The Prince (Spy Girl Book 1)

The Prince is a decent read. The action and thought put into the mystery makes for a fast paced read. Spy Girl is smart and fabulous. She knows her mind and what she wants. This is a must for any heroine.

However, there are some minor details that end up having a major impact. First Dodd usually writes for a younger audience. This story is made for an older audience. Spy Girl should have been at least 21, preferably mid to later twenties. The drama the sexual implications are all tailored to an older audience. Plus Spy Girl is way too mature for her age. Her thoughts and actions are ones gained through experience that she does not have.

Another issue is the number of men that seem to swarm around her. They are trying to make her a modern femme fatale. She has an older British Spy, A prince, her partner, Daniel, and a few others. Again, the point of her age makes this a little awkward. But she does not have the life experience to be playing all these men. It would have been better to focus on one or two. And the reader is not sure which one she really likes. It does not help the story, but becomes irritating.

Because of all the manly interest, we see little interactions between Spy Girl and her partner Ari. They seem like they are going to be a good team. But the reader is not given much information about them. Dodd really skims the surface when it comes to building a profile around the characters. Everyone’s backstory is kept secret. While this might drive the plot forward, it has the opposite effect here. It limilts the reader’s ability to connect with the characters. Dodd needed to provide more information on these men that are so smitten by the heroine.

In the end, this is an okay read.

Jillian Dodd is one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to get my hands on any book she writes. This one was no different. I was hooked from the prologue trying to figure whats going to happen.

I can't imagine seeing the things that our main character does let alone going through them. But when she's pulled out of spy academy to help protect the Prince of Monrovia and gets a new identity. Thats a lot to take on at one time for your first big mission. Spy Girl is perfection. Let me tell you this girl is awesome and can kick some butt. I fell in love with all the characters and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen on the next page. This is a must read that you don't want to miss.

This is not appropriate for 13 year olds like the information says. Good story line but waaaay too much sexual stuff going on. It could have been left out. It left me with the feeling that the main character was a promiscuious hoochie mamma that I wouldn't want any of even my adult kids around.

Huntley is plucked from Spy School to join a mission to protect the Prince of Montrovia, a small European country that sounds sort of like Monaco or Meg Cabot's small fictional country in the Princess Diaries. Like many of Jillian's books, the time span covered in the book is brief, around ten days. No shrinking violet, Huntley can defend herself in most situations, so meeting an eligible man at dinner or at the casino and going home with him to play video games does not pose a danger to her. Huntley aced her coursework and field work, so she's ready for numerous surprises and threats. She's a winner of a character, confident, beautiful and fearless. Look forward to reading more adventures with Huntley!

Exciting backdrop. Love a black op vibe and a female Bond with outrageous skills, killer wardrobe and a sense of humor. But 18 years old? Why? Ruins it for me. At least have had her pulled out of an exclusive college early. But high school ???

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Huntley (X) is a well-written protagonist, and while she does have a whole tragic backstory, she's not like "oh poor me, pity me" which I really dislike among female protags in YA romance. I also liked the male characters, mostly. Because this book takes place over a week, the lack of life-changing epiphanies and only short pockets of development from the characters doesn't bother me.

I did enjoy the plot and some of the twists and turns. However, I had some issues with the actual technique of the writing. While POV-switching isn't a deal-breaker for me, and I'm glad the switched-to POVs were third person, the ending was really difficult to actually read because it became omniscient third-person and I really dislike that, especially in a book that's about secrets and spies and that stuff. It took me out of the story at one of the most important parts.

I am getting the second book, but I'm not expecting much.

Rating: 2/5

Reading the blurb for this book, I was ready for a kick-ass heroine. I love female fighters/assassins/spies (I grew up with Eowyn as my role model - what can I say), but I was thoroughly disappointed.

Anyways, let me set the scene. X is a teenage girl training to be a spy at Blackwood Academy. She’s got all the necessities: extraordinary talent, dead-parents-tragic-backstory, and hot looks. She gets sent on a secret mission to protect the Prince of Montrovia, ends up in a love triangle, blah blah blah.

