Cass and Wat

A Young Adult Mystery/Thriller

Young Adult - Thriller
324 Pages
Reviewed on 11/17/2019
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Cass and Wat is the first book in the NorthWatch series, a young adult mystery that is very enjoyable, a well-written coming-of-age by Cagey Magee. Thirteen-year-old Cass wants only one thing: to protect her brother and help in her father's presidential campaign. But there is a big problem: she is trapped in a luxury suite in NorthWatch Castle, owned by her family. She suspects her family is behind this but how can she escape?

This is an engaging story filled with humor, a novel with strong themes of family, coming-of-age, and intrigue. The story is beautifully told, with elements of the setting well captured. Places are not just named and I enjoyed how the author establishes the relationship between characters and places. The descriptions are terrific and it is exciting to see the world and events through the lens of the characters. The description of the room in which Cassie is confined is vivid, a huge room that ends with windows, with light spilling in above the heavy drapes, yet there is a spookiness that is likened to her brother's brain.

Character is one of the author's strengths and I loved how Cassie, as well as other characters including Senator Glen Wat, are developed. The relationships and intrigue come out brilliantly. The young protagonist is a fascinating character with a unique perspective on life, one that helps to deepen the use of humor in the story. The reader will want to unravel the mystery, to identify the mind behind Cass's predicament and to find out if she can live up to her goal. This novel is hilarious, highly engaging, and entertaining.

Jamie Michele

Cass and Wat: A Young Adult Mystery/Thriller by Cagey Magee is book one in the author's new series, NorthWatch. The book follows a teenage girl, Cassie “Cass” Watson, who happens to be the daughter of a United States presidential candidate (and a long, long line of patriarchs with the same line of thinking), who is forced to navigate both the awkwardness of the age and a deeply woven plot to destroy billionaire Glen “Wat” Watson's presidential campaign—one which includes her own kidnapping. The narrative shifts between multiple points of view characters throughout, with Cass's featured alongside that of the kidnapper and others, providing a multifaceted and thoroughly engrossing story, where Cass and Pip are used as pawns to settle a score.

Cagee Magee delivers page after page of dark, dry humor in Cass and Wat, and Cass is a protagonist that is easy to root for. There is an acerbic undertone to the narrative that works well with the overall story, although there are some British-isms and spelling that frequently surface for a story about an all-American family (I had to pop 'feckless' into a search engine), but on the other hand, it's conceivable that a billionaire and his family would be well-traveled and internationally educated. No matter, this is a genuine page-turner. It's tightly written and witty, with exceptional pacing and characters that come to life. I loved it and look forward to jumping into the second book in the series, Cass and Logan.

Peggy Jo Wipf

Cagey Magee brings new meaning to coming of age thrillers in Cass and Wat. This novel focuses on Cass Watson as she battles her demons. As the story unfolds, you find her father, Glen, is close to winning the presidency of the United States, but unseen powers will stop at nothing to deter him. Glen “Wat” Watson is the co-owner of the wealthiest and most powerful technology company in the world. His brother, Nat, is the real brains behind the technology that is developed. When Cass and her younger brother, Pip, are kidnapped during a horrific invasion of their mansion, they are unsure whom they can trust. They know one thing; their father is coming for them and they must be ready!

With an intricate weaving of characters, an unknown peril, and momentous deceit, Cassie and Glen maneuver the cat-and-mouse game an invisible opponent has set for them. Cagey Magee brings his characters alive with vivid personalities and redeemable qualities. The plot appears simple; kidnap kids so the father will drop out of running for the presidential seat. There is so much more as Glen and Nat’s technology is used against them. The story is told from several points of view when characters make a move in this mysterious game of chess. Cagey Magee applies all the elements of a good thriller; an exhilarating plot, intelligent characters, and several mysteries in one book that slowly unfolds. I found the characters consistent throughout the novel, which can be difficult when you have many. The language and mature events would deem this a novel for older teenagers, but overall, I was spellbound. I was impressed with the ending and look forward to more novels from this author.