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christian_faith_and_fiction's review against another edition
5.0
A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M White is the third book in her Code Breakers series. I gave the first two books in this series 10 out of 10, and this book was just as good, in fact, I think this one is my favourite.
It was a great story. It’s a first world war, historical, romantic suspense. The suspense is more of a side plot at the beginning, but it grows throughout the book.
It follows two main characters: Lily is a photographer working for the code breakers department, and Zivon is a Russian cryptographer who came to Britain to escape from the Bolsheviks.
I loved the romance and the suspense. I loved the characters and how individual and quirky they were. It was really interesting to see the story through their perspectives. The family dynamics were great, and the first world war added more drama to the story.
This is a series that’s going straight into my favourite historical fiction books category, and definitely something I want to reread in the future.
It was a great story. It’s a first world war, historical, romantic suspense. The suspense is more of a side plot at the beginning, but it grows throughout the book.
It follows two main characters: Lily is a photographer working for the code breakers department, and Zivon is a Russian cryptographer who came to Britain to escape from the Bolsheviks.
I loved the romance and the suspense. I loved the characters and how individual and quirky they were. It was really interesting to see the story through their perspectives. The family dynamics were great, and the first world war added more drama to the story.
This is a series that’s going straight into my favourite historical fiction books category, and definitely something I want to reread in the future.
a_kira's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lynnuwatson's review against another edition
5.0
Another riveting story from Roseanna White. Don't miss it!
Great characters and well-woven plot with romance, suspense, tragedy, loss, forgiveness, reconciliation, history.
An inside view of intel and propoganda during WWI
Great characters and well-woven plot with romance, suspense, tragedy, loss, forgiveness, reconciliation, history.
An inside view of intel and propoganda during WWI
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
A Portrait of Loyalty Roseanna M. White is the 3rd novel in The Codebreakers. It can be read as a standalone, but I believe you will have a better reading experience if the series is read in order. I thought A Portrait of Loyalty was well-written with developed characters. Ms. White takes readers back to 1918 in London where they are diligently fighting the Germans. The point-of-view switches between several characters including Zivon and Lily. It was fascinating learning about the work Lily did for the war effort. The author really brought Lily’s characters and the work she did to life. The way they would take photos and alter them was intriguing. Lily also took plenty of photos with the camera she carried everywhere with her. I could tell the author did her research for this story. The information about the Bolsheviks, espionage, breaking codes, and the Spanish flu are all included. There was just the right amount of detail. The author managed to walk that fine line between not enough and too much. The pace of the story picked up near the end as well as the tension. I was eager to see how the story would finish. The romance was sweet and will make you smile. A Portrait of Loyalty is an emotional story (joy, hope, grief, sadness, and despair). I liked how Lily helped Zivon regain his trust in God. He wondered how God can let so much violence. Zivon needed help in renewing his faith. I was happy to catch up with the characters from On Wings of Devotion and The Number of Love. A Portrait of Loyalty is a charming historical novel that provided a good ending to The Codebreakers.
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
This novel was an excellent conclusion to the Codebreakers Series. One of my favourite things about Roseanna M. White books is how she weaves little known historical details and events into her story, whilst peopling them with colourful and realistic characters.
A Portrait of Loyalty is no exception, featuring Russian political refugees in the closing months of WW1. Not all however, are as they seem. Some are secretly Bolsheviks in disguise pursuing their own agenda.
Romance and family drama features into the story, but neither really detracts from the narrative, nor are the faith messages heavy handed. That's another thing I appreciate, actually, is how the religious traditions of the various characters are authentic and treated respectfully. Russian Orthodox come over as Russian Orthodox, not American Evangelicals with Russian accents, as in case with some novels.
Overall, a great conclusion to the trilogy, with some cameos from characters old and new.
Thanks to Bethany House for enabling me to read this title via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
A Portrait of Loyalty is no exception, featuring Russian political refugees in the closing months of WW1. Not all however, are as they seem. Some are secretly Bolsheviks in disguise pursuing their own agenda.
Romance and family drama features into the story, but neither really detracts from the narrative, nor are the faith messages heavy handed. That's another thing I appreciate, actually, is how the religious traditions of the various characters are authentic and treated respectfully. Russian Orthodox come over as Russian Orthodox, not American Evangelicals with Russian accents, as in case with some novels.
