Author Ally Carter, queen of creating teen dramas with international intrigue and killer heroines, takes her readers all the way to Alaska for some kick-butt wilderness survival in, Not of I Save You First, but let’s make a stop at the White House first, shall we?
Third person narrative initiates readers into the inner circle of the President’s family and their protective detail as readers follow protagonists Maddie, daughter of the President’s personal bodyguard, and Logan, son of said President. Best friends, each with a particular set of unique skills, makes these two a pair readers can become engaged with, especially when things begin to unravel thanks to some nasty foreign intruders. Their friendship and lives are on the line as things go from bad to worse in the backwoods of Alaska.
Maddie and Logan’s relationship takes some hilarious and somewhat endearing turns as the author captures the awkwardness that occurs when puberty and attraction test companionship, but the stakes are higher because real and present danger abides. This “he loves me, he loves me not” romance can become a bit annoying, as do the protagonists, because the action and adventure conglomerates on their hormonal ups and downs.
In true Ally Carter fashion, the situations are risky and the developments surprising, all with a flair for the dramatics and a sense of style.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Delegates feel threatened; extended scene (about 5 pages) shootout with blood, injuries, and dead bodies (not gory); report on teen’s illegal doings; about 9 violent jokes and or playful behavior; character is hit and kicked unconscious; several brief and extended scenes (more than 10) in which characters engage in fighting and threats, sometimes with weapons causing blood, and injuries; characters are taken against their will; revelation of character being murdered; non-detailed scene of violent death; character causes an explosion.
Sex/Nudity: Husband and wife kiss; romantic joke; male and female strip their clothes to the minimum to survive; several (more than 10) of male and female kissing, holding hands, or embracing; teen male and female cuddle and sleep next to one another.
Mature Subject Matter:
Kidnapping, murder, international intrigue, wilderness survival.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Indication that teens consume alcohol at a house party; alcohol is used as an anesthetic.
