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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Although I know I should try to judge it more on its own merits, I can't help but compare this book to Code Name Verity, one of my absolute favorite books of last year. But to be fair, having overlapping characters does kind of set up that kind of comparison. This one didn't hit me as hard as Code Name Verity did, although it was still well-written and moving. The subject matter was certainly tougher (much of it is heavily researched descriptions of concentration camp conditions). Rose's character never came quite as alive to me as Maddie and Julie of Code Name Verity did. A good, solid read with some important subject matter, but maybe wait to read it until you're in a good frame of mind to take on some pretty serious stuff.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Comparisons to [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity (Code Name Verity, #1)|Elizabeth Wein|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388161911s/11925514.jpg|16885788] are inevitable. I though that Verity was the better and certainly the more innovative of the two books, but this one was still awesome. Rose's experiences in the concentration camp were well drawn. More than anything I really got the sense of just how traumatic the situation was for those who were in the camps and how difficult it must have been for survivors to deal with the rest of the world after it was all over.
Another favorite from Elizabeth Wein! She takes me to times and places I am not familiar with, bearing witness to both atrocities and human strength.
Elizabeth Wein, you are so good at ripping people's hearts out.
I think, by now, Elizabeth Wein is going to be known for writing historical fiction that centers on a young female protagonist forced to undergo a brutal ordeal. Not that this is a bad thing. The characters she create are compelling and realistic and it is almost impossible not to feel connected to them in some way.
(MINOR SPOILERS BELOW)
While there wasn't the same emotional impact of Code Name Verity in Rose Under Fire, there were still some shaky moments. There were many more characters in this novel than in the other and I think Wein did a great job creating backstories for the main ones. When they suddenly disappeared or were killed, the suddenness was almost like a punch in the stomach, which I expect isn't that far off from how it felt for the real victims.
Though I felt a stronger pull to Verity, I still enjoyed reading Rose and, despite my tiredness, I had to stay up to finish reading it.
(MINOR SPOILERS BELOW)
While there wasn't the same emotional impact of Code Name Verity in Rose Under Fire, there were still some shaky moments. There were many more characters in this novel than in the other and I think Wein did a great job creating backstories for the main ones. When they suddenly disappeared or were killed, the suddenness was almost like a punch in the stomach, which I expect isn't that far off from how it felt for the real victims.
Though I felt a stronger pull to Verity, I still enjoyed reading Rose and, despite my tiredness, I had to stay up to finish reading it.
Another phenomenal story told by Elizabeth Wein. I fell in love with "Code Name Variety" two years ago and was thrilled to get my hands on another one of her books. My parents have a love for the history of World War Two, my mom has even written novels set in the time period, so I appreciate the historical accuracy an a topic that's not easy to talk about. Not only do I love the stories Elizabeth Wein weaves together but I love her writing style. All of her book are a collection of letters and journal entries but they still read like novel. If you like historical fiction and are ready for a change of pace, I highly recommend "Rose Under Fire" and "Code Name Variety".
(P.S. read Code Name Variety first)
(P.S. read Code Name Variety first)
A great book. I loved Code Name Verity and this was a great sequel - not quite as good, but still wonderful historical fiction. As the years since these horrific events grow, this kind of fiction continues to "tell the world".