1.76k reviews for:

Code Name Hélène

Ariel Lawhon

4.38 AVERAGE

sartom15's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

missywhidden's review

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

breezy2012's review against another edition

5.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

frettaj's review

3.5

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Amazing story, but too long

rgriffes's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

whimsy_reader's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional informative inspiring tense

mollykeener's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

jnishimura's review against another edition

5.0

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I loved this book though I hate that this is the first time I’ve ever heard of Nancy Wake. Nancy Grace Augusta Wake had many aliases as a military leader within the French Resistance, a smuggler, a spy, a wife, a journalist, and a trailblazer. How has history not sung her praises over the years?! Frankly, I’m gobsmacked but that just leaves me more grateful than ever that Ariel Lawhon took on the task of reviving her story of largess.

Code Name Hélène is an interwoven story about the identities and roles that Nancy took on during Europe’s descent into WWII. From journalist to wife to military leader, she tackled every imaginable obstacle largely with only her uncanny wit and unrelenting determination. Lawhon fictionalizes her story with a creative flare paired with uncanny precision to portray both fact and fiction with the utmost care. I loved everything about this book except for the ways in which humanity destroyed itself with brutal efficiency during WWII.

This book is a must for those who love WWII, spy novels, quirky heroines, and unsung heroes.

ktripp's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous informative tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

chrissymay's review against another edition

3.5

tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

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The Frozen River drew me to Ariel Lawhon's writing, and I hoped Code Name Hélène would do Nancy Wake justice. 

While the story explores her critical roles in undermining the Gestapo, it focuses mainly on her romantic relationship with her husband. I enjoyed the sweet relationship aspect, but it overshadowed her incredible wartime accomplishments. I craved more details about her daring infiltrations and bravery. 

Despite this, it's not a bad book - I teared up over her heartbreak and turmoil. I also fell in love with her adorable pup, Picon. If you're looking for historical accuracy, be prepared for more fiction than fact.