Review Detail

Return Fire (Moving Target #2)

Middle Grade Fiction 330

Adventure in Rome

October 30, 2016 (Updated: June 30, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Cassie and Asher are working with her uncle Gregorio, Dame Elisabeth, and her friend Simone to try to save her father's life. Now that she is a member of the Hastati (spear bearers), things are very complicated, and she doesn't know whom to tryst. Is Simone's mother as evil as she suspects? Is Asher really looking out for her best interest, or the best interest of the spear? How will she manage to save her father? The spear is very powerful, and using it is not really in Cassie's best interest. How will she survive and save the world?

Good Points

Like the first book, Moving Target, this paints an interesting picture of many places in Rome, and ties the legend of the spear and the Hastati into Roman culture in fascinating ways. Some of the clues are found in paintings in museums in Rome, and the group even get to take a train ride to Naples. I just wanted to hang out with Dame Elisabeth and have tea in the gardens, but didn't really want anyone chasing me!

There are a lot of chase scenes, and lots of suspense. There are also twists and turns, and it's hard to figure out who is on Cassie's side and who isn't. She also has trouble figuring out exactly what her relationship with Asher is-- does he stick around because he has to, or because he likes her?

The ending of this book makes it very clear that there is at least one book necessary to figure things out, and I'm sure it will be as action packed and adventurous as this one. Return Fire and the Moving Target series is a great choice for readers who like mythology, travel, and plenty of explosions! Hand to readers of Gibbs' Spy School, Carter's Gallagher Girls series, and McMann's Unwanteds.