I only gave this book 4 out of 5 stars because I didn't like the so much "chasing" and "close calls" by the participants. Very well developed characters. Excellent job of creating a "mood". And, a well developed story make it a good read.

Emma Makepeace is a newly minted secret agent. When she gets the call for her first assignment, can she get the son of a Russian dissident across the city of London without either of them being killed when the Russians have hacked the security cameras of London? They have twelve hours to make it across the city, can they make it, or will they both be killed?

I very much enjoyed this fast-paced and smart spy novel through the streets of London. It's not my usual fare, but it kept my interest and was well-plotted. A great summer read, and I look forward to sequels! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Only 3 stars because while I very much enjoyed this, it was not highest literature. But I would definitely recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Emma Makepeace is the alias for a British spy, working for a government department known as The Agency - not part of MI6, although there are close ties between the two groups. Emma is recruited by The Agency after her military service, during which she worked in military intelligence. Her first assignment was to go undercover, investigating an environmental group which appeared to be possibly dangerous, an assignment which she quickly chafed at, since it seemed pretty clear that the group was not in the least dangerous. She then gets pulled in for a new assignment - Russian agents are killing Russian defectors in England, and Ripley, her boss, believes that an old friend of his is a target. She and her husband have been moved to a safe house, but their adult son, a pediatric oncologist, refuses to go, and Emma is tasked with convincing him to go.

Things move VERY fast - she meets him, he refuses, but almost immediately he is followed by Russian agents and Emma has to protect him by fighting them. He agrees to go into hiding, but wait - when she calls in to get a pickup, she's on her own - sorry, nobody can help you, good luck! And Ripley is out of touch. She finds a message left for her, telling her that the city camera system has been hijacked by the Russians, that The Agency may not be safe, and that she needs to take Michael to MI6, across the city.

So, most of the rest of the book involves Emma and Michael trying to get across London (a heavily camera focused city) without getting caught by the Russians.

Everything moves fast here - nonstop action, fighting, hiding and running! It feels like an action movie. The only interruptions are backstory explanations, which I found very interesting. It's probably best not to think too much about the explanations, motivations, and such - if you do, it's hard to accept a lot of what's going on. Best to go with the flow and just enjoy the fast moving action!

Emma is a spy. She grew up wanting to be a spy.
She wanted to be a spy to thwart Russia. Especially since her father was a Russian spy...who was murdered by Russia.
And now she is the spy alone after having been given the assignment to protect Michael, the son of a famous Russian couple that escaped from Russia decades ago.
On the run, with only Michael as her ally, they traverse a path fraught with danger at every turn.
This is an entertaining, cohesive , and fun to read novel.
I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC.

So my first question is will this be a series because, if so, that changes my opinion...?

For this most part, this was a quick paced thriller that was full of action. It was an easy, immersive read that kept me entertained. Emma was an interesting character though I was more drawn to Ripley and would love more of his backstory.

Though once the action ended, the last 50 pages or so seemed to be setting up a series? But it also felt like another book's worth of detail crammed into the end. And it somehow also dragged? I think this book should've solely focused on rescuing Michael because "taking down all of Russia" felt like a tall order for 50 pages. While Emma was rescuing Michael, I was entertained. After that was over, I just wanted the book to be over and to move on to something else.

So, if this is setting up a series, I think the final plotline should've been handled in another book. If this isn't going to be a series, I think the last 50 pages should've been, uh, handled differently? I guess.

But overall, I absolutely love spy fiction and this was a quick, easy and fun read! If you're looking for a good spy novel (especially one with a female lead!), give this one a go! I'd definitely be interested to see if this does turn into a series and would be interested in reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!

ALIAS EMMA by Ava Glass is an exciting British spy story and an Amazon Best Book of August 2022. Glass’s debut work with this pseudonym deserves the many accolades she has received (author Lisa Gardner: "Totally addictive … Once you start reading, you won't stop."). There are chase scenes, cliffhangers, and twists similar to Michael Herron's Slow Horses (on Apple+) or the Australian TV show Wanted (on Netflix). The main character, who uses the name Emma Makepeace, is a young secret agent tasked with her first real mission: get Michael Primalov, the adult son of Russian dissidents, safely across London. There are a few complicating issues, though, especially since Russian spies with full access to London's many CCTVs are after them. Emma has been mentored by Charles Ripley who taught her "There are three things that will keep you alive in this business ... One: Paranoia will protect you. Two: What you don't know will kill you. Three: You must always have an escape plan." Emma and Michael need all that and more as they travel mainly on foot and at night from one side of London and across the Thames to MI6's offices. It's a harrowing chase: disguises abound and quick thinking is essential ("No calls. No tech. Move fast. Stay dark."). ALIAS EMMA received starred reviews from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. Highly recommended; read the beginning excerpt here:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/692718/alias-emma-by-ava-glass/

Alias Emma by Ava Glass is a fast paced and gripping novel in the best tradition of British spy thrillers. It is superbly written. There is ever present danger coupled with tense anticipated excitement. There is not an extra word. I was so enamored I read this in one sitting.

