Codename Firefly (Number 10 Book 2) by C.J. Daugherty

 

Codename Firefly (Number 10 Book 2) by C.J. Daugherty.

Published 2nd September 2021 by Moonflower Books.

From the cover of the book:

Gray Langtry is on the run. As the only child of the British Prime Minister, Gray's life has been in turmoil ever since her mother was chosen to lead the country. Both she and her mother are targets of a Russian assassination plot. And what's worse, members of her mother's own cabinet are involved. A team of bodyguards never leaves her side. The press attention is relentless. And then there are the death threats.

Now, after an attempt on Gray's life, she has been moved to an elite boarding school in the British countryside. Shielded by high walls and locked gates, Gray finally feels safe, but the plotters are still hunting, and soon they will find her.

Gray's personal bodyguard, Julia, and the school's young headmistress are determined to protect her. They both know how dangerous things are. The assassins searching for Gray are highly trained. And when they arrive they will aim to kill. 

Dylan, a mysterious American student, seems to know more than he should - but he's always there when Gray needs him. Can she trust him? Can she trust anyone?

As winter closes in and darkness falls, Gray will have to think fast. The hunters are coming.

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If you are familiar with C.J. Daugherty's books then you will know that she has a knack of writing engaging and thoroughly enjoyable YA fiction. Her new Number 10 series is set in the same world as her Night School books, and the first book Number 10 introduced us to Prime Minister Jessica Langtry and her teenage daughter Gray. The second book in the series, Codename Firefly, goes a step further towards the Night School series, because in this book Gray finds herself as pupil at the exclusive Cimmeria Academy - which features in the Night School books.

Since Gray's mother became Prime Minister both of their lives have changed enormously, with their every move the subject of close scrutiny by the media, but it has also put them in danger by making them the targets of a Russian assassination plot. In an effort to provide some protection for Gray, she has been enrolled in the elite boarding school Cimmeria Academy, where her parents and security team believe she will be away from the prying eyes of the press and the chance that those with sinister intent will be able to get anywhere near her again. Of course, she has her own team of body guards on hand to make sure she remains safe behind the high walls of the Academy too, and they will be keeping an eye on her using her unique codename Firefly.

Gray starts to feel safe for the first time in many months, settling into school life, coming to terms with the events of Number 10, and making friends among the kind of students that know only too well what it means to live a high profile life. She also finds herself becoming close to an American student called Dylan, but she is really not sure whether she can trust him as he seems to know more than a bit too much about her and why she is here.

Unfortunately, it's not long before Gray's peace is shattered when Russian spies discover where she is laying low, and send a team of masked men to abduct her. Her security team manage to thwart their efforts more than once, but this is a foe determined to succeed. The constant feeling of danger is very unsettling and although she tries to carry on with the routine of school life, it is proving impossible to ignore the fact that her life is in danger once more. As the dark nights close in, Gray must learn how to protect herself from attack - especially since someone on the inside is helping the Russians in their deadly pursuit.

My favourite thing about these books is the way they make both domestic and world politics so accessible to a younger audience, and their success lies in the way this is done through the eyes of a teen herself, combining her very typical hopes, dreams, likes, dislikes and anxieties with real world danger and intrigue in the upper echelons of Downing Street, Whitehall and beyond. Gray herself is a lovely character, at times brave and bold, and at others shy and fearful - forming a very realistic mix of traits in any teenage girl trying to find her identity and forge a path in the world, which makes her highly relatable to teenage readers. In this second book, we get to see Gray making friends in a school environment, albeit a rather select set of classmates, bringing an a big dollop of threads in the coming of age vein, and we also get an intriguing glimpse behind the faces of her security team, which broadens the range of themes explored in the story nicely.

I can't go into too much in the way of detail without giving the game away, but this is so much more than a tale of teenage angst. There is plenty here to get readers of all ages perching on the edge of their seats, with gripping storylines that include elements of danger, conspiracy and mystery - all of which provide wide appeal and actually make these great books for you to read alongside your teens. The way Daugherty touches on many topical issues around relationships, divorce, sexuality, mental health and of course politics in an age appropriate way (perfect for readers aged 13 and up), incorporating them into a cracking page turner, gives plenty of opportunity to talk freely about subjects which might not always trip off the tongue too - a little school librarian tip for you there folks!

Back to school time seems like the best time to think about choosing some great new books for your teen readers, and I can highly recommend any of C.J. Daugherty's books as ones sure to please the most picky among them - but I am going to give a little extra shout for the Number 10 books too, because this is shaping up to be an absolute cracker of a series. I am really looking forward to the next one!

Codename Firefly is available to buy now from your favourite book retailer in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Moonflower Books and Midas Public Relations for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review, and for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

About the author:

Former crime reporter Christi (C.J.) Daugherty began writing her bestselling Night School series while working as a communications consultant for the British government – where she would visit Number 10 regularly. The young adult series was published by Little Brown and went on to sell over a million copies worldwide. A web series inspired by the books clocked up over two million views and won dozens of awards. In 2020, the books were optioned for television. Daugherty is the author of The Echo Killing series, published by St Martin’s Press, and co-wrote the fantasy series, The Secret Fire, with French author Carina Rozenfeld. 

While working as a civil servant, she had meetings at Number 10 Downing Street, and saw people disappearing through a small door to a staircase heading below ground level. This became the inspiration for Number 10. FYI: she still doesn't know if there are tunnels below Number 10. But hopes there are.

Her books have been translated into 24 languages and have been bestsellers in multiple countries. She lives in the south of England with her husband, the BAFTA nominated filmmaker, Jack Jewers.