Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Orchard Books (2018), 320 pages
Description
Six years ago Maddie lived in Washington D.C. with her father, a Secret Service agent assigned to the President's family, and her best friend was Logan, the President's son; but after her father was wounded in an attempted kidnapping the two of them moved to a remote cabin in Alaska and Logan never replied to her letters--but now he has suddenly turned up on her doorstep, and, while she has no attention of forgiving him for his silence, she soon realizes that first she has to save him from the winter wilderness and the men who are pursuing him.
User reviews
LibraryThing member kamoorephoto
I'll be honest and tell you that this isn't ordinarily the sort of book I pick up and read on my own, but since I was given an early copy, I gave it a go. I'd also not read any of author Ally Carter's previous books so I couldn't compare this to any of those either. Sometimes going into a book
This fast-paced and rather short novel opens with a bang, almost literally; young Maddie and Logan are the best of friends, but they aren't really ordinary kids. Logan is the son of the president, and Maddie is the 10 year-old daughter of the Secret Service Agent sworn to protect the president's family, and the two of them are the best of friends, that is, until an incident at the very start of the book rips them apart.
Maddie has her world changed from then onwards, and she is brought to Alaska by her father to live an entirely different life. The real story begins when now-teenage Logan is sent by his dad (who is still president some 6 years later; a reminder of how LONG presidents can be in the White House) to be removed from his life of privilege because he's acting out. But Maddie isn't exactly happy about this after not having heard from Logan in all the time they were apart.
It sounds all too convenient a scenario, putting these two together again, but right away, a Russian assailant knocks out 'Mad Dog' Maddie and Logan is kidnapped. This kickstarts an adventure in the Alaskan wilderness, that shows off Logan's weaknesses, Maddie's strength of character, an exciting story, all sorts of interesting information about getting stuck outside in the snow, and a lot about not giving up in the face of adversity. I read this story so quickly because I was so caught up in the push-pull type of relationship that Maddie and Logan now had, and the thrilling adventure in treacherous snowy landscape was so compelling.
This was a fun and exciting read, and really showed off a strong female character. Made for another satisfying book, thanks to the role modeling.
*I keep reading books though, that remind why I do not want to get caught out in the snow or on mountains!
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'blind' is actually the best thing, because then you don't have any expectations.This fast-paced and rather short novel opens with a bang, almost literally; young Maddie and Logan are the best of friends, but they aren't really ordinary kids. Logan is the son of the president, and Maddie is the 10 year-old daughter of the Secret Service Agent sworn to protect the president's family, and the two of them are the best of friends, that is, until an incident at the very start of the book rips them apart.
Maddie has her world changed from then onwards, and she is brought to Alaska by her father to live an entirely different life. The real story begins when now-teenage Logan is sent by his dad (who is still president some 6 years later; a reminder of how LONG presidents can be in the White House) to be removed from his life of privilege because he's acting out. But Maddie isn't exactly happy about this after not having heard from Logan in all the time they were apart.
It sounds all too convenient a scenario, putting these two together again, but right away, a Russian assailant knocks out 'Mad Dog' Maddie and Logan is kidnapped. This kickstarts an adventure in the Alaskan wilderness, that shows off Logan's weaknesses, Maddie's strength of character, an exciting story, all sorts of interesting information about getting stuck outside in the snow, and a lot about not giving up in the face of adversity. I read this story so quickly because I was so caught up in the push-pull type of relationship that Maddie and Logan now had, and the thrilling adventure in treacherous snowy landscape was so compelling.
This was a fun and exciting read, and really showed off a strong female character. Made for another satisfying book, thanks to the role modeling.
*I keep reading books though, that remind why I do not want to get caught out in the snow or on mountains!
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LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Six years ago Maddie lived in Washington D.C. with her father, a Secret Service agent assigned to the President's family, and her best friend was Logan, the President's son; but after her father was wounded in an attempted kidnapping the two of them moved to a remote cabin in Alaska and Logan never
Brodart's TOP Young Adult Titles:Publisher Annotation: Maddie thought she and Logan would be friends forever. But when your dad is a Secret Service agent and your best friend is the president's son, sometimes life has other plans. Before she knows it, her dad is dragging her to a cabin in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. No phone. No Internet. And no word from Logan. Maddie tells herself it's okay. After all, she's the most popular girl for twenty miles in any direction. (She?s also the only girl for twenty miles in any direction.) She has wood to cut and weapons to bedazzle. Her life is full. Until Logan shows up six years later . . . And Maddie wants to kill him. But before that can happen, an assailant appears out of nowhere, knocking Maddie off a cliff and dragging Logan to some unknown fate. Maddie knows she could turn back- and get help. But the weather is turning and the terrain will only get more treacherous, the animals more deadly. Maddie still really wants to kill Logan. But she has to save him first.
