They Call Me Alexandra Gastone by T.A. Maclagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

They Call Me Alexandra Gastone is a story filled with more twists and turns that keep the reader seriously engaged. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for review. I love espionage stories and this story fits nicely into that label. It has something for all readers, a bit of romance, a bit of action and a lot of intrigue and mystery. Milena is a girl whose father abandoned her to a group called Perun in the country called Olissa where they live in what looks like it is in the Middle East based upon the descriptions. It is a city that has been torn apart by war and continuously being invaded by the countries that surround it because it is not strong enough to protect itself on its own. The U.S. stepped in many years ago and have been there supporting and helping to protect them for 10 years. Perun is a group of underground freedom fighters that wants to oust the current ruler and oust the U.S. who they believe has overstayed its welcome.

Perun has created what amounts to a sleeper cell of children raised to infiltrate the highest levels of the U.S. government through family members of individuals that are powerful in the government. Milena is assigned to become Alexandra Gastone, whose immediate family died in a car accident but, she has a living grandfather that is powerful in the CIA which is where they hope she will grow to be placed when she goes to assume Alexandra's life at the age of 12. Milena goes through major reconstructive surgery and intense training to become ready for her assignment. She assumes Alexandra's place and literally becomes Alexandra to the point that when she is called to active service and the plan is changed from her to infiltrate the CIA and pass on secrets that will help Perun to overthrow Olissa's government to something drastic will Milena do her duty or has she lived as Alexandra so long that this is the life she chooses? There is a serious surprise at the end that really threw me and finding out where this goes next is going to be excellent!