It is about a spy trying to saving an asset’s son. There is a ton of mental intrigue. The protagonists are running, hiding, escaping, being cornered and hitting brick walls. It is a race to get to a specific point safely. Blood, guts and ingenuity are the name of the game. This book is chock a block full of all the above.

The characters are more than likable. They are young and brave. They are not sure who to trust, so that adds an extra bit of intrigue. The setting is the City of London which makes a great backdrop for this relentless cat and mouse game.

This is a first entry into the literary foray for this author. Wow! I do hope there will be more “Emma” books in the future. I can very easily see this coming to the big screen. I am very pleased to have found this author. Well done! I can’t wait to see what the author has in store next

Thank you to Ava Glass, NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emma is a spy on assignment in London. She is tasked with delivering one person to a safe location. Easy, right? Not when Michael, the person Emma needs to protect, doesn't want to cooperate.

Emma and Michael encounter all kinds of obstacles in this action packed spy thriller that covers the course of a night.

I found myself invested in Emma's progress throughout her mission, and rooting for her all the way! I love reading about strong female protagonists, and this story fits the bill. I would recommend this book for anyone who once had dreams of becoming a spy or an government agent. It was also fun to learn a little bit about London's rivers!

Alias Emma started off strong and never let up. It is one of the best thrillers and debut novels that I have read. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I have never been to London so I didn't know the different areas, but the descriptions were still sufficient to picture Michael and Emma's surroundings. All of the characters were well-rounded, and I constantly felt the adrenaline rush with their circumstances. The ending was solid, but I hope there will be more books with Emma and the team.

Overall, Alias Emma is a fast-paced edge-of-your-seat thriller and fantastic debut novel. I look forward to reading more by Ava Glass.

Thank you to Bantam and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

How difficult is is to get from Point A to Point B? Oh you can’t even imagine and “Alias Emma” is going to take you over and under, up and down, hither and thither, while bullets are flying, menacing, hulking men are catching up and about to end our Emma’s job and very existence.

Say what you like about crazy and slightly exaggerated political thrillers, I had a good time with this book. I liked the characters, story and backstory and how well thought out the history and maneuvers were. The inherent message that the Russians, specifically their spy agencies, can and will do anything and everything to achieve their goal was timely and totally believable. Slightly over the top chases and get-aways - sure, but I was always engaged and never bored. Maybe one or two eye rolls but I was cheering for Emma on each page.

Thank you Bantam Books/Penguin Random House and NetGalley for a copy.

Romance and running are two main themes in this spy thriller when Emma Makepeace is tapped to bring in a target of the Russian spy network (the GRU) who have descended into London to acquire the son of defectors.

Most of the action centers on Emma and the initially unwilling recipient of her rescue efforts, Michael Primalov, a young doctor, who must cross London during the night while evading the ubiquitous cameras and the GRU. It's all just too much and way too predictable to be very entertaining. I was bored with the characters and the descriptions of what the pair had to endure during their efforts to get him to MI6 headquarters before the Russians can kill them both. They evade their pursuers in myriad ways and endure all sorts of attempts on their lives along with various injuries they sustain. I just never found the thrills I was expecting and the premise was quite thin. I could not relate to Emma nor would I be interested in further stories that feature her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

What a great debut novel. The action was non stop from start to finish in this spy novel thriller. I am looking forward to more books by Ava Glass and I sincerely hope that this book is made into a series. Fans of James Bond, Daniel Silva and Karen Cleveland will really enjoy this book. Well done!

Alias Emma is an action movie in a book form. We follow Emma on a path through London, racing against time to save someone. Throughout the book we see flashbacks of Emma's earlier years and how she got to this point.

I thought the book was ok. It was pretty much all action and lacked the depth of plot I would have enjoyed more. I thought Emma herself was very well written as a character, but she was the only one. I could see this book having a sequel, in which I would hope the author would do some more character developments, twists to the plot, and not just have the action.

This would make a great action movie, though.

