything happened for a reason. (That’s really the only way I can end that sentence without saying any spoilers hahah)
Lauren at Bookmark Lit recently posted…Review: Princess of Thorns
I could have had a copy of this one, it was at the bookstore where I work part time. But, I let another person take it because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it or not. Hopefully I didn’t make the wrong decision, your review makes it sound like it might be a good one to read at some point.
Lisa Loves Literature recently posted…Bookish (And not so Bookish) Thoughts – January 22nd, 2015
Ooh, I’ve got a copy of this via NetGalley and can’t wait to start it this weekend. Loved her Gallagher Girls series.
Zed recently posted…Blood Milk & Chocolate Book Blitz & Giveaway (INTL)
I have seen a lot of reviews for this novel, but I have never read a novel by Ally Carter. Your rating seems to make me think that you thought the book was meh, but the review sounds like you enjoyed the book. I have I’d Tell You I Love you, but then I would have to kill you as an audiobook.
Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages recently posted…Series 2015
Wonderful review, Kelly! Looking forward to adding this to my TBR pile. :)
Anette Fabre recently posted…Wicked Review: Where Rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern
I’ll definitely have to read this! I love Ally Carter!
Kayla recently posted…Favorite Book Friday: Tayler from The Morrell Tale
I’ve never read anything by Ally Carter before, but All Fall Down sounds interesting. Though it worries me a little that you weren’t invested in the characters. To me, being able to connect with the characters, or at least understand them profoundly, is one of the most important aspect in a book.
Cassidie Jhones recently posted…Blog Tour: Shadow of Loss by Josefina Gutierrez
I absolutely love/hate relationship with shocking book endings. Though I lean more towards loving those books. But anyway, it sounds like a great way to get into Ally Carter books. I’ve never read anything by her. I’m definitely intrigued now… :D
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Book Promo: Kiatana’s Journey by Natalie Erin
so i finished this earlier this week…you are right Kelly it is hard to connect w/ her new friends and it was frustrating for me at first if Meg was losing her mind or what…then the romantic interest is just in the surface brewing i think remains to be seen…however that plot twist in the end i was not expecting it as well! btw…Ms. Chancellor is badass!
When I saw on Goodreads this book was coming out I was estatic! I absolutely LOVE The Heist Society series! Man, does Ally Carter write some fun spy books or what?
You’re so lucky you already got your hands on it! I can hardly wait to delve into this one! :D
you definitely seemed to like the book better than i did. I was lucky enough to get an e-ARC but I couldn’t enjoy it all because I found Grace soo annoying. Nice review, by the way! (I actually kind of expected a higher rating, for some reason, but I see where you’re coming from)
Mithila recently posted…knight-ostrava:edward-damnway:I am actually pleasantly…
All Fall Down sounds like my kind of book! I’ve read all the Heist Society books by Ally Carter and when I heard about this one, I had to add it to my must have list, it definitely sounds interesting though the fact that there is no romance is making me a bit less excited (just a bit), what can I say? I am a romance reader and its just I need a bit of romance in a book. I know though that the Heist Society also started off with just a bit of romance (just hints of it) and I still enjoyed it beginning to end, so there is no doubt I will still be reading this :) Thanks for the review.
good to know there’s a cliffhanger; won’t be reading this anytime soon
Yes! At first I definitely believed Grace but then as we got further into the book I started doubting myself, thinking maybe Ally Carter was going to do a huge twist and have Grace be wrong. But I really liked the book (I love all of Ally Carter’s books) and am looking forward to the sequel. Especially after the ending :) Great review!
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