Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Review: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein


It's like being in love, discovering your best friend.

I don't really like World War II stories. And it's not because they are bad or whatever, it's just that I think I've had an oversaturation of them. There are so many WWII stories out there and most of the ones I've been exposed to are told from a European or American perspective. Admittedly, I still have an interest in stories about the Asia Pacific part of the war and also even the Russian part. Or the experience of Japanese Americans in the States. Anyway, point is, a book about World War II in England is just not that interesting to me on the premise alone.

So despite a few early glowing reviews, I was just not that interested in Code Name Verity. (also I didn't like the title, tbh) But...I don't know I've been having such a rough reading year and the reviews were all SO good and then Ana mentioned in her review that it had some of the things I enjoy and look for in story...so I decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad I did, because despite the fact that this book feels very English and very World War II, I loved it.

I'm not going to bother with the premise too much because I agree it's best to go into this book knowing as little as possible. It does start a little slowly with a lot of details about planes and other confusing (kind of boring) things. But not in any way that's a slog to get through, just...the book isn't immediately riveting. It has a very beautiful and deep friendship at its heart, the kind that will make your heart explode. I mean this is what I'm talking about when I say I long for deep complex relationships that aren't romances in stories.

And it's exciting and it plays with your mind. And it's so heartfelt, but also goes all the places it needs to go. And the language is beautiful! And I think there are all kinds of other interesting things going on in the book--it's very rich. The sense of war and doom pervades the story, but so does the existence of hope.

There aren't a lot of books that I've really loved this year, but Code Name Verity is one that I really loved reading and completely enjoyed. Short review, I know, but what else can I say that hasn't been said? Read it!

Rating: 4.75/5
Source of Book: egalley
Publisher: Hyperion

Amy

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