"When I grow up, I'd like to be dangerous." The principal and Ms. Jessel exchanged a look. "What is your name, my dear?" asked the principal in a tone that indicated she'd be keeping a careful eye on her. "Kiki Strike"…Kiki Strike was an abnormal child. She was short, rarely spoke and always wore black. However, the story changes when Ananka Fishbein makes an unlikely friendship with Kiki Strike and Ananka discovers the underground Shadow City. A dangerous exploration of Shadow City and the friendship between Ananka and Kiki make a trilling story. This thrilling story was unique in that it offered true ways to be an undercover spy. This realistic fiction novel would be a book I would recommend to my friend. The realistic tips on being a spy and Kirsten Miller's captivating writing made this book enjoyable to read. I myself could relate to Ananka. Ananka was a girl who wanted to stand out, however, in her own adventure with five girl scouts she was able to discover how special she really is. Right now, I feel like an ordinary teenager. However, after reading Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City, I realized it doesn't matter whether we are ordinary. All that matters is whether we are having fun and see ourselves as special overall. Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City is a must-read young adult novel.
MP 07/25/08

Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City is an amazing book about a group of friends who have to save themselves, each other, and all of New York City from disaster and destruction. The main characters are the Irregulars (a group of 6 unregular Girl Scouts), the Galatzina family, and the Fu-Tsang Gang. The Irregulars consist of Kiki (the leader), Ananka (the mapper), Oona (the forger), Betty (the costume designer), Luz (the mechanic), and Dee Dee (the chemist). They are the good guys. The bad guys are the Galatzina family (consisting of Livia and Sidonia, queen and princess of Pokrovia), and the Fu-Tsang gang (a group of money-hungry people lead by Lester Lui). The setting of this book is New York City and the Shadow City. The Shadow City is a maze of intricate tunnels and passageways under New York City. During the span of the book, Kiki recruits her group of 6 unregular Girl Scouts, tells them and shows them the Shadow City, foils kidnappings along with the help of the Irregulars, and becomes a hero. She and the Irregulars also break apart the Fu-Tsang Gang which had joined forces with the Galatzina family. If she were not Kiki Strike and her group, New York City and the Shadow City would be gone.

This book was unique because of mystery, adventure, and the Shadow City. I would definitely recommend this title to my friends. I loved reading this book because of the suspense, action, mystery, and adventure in it. I relate to the characters because both the characters and I are unique, mischievous (somewhat), odd, smart, determined, and curious. Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City is an amazing book.
HSM 6/17/08