A middle school spy thriller? Pretty cool idea. Hale Jordan is training to be a spy, but is too overweight to become a junior agent while his younger sister Kennedy is tops in her class and may become one first. Then, his famous spy parents disappear, and Hale decides he needs to break into the archenemy's headquarters to stage a daring rescue. However, he discovers some things that turn his world upside down. For me anyway, there was a bit too much melodrama about Hale being picked on by his classmates and the falling out with his best friend, Walter, offset to some extent by his new comrades. I liked it well enough that I will read the sequel since his parents are still "in the wind". ( )

I've enjoyed Pearce's YA books, and I was interested to see what she would do for teens. This is a fun spy book that both boys and girls will enjoy. The MC is a boy, and his younger sister also plays a main roll in the story. Lots of techy stuff and fun adventure and suspense. It will be interesting to see how this storyline plays out in future books. ( )

Note: I received an ARC from the publisher. ( )