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TTT: Spies and Sneaky Times


This week's TTT topic: This week is a freebie so I've decided to do Books with Spies and Sneaky Times since that is one of my favorite types of book to read. That is the only common thread for most of these books. They are all very different in the ways they use these tropes.


 The Queen's Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner: Because you know a list without these books is almost impossible for me to make, but they really do set the bar for spies, sneaky times, and all the political intrigue there is.

The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope: This is a tale of American Revolutionary War spies. Trust me when I say you will never find a more swoon worthy British soldier trying to hinder the Revolution anywhere else.


 Mara Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw: Mara is one amazingly crafty sneaky girl. There is plenty of political intrigue and romance to make me happy in this one too.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: Spies who will make you cry.


Kiki Strike Series by Kirsten Miller: Books full of awesome girls doing amazing clever things while being sneaky, saving the world, and running their world.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy: The classic spy novel that makes my heart happy every time I read it.

The Lion Hunters Series by Elizabeth Wein: Elizabeth Wein is just really good at this spy thing and these are all magnificent.

A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge: It's hard to be a spy when you show your every emotion on your face. Neverfell's story is captivating and keeps you on the edge of your seat.


The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson: Excellent MG sneaky school story sneaky times can be found here.

Secretes of the Dragon Tomb by Patrick Samphire: My newest favorite to use what I love well and with a great deal of creativity and adventure. 

Do you like stories with spies and intrigue? What are some of your favorites? 

Comments

The Sherwood Ring was so much fun! But in terms of swoonworthy British soldiers in the American revolution, have you read Donna Thorland's adult historical romances? So much fun (and VERY swoonworthy). My favorite is Mistress Firebrand!
(Also, Mara, Daughter of the Nile is the book that first made me fall in love with historical fiction - and you know how I feel about Secrets of the Dragon Tomb! - so basically I am fangirling all over this list. :) )
iloveheartlandX said…
I'm hoping to read Code Name Verity this year!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/top-ten-tuesday-41/
Brenda said…
I do enjoy mysteries and intrigue, The Thief especially. My TTT
Anonymous said…
You know how I feel about this list! I basically want to hug it. Looks like I need to read Kiki Strike, The Great Greene Heist and Secretes of the Dragon Tomb.
Alyce Hunt said…
Ooh, this topic is right up my street! I just finished reading the second novel in Ally Carter's Embassy Row series, and they're full to the brim with spying and political intrigue - I've been looking for more books similar to that, so I'm going to check out some of your recommendations for sure.
Brandy said…
I think this may be one of may favorite lists ever.
Brandy said…
You can't go wrong with Elizabeth Wein's books!
Brandy said…
The Thief is a work of genius. And the series only gets better from there.
Brandy said…
I kind of want to hug it too.
Brandy said…
I still haven't read ANY Ally Carter and I really need to do that.

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