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replied to her letters--but now he has suddenly turned up on her doorstep, and, while she has no attention of forgiving him for his silence, she soon realizes that first she has to save him from the winter wilderness and the men who are pursuing him. Brodart's TOP Young Adult Titles:Publisher Annotation: Maddie thought she and Logan would be friends forever. But when your dad is a Secret Service agent and your best friend is the president's son, sometimes life has other plans. Before she knows it, her dad is dragging her to a cabin in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. No phone. No Internet. And no word from Logan. Maddie tells herself it's okay. After all, she's the most popular girl for twenty miles in any direction. (She?s also the only girl for twenty miles in any direction.) She has wood to cut and weapons to bedazzle. Her life is full. Until Logan shows up six years later . . . And Maddie wants to kill him. But before that can happen, an assailant appears out of nowhere, knocking Maddie off a cliff and dragging Logan to some unknown fate. Maddie knows she could turn back- and get help. But the weather is turning and the terrain will only get more treacherous, the animals more deadly. Maddie still really wants to kill Logan. But she has to save him first.
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LibraryThing member ethel55
When they were ten, Maddie and Logan, the president's son were best friends. They explored the nooks and crannies of the White House under the not so crackerjack eyes of his service detail. After a kidnapping attempt gone wrong, Maddie's dad quits his Secret Service position and moves the two of
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them to Alaska. Fast forward six years, and Maddie has never heard from her old friend. She has spent her time adapting to the wilderness life her father has created for them while being a pilot. Turns out it isn't as remote as she thought, when Logan arrives for a tough love punishment of roughing it after ditching one too many secret service details. Maddie proves to be a smart, feisty, strong character, a la the Gallagher Girls. When Logan is hustled off by a Russian kidnapper, she braves the Alaska wilds to follow and rescue him. It's a great kick off to a new series, plenty of questions left to be answered. Show Less
LibraryThing member MikeDI
I don't often comment on books but here I must. Since I am old enough to actually REMEMBER WWII, its not surprising that I no longer find books that I can honestly say 'I couldn't put it down,' or 'I wanted to read it cover to cover in one sitting.' But, Ally Carter's books still do that for me.
A little spoiler alert here.
No, this is not revealing the story, but my only negative is there was a little too much repetition about how dangerous Alaska was. It didn't bother me that Maddie, Cammie, Katarina, and Grace (all of Ally's heroines), were pretty much the same girl, in fact, that's a plus!
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She is one fabulous writer. And this one, Not If I Save You First, is no exception.A little spoiler alert here.
No, this is not revealing the story, but my only negative is there was a little too much repetition about how dangerous Alaska was. It didn't bother me that Maddie, Cammie, Katarina, and Grace (all of Ally's heroines), were pretty much the same girl, in fact, that's a plus!
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LibraryThing member kayceel
A fun, fast-paced adventure, with a lovely amount of swoony moments!
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Maddie and Logan are best friends who are suddenly separated following a traumatic shootout. Logan ends up a bratty President's kid and Maddie is hiding out with her father in the wilds of Alaska for reasons she doesn't know. Then Logan's bad behavior lands him stranded in Maddie's primitive world
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and the threat that drove them apart shows up again. I liked that each of them were damaged and they had to work that out before they could renew their friendship. The survival bits were exciting. The terrorist plot had a movie feel but for a YA story it hits the right notes. Show Less
LibraryThing member kmartin802
Logan and Maddie were best friends when they were kids. Logan was the President's son and Maddie the daughter of his good friend and Secret Service agent. One day when they were ten, they foiled the kidnapping of Logan's mother by Russians from right inside the White House. Maddie's daughter was
The next thing Maddie knows is that her father has quit his job and moved them to the wilds of Alaska. For the last six years, Maddie has been writing letters to Logan (which he never answers) and learning to survive in the wilderness. She's self-reliant but also very lonely. Her father often leaves her for a day at a time while he flies supplies and people around the state.
