Title: Code Name Verity
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 2012
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Historical
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Synopsis can be found here.
I received a copy of this book for free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
Such a hard book to review.
Verity is captured by the Nazis in France. There, after torture, she is forced to confess her mission and give up those who helped her. She talks about her best friend Maddie, her training, codes and more. She gives them everything they want because she has told the truth. Didn’t she?
I can’t really speak of it without revealing spoilers so I’ll be vague.
Verity’s narration as a captured spy is haunting and broken. She weaves her story of friendship and England creating characters so vivid and real, dangerous and despicable, it almost reads like historical non-fiction. Verity is a mystery and her best friend Maddie, true and true and true, are the best of friends. It’s easy to be drawn into these girls’ stories, to pray through the story that they both survive, they both make it home. It’s easy to hope the war doesn’t touch them.
Maddie is a fighter pilot, making secret moonlight flights onto enemy lands for cargo and crew. Smuggling people out under the cover of night, Maddie is fearless and flies her planes with determination and love. I was swept up in the flights as Maddie was, looking down onto the earth, alone in the air.
I’m not a fan of war books. My friend’s know this of me. Interesting, yes. But war books and films are not something I seek out. So Code Name Verity was read because I heard raving reviews about it. And I’m so glad I got around to reading it.
Wein does a superb job at researching every little thing- down to the history of ballpoint pens. The story reads as intriguing non-fiction, and I can’t help but imagine myself up in the sky with Maddie or on the ground with Verity. The bravery and love and friendship these two girls share spring out at the reader against the backdrop of a horrendous war and unspeakable evil like torture.
Full of life, energy and thrills, Code Name Verity grabs you and keeps you rooted to the spot. And the ending was spot on- achingly sad, but bloody brilliant.
Rating 9 Ridiculously Awesome like Cookies and Ice Cream
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
I keep hearing such amazing things about this book. I don’t know if it is a book that I would want to read though. I will have to add it to the TBR pile anyway though. 🙂
Hi Pamela! Try it out. Some of my friends didn’t finish it (It was for book club) but I thought it was great. I can see why, though, it may not be for many people. It is dense and can be hard to get into.
Yay!! I’m so happy to see that you loved this one as much as I did! My mind was just blown with how amazing it was. Your review was just beautifully written, Kimberly. So eloquent. <3
Hi Becca! Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m so glad you liked the book (and my review!) I can’t wait to read her second book Rose Under Fire! 🙂
this book is heartbreakingly awesome. Thanks for the great review!
Thanks for stopping by Erin!! Glad you liked it!