Review # 22: Circle of Fire (The Maya Brown Missions) by S. M. Hall

Description (from Amazon):

Maya Brown is bored with being cooped up in her grandmother's house over the summer, and is dying to get involved in her mother's intelligence operation against a group of would-be terrorists. But when her mum, Pam, is kidnapped by the criminals, Maya is suddenly plunged headlong into a world of intrigue and danger. Can Maya find out what the terrorist cell are plotting in time, and without putting her mother's life further at risk? And is the mysterious Khaled luring her into a trap, or a secret ally?

A fast-paced thriller by an established author of teenage fiction, with a fiesty and charismatic heroine who will appeal to boys and girls alike. This is a gripping adventure story that also deals sensitively with issues of inter-racial understanding and the social causes behind extremism.

Review:

     Circle of Fire:The Maya Brown Missions was a great volume in a series that could really go somewhere, but for as action-packed and fast paced as it was at times, it did have its slow moments where I wanted to jump ahead to a more exciting chapter, (which I didn't do because I believe in reading the whole book). The plot was very exciting and well-thought-out, especially the espionage, terrorism, and cultural aspects which were very well-written and researched. Teen heroine Maya Brown is a DIY kind of girl with a spunky and smart attitude, even if she gets herself in a bad situation she manages to think her way out of it. Both guys and gals will appreciate and enjoy the overall tone and dialogue; there's even a little bit of slang/violence for those teens who like a slightly "edgier" read. I can't complain about anything other than those few slow moments, most of the time I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I will read future S. M. Hall Maya Brown Mission books in the series, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a high charged, fully-fueled read that will last them a sit-down or two. 

Rating:  Bounty's Out (3.5/5) 

 

*** I received this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.