Code Name Verity
By Elizabeth Wein
Published by Hyperion Books for Children, 2012
352 pages (hardcover)
Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.
As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? (from barnesandnoble.com)
Oh, this was a great book. It was refreshingly entertaining/intriguing and took me back to the days when I read heaps of historical fiction. Why did I enjoy it so much? Well let me tell you:
1. Sarcasm.
And lots of it. Although the topic is rather serious the sarcasm keeps the book from being too much of a bummer.
And lots of it. Although the topic is rather serious the sarcasm keeps the book from being too much of a bummer.
2. Awesome ladies.
I mean, seriously, some of the female characters are spies and pilots during World War II. You go girls!
I mean, seriously, some of the female characters are spies and pilots during World War II. You go girls!
3. A GOOD historical fiction novel.
Some historical fiction is…blah. But this was good. Its basic historical premise is sound and it was fun to delve into WWII information I hadn’t heard much about before.
Some historical fiction is…blah. But this was good. Its basic historical premise is sound and it was fun to delve into WWII information I hadn’t heard much about before.
4. Action.
Life during WWII certainly wasn’t boring. And neither is this book.
Life during WWII certainly wasn’t boring. And neither is this book.
5. Suspense.
I really couldn’t guess what was going to happen next. After a few chapters in I even read the end of the book (it’s my horrible habit… I read the end of the book soon after I start it) and had absolutely no clue about what was going to happen.
I really couldn’t guess what was going to happen next. After a few chapters in I even read the end of the book (it’s my horrible habit… I read the end of the book soon after I start it) and had absolutely no clue about what was going to happen.
6. You can’t assume anything about the characters.
The characters were unpredictable and assuming they will act a certain way is a no-no. They will surprise you.
The characters were unpredictable and assuming they will act a certain way is a no-no. They will surprise you.
7. Friendship.
The friendship between the two main characters is so supportive and honorable. The girls don’t have to be attached at the hip 24/7 to be there for each other in good times & lethal times.
The friendship between the two main characters is so supportive and honorable. The girls don’t have to be attached at the hip 24/7 to be there for each other in good times & lethal times.
8. Just when you think it is over... it isn’t.
And there is a LOT you don’t know. Really. How did this author do it?!?
And there is a LOT you don’t know. Really. How did this author do it?!?
This book is now at the top of my list of books to recommend to anyone. I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed, but maybe that was because so much was going on. And because I wanted a note at the end of the book saying 2 of the characters got married and had adorable children. I can dream, right?
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