City of Spies

Pagan Jones #2

by Nina Berry

Pagan Jones is back!

Celebrating her escape from East Germany and the success of her new film, teen starlet Pagan Jones returns to Hollywood to reclaim her place among the rich and the famous. She's thrilled to be back, but memories of her time in Berlin--and elusively handsome secret agent Devin Black--continue to haunt her daydreams. The whirlwind of parties and celebrities just isn't enough to distract Pagan from the excitement of being a spy or dampen her curiosity about her late mother's mysterious past.

When Devin reappears with an opportunity for Pagan to get back into the spy game, she is eager to embrace the role once again--all she has to do is identify a potential Nazi war criminal. A man who has ties to her mother. Taking the mission means that she'll have to star in a cheesy film and dance the tango with an incredibly awful costar, but Pagan knows all the real action will happen off-set, in the streets of Buenos Aires.

But as Pagan learns more about the man they're investigating, she realizes that the stakes are much higher than they could have ever imagined, and that some secrets are best left undiscovered.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Historical, Espionage, Thriller Suspense

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2016

About the author

Thanks so much for checking out my author page and my books! I no longer check messages or friend requests here on Goodreads, so please check out my website ninaberry.com for more info or if you'd like to get in touch.

____________________________________

YA writer, redhead, bodysurfer, Nina is the author of THE NOTORIOUS PAGAN JONES, CITY OF SPIES and the OTHERKIN series. Born in Honolulu, she now writes for teens from her secret lair in Hollywood.

Learn more at ninaberry.com, or you can find her on twitter @Ninaberry and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/writerninaberry.

Nina is represented by Tamar Rydzinksi at Laura Dail Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first one! Review to come. THIS CAN'T BE THE LAST BOOK

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it, so I should know - it's really good! ;-)

[Michelle Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really glad I picked up this series!
Pagan is a wonderful character, and experiencing this adventure with her and the other excellent characters has been an absolute joyride.
Love the ending especially, it's been a long time since I've read such a well-written, albeit somewhat bittersweet, ending. It wraps everything up very neatly and ended the series on an excellent note. (Though I yearn for more Pagan Jones)

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

City of Spies picks up a while after The Notorious Pagan Jones. Pagan’s had time to film another movie that’s getting excellent critical reviews, and that, plus the movie filmed in book one, has her almost back to respectable in Hollywood. Cue the return of Devin Black, who she hasn’t seen since Berlin. Devin wants her to spy for the CIA (he’s on loan apparently) in Argentina under the cover of filming a terrible movie that could damage her fledgling comeback.

Her mission involves verifying the identity of the Nazi who her mother helped escape the country, a plot element that goes back to book one. The man’s believed to be in Buenos Aires under an assumed name and only Pagan can recognize him. The plot’s a bit more reasonable than in the first book, but it was a bit tough to take in 2017. There are a number of scenes with triggering treatment of Jewish people; all the terrible shit is done by the villains, but it’s still just awful to read, so be aware of that.

The romance continues to be completely bland and uninteresting to me, which is probably a good thing given how this book ends and the fact there isn’t another book coming so far as I know. It was nice that Pagan’s Latina best friend got to come along on the trip, and even better when it’s revealed that she’s asexual and a total boss.

There are a lot of typos in the finished hardcover I got from the library, so Harlequin definitely slacked on the copy-editing. “Nein” was even written as “nien” twice, which yikes. If it were an ARC, I wouldn’t care, but this is the version that people and libraries bought. This also plays into me thinking there will not be a third book. Assuming there isn’t, the resolution here isn’t completely satisfying, though it’s not totally without an ending. It’s just a weird one, and it would be frustrating if I were more attached to the cast.

