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Book Review: I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You, by Ally Carter

2nd May 2013 By Julianne 6 Comments

 

The students and teachers at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women pretend that the school is an exclusive private school in order to hide the fact that it’s a government-funded institution, intended to train future spies. Cammie Morgan, the headmistress’ daughter, enjoys every part of this charade until one night, on a practice mission, she meets a boy from the town who assumes that she is just as normal as he is. Cammie thinks he’s cute. Her friends think he’s a enemy agent. And her mother can’t possibly be allowed to find out about their burgeoning relationship.

Looooooong title. Short book. I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You is a quick, fun story set in a fabulously unusual school. I loved all the little details – from the lesson topics, to the mechanisms that disguise the building’s real purpose when outsiders arrive. The mission scenes are exciting and funny and I really looked forward to the dramatic final operation. I also loved Cammie’s friends – the mix of characters in the group is a bit of a YA cliche, but it works in whimsical stories like this, and they’re all intelligent, hard-working, determined young women. I think Liz, the clumsy genius, is my favourite, but I suspect that my opinion is subject to change!

Cammie has a lot to juggle: secrets, feelings, and spy-schoolwork, and at times I felt like that the book jumped potentially interesting scenes. An example from the start of the book – Cammie skips over telling us about the homecoming of her school ‘sisters’ and why they stayed up all night, and I thought that could have been such a good scene. I also wanted more scenes featuring Cammie and her mum together, but I expect that their relationship is explored in more detail in the rest of the series. I didn’t find Cammie’s voice completely engaging, and as a result, I felt slightly distanced from her, but hopefully that will also improve.

I would recommend I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You to fans of boarding school stories, with a caveat to bear in mind – it’s intended for the younger end of the teen market. There are a few serious moments, but for the most part, it’s a gentle and light-hearted read.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Ally Carter, American, boarding school, book review, books, Gallagher Girls, review, spies, teen, teen fiction, teenage, teenage fiction, YA, young adult

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Suzanne Paranormal Pages

    3rd May 2013 at 5:31 pm

    I find it very hard to enjoy a book if I can't connect with the main character, you seemed to manage to enjoy it enough though. Great review Julieanne

    Reply
    • Julianne

      4th May 2013 at 1:21 am

      I think that I didn't mind as much because it was such a short book, and there were other elements that I did really like. Thanks!

      Reply
  2. ohdamnbooks

    3rd May 2013 at 11:08 pm

    You should definitely read the next book in the GG series Julianne! 😀
    It gets A LOT better and Cammie meets a hot new guy! ;D

    Reply
    • Julianne

      4th May 2013 at 1:21 am

      Thanks, I will, I think it's at my local library! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sunny Duvall

    5th May 2013 at 10:40 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this series! The fifth book is my favorite so I can't wait to see what you think of the series as a whole!

    Reply
    • Julianne

      11th May 2013 at 12:56 pm

      I've had such an enthusiastic response to this review, I will just have to get the second book soon!

      Reply

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