Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“People being nice to you after someone has made you feel like a criminal or an enemy is just like sticking cardboard in your window after a bomb has blasted all the glass out of it. The hole is stopped up, but the glass is still smashed and you can’t see through the window anymore. Everything in the room is uglier and darker.”
The Enigma Game was a nice change of pace from the standard WWII story. Maybe it's just because I love Scotland but I always feel like its experience during the war is often overlooked in favor of London. Windyedge was an evocative setting and Wein's characters were, as always, top notch. I fell in love with Louisa from the very beginning. Her love of music, desire to find a place to belong, and grief for her parents made her a compelling main character. I can't speak for the accuracy of the biracial representation but did appreciate the information in the historical context section about the role that people from the Caribbean played in Britain's war effort.
The plot took a bit to get going but once it did, I was utterly hooked. Without giving anything away, there are multiple story arcs woven expertly together in a captivating way. I was so impressed with how Wein situated The Enigma Game within the broader timeline of her books.
Wein excels at crafting well-researched historical fiction with characters that feel like friends. The Enigma Game was a great read and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a twisty WWII story.
C/W:
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I love Elizabeth Wein's books and love that she uses side characters to create a whole other story, which I didn't even realize was the case with this one until I read the acknowledgements! Another WW2 book with pilots but also incorporates the Enigma Machine.
This was a long tough read for me. As reading I was often confused when the author switched perspectives and had to take a moment to reread to clarify what was going on from the new character's viewpoint. The book was also very slow moving and anti-climatic. Overall, I was not impressed with the story and would not recommend to other readers.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have been a fan of the Code Name Verity series for years now. When I heard of this, I was super excited. Seeing Ellen McEwen, Jamie, and even Julie was very refreshing (even if I knew of how her story would end). This is a companion novel to Code Name Verity and The Pearl Thief. It was interesting to know what these characters were up to after Pearl Thief and before Code Name Verity; it was also nice to have some more insight on Jamie and Ellen's character. Louisa was a very nice addition too! I thought her relationship with Jane was sweet. I also loved how the the three POV characters' roles were entwined and the way Julie's part in the story was woven to fit into all that. Some parts were slow for me and kind of dragged but as long as I get to be with these characters another time I can make do with anything.
I would love to see this book be adapted into a play! The storylines and settings would suit the stage. Wein's books are always so good and this was no exception.
Another authentic war story from this author, including diverse characters. Humour but mostly heartbreak of course.
Yes, I went back to Code Named Verity to seek connections.
Yes, I went back to Code Named Verity to seek connections.
I wonder what it would be like to read this particular series in chronological, rather than release order. My feelings about this book are so colored by my feelings about Code Name Verity that I feel like I can't really untangle them enough to assess this one accurately. I enjoyed it, anyway.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes