An absolute mess. Just the worst. Who wrote this? It's basically garbage. My seven year old nephew writes better plot.

Den of Spies could be a really interesting read, but still has a lot of work to become readable. The characters, dialogue and grammar leave a lot to be desired and I struggled to keep up with even the basics of the story. Too much was given too fast, and I think it’s a great idea, but it needs more fleshing out.

I wanted to love this one so much. I mean look at that cover!! It is so gorgeous. But for me this story was just a mess. I couldn't keep anything straight and I just kind of hated all the characters.

Rating: 4.4/5

Review: This barely made five stars as it was a push in either direction in favor of the story line. This is like the 100th straight fantasy novel I have read with YA MCs. Does it sell more? How about a thirty-sixty something MC for a change? Be bold, branch out into other age classes. This constant suspending of belief that 12-16 year old children somehow run the planet, are imbued with magical prowess via stumbling in the dark while directing the fate of the masses, takes a fairly believable novel straight into uninvested land. Yeah, fantasy is not real, but it is a dam good read when the magical flirts with the mundane in a delivery rich in a solid down to earth presentation. A question all writers should ask themselves is: “Would you trust a twelve year old to deliver the goods”? If the answer is no, build the little shjt with some real support or deus ex machina them to death.

That said, this was really good. The characters are deeper than a barristas ass crack due to the constant movement which drives an interesting, albeit somewhat historical story line. To push this novel as part historical fiction is like bending the rules to suit your game. It no longer is any game that others, whom play it, are familiar with. Like golf. You take an extra shot, do not count strokes, improve your lie and take mulligans. It is not longer golf but “Joe’s Ball and Stick game”. The unbelievable moment comes when Vlad has a tender spot for two little scamps hiding out. This from a guy who kills anyone and anything on a whim, and gets a boner torturing men. Wha??

A creative turn in the old fantasy genre that most should take a look at.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this eCopy to review

I wasn't sure what this book would be like and was pleasantly surprised. Den of Spies is much more of a historical novel with a bit of magic mixed in and no Vampires

Yes it was quite graphic in places, but the adventure and intrigue more than made up for it. The settings are wonderfully rich and detailed and liked having the different points of view to round out the story.

We follow Ana, as the only girl to take a place at Spy school when she ran away from her cruel mother. Here she manages to beat of all the other contenders to make it to the final 3. Ion becomes her first friend and after a tricky start Corbu becomes her protector. Can these 3 use their magic to help beat the Sultan?

Who will ultimately win control of the Ottoman Empire, and how did Vlad the Impaler come to be, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series to find out!

I thought I would like this one, but it's not for me. DNF at 45%, sorry. But, I believe that if you are into historical fantasy, give this book a go, it might be the one that surprises you. it's pretty gore and brutal, especially when most characters were barely adult. so.

The writing is flawless. The plot moves at an excellent pace with deep and captivating dialogues and intricate descriptive narration. There are several scenes where I got so caught up in the story, I lost track of time. RR Jones is a gifted writer and I’m thoroughly impressed.

Den of Spies was an interesting start to a series, it is a fantasy-based novel that does struggle to get going but once the characters had been established I did start to enjoy it. Bit of a warning there is a fair bit of gore/violence, sexual assault and some borderline FGM.

Overall, it was quite an easy read especially when the characters converge together and has some interesting moments. I did feel like this book ended just when I was actually getting into it which was a little disappointing. I’m currently undecided about whether it left me interested enough to pick up the next installment.

I really did like how diverse the characters are, and the relationship between them all despite their differences. They are technically very young, barely teenagers, but maybe due to life experiences and the historical setting, they feel more mature.

I do wish we had seen more of certain characters, which is where this struggles. The world seems quite dense, there are a lot of different countries and factions we are following and a lot, like seriously, a lot of characters introduced quite early on. There isn’t too much worldbuilding to support it, especially if like me you aren’t too familiar with the Ottoman Empire and the Romanian region. Which is why the first half doesn’t feel like a story but one long introduction.

If you enjoy more lighthearted fantasy series but also don’t mind a bit of grittiness to it, then this might be a great series for you! Also, I think this would be perfect for historical fiction readers who might be wanting to branch out and try fantasy for the first time.

"Den of Spies" by RR Jones promises an intriguing blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and adventure. With its unique premise and fusion of elements from Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, and Medieval Transylvania, this novel appears to offer a thrilling and imaginative reading experience.

The story introduces readers to a diverse group of characters, including a werewolf, a dragon, and a witch, who are brought together at the Spy Academy. The cutthroat trials and the idea of these characters pitted against each other add an element of suspense and competition to the narrative. As they are forced to work together to survive behind enemy lines, the book seems to explore themes of teamwork, trust, and the complexities of survival in a perilous environment.

The backdrop of Ottoman court and Transylvanian magic adds an intriguing historical and mystical layer to the story, promising a rich and immersive setting. The mention of Romania's national hero, who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula, suggests that the novel may incorporate elements of folklore and legend, making it even more captivating for readers interested in history and folklore.

Overall, "Den of Spies" appears to be an epic adventure with a unique premise and an enticing blend of genres. Fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and tales of courage in the face of danger are likely to find this book an exciting and engaging read.