My problems with this book: the plot was so predictable. So. Predictable. All of the “secrets” and “incredible dicoveries” are super cliche. I feel like Jillian Dodd could have gone to much farther with this book - especially with the premise of a girl spy. Another problem - this book was super short! All this girl does it have sex, pine, and then beat up some bad guys. Not really super interesting.
“At Blackwood, my professors couldn’t find my weakness, but I might be looking at it right now - a pair of intense blue eyes.”

*rolls eyes*

While I didn’t enjoy this book, I think it’s still readable purely to rest your brain. If you are looking for a quick guilty pleasure read that doesn’t involve much thought, then this is the book for you. Otherwise, go read "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas.

This book ends in a cliffhanger. This is also called a serial Book. The difference between a serial Book and a series Book is that a serial Book is part of a bigger story and always continues on in the next book. A series book is complete (or should be) in itself and then the next book in this series Will have the same characters or the same setting but will be a different story. I wish the store would mark these serial/cliffhangers so they can be identified before buying because I avoid serial books at all costs-- which means that I don't buy books if I can't determine that they have an ending or are complete in themselves.

I started reading this series and thought it was turning into one of those popular series padded with porn. I was angry about it and wrote a bad review without reading the whole thing. Something made me go back and read past the part that offended me. This series is not what it seems at all. It is an intricately woven psychologically twisted spy novel that really is about the story. Huntley (Cassi) is amazing. The author is gifted. At first it appears that you have a very young woman who treats sexual encounters like casual recreation. I was very offended by that initially because that kind of attitude creates disease and mental illness. Then as you delve deeper into the story you realize that she has been manipulated into that frame of mind by her trainers. She is completely unable to be with someone if she loves them. They have damaged her that badly. She has seen people she loves destroyed in front of her. She has been trained and manipulated for revenge. She has a heart to protect the innocent and those that are precious to her. She fears her life endangers them. In so many ways she is in a trap.

I started reading this series and thought it was turning into one of those popular series padded with porn. I was angry about it and wrote a bad review without reading the whole thing. Something made me go back and read past the part that offended me. This series is not what it seems at all. It is an intricately woven psychologically twisted spy novel that really is about the story. Huntley (Cassi) is amazing. The author is gifted. At first it appears that you have a very young woman who treats sexual encounters like casual recreation. I was very offended by that initially because that kind of attitude creates disease and mental illness. Then as you delve deeper into the story you realize that she has been manipulated into that frame of mind by her trainers. She is completely unable to be with someone if she loves them. They have damaged her that badly. She has seen people she loves destroyed in front of her. She has been trained and manipulated for revenge. She has a heart to protect the innocent and those that are precious to her. She fears her life endangers them. In so many ways she is in a trap.

Imagine a world where James Bond and Harry Potter collide. Now, take in account a girl that strives to be on her “A” game in order to revenge her parents death. She’s not only brilliant in school; she’s got the looks and attitude to match.

Spy Girl is a fun filled adventure of Huntley Von Allister. She’s hot, tons of fun, and has yet to graduate Blackwood Academy, but that doesn’t stop the Dean from sending her on her first mission to save the Prince of Montrovia. In a world where you don’t let your emotions become involved will Spy Girl be able to succeed or will love be the driving force behind her success?

If you’re looking for a story that’s full of questions, fun, adventure, and a few new “hottie gods,” then Spy Girl is the book for you. Be prepared for a few twists and turns as you begin to find out the true past of Spy Girl, and are left wanting more. Find out if she completes her mission by downloading your copy of Spy Girl today!

Spy Girl is like a cross between Nikita and James Bond. Set in a country not too dissimilar to Monaco, this story is flamboyant and decadent as the spy girl heroine finds herself living alongside royalty in an attempt to save the principalities Prince from assassination.

Having been trained from a child, Huntley, as she is now known, has revenge fixed firmly in her future as she is determined to kill the person who killed her mother. Assuming her parents were innocent victims, Huntley is shocked to find that her parents were also spies and she now finds that it was because of the secrets that they held which made them a target.

