Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Out of Sight, Out of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) by Ally Carter
March 13, 2012; Hyperion Book CH

*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Summary

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.(courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

The fifth Gallagher Girls book is a story filled with mystery, confusion, fear, tension, and sadness. The Gallagher Girls series started out as a fun, sweet romance of a young girl in spy school. With each book, the series has become more mature and the danger more visceral. It is a series of friendship and family with some romance as well.

Out of Sight, Out of Time is very confusing at first. The fourth Gallagher Girls book came out two years ago. If you haven't read the series since then, I highly recommend re-reading the books (or at least the fourth book) before picking up Out of Sight, Out of Time. I did not do this and was quite lost at the beginning of the book.

On the other hand, the feeling of being lost and confused is part of what Ally was going for in this book - at least I think so. Cammie wakes up with no memory of the past five months. She is as mixed up as the reader. The plot of the book is not only about what she did over the summer, but what caused her to forget it.

Out of Sight, Out of Time is the type of book I find most frightening - a psychological thriller. Cammie's biggest threat isn't necessarily a bullet; rather it is an unknown source that has attacked her mind. There isn't nearly as much humor in this book than in prior volumes of the series. There also isn't a lot of romance. Zach is present, which is wonderful. He is a sweet guy with a delightful hint of darkness. But his role in this book is to help Cammie rather than to build their relationship.

It wouldn't be a Gallagher Girls book without help from Bex, Liz, and Macey. Plus Zach. Cammie tries to act on her own, but she relies on the physical and emotional support of her friends. And her family. I've always loved the strong role that Cammie's mom plays in this series. It's one of the best portrayals of a mother/daughter relationship I've read in recent YA. Her aunt is also a crucial character as well. Cammie and the adults in her life get along well and work together, instead of against each other.

"Fun" isn't a word that describes Out of Sight, Out of Time well. It is so tense and scary at times that I was biting my nails in anticipation. That's not to say that it isn't good. On the contrary. I think it's the best Gallagher Girls book yet. It's grown up and disturbingly dark. Very few YA thriller books go to the level of depth that Gallagher Girls does. I can't wait to see where the series goes from here. I highly recommend Out of Sight, Out of Time and the entire Gallagher Girls series.

Rating: 4 / 5

14 comments:

  1. I'm so excited for this one!!! I have been dying to know what happened to Cammie during her summer away! Plus I love Zach!.

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  2. ooh she loose her memory? 0_o that would be scary. That happen to my Grandmother and I can't even imagine it.
    It nice that this series is growing more mature as it goes by. However Ally Carter is a really good author. I do have the first of this series on my tbr pile, but have yet to read it. I have read Ally Carter other series =D She is a really good writer.

    Your review was well written =D you really describe your feelings of being scared and suspense really well =D

    Maura @ Monster of Books

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  3. I love how you describe the development and changes during this series. I haven't read this series yet, but I always loved the sound of it! Also, I think it's great that the characters as well as the plot matures!

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  4. Great review! I've only read the first few of the GG books, but I should probably get stuck back into them soon.

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  5. I really enjoyed this installment of the series.

    "The Gallagher Girls series started out as a fun, sweet romance of a young girl in spy school. With each book, the series has become more mature and the danger more visceral." <- I absolute agree with you. Which is one of the reasons I enjoy this series.

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  6. Whoa, you had to wait two years between books 4 and 5? That's a crazy long wait! Obviously it was worth it though, I love that this series gets darker and more mature as it goes - kind of like Harry Potter:) I have yet to read anything by Ally Carter and I really need to change that!

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  7. I've only read the first two -- so I'm not going to read your review -- I know :P -- but just wanted to let you know that it reminded me I like this series and I have to pick up book #3.

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  8. Agree that this one was pretty dark. I really enjoyed it and while I did miss the humour from the earlier books, I really can't wait to find out what happens next. Love this series! Great review :).

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  9. Hi Alison! I have not read this series, I admit I glanced at the cover and wrote it off as light and fluffy. Boy was I wrong! I love a good pyschological thriller and you saying this is dark and scary has gotten my attention. I will defintely be looking into this series now.

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  10. I bought the first book a while ago and I tried reading it but at the time I wasn't in the mood and it just seemed silly. Now I want to go and try reading it again, unfortunately I seemed to have misplace the book. Oh well, I'll track it down. Thanks for making me think twice before giving up the series completely.

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  11. I love Ally Carter's Heist Society series, she is great with humor and suspense, but I haven't read this series yet. It seems a little to MG for my tastes, but I have not doubt just as good.

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  12. I love the Gallagher Girl series and Ally Carter! I'm so thakful to my friend who introduced me to it. I have to read this sooner or later because i'm gong to blow if i don't.

    Great revie! =D

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  13. Hey Alison! I have never read this series but have heard some great things about it. I love a book that has a tense plot. Lovely review!

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  14. I loved Out of Sight Out of Time too! & I definitely agree, as the books have progressed they've become a lot edgier (which I love). I think they still maintain a lighter feeling, a quick-fun read, etc. but they have been tackling more serious issues lately and not sugar coating them. I also got a bit confused in the beginning. I wish I still had my copies of the first books in the series because I'd love to catch up and plain--just re-read them.

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