Meanwhile, Logan is rebelling in his own way by sneaking out, attending parties he shouldn't attend, and ditching his panic button and his Secret Service agents. One last incident has made his parents decide to send him to Alaska to spend some time with Maddie and her father.
Maddie is angry at Logan because she feels that her best friend abandoned her. When her father is called to make a flight and the weather is taking a turn for the worse, the two of them have to find a way to get along. But then someone comes to kidnap Logan and, in the process, throws Maddie down a cliff, making Logan think she is dead. Maddie is hurt but knows she is the only one to go after Logan before he is lost forever. She really hopes that her father and Logan's Secret Service agents won't be far behind them.
This was a great, action-packed story of a wilderness journey where neither Logan or Maddie are prepared. The weather and the wildlife are not their only enemies though. Old secrets, and the reason Maddie's dad moved them to Alaska, play into the plot. I loved Maddie who is snarky and a girlie girl who has bedazzled her 2nd favorite ax. She is also well-prepared to survive and to rescue Logan. I liked the tension between them and the way they had to depend on each other to survive and triumph.
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shot and Logan was shot too.The next thing Maddie knows is that her father has quit his job and moved them to the wilds of Alaska. For the last six years, Maddie has been writing letters to Logan (which he never answers) and learning to survive in the wilderness. She's self-reliant but also very lonely. Her father often leaves her for a day at a time while he flies supplies and people around the state.
Meanwhile, Logan is rebelling in his own way by sneaking out, attending parties he shouldn't attend, and ditching his panic button and his Secret Service agents. One last incident has made his parents decide to send him to Alaska to spend some time with Maddie and her father.
Maddie is angry at Logan because she feels that her best friend abandoned her. When her father is called to make a flight and the weather is taking a turn for the worse, the two of them have to find a way to get along. But then someone comes to kidnap Logan and, in the process, throws Maddie down a cliff, making Logan think she is dead. Maddie is hurt but knows she is the only one to go after Logan before he is lost forever. She really hopes that her father and Logan's Secret Service agents won't be far behind them.
This was a great, action-packed story of a wilderness journey where neither Logan or Maddie are prepared. The weather and the wildlife are not their only enemies though. Old secrets, and the reason Maddie's dad moved them to Alaska, play into the plot. I loved Maddie who is snarky and a girlie girl who has bedazzled her 2nd favorite ax. She is also well-prepared to survive and to rescue Logan. I liked the tension between them and the way they had to depend on each other to survive and triumph.
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LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
I have been a fan of Ally Carter since she first said “I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I Would Have To Kill You”. She has gone back to that fun romp of girls kick butt heroism in her new novel. Heck it even alludes to the world of Gallagher Girls. Maddie was best friends with the
Yes, this book has its girly moments. Maddie fakes being girly, even though she has become a badass woodman able to survive in the wilderness of Alaska. But she still has the doesn’t he, does he type of mind wondering when it comes to boys that use to be your best friend. I love that reversal of standard troupe. The girl is the hero and the boy is the backwoods, doesn’t know what he’s doing. But at the same time, the author made our male lead strong, and sensitive, and still wanting to do better than he knows how. It’s a fun short read that is relatively clean for the both the t’ween and teen audiences.
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president’s son. Her father was the president's number one secret service agent. Until the Russian dinner where things went every type of wrong. Now it is six years later. The President’s son can not stop ditching his security detail, and Mad Dog Maddie has spent the time alone in the wood of Alaska. The two will meet again, and have yet another adventure, but this time, death is a little closer than it was when they were ten.Yes, this book has its girly moments. Maddie fakes being girly, even though she has become a badass woodman able to survive in the wilderness of Alaska. But she still has the doesn’t he, does he type of mind wondering when it comes to boys that use to be your best friend. I love that reversal of standard troupe. The girl is the hero and the boy is the backwoods, doesn’t know what he’s doing. But at the same time, the author made our male lead strong, and sensitive, and still wanting to do better than he knows how. It’s a fun short read that is relatively clean for the both the t’ween and teen audiences.