I enjoyed the Pagan Jones books, but they could have benefited from more editing all around and a more compelling romance.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through GoodReads. I have to say that I enjoyed reading this book in spite of the somewhat disjointed plot. While reading, I found myself wishing I had read the first book. There were so many unanswered questions. I like the ideas presented in the novel and the resolution of most of the plot twists, but I was decidedly unhappy with the ending. I did not expect a "happily ever after," so I was not disappointed about that. What bothered me most about the ending is that we are left hanging, but with no indication that there will be another sequel. I also think that it would have been effective to include a final scene with the egomaniacal director. The problems that I see with a book like this one is that it dabbles in different genres spreading the story too thin. I would advise the author to choose a genre, and stick to it. It will make a more robust and cohesive story.
I did enjoy reading the book though and that is why it gets four stars from me.

[Jennifer N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads last year and misplaced it. It was just as good as the first one. Pagan is asked by Devin to work with the CIA and MI6 to locate a suspected nazi war criminal. He is living in Buenos Aires and was thought to have been at Pagan's when she was little. Pagan agrees because they promise her a file on her mother - was she a nazi sympathizer and did she help nazis? Pagan struggles with the movie as her co-star and director are terrible and the movie is going to be a dud but she needs it to not blow her cover. Her friend Mercedes comes with her. She immediately makes friends with the war criminal's daughter Emma and also realizes that she is being followed by someone. It is an entertaining and intriguing read.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS BOOK!
This is possibly one of the deeper books I've ever read. The defense of feminism, the tackling of government control and moral gray areas, the PRO WOMEN stance, the racial discussion! I swear to god, this book needs more readers. I will shout it from the rooftops! Sing it from the mountains! Not to mention, a very original take on cold-war Argentina! Please, just read this book. Dancing! Sass! Discussions of justice! I'm in love.

[Captain Awesome · Rating 1 out of 5]

Humph... Can you say disappointment? Sorry... I just was expecting a lot I guess after that first book. I just felt that the author turned Pagan into this annoying girl who constantly pined for a guy. It made it really frustrating to read cause I feel like she wasn't that way in the first book. It's why I liked Pagan. She wasn't obsessed with a guy and what he felt/thought of her. I really hated that. The main plot wasn't really interesting either. It just felt really shallow if that's the word. In the first book, Pagan really didn't know what was going on behind the curtain or who was operating it all if you will. But in this one, she did and I feel like it ruined the extra mystery that the book had. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

[Crystal Laiben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really hate the ending of this. I hate that Pagan betrays her country, and by extension Devin. I hate that Devin can’t forgive her or quit working with MI6. I hate that Pagan can’t join him. Why spend two books weaving these characters together only to rip them apart? Sorry, I’m a sucker for happy endings and this one was not.

[Mint · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book is action-packed, tense, and absurd. I think the idea of it is actually quite fun and original. My only problem is that I really can't stand Pagan Jones - my personal taste rejects characters that habitually break rules and think themselves superior. I would really love to read a book centered around Devin or Mercedes or even Vogel without Pagan Jones in it.

[Minh-Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't /love/ it as much as I did the first book, but I still really enjoyed it, and it had great lgbtq rep and racism and misogyny discussions so that was nice
All the characters are complex and none of them are totally good or totally evil and that's how it should be

[Jocelyn Fellowes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for those who love mysteries.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about a movie star turned spy who went to Buenoa Aires to make movie and was followed there by a agent of East Germany a fast read which ends in a surprise

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was good until the ending. What kind of ending was that???

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such much better than I thought it would be! I’m actually really sad now that this series is only a duology, I want more!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequel to the GONZO The Notorious Pagan Jones had three times the plot but 1/3 the fun.

There is SO MUCH going on in this novel yet it drags. I wasn't bored for one second during TNPJ but I found it hard to stay focused on this one. And perhaps even more frustrating that allllll the story lines is that most of them just get dropped. The three major story lines (yes, three) each get their own conclusion, in sequence, and it makes it seem like there are three different, distinct endings to this book. (Maybe that's on me and I've just become accustomed to reading books where everything is wrapped up in ONE nice, neat, little package at the end.)