Overall, a great conclusion to the trilogy, with some cameos from characters old and new.
Thanks to Bethany House for enabling me to read this title via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
sallyavena's review against another edition
5.0
I am so sad to see this series end. I have loved every single character and every book in this series. This was yet another interesting look into code breaking and life in London at the end of WWI
debs4jc's review
3.0
Set during World War I this tale involved a female photographer - Lily - whose talent for photography has become more than just a hobby. Her father's influence gained her entrance into the British secret intelligence world, where she manipulates photographs for the war effort. Lily keeps her work a secret from her mother, who objects to the altering of photographic images as a form of lying that is morally reprehensible. The other main character in the book is Zivion, a young man who fled the revolutionary forces in Russia with his brother. A train accident separated him from his brother, but he felt that he must accept the offer to work for the British so that he could help them win the war, and perhaps restore Russia to it's Czarist government. Zivion has a lot of adapting to do as he learns to live in a new country, but his new friend Lily and her family prove to be very helpful. Little does he know that there are people out there from his home country that will put him - and Lily - in danger.
I found this historical romance fascinating. The discussions on the use of altered photographs for the war effort - or for propaganda - made the think about how images are still used for such purposes today - and is that right or is that wrong? Zivion's story was also interesting because I know so little about the events of the "October Revolution" and what the aftermath meant for thousands of Russians who fled the country, or whose families were divided along party lines. Yes, at the end there is a happy, romantic ending - but there is so much more to this book and I would heartily recommend it to fans of thoughtful historical fiction.
I found this historical romance fascinating. The discussions on the use of altered photographs for the war effort - or for propaganda - made the think about how images are still used for such purposes today - and is that right or is that wrong? Zivion's story was also interesting because I know so little about the events of the "October Revolution" and what the aftermath meant for thousands of Russians who fled the country, or whose families were divided along party lines. Yes, at the end there is a happy, romantic ending - but there is so much more to this book and I would heartily recommend it to fans of thoughtful historical fiction.
library_of_kindredspirits's review against another edition
5.0
MY RATING SYSTEM
* "I can't believe this got published!"
** "Mediocre."
*** "It was still missing something."
**** "Good. It satisfied."
***** "Impeccable."
This is an incredible story. This is definitely one of my favorites of Roseanna's.
PROS: Character arcs are impeccable, and even the side characters and antagonists have such interesting origins that I was able to sympathize with.
CONS: I don't think I have any.
* "I can't believe this got published!"
** "Mediocre."
*** "It was still missing something."
**** "Good. It satisfied."
***** "Impeccable."
This is an incredible story. This is definitely one of my favorites of Roseanna's.
PROS: Character arcs are impeccable, and even the side characters and antagonists have such interesting origins that I was able to sympathize with.
Spoiler
Bonus points for making me want to cry.Spoiler
CONS: I don't think I have any.
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
Good! I enjoyed it but it wasn’t my favorite of the series.
rosannelortz's review against another edition
5.0
An observer of life, Lily takes in the activity and artistry of the world around her, both with her eyes and the aperture of her camera. As World War I winds to a close, Lily uses her special talents to assist at OB40, doctoring photos to deceive the Central Powers and protect the Allied armies. But while her father applauds her assistance to the war effort, her mother is firmly set against art being used as propaganda.
When a young officer named Clarke and a Russian codebreaker named Zivon Marin begin to visit, both Lily and her sister Ivy both find unexpected suitors. Like Lily, Zivon is a quiet observer of life, noticing patterns and predicting movements before they happen. Horrified by the actions of the Bolsheviks in his home country, Zivon is determined to assist the Allies with his talents as a codebreaker. He may have something else the Allies want, however--a photo album that belonged to his (possibly) deceased younger brother which contains confusing and (possibly) incriminating photos. As Zivon and Lily's relationship blossoms, the dangers to both of them and to England intensify, leading to a dramatic finale.
This book was a great finale to White's Codebreakers series. As Lily uses her skills to alter photographs under the instructions of British intelligence, the story explores what propaganda is--a damnable lie? Or a legitimate weapon to save those we love? True to form, White humanizes the villains of the story, offering them the same chance at redemption that the protagonists receive. She also explores the feminist ideals of the Russian revolution that taught women that marriage is a trap to be avoided at all costs. Those who enjoy World War I history, or just a riveting piece of romantic historical fiction, will enjoy this novel.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.