Mini Book Reviews: The Body At The Tower & Fury of The Phoenix

This is another colourful, action-packed Victorian detective novel about the exploits of agent Mary Quinn. At a young age, Mary Quinn is rescued from the gallows and taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. The school turns out to be a front for a private detective agency. At age 17, Mary takes on her first case (A Spy in the House). In this, the second book of the series, Mary Quinn sets out to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death at St. Stephen's Tower, better known as the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. The accident occurred after hours in a highly public part of town and despite the presence of night watchmen. Mary, disguised as Mark Quinn, becomes a builder's assistant to find out the truth about the body at the tower.

The Body At The Tower
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 344 (paperback)
Part of Series: The Agency #2
Purchased: Bought
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

 REVIEW:
Have i tell you how much i love The Agency books?! I really love mysteries, with murders, etc and The Agency books are exactly that, YA style. The Body At The Tower, was even better than the previous. It was more serious, more dangerous and with more secrets. It took me in from the first chapter. And Mary of course, proves once again what an awesome heroine she is. Strong(in her own way), clever, sympathetic. While she tries, to understand herself better and forget her past, now she has to play a role which remind her all of those things. I love how i see her grow as character, even more in each book. As for those who want some romance..heh..a small surprise from the previous book comes back. You know what i'm talking about ^^ 
I recommend the book to everyone who like mysteries,historical fiction and YA. Also, if you haven't read the 1st book no worries. The book is written in a way, you can keep up with the story with no problem without reading A Spy In The House.

 Cindy Pon’s debut novel Silver Phoenix was called “fluid and exhilarating” in a starred review from Booklist, and Meg Cabot called it “an addictive gem.” In this companion novel, seventeen-year-old Ai Ling—her powers stronger than ever—stows away aboard a cargo ship in order to protect devastatingly handsome Chen Yong during his quest to locate his father. Masquerading as brother and sister, Ai Ling and Chen Yong face demonic predators on the ocean voyage, but their biggest threat comes from the kingdom of the dead. Part supernatural page-turner, part love story, and altogether stirring, Fury of the Phoenix further heralds the arrival of Cindy Pon as a stellar author of paranormal romance and fantasy.

Fury of the Phoenix
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 368 (ebook)
Part of Series: Kingdom of Xia #2
Purchased: Bought
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
I remember reading Silver Phoenix and how much i like the whole Japanese theme of the book. Fury of the Phoenix, was better. There were certain things i liked more about it like the absence of the weird creatures which i couldn't create well in my mind(like many anime have), the relationship between Ai Ling and Chen Yong, the "dreams" of Ai Ling and most importantly the world. I felt like Cindy Pon's ideas and writing was clearer and more comfortable. It was like she had her ideas better in her mind and i could understand and get into her world easier. There wasn't much action and adventure, as at Silver Phoenix but it had something more appealing to me. It took me just some hours to finish it.
I can't say everyone will like it, but for those who have read the 1st in the series i'm pretty sure they will enjoy it.