With an attractive spy, come lots of attractive suitors and Huntley finds herself struggling with her feelings towards two men, in particular, one of which is the prince. With the prince keen to make Huntley his princess, Huntley finds it difficult to focus on her mission at times but alongside her brother, she knows that she must keep the prince safe at all costs.

This was an interesting start to this series and a quick and enjoyable read. It was lighthearted despite the dangers and violence, which was kept to a graphic minimum. The sex scenes were more inferred than explicit making this story suitable for all ages. The scenes were captivating and intriguing and although not heavy on the drama, the story was still highly enjoyable. A strong and determined heroine is always a must read for me and I can't wait to read on.

Spy Girl is a young adult mystery, female 007 story. There is a cliffy but the second book is already out so you won't have to wait. Having already ready the second book I can tell you that it explains a lot of the loose ends in this book.

Huntley, was trained to be a spy from a relatively young age after the death of her parents. She is sassy, smart and talented. She is confident in her spy abilities and with her sexuality. Upon receiving her first assignment she finds many things she has been lead to believe are just not so, so she has to work at unraveling those mysteries as well as her protection duty she has been assigned.

The US president's son, Daniel, is an entertaining character even if he is a bit of a ladies man.

Prince Lorenzo, what a catch he would be. Handsome, attentive and next in line to the throne of Montrovia.

I enjoyed this quick fun read. Laughed a few times and smile more than that. The beginning of a fun new series by Jillian Dodd.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Becky for JoandIsaLoveBooks.

This book has a little bit of everything, sex, action, fashion, love. There's something in it for everyone.
We start off with X, she's weeks away from graduating from an exclusive spy academy.

She receives her first orders, protecting the Prince of Montrovia. Doesn't sound hard, after all she's a highly trained spy, and he's one hot prince.

But things quickly escalate as an unknown group attempts to take the prince's life.

There is, of course more to the story. The audience gets glimpses of background forces working behind the scenes. And it's both exciting and frustrating.

Fast paced, lots of action, it's perfect for anyone who loves spy movies and romances.

There's a lot of romance, as our Spy Girl gets close to not only the Prince, but to someone else as well.

There's a lot of action as she tries to uncover just who wants to destroy the monarchy.

The outfits are awesome as well. When a Prince is dressing you, you expect lots of beautiful dress and jewelry.

This book keeps you on the edge, it keeps you wanting more, it keeps you conflicted between all the hot guys.

Full review posted on the blog

This was a light, entertaining read in the vein of James Bond, in which a certain amount of suspension of believability has to be entered into, accompanied by sexual banter and bed hopping. It almost felt more like an adult novel rather than YA because of the casual and somewhat steamy sex (though thankfully, no explicit details were included). Definitely on the PG-13 side, however, and I prefer my reads cleaner. The plot raced along and kept my interest, and the characters were fun. I enjoyed seeing how X/Huntley kept the Prince alive. It did disturb me how almost cold she was about killing people; couldn’t she have knocked them out somehow, instead? Although it’s a series, the book ended with the major things wrapped up satisfactorily.

We were pretty excited to read this new book from Jillian Dodd. We absolutely love the way she perfectly mixes drama and fun into each one of her story lines. From the get go Spy Girl sounded like something a little different from her normal genre, so needless to say we were interested to see if it lived up to our expectations.

Agent X is pulled from her elite spy academy suddenly to go on a Top Secret and important mission to protect the Prince of Montrovia and find out who is out to kill him. Taking the cover of Huntley Von Allister, an orphaned heiress, the journey begins. From her introduction I was intrigued by this character, and even now, with the last page turned I still have many unanswered questions about her true identity, what really happened to her parents and the story behind Blackwood, her spy academy. Agent X is no doubt a fun character, who sort of reminds me of Keatyn in her personality. The Prince of Montrovia is her first "real" mission. This is a chance to actually prove herself, which is necessary if she wants to achieve her ultimate goal, and in order for this mission to be successful she will have to keep her emotions at bay, a task which is proving more and more difficult the further into the mission she gets.

