Code Name Verity
by Elizabeth Wein
published 2012
completed June 2012
Do you like my little model? I was getting bored just using cover images, and I'm not creative enough to take a cool picture of just the book. My solution--use a cute kid (she is mine so I'm particularly biased). That should do the trick.
I'm not usually a new release reader. If I get around to them within a year of release, I'm pretty lucky. This book fell into my hands in an unusual way, for me at least. I had seen this review by Nymeth (go read it--it's excellent, as always), and added it to my ever-growing TBR list, assuming I'd get to it in a year or two. The next week I received an email from netgalley offering me the book as a "read now." I've never even requested a book from netgalley. I have a teeny tiny blog so despite the fact that I didn't find anything interesting the only time I looked, I never felt like I could justify requesting a book. But hey, if you're offering it to me, why not? So I downloaded it to my kindle and sort of felt guilty. Well, netgalley and the publisher win because I loved it so much that I bought a copy and will probably buy more copies to distribute to my family (so they don't steal mine). I don't feel guilty anymore.
I'm sure you're sick of my rambling up until this point so let me tell you now what I can about the book. Which isn't much. For very good reasons. This is a book that should not be spoiled. I know there is a debate over whether a book can actually be spoiled. Let me tell you now that in my opinion, this one can.
Code Name Verity centers around two young women serving their country during World War II. It opens with one of the girls being interrogated by the Gestapo after being captured in France. She's been allowed to write down her story.
I'm not usually a new release reader. If I get around to them within a year of release, I'm pretty lucky. This book fell into my hands in an unusual way, for me at least. I had seen this review by Nymeth (go read it--it's excellent, as always), and added it to my ever-growing TBR list, assuming I'd get to it in a year or two. The next week I received an email from netgalley offering me the book as a "read now." I've never even requested a book from netgalley. I have a teeny tiny blog so despite the fact that I didn't find anything interesting the only time I looked, I never felt like I could justify requesting a book. But hey, if you're offering it to me, why not? So I downloaded it to my kindle and sort of felt guilty. Well, netgalley and the publisher win because I loved it so much that I bought a copy and will probably buy more copies to distribute to my family (so they don't steal mine). I don't feel guilty anymore.
I'm sure you're sick of my rambling up until this point so let me tell you now what I can about the book. Which isn't much. For very good reasons. This is a book that should not be spoiled. I know there is a debate over whether a book can actually be spoiled. Let me tell you now that in my opinion, this one can.
Code Name Verity centers around two young women serving their country during World War II. It opens with one of the girls being interrogated by the Gestapo after being captured in France. She's been allowed to write down her story.
My word of caution with this book is that it starts out slowly. It will pick up. Just push through. Once you hit about halfway through, you won't want to put it down. The first half was good, but I didn't quite get why everyone loved it. Once I hit the last fifty pages or so, it all made sense. Elizabeth Wein crafted this story so well, but it isn't apparent until it's all wrapped up.
I can't say enough about the two young women in the story. I appreciate it at my age, but I would have loved to have read this as a teenager. Friendship is the center of the story. It's so refreshing to find a YA novel about girls that deals with friendship rather than a romance. There is no romance at all. Just two incredibly strong and brave young women, who would make wonderful role models for young girls.
This book is one of only a handful that have made me cry. It takes a lot. To put it in context, The Fault in Our Stars didn't make me cry. I couldn't hold back with Code Name Verity. It was that affecting, but not in a manipulative way. For days afterward, just thinking about the book made my heart ache. I will never forget this book, and I will read it again before the year is through.
I'd hate to say this book is for everyone because no book is. I will say that I would encourage people to at least try it. I anticipate seeing this book on many year-end lists of favorite books.
I can't say enough about the two young women in the story. I appreciate it at my age, but I would have loved to have read this as a teenager. Friendship is the center of the story. It's so refreshing to find a YA novel about girls that deals with friendship rather than a romance. There is no romance at all. Just two incredibly strong and brave young women, who would make wonderful role models for young girls.
This book is one of only a handful that have made me cry. It takes a lot. To put it in context, The Fault in Our Stars didn't make me cry. I couldn't hold back with Code Name Verity. It was that affecting, but not in a manipulative way. For days afterward, just thinking about the book made my heart ache. I will never forget this book, and I will read it again before the year is through.
I'd hate to say this book is for everyone because no book is. I will say that I would encourage people to at least try it. I anticipate seeing this book on many year-end lists of favorite books.
OK, I didn't even read past your statement that a book CAN be spoiled. I hate when know too much!
ReplyDeleteThe worst case was when I got a free copy of Where the Red Fern Grows and I had zip idea what it was about, just that it was a beloved classic. Then someone saw I had it and told they cried like a baby when the dog dies. I was so mad!
Care, that's awful that someone spoiled Where the Red Fern Grows for you! I can't stand that. The ending of Anna Karenina was spoiled for me and that kind of bummed me out.
DeleteThis review is pretty safe. I don't think I mention anything you don't already come across in the first few pages. It's tough, though, because you never know what could spoil it for you. I like going in pretty blind.
You're daughter is so cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think so too. Ha!
DeleteI think she your model is totally adorable....and I am not the least bit biased. *grin*
ReplyDeleteOh...are your bringing a copy of this bookf for me to read???
I'll bring you my copy when I come. Less than two weeks to go!!
DeleteYes, you and your adorable little daughter have sold me. Is she reading through osmosis? Elle does that too (holding books up to her forehead).
ReplyDeleteI've heard this one talked about SO much but it wasn't until recently that I learned it was WWII. I admit I avoid anything YA as soon as I hear YA because I feel it's going to be all post-apocalyptic angel winged fire and brimstone with vampires. This, though, sounds more up my alley. I have heard about the slow beginning from several people so if I get to it soon then I'll remember to push through.
Good to see you rambling again. :)
"I admit I avoid anything YA as soon as I hear YA because I feel it's going to be all post-apocalyptic angel winged fire and brimstone with vampires."
DeleteBwahaha! Yes, Trish. So true. That's why I rarely read YA. I assure you that there is none of that. It is also free of teenage angst. It's really more YA along the lines of the Book Thief. I'm not even sure why it has that designation aside from the fact that the main characters are young adults.
And even with Book Thief I think that YA was used as marketing as in some countries (maybe the British ones?) it was originally targeted as an adult book. Thanks for the comparison...makes me even more interested as I adored The Book Thief.
DeleteI felt exactly the way you did about this book. I didn't love it for a while and then suddenly I couldn't put it down. Nice review! Thanks for visiting my blog for the Giveaway Hop!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! It was pretty tough to get into, but it was worth the effort in the end. Nice to see other people enjoying it as well. It's a fantastic book! I'm ready to re-read it already.
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ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you loved it as much as I did, Kristi :)
ReplyDeleteYour review really pushed me to pick it up, so thank you! It was a great book. I'm trying to get my mom and sister to read it so I have someone to talk to about it without ruining it. :)
DeleteWonderful review, Kristi! Loved the picture of your little model showing off the book :) These days YA books mostly seem to be about vampires and / or romance and so it is interesting to know that this book is about friendship and war. I will look for it in the library. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteVishy, I hope you get a chance to read it. It's a nice change of pace from the typical (as of late) YA novel. The story of the friendship is so well done.
DeleteI love your book model!! Great idea!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd it sounds like it was your destiny to read this book. And The Fault Is In Our Stars didn't make you cry? It seemed like it was a universal weepy!
Jenners--I think it was a universal weepy. I think there must be something not quite right with me. I didn't cry reading The Time Traveler's Wife either. I must have a heart of stone. :)
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