Pagan did a lot of thinking & internal monologues (often about the same things over & over & over) with action thrown in occasionally. I think part of the fun of the first book was that Pagan didn't know she was surrounded by espionage and just bumbled & steamrolled her way through. When she knows what's going on and her actions become intentional rather than gut reactions, the fun & charm is gone. I did love the parts where Pagan went back to her old ways and tried to Elle Woods her way through situations.

I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but I was squicked by the sex scenes. While they weren't *that* graphic, they were pretty racy when compared to most YA. And the fact that Pagan is a 17-year-old girl made me feel extra icky.

I will admit I'm bummed that the author announced that the 3rd & 4th books in Pagan's series got scrapped. I definitely would've continued with the series despite being bored to tears during this one.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Library
*Genre* Young Adult Historical, Thriller
*Rating* 3.5-4

*My Thoughts*

City of Spies is the second installment in author Nina Berry's
Pagan Jones series. City of Spies takes place four months after the ending of The Notorious Pagan Jones. 17-year old Pagan Jones is enjoying her time back not only in the States, but in the spotlight after previously finding her self in a Reformatory for Wayward Girls and a rough and humbling experience in Berlin. She's stopped drinking, she's found a roommate, and she's actually made a movie that was been critically acclaimed which could net her a major award.

"See the world and spy on it." she said. "That's my plan."

"Any Government, maybe any large institution, was capable of horrible things, justifying anything and everything in the name of their security."

*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews July 7, 2016*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

Published May 31st 2016 by Harlequin Teen

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

I won the second book through a giveaway, and ordered the first book at once. I must say I am very pleased. I am not one to normally go for a fiction book, especially historical fiction in the 60's. My genre is more scifi and fantasy, when I do go for historical it is almost always the early 1900's. Both books were a bit cliche, but otherwise good. The first book seemed better than the second to me, but the first in any series especially by relatively new authors tend to do that. This book was a bit more "typical" and slow for me. However, it was a good easy read and I recommend it to those who don't care for a challenge. The historical references seemed to be on point for the most part. Thus being said I am no history buff. Over all it was good but could have been more detailed and a little less cliche.

[Charlotte McDowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting, and enjoyable book. It takes place in the 1960's, which is unique for a YA novel. Pagan Jones is a movie star, who has been recruited for a mission in Buenos Aires. (I think that is how you spell it, anyways.) I was a bit confused at times while reading this book, only because it talks about some issues that I don't have much knowledge about, specifically Hitler, and the Holocaust. However, if you knew a lot about those things, you would have a great time reading this book!

[Jennifer Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action, suspense and espionage in this book, the second story featuring 60's teen movie star turned spy Pagan Jones. I adore Pagan. She's sassy but sweet, flawed yet likeable, witty, and determined to uncover the secrets of her mother's dark past. This time the stakes are much higher for Pagan. Though the ending left me unsatisfied, the cast of characters (Devin Black! Rocket!), the fast-paced plot, and the city of Buenos Aires made this book worth reading. I hope it's not the last in this series. I want more!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this arc from Harlequin Teen/Nina Berry via a goodreads giveaway.

Hollywood star and espionage? Yes, please! I loved "The Notorious Pagan Jones" and this sequel did not disappoint. "City of Spies" finds Pagan sent to South America for another mission under the guise of filming a movie. I could not put this book down. There was constant action and suspense and Devin Black! I really hope there is another book in this series because I want to know what happens next.

[Caryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the first book, CITY OF SPIES is an excellent spy story with some romance. Pagan Jones has definitely matured in this installment, although she is still a bit impulsive. I'd have preferred more resolution in the ending though--lets just hope there's another book in the series!

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the first book in this series. No character development, slow beginning, and I found myself skimming through it. Plus, the romance got a little too steamy for my taste near the end. I don't think I'll look into the next book because I don't find myself caring enough.

[Leah (Jane Speare)]

paused on page 121.

[Malka · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS
Review to come

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Pagan Jones

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, Pagan Jone rocks.

Review to come!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Pagan Jones so much and I need more! I want more books, a tv show, movies, paper dolls, everything.

[Joanne Hetherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a good book. It keep me interested right up to the end. I will be looking for the next book.