In order to meet the prince, Huntley and her "brother," another under cover agent, Ari have to make friends with influential people. Cue the introduction of several notable hotties. So now not only do we have a dreamy real life Prince interested in Huntley but then there is also Daniel, the VP of the United States son, and let's just say when Huntley and Daniel share a page their chemistry is off the charts!

We throughly enjoyed the first book in this new series from Jillian Dodd! The second half of the story seemed to keep my attention more than the first part, since I think I had more of a connection to the characters once the story's groundwork was laid. The first half of the book primarily felt like a launch pad, which I now understand was needed in order to catapult this book into a full blown series. The only other thing we did not love was the POV. It seemed to alternate throughout the mission from Huntley to a narrator perspective. We would have preferred to just have the entire book from Huntley's perspective.

In conclusion, if you love drama, mystery, fun, and a strong, self sufficient tough female lead in a book, this one is for you! We are certainly hooked and are excited to see where book 2 will lead Huntley on her next mission. Hopefully, we will get the answers we are seeking on her real identity as well! Either way, one things for sure...we predict each book to be more and more addicting the further we dive into Agent X's story.

'Get close to the hottest Prince on the planet and work for Black X, the double-black covert group so secret even the President of the United States is on a need-to-know basis? I accept.'
As a big fan of Jillian's work I was excited to read this book. I have to admit that I was reading this picturing Keatyn as Huntley, Dawson as Daniel and Aiden as the Prince and wondering who was going to be moonboy! I did eventually pull my mind away from those thoughts and immersed myself into this fast paced, exciting story.
Huntley (Spy Girl) has been training to be a spy after being orphaned when she was 14 years old. She is being sent on her first mission, to protect Lorenzo, the Prince of Montrovia. He turns out to be absolutely gorgeous and quite enamoured by her. He isn't the only man though, she soon has several men vying for her affection. Emotions are beginning to creep in so she has to be careful.
Huntley and her brother Ari are now living amongst the world of the rich and famous, high rolling at casinos, driving fast cars, wearing glamorous clothes and living opulently. It is fun and exhilarating but it is also fraught with a lot of danger. Someone is out to get the Prince so each day spent in Montrovia may be fun but they are always on high alert, with their incredible spy gadgets at hand.
As they put their own lives on the line to protect Lorenzo there are other nasty things lurking in the background that they are yet unaware of. This story wraps up without a cliffhanger but it offers a taste of things to come in the next book - The Assassin. This was a great start to what is shaping up to be an exciting series!

First and foremost a reader must remember this is a fictional story. It's meant for entertainment purposes. I was highly entertained. The books I tend to choose are books where the character has relatable traits for me but yet I can also find myself wanting to push my boundaries. Huntley pushes my boundaries. I get to escape int this fictional world and pretend I'm her for just a little bit. I didn't see plot holes like other readers but maybe that's because I feel like I didn't want to know the entire story of a series in the first book. *shrugs*
I can't wait to devour the rest of this series.

This is definitely a YA level book; however, I would not recommend it for younger teens. There is too much sex and too much emphasis on sex, and it really didn't add anything to the plot to have it there. I liked all the spy gadgets, reminiscent of 007, and Spy Girl's martial arts abilities were fun to read. It was pretty thin on character development and details. I don't think I'll read any further books in the series as at least half of the story is about seeing a guy she wants to have sex with, having sex with a guy, and deciding not to have sex with one. More emphasis on the spy part would be welcome.

Girl Power. That is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this book. She is a spy who was trained to be the best. They expected her to go on a very important mission to save a Prince future King of Montrovia. Along the way she meets hot guys that adds a little sexiness to her mission. She has to not get close to people but that is especially hard when she meets the Prince. The Prince is my favorite guy in this book and trust me that is hard when Jillian Dodd does what she does best and makes you fall in love with almost every boy in her stories. Prince Lorenzo is of course no exception. Of course this being a spy book has a bunch of great technology that makes the reader want such amazing gadgets.

Once I started this book it was extremely hard to put down. I finished it very quickly because I was so entertained. I didnt think that I would like a spy book but this book proved that theory wrong. I cannot wait for the next installment. I want to read more about this awesome Spy Girl.