Review: I'd Tell You I Love You but then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

I'd Tell You I Love You but then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

[Goodreads page]

Author: Ally Carter. Website|Twitter
Published: 6 May 2010 (Orchard)
Format: paperback
Pages: 309
Amazon: paperback|Kindle
Waterstone's: paperback|e-book
Book Depository: paperback

Source: Borrowed from library

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women--a seemingly typical all-girls' school--is actually a school for spies. Capable of killing a man, sophomore Cammie Morgan soon discovers that her most dangerous mission turns out to be falling in love.

My Review:
I've heard of this series and it's always sort of been at the back of my mind as one I should check out. When I went into the library one day and the first book was right in front of me (they usually only had later books in the series) so I took my chance and picked it up! Cammie goes to Gallagher Academy, a school for gifted girls, who are using their intelligence to train to be spies.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, any kind of boarding school novel totally gets my attention and this was no different. Most importantly, I loved the fact it was a school for spies. I haven't read that much YA focusing on spies so it was something new and fresh to sink my teeth into! I adored all the little quirks that made spy school, from the cool lessons like covert operations, to the school itself with secret passageways and lunchtimes that must be held in different languages. Throw in some cool spy gadgets and I was hooked!

The main plot shows Cammie and her friends embark on their new class for that school year; covert operations. This meant they were thrown into the practical world of spying which meant some cool action and adventure to be have. When Cammie meets a boy on one of their assignments, he suddenly becomes the victim of their schemes. It made for a great plot because these girls are all so intelligent, but when it comes to dealing with real world experience, their sheltered lives in Gallagher Academy start to show what they've been missing out on. Cammie is totally useless when it comes to guys which made for funny reading.

As well as that, there's a new student joined their midst, something which doesn't happen often at Gallagher Academy. Cammie, Liz and Bex must get used to the presence of Macey, the new girl. I really liked the friendship between the trio of girls and Macey made for a really interesting, feisty character who mixes things up a bit! Cammie herself was a really great main character. The story is told from her point of view as she explains what has happened over the school year, and her voice was a really witty and entertaining thread throughout the story.

I didn't always like the romance elements of the story, and I found some bits a bit cringeworthy in places, but overall there was enough to really keep me engaged with this story. Spying, action, emotional family drama - it had a bit of everything! I can't wait to read the rest of this series.

Rating: 4*
What to read next: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter, book 2 in the Gallagher Girls series.
Books like this: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, Evernight by Claudia Gray