The Conspiracy of Us (Conspiracy of Us, #1)

by Maggie Hall

[kimbacaffeinate]

seventeen-year-old girl who finds herself caught up in political intrigue, secret societies and quests for power. While some of the events are over the top, as a reader I was intrigued enough to let go and found myself caught up in the quest.

Avery is a strong heroine, and the author does an outstanding job of allowing us to get a sense of her personality prior to this maddening adventure. She handles it well, even as there are moments where she falters. Her actions, feelings and motives rang true allowing me to root for her.

Let us talk about the boys. Both are part of the Circle. Jack is the first to meet Avery and has been sent to retrieve her. He is mysterious, soft spoken and protective by nature. Stellan, on the other hand is darker, demanding and does not sugar coat things. We see another side a vulnerable side that intrigues  me. Hall managed to make both appealing and I am eager to learn more. Avery is falling for one of them but their romance would be forbidden and a romance with the other might directly impact the prophecy…the tension was delicious.

Hall slowly revealed the world to us as Avery learned things leaving me filled with questions. A kidnapping propels Avery into the quest, as does her secret. The Circle itself is powerful and fascinating, creating this political game of intrigue and power struggles. Like Dan Brown’s stories, it is over the top, steeped in history and shrouded in religious aspects. I love when these things are weaved into mystery thrillers because no matter how far-fetched those little tid-bits of history make it feel genuine.

The Conspiracy of Us is the first in an untitled trilogy scheduled for yearly installments. Julia Whelan did an excellent job with the narration from the boy’s accents to Avery’s personality. At just under ten hours, the Conspiracy of Us works wonderfully on audio. The ending cuts of at a nice place, leaving us anxious for the next installment. I unplugged satisfied and excited for more. It was fun seeing this caliber of mystery thriller in the young adult genre.

Audio provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer