Going Rogue by Robin Benway Review

"Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver. 

Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. 
Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo. 

Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. 

But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. 

Too bad it only serves to put her and everyone she loves in danger. Maggie and her "new team" flee to Paris where they must come up with a plan to defeat their former allies."

Note: Robin Benway is too cheesy for her own good. This book is full of the silliest and craziest adventures, not to mention the new romance for Maggie's best friend, Roux. Still, I think this spy series needs to turn a little more serious. Yes, the stakes are higher. Yes, most spy books have people getting killed (like Ally Carter's series). Still, I have high hopes the next sequels will take on a darker tone.

Still, if you prefer a lighter, more hilarious, spy thriller, then I guess this is your piece of cake. These days, however, most readers prefer darker characters with inner and outer conflicts. But I'm not the author here, so Robin Benway can do whatever she likes with these characters, no matter how cheesy or ticklish it gets. If I don't like it, I can always reimagine a different ending (yes, I'm talking about Divergent's Allegiant and other books).

I have a feeling that AKA series is going to take a different turn from Ally Carter's series. It definitely has a lighter tone despite the life threatening situations. Shall I mention a few? Gunfire, a couple teams of deadly agents on Maggie's heels, and a dangerous mark. There's no con in this book. I'm afraid it's mostly theft, but who won't read about theft?

Maggie doesn't do pros or cons in the book. Unlike the Ally Carter's Cammie Morgan, Maggie simply thinks without listing. (Ah! I miss Zach too much. Zach Goode is too awesome. Still, United We Spy ended in a good note. Why am I talking about that book?) 

Anyway, I'm going to try to finish this review before Goodreads shuts down again. (It's May 2, 2014 when there's a ton of blackouts on Goodreads' server, for your information). What else should I talk about? Yes, the writing of Robin Benway is as smooth as a lake when there's no wind or people around for miles. I can't really say anything else right now, but that's all the details I can put in for her writing.

I really like the symbol at the end. The phoenix is a great way of describing...oh, wait. Spoilers again. I can't do that. Sorry, guys. But the ending is still pretty great. I hope there's another book coming out. There seems to be a lack of spy books coming out from this era.

Rating: Four out of Five