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tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
Dan Brown for tweens. Cassie is yanked from her Roman schoolgirl troubles to realize that her art historian/teacher father has been keeping a secret: she is linked to an ancient spearhead that can control the future. This power pits her in danger. When her father is shot, Cassie, het best friend Simone, and their mysterious new accomplice Asher must find the spearhead while avoiding the powerful forces trying to stop them.
Suspense, puzzles, betrayals. This cliffhanger has it all.
Suspense, puzzles, betrayals. This cliffhanger has it all.
faerietears's review against another edition
3.0
Special thanks to the MCBD for providing a copy in exchange for this review.
Another reviewer compared Moving Target to the DaVinci Code and I have to agree. It’s like DaVinci Code Light. Or Diet DaVinci Code. It’s a great introduction to kids who are into that kind of adventure story.
This is a fairly short book, so I personally could have done with some more character building, but I think for the target age there is just enough for them to get connected and engaged.
The action starts off with a bang - literally - when Cassie and her dad start running from she doesn’t even know what. When Cassie’s dad is shot, she’s on her own, left with only one cryptic clue from her father, which sends her down the rabbit hole and change her life forever.
I like that the author chose to use the Spear of Destiny as the object the kids are after. I like the lore she created for the Spear, that one person can control the destiny of the world. And I love that if Cassie gets her hands on it, the fate of the world will rest in the hands of an 8th grader. Yikes!
The action in this book was pretty much non-stop, only slowing down in the beginning once Cassie gets to the Monastery. I’m really not sure if there’s anything else that could have helped that though because that info needed to be given, the scenes had to happen.
It was cool to see a variation of languages in this book as well. Cassie's father is of Cuban descent so she and her father speak Spanish from time to time. The story takes place in Italy, so there is also some Italian sprinkled in. It makes me want to start using my DuoLingo app again because I recognized some of that Italian, but I couldn’t translate it in my head!
Some of the riddles/puzzles Cassie had to solve to complete her quest were too easy in my opinion. It baffled me that no adult character had figured it all out sooner. I had to keep reminding me that the target audience for this book would not have the same reasoning skills as an adult.
The characters also read a little young to me. I kept forgetting that the girls were 8th graders and Asher was 15. They just felt younger to me.
There was a twist at the end, but I saw it coming, which was sort of disappointing. Until the last twist happened that I did not see coming, so that was a real treat! I’m curious to read the second book just to see what comes next for Cassie.
Overall it was a quick read. It wasn’t a book I couldn't put down, but I also didn’t dread having to pick it up again. For me as an adult, it was average. But I’m not the target audience and I think middle grade kids will enjoy it.
So, should you read it?
I don’t think adult readers will get much out of this story, but I think middle grade kids would, especially those who like fast past books with puzzles and riddles. I considered having my 4th grader read it, but I think she may be a bit young for it. Perhaps in a year or two.
Another reviewer compared Moving Target to the DaVinci Code and I have to agree. It’s like DaVinci Code Light. Or Diet DaVinci Code. It’s a great introduction to kids who are into that kind of adventure story.
This is a fairly short book, so I personally could have done with some more character building, but I think for the target age there is just enough for them to get connected and engaged.
The action starts off with a bang - literally - when Cassie and her dad start running from she doesn’t even know what. When Cassie’s dad is shot, she’s on her own, left with only one cryptic clue from her father, which sends her down the rabbit hole and change her life forever.
I like that the author chose to use the Spear of Destiny as the object the kids are after. I like the lore she created for the Spear, that one person can control the destiny of the world. And I love that if Cassie gets her hands on it, the fate of the world will rest in the hands of an 8th grader. Yikes!
The action in this book was pretty much non-stop, only slowing down in the beginning once Cassie gets to the Monastery. I’m really not sure if there’s anything else that could have helped that though because that info needed to be given, the scenes had to happen.
It was cool to see a variation of languages in this book as well. Cassie's father is of Cuban descent so she and her father speak Spanish from time to time. The story takes place in Italy, so there is also some Italian sprinkled in. It makes me want to start using my DuoLingo app again because I recognized some of that Italian, but I couldn’t translate it in my head!
Some of the riddles/puzzles Cassie had to solve to complete her quest were too easy in my opinion. It baffled me that no adult character had figured it all out sooner. I had to keep reminding me that the target audience for this book would not have the same reasoning skills as an adult.
The characters also read a little young to me. I kept forgetting that the girls were 8th graders and Asher was 15. They just felt younger to me.
There was a twist at the end, but I saw it coming, which was sort of disappointing. Until the last twist happened that I did not see coming, so that was a real treat! I’m curious to read the second book just to see what comes next for Cassie.
Overall it was a quick read. It wasn’t a book I couldn't put down, but I also didn’t dread having to pick it up again. For me as an adult, it was average. But I’m not the target audience and I think middle grade kids will enjoy it.
So, should you read it?