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LibraryThing member acargile
This suspenseful novel is a 2019 Lone Star novel.
Maddie is a sweet, smart kid who tells the Secret Service a thing or two about security in the White House. Her dad is head of the Secret Service protective detail for the President of the United States. She is a girly-girl who loves sparkles,
Logan was a sweet kid until Maddie leaves. Six years after the incident, Logan has become unmanageable. He sneaks away from his security detail, he disrespects his parents, and he makes bad choices. To keep him safe, his parents are sending him away.
Maddie and her father now live in Alaska, completely off the grid, as people say. They live in a cabin without TV, Internet, or wi-fi. They must survive on their own. Her dad has a plane that takes people and supplies about while Maddie stays home. She can do pretty much anything in this small cabin that doesn’t even have a real bathroom. She is “always ready.” If it’s wood for winter, she has it chopped. She always has more than one knife ready for whatever is needed; it’s even bedazzled. Her only indulgence are books, which her father brings in on the plane. Maddie missed Logan at first. She quit missing him and decided she would kill him when he never wrote her a letter. Suddenly Maddie’s dad come in and says Logan will be at their cabin TOMORROW.
A storm arrives the same day Logan arrives. It’s supposed to be a time for Maddie to make Logan suffer for treating her badly. Logan is thrilled to see Maddie and doesn’t understand why she’s upset with him. Almost immediately, Logan is kidnapped. Maddie is his only hope, but Logan doesn’t know that--he thinks she’s dead. The storm is barreling toward them; Maddie’s dad is out helping people; the secret service have been “taken care of,” and Logan doesn’t have a clue how to survive in the wilderness. Maddie has to rescue Logan. It’s not as simple as it sounds; it’s dangerous; it takes courage and smarts to set the right traps. There are many players involved and the the secrets will surprise you.
I loved this novel. I listened to it and read parts of it. This is never going to be on the shelf, so if you see it, check it out. It’s a really good suspenseful reading experience!
Maddie is a sweet, smart kid who tells the Secret Service a thing or two about security in the White House. Her dad is head of the Secret Service protective detail for the President of the United States. She is a girly-girl who loves sparkles,
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dresses, and girl stuff but still isn’t afraid to find secret passages in the White House that no one knows about. She is also best friends with the President’s son, Logan. They are inseparable. Until the Russians come. When Logan and Maddie realize the First Lady is being kidnapped by Russians, they call for help. After the gun battle and repercussions from this infiltration, Maddie’s life changes completely.Logan was a sweet kid until Maddie leaves. Six years after the incident, Logan has become unmanageable. He sneaks away from his security detail, he disrespects his parents, and he makes bad choices. To keep him safe, his parents are sending him away.
Maddie and her father now live in Alaska, completely off the grid, as people say. They live in a cabin without TV, Internet, or wi-fi. They must survive on their own. Her dad has a plane that takes people and supplies about while Maddie stays home. She can do pretty much anything in this small cabin that doesn’t even have a real bathroom. She is “always ready.” If it’s wood for winter, she has it chopped. She always has more than one knife ready for whatever is needed; it’s even bedazzled. Her only indulgence are books, which her father brings in on the plane. Maddie missed Logan at first. She quit missing him and decided she would kill him when he never wrote her a letter. Suddenly Maddie’s dad come in and says Logan will be at their cabin TOMORROW.
A storm arrives the same day Logan arrives. It’s supposed to be a time for Maddie to make Logan suffer for treating her badly. Logan is thrilled to see Maddie and doesn’t understand why she’s upset with him. Almost immediately, Logan is kidnapped. Maddie is his only hope, but Logan doesn’t know that--he thinks she’s dead. The storm is barreling toward them; Maddie’s dad is out helping people; the secret service have been “taken care of,” and Logan doesn’t have a clue how to survive in the wilderness. Maddie has to rescue Logan. It’s not as simple as it sounds; it’s dangerous; it takes courage and smarts to set the right traps. There are many players involved and the the secrets will surprise you.
I loved this novel. I listened to it and read parts of it. This is never going to be on the shelf, so if you see it, check it out. It’s a really good suspenseful reading experience!
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
"Not If I Save You First" was a surprisingly fun read, full of action and suspense. Maddy was a very likeable character. She was a fiesty, smart young lady who could think on her feed, and had learnt to survive in the Alaskan wilderness. At the same time she cared about her hair, skin and looks.
