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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-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:
Yes
This is the prequel to Codename Verity and fills in the details of what happens to Jamie Stuart, the fighter pilot brother of the heroine of Codename Verity. It is, as her books are, meticulously researched and the afterword is a short essay by Wein telling you which bits of her books are based on what and where she took liberties and why. It's great. Strong female characters are her speciality and that's no exception here. I like the fact that Wein is fascinated by aspects of WWII that are perhaps less well known and gives a social history as much as a timeline of action.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Excellent story about early code breaking in WW2. Categorized as Young Adult fiction, but I don't think adults should let that keep them from reading it. It's a sister story to Code Name Verity, but neither is necessary to enjoy the other.
disclaimer: I received this free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
rep: biracial m/c (white, jamaican), sapphic romani m/c, bi side character
content warnings: war, death, racism, homophobia
The Enigma Game follows three different people in a small village of Windyedge, Scotland. Jamie, a RAF pilot who flies a Bristol Blenheim bomber, Ellen a volunteer driver with the RAF, and Louisa, a teenager who wants to make a difference who ends up caring for an elderly German woman. When Louisa finds an Enigma machine that was smuggled in by an enemy pilot, Louisa, Jamie, and Ellen all come together to unravel a mystery that may turn the tide of war.
“Careless talk costs lives.”
Rating five stars purely for my love for the Beaufort-Stuart siblings. JOKING. Sort of. In all seriousness, The Enigma Game was a captivating read with enticing characters, a fast-paced plot with high stakes, and some brilliant friendships – which Elizabeth Wein never fails to achieve. The Enigma Game is a companion novel that takes place before Code Name Verity, but after The Pearl Thief. Both Jamie and Ellen were present in The Pearl Thief, but Louisa is a brand new character, and a lovely addition at that.
Jamie is a RAF pilot that is stationed at Windyedge. He is a flight leader for the 648 Squadron, tired of continuously losing his men on flight missions. I liked his character since he showed up in Code Name Verity, so it was nice to get a novel from his POV, and it made me love him even more. He is kind, protective, and brave. When he learns of the Engima machine, he wants to keep it a secret to use to his advantage, to protect his men, knowing that if his superiors found out about it, it would be taken away.
Ellen, our other main character is a Scottish traveller who has volunteered to drive for the RAF. She was actually Julie’s love interest in The Pearl Thief and I absolutely adore her. She’s bold and brash! But, what an absolute travesty that Ellen & Julie’s previous relationship was not even mentioned. Even when Julie made a surprise appearance!! As I stated in the rep: section above, this does feature a sapphic character which is Ellen BUT this is established in the previous novel, and has no mention of it in this one.
Louisa was the brand new character and I absolutely adored her, and I especially loved her relationship with Jane, the elderly german-born woman that she is caring for. I loved Louisa’s drive, her passion, her bravery and courage, and her overwhelming need to do something.
I absolutely adored the piloting aspect in Code Name Verity, and loved it just as much in The Enigma Game.
Overall, The Enigma Game is a brilliant historical fiction novel which I would highly recommend to people who enjoy WWII fiction, and also for fans of Code Name Verity.
rep: biracial m/c (white, jamaican), sapphic romani m/c, bi side character
content warnings: war, death, racism, homophobia
The Enigma Game follows three different people in a small village of Windyedge, Scotland. Jamie, a RAF pilot who flies a Bristol Blenheim bomber, Ellen a volunteer driver with the RAF, and Louisa, a teenager who wants to make a difference who ends up caring for an elderly German woman. When Louisa finds an Enigma machine that was smuggled in by an enemy pilot, Louisa, Jamie, and Ellen all come together to unravel a mystery that may turn the tide of war.
“Careless talk costs lives.”
Rating five stars purely for my love for the Beaufort-Stuart siblings. JOKING. Sort of. In all seriousness, The Enigma Game was a captivating read with enticing characters, a fast-paced plot with high stakes, and some brilliant friendships – which Elizabeth Wein never fails to achieve. The Enigma Game is a companion novel that takes place before Code Name Verity, but after The Pearl Thief. Both Jamie and Ellen were present in The Pearl Thief, but Louisa is a brand new character, and a lovely addition at that.
Jamie is a RAF pilot that is stationed at Windyedge. He is a flight leader for the 648 Squadron, tired of continuously losing his men on flight missions. I liked his character since he showed up in Code Name Verity, so it was nice to get a novel from his POV, and it made me love him even more. He is kind, protective, and brave. When he learns of the Engima machine, he wants to keep it a secret to use to his advantage, to protect his men, knowing that if his superiors found out about it, it would be taken away.
Ellen, our other main character is a Scottish traveller who has volunteered to drive for the RAF. She was actually Julie’s love interest in The Pearl Thief and I absolutely adore her. She’s bold and brash! But, what an absolute travesty that Ellen & Julie’s previous relationship was not even mentioned. Even when Julie made a surprise appearance!! As I stated in the rep: section above, this does feature a sapphic character which is Ellen BUT this is established in the previous novel, and has no mention of it in this one.
Louisa was the brand new character and I absolutely adored her, and I especially loved her relationship with Jane, the elderly german-born woman that she is caring for. I loved Louisa’s drive, her passion, her bravery and courage, and her overwhelming need to do something.
I absolutely adored the piloting aspect in Code Name Verity, and loved it just as much in The Enigma Game.
Overall, The Enigma Game is a brilliant historical fiction novel which I would highly recommend to people who enjoy WWII fiction, and also for fans of Code Name Verity.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
In my opinion, 'The Enigma Game' wasn't as memorable as the series' previous books, there's just something so captivating about the previous books especially 'Code Name Verity'. But I still enjoyed this and reading about the characters who made an apperance in this book from the earlier ones made me very happy.
**************************
I was apparently living under a rock or something, because I had no idea Elizabeth Wein published a new book from Code Name Verity series.
Was I honestly expecting there would be a new book in CNV saga? No
Am I excited to read this nevertheless knowing too well it'll break my heart as well? Absou-friggin-lutely.
In my opinion, 'The Enigma Game' wasn't as memorable as the series' previous books, there's just something so captivating about the previous books especially 'Code Name Verity'. But I still enjoyed this and reading about the characters who made an apperance in this book from the earlier ones made me very happy.
**************************
I was apparently living under a rock or something, because I had no idea Elizabeth Wein published a new book from Code Name Verity series.
Was I honestly expecting there would be a new book in CNV saga? No
Am I excited to read this nevertheless knowing too well it'll break my heart as well? Absou-friggin-lutely.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
always enjoy Elizabeth Wein's books - so far my fav is the Pearl Thief, but in this one I particularly liked the intergenerational friendship.
Losing my appetite for war stories, but I’m sure I’ll come back to this.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
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:
No