I don’t think adult readers will get much out of this story, but I think middle grade kids would, especially those who like fast past books with puzzles and riddles. I considered having my 4th grader read it, but I think she may be a bit young for it. Perhaps in a year or two.
kaetlin's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting, very up and down.
I really liked Asher as a character but i found myself trusting no one else in the book.
Also I didn't understand half of the secret group of people thing and I was just really confused by the ending.
And half of it was really predictable, the other half wildly unexpected.
I really liked Asher as a character but i found myself trusting no one else in the book.
Also I didn't understand half of the secret group of people thing and I was just really confused by the ending.
And half of it was really predictable, the other half wildly unexpected.
bookbrig's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
This is a very quick read with almost non-stop action. It actually reminds me of a kids version of The DaVinci Code, with secret societies, Roman adventures, and a few puzzling riddles. I'll definitely recommend it to our teens, I suspect 6th and 7th graders will like it most. However, as an adult reader this did that thing I dislike so much where the book ended just as the story started to take off. This keeps it nice and short, but I finished it and was all: ARGH because I just wanted to know what was going to happen. And I doubt I'll have time or inclination to pick up the next in the series, so now I will never know. Grr! Anyway. Good for reluctant readers too, probably.
samantha_randolph's review against another edition
5.0
"Cassie Arroyo attends school in Rome, though she is American, while her father teaches art history at a university there. What starts as a normal day for Cassie takes a dramatic turn when her father suddenly hustles her into the car and starts talking about how they've been found. With limited time, Cassie's father explains that a secret society is after her, an heir to an ancient bloodline that can use the Spear of Destiny and change futures. When her father is shot and rushed to the hospital, Cassie is left to run and find the answers on her own while trying not to get killed in the process." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=61839
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
This is like The Davinci Code for 5th-8th graders. Lots of action and mystery, plus complex characters.
ansh777's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
elementary school me adored this book
labraden's review
4.0
Moving Target is a Da Vinci Code style story written for young adults. For years Cassie and her art historian father have moved all over the world to whatever place her father's work took them. Suddenly, Cassie's father, in a panic, takes her out of school. He begins to tell her an unbelievable story about herself and her life when he is shot. Knowing she doesn't have much time, Cassie seeks out the man her father told her to find, a monk in an ancient monastery. There she learns that her life is linked to an ancient spear that can control destinies. Cassie then goes on the run with her best friend, Simone, and Asher, her protector, to find the ancient spear. This book is only the beginning of the story, so I expect there will be more books to follow. This story was very enjoyable with lots of action and some major twists that completely change the direction of the story. Lots of fun - can't wait for the next installment.
readunderthestars23's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of Moving Target from Scholastic New Zealand to review. I’d never heard of it before I received it but when I read the synopsis I thought it sounded like something I’d like.
I kept forgetting how old Cassie and the others were in the book because of all the things they were dealing with. It made them seem older in my head. I’m not sure how old Cassie and Simone were meant to be or if it was mentioned.
I was able to predict a few things while I read Moving Target. I’m not going to go into details because I don’t want to spoil anyone (I hate when people do that to me) but being able to predict these things didn’t ruin the story in any way for me. I read this in one sitting. There was just so much going on and I didn’t want to put it down.
This book ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’m assuming there will be another one after this but I’m not 100% sure. If there is another book coming out then I look forward to seeing what’s next for Cassie.
Cassie is a pretty brave girl. Her father kept a lot of secrets about her her family and her role with this Spear of Destiny but instead of resenting him (like a lot of people would) and being angry at him she is determined to save him so they can go back to normal. Not that anyone can be normal when a secret society is after you. On her journey to rescue her father and find the Spear, Cassie is almost killed more than once. Instead of backing down and hiding from the people trying to kill her, it only makes her want to find her father more.
If there is another book like I think there will be then I’m definitely looking forward to reading about Cassie’s next adventure.
I kept forgetting how old Cassie and the others were in the book because of all the things they were dealing with. It made them seem older in my head. I’m not sure how old Cassie and Simone were meant to be or if it was mentioned.
I was able to predict a few things while I read Moving Target. I’m not going to go into details because I don’t want to spoil anyone (I hate when people do that to me) but being able to predict these things didn’t ruin the story in any way for me. I read this in one sitting. There was just so much going on and I didn’t want to put it down.
This book ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’m assuming there will be another one after this but I’m not 100% sure. If there is another book coming out then I look forward to seeing what’s next for Cassie.
Cassie is a pretty brave girl. Her father kept a lot of secrets about her her family and her role with this Spear of Destiny but instead of resenting him (like a lot of people would) and being angry at him she is determined to save him so they can go back to normal. Not that anyone can be normal when a secret society is after you. On her journey to rescue her father and find the Spear, Cassie is almost killed more than once. Instead of backing down and hiding from the people trying to kill her, it only makes her want to find her father more.
If there is another book like I think there will be then I’m definitely looking forward to reading about Cassie’s next adventure.