With danger at every turn, ranging from grizzly bears getting ready to hibernate, raging snowstorms and scary Russian killers, "Not If I Save You First" was a page turner from start to finish. I also liked the letters that preceded each chapter, written by a younger Maddy to her best friend, Logan, after they were first separated six years earlier. An entertaining read.
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Logan, on the other hand, was more like a labrador puppy - big, loyal, slightly clueless and protective. Together, they made a very cute couple.With danger at every turn, ranging from grizzly bears getting ready to hibernate, raging snowstorms and scary Russian killers, "Not If I Save You First" was a page turner from start to finish. I also liked the letters that preceded each chapter, written by a younger Maddy to her best friend, Logan, after they were first separated six years earlier. An entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member wrightja2000
Totally melodramatic and over the top but if you're in the right mood, a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. The plot holes didn't bother me until after I finished the book because it sucked me in.
LibraryThing member purple_pisces22
This is my first book by this author, Ally Carter. I feel bad only giving a book three stars but it did not make me want to read another book she’s written. It wasn’t bad. It was a pretty typical young adult novel with the kids trying to act like grownups and everything working out perfectly in
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the end. I almost gave it up a few times but I hate giving up a book if I still have any type of interest when thinking of putting it down and I was curious how it would end. Show Less
LibraryThing member reader1009
teen fiction (action-adventure with a 16-y.o. heroine that kicks butt but also enjoys bedazzling).
I was hoping for more Alaska wilderness adventure, but this was more of a straight-up kidnapping adventure (with some kissing and no language).
I was hoping for more Alaska wilderness adventure, but this was more of a straight-up kidnapping adventure (with some kissing and no language).
LibraryThing member ftbooklover
Not If I Save You First is the story of Maddie (Mad Dog) Manchester whose father is the head of the President's Secret Service detail. At the beginning of the book, Maddie's father is shot when he saves the First Lady from a Russian kidnapping attempt. In the same incident, the President's son,
There are parts of this story that I do like. At the beginning of each chapter, we get to read the letters that Maddie has written to Logan, all of which have gone unanswered, as they become more and more sarcastic. Some parts of the story, however, especially after Logan arrives in Alaska, stretch believability beyond the limit. Carter is known for her stories that develop a teenage team that readers get to watch steal or spy. Believability isn't necessary in those stories, but this one is meant to be more realistic. Otherwise this is a good story built on the loneliness of the two main characters and the distinctive skills that they have developed in the six years they have been apart. Overall an enjoyable read.
(I received a copy of this book as an uncorrected proof through Scholastic Publishers, but was not asked to provide a review.)
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Logan, is also shot. Then the story shifts to Alaska where Maddie and her father have taken up residence. Logan is being shipped there by his parents because he has had a tendency to give his Secret Service security detail the slip. There are parts of this story that I do like. At the beginning of each chapter, we get to read the letters that Maddie has written to Logan, all of which have gone unanswered, as they become more and more sarcastic. Some parts of the story, however, especially after Logan arrives in Alaska, stretch believability beyond the limit. Carter is known for her stories that develop a teenage team that readers get to watch steal or spy. Believability isn't necessary in those stories, but this one is meant to be more realistic. Otherwise this is a good story built on the loneliness of the two main characters and the distinctive skills that they have developed in the six years they have been apart. Overall an enjoyable read.
(I received a copy of this book as an uncorrected proof through Scholastic Publishers, but was not asked to provide a review.)
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LibraryThing member ms_rowse
I'll read anything Ally Carter writes. This one was a bit scary for me and I learned the hard way to not read it at night lol. Read under a blanket, because the descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness made me ver very cold.
Awards
Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Honor — 2020)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2021)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2020)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2021)
Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2019)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 2020)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — 2021)
Truman Readers Award (Nominee — 2021)
RITA Award (Finalist — Young Adult Romance — 2019)
South Carolina Book Awards (Winner — Junior Book Award — 2021)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Selection — 2019)
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Junior — 2019)
Young Adult Favorites Award (2019)
Texas Lone Star Reading List (2019)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
320 p.; 6.89 inches
ISBN
1408349094 / 9781408349090