I've never really read a spy thriller before, so I didn't know exactly what I was getting into. This is a very fast-paced action packed story.
Emma Makepeace is on a mission to get one man through London without being found by the Russians that are after them. The problem is the Russians have taken control of the city's extensive CCTV cameras making it almost impossible. Emma is determined.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved that we got to know Emma with chapters interspersed with her rise to becoming a spy. Also I have been fascinated by the underground rivers in London, particularly The River Fleet since I first read about. It was very interesting to have them used in the plot of this book.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free copy of “ Alias Emma” by Ava Glass through Net Galley. My thanks to the Net Galley, the publishers and to the author.
MS Glass wastes no time getting her story off and running in her book “Alias Emma”. From the beginning, the reader is swept along in a spy versus spy thriller that is one of the best I have read in a long time.
Emma Makepeace , a new agent for MI6, is called into the office of her boss, , Ripley, and given her first mission: to pick up Michael Chernov a doctor whose life is in danger from the KGB . Years ago, Michael’s father a member of the KGB who was spying for the British, was arrested and never seen alive again, but his mother . was smuggled to the UK. Now, as Russian agents are assassinating expatriate Russians throughout Europe, Ripley wants the two expatriates who have lived in the UK for years taken to a safe location. Emma is a new face on the scene of espionage.That is why she was chosen for the job- her face is unknown to the enemy.
With this introduction the author presents an exciting new character in spy fiction in a plot filled with action, intrigue and danger. Emma must use all of her training to get Michael to safety . She learns early on that the enemy is alert, vicious and skilled . There are many thing to like in the novel. Emma is a skilled and a redoubtable agent, but not a super hero. She fights, but she also bruises , bleeds has to draw on reserves she never knew she had. The author gives just enough of her backstory for character to be sympathetic. Scenes of escape and evasion around London are tensely exciting as familiar landmarks speed by. There are just enough of a red herring or two to keep the reader wondering if all is as it seems. With just a bit of romance for emotions to get in the way, it is a very entertaining book.
Cautions- none really. But you might want to clear your calendar before you begin reading “ Alias Emma” because the 280 or so pages will not let you stop reading.

Emma has been awaiting her big break with M16, and she finally gets it, bring an operative alive to the safe house. The operative is unwilling, at first, to take protection believing he is not a target. Things soon go from bad to worse in over 24 hours as these two try to outrun Russian assassins to reach the safe house on the other side of London.

This is a action-packed spy novel, and nothing else. This novel was just ok, nothing memorable. It felt at times it got bogged down in to much detail of chase - ALL the running PHEW. Then, the briefest hint of a romance was swiftly cut-off. Emma is a badass in the story, but the story fell flat.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for the advance reader copy.

Alias Emma by Ava Glass
My heart was racing as fast as Emma and Michael were running away from the Russian mob that was chasing them. This was one of the fastest books that I read! I couldn’t turn the page quickly enough to see what was going to happen next.
Emma Makepeace is a secret agent who is on her first operation with the “Agency”. She needs to find Dr. Michael Primalov and bring him into MI6 before sunrise. The Russians however are on her trail and have access to all the CCTV cameras in all of London. Her first job is to convince Michael that he needs to come with her or death will be certain. His mother was a Russian spy who escaped 20 years ago with very important information. The Russians are after her and anyone associated with her.
I enjoyed the cat and mouse game played between the hunted and the people hunting them. Emma is a likable character that pulls no punches. She works tirelessly while trying to save Michael. At times, he even rescues her. I enjoyed the relationship that developed between them even though it was only 24 hours that they were together.
If you enjoy fast paced spy thrillers, this is definitely the book for you. I am looking forward to reading more by Ava Glass in the future.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Alias Emma is going to be a favorite series of mine. I can just feel it. This was just a nonstop action with a thinking and kick@ss hero. I am a huge Alias (the show) fan and I have to think that the name was not a coincidence. Emma is smart. She is tough. She has a backstory I cannot wait to hear more of. Of course, her dad was a spy. Of course her mom escaped Russia with an unborn Emma. And Emma was born without a dad. Of course she wants to be a spy. Of course. There is so much to learn. I did end up with a little whiplash when in the last 15% or so just ground to a halt and we got a little bit of a slow burn ending. I am so excited to see where this goes.

BOOK FEATURE

Alias Emma ~ Ava Glass

Emma Makepeace could give James Bond a run for his money. A new secret agent, she gets called on her first assignment - to bring the son of Russian dissidents into protective custody. Once together she must travel to safety with him, avoiding the watchful eye of CCTV cameras, all under 12 hours.

James Patterson and Lisa Jewell agree - Alias Emma is a “thrilling read with brilliantly likable protagonists, non-stop heart pumping action, and multiple twists and turns.”

Grab it now - published August 2nd!