Maid of Secrets Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Maid of Secrets (Maids of Honor #1)
Author: Jennifer McGowan
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Mystery
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
 
Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble | Amazon | IndieBound | The Book Depository 

Description:

Seventeen-year-old Meg Fellowes is a wry, resourceful thief forced to join an elite group of female spies in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There she must solve a murder, save the Crown, and resist the one thing that will become her greatest freedom–and her deadliest peril.

For Meg and her fellow spies are not alone in their pursuit of the murderer who stalks Windsor Castle.

A young, mysterious Spanish courtier, Count Rafe de Martine, appears at every turn in the dark and scandal-filled corridors of the Queen’s summer palace. And though secrets and danger are Meg’s stock-in-trade, she’s never bargained on falling in love…  

Maid of Secrets is the first book in a young adult historical fiction/mystery series that follows a group of young women who provide a special service to the young Queen Elizabeth - they are her personal spies. Meg Fellowes was enjoying her life of freedom as part of an acting troupe where she was one of the best thieves in town, until the day that she was caught by the royal guards and hauled off to join the hidden ranks of the Queen's spies. On her first mission, Meg must eavesdrop on the mysterious and handsome Spanish courtier, Rafe de Martine, all while trying to decide if he's a threat to the Crown. Meanwhile, Meg and her fellow spies are trying to solve a murder, spy for the Queen, and prevent an uprising to take down the Crown. Now, Meg must add the one thing she swore never to let happen: she can't let herself fall in love.

This was a truly captivating and intriguing novel full of mystery, hidden agendas, thrills, twists, and even some romance. Meg is a great main character - she's smart, motivated, and definitely has an attitude, but she also is a bit jaded and is a thief. She's realistic and easy to identify with right from the beginning of the story. The plot has lots going on at once - multiple smaller story lines blended effortlessly together to form one seamless picture. The various happenings and stories that go on throughout the book kept me on my toes and I was anxious to see what would happen next. The plot deals with several threads at once, but it doesn't confuse the reader. The story is fast paced and is full of action and adventure, mixed with mystery and even some romantic elements - so it really appeals to fans of all genres. The descriptions were vivid and the historical elements were richly detailed, so I was easily transported inside the setting of the story alongside the characters. I loved reading about the time period and the history the author included in the story, and I'm really hoping we'll get even more of it in the next installment of the series. It adds a wonderful depth to the novel that makes it an even better reading experience than expected. Overall, this is a thrilling historical young adult novel that will have readers begging for more.

Jennifer McGowan writes Young Adult romance full of swash and buckle. Her first novel, MAID OF SECRETS, debuts in Spring, 2013 from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Age: Royal Secret

Came From: A small town in northern Ohio

Became a Maid of Honor: After bringing her tale of spygirls to the noble city, and winning the favor of the great house of Simon (& Schuster).

Special Skill: Matrix-like reflexes, superior strength, fabulous wit… okay, ah – we’ll get back to you on that.

http://www.jennifermcgowan.com/ | @Jenn_McGowan

 
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