Scan barcode
A review by katykelly
Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen
5.0
WWII-set spy drama, with a smart, young heroine you need to win through
In the early days of the war, a 15-year-old Jewish girl is trying to make her way out of Germany after the death of her mother. Being small for her age through malnutrition and with much-prized blonde hair and blue eyes, Sarah is also a good actress and about to escape when she makes a split-second decision to help a mysterious man... and finds herself becoming involved in the shady world of spies.
Turning out to be a natural, Sarah is also perfect for gaining admittance to a world the adult spy needs to gain access to but cannot - a girls' school.
This is a great thriller for teenagers. There aren't too many World War-set stories for young people (Michael Grant has written some excellent novels recently with strong females, Ryan Graudin's Wolf by Wolf feels similar in tone) and this doesn't hold back on the danger or the racism.
Sarah is such a refreshing heroine, a resourceful, bright and brave young woman, her new mentor/guardian more in the background to allow her to take centre stage. We have three main acts, in the outside world, an exclusive school, and a final act as Sarah battles to help stop the Nazis in a diabolical scheme.
A plot worthy of any adult WWII novel, I loved the audio version. The characters had realistic accounts to remind you of the setting but were perfectly understandable and the story moved along nicely.
I would love to hear more of Sarah's exploits in the war. She could definitely have her own series and would make a great TV character.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
In the early days of the war, a 15-year-old Jewish girl is trying to make her way out of Germany after the death of her mother. Being small for her age through malnutrition and with much-prized blonde hair and blue eyes, Sarah is also a good actress and about to escape when she makes a split-second decision to help a mysterious man... and finds herself becoming involved in the shady world of spies.
Turning out to be a natural, Sarah is also perfect for gaining admittance to a world the adult spy needs to gain access to but cannot - a girls' school.
This is a great thriller for teenagers. There aren't too many World War-set stories for young people (Michael Grant has written some excellent novels recently with strong females, Ryan Graudin's Wolf by Wolf feels similar in tone) and this doesn't hold back on the danger or the racism.
Sarah is such a refreshing heroine, a resourceful, bright and brave young woman, her new mentor/guardian more in the background to allow her to take centre stage. We have three main acts, in the outside world, an exclusive school, and a final act as Sarah battles to help stop the Nazis in a diabolical scheme.
A plot worthy of any adult WWII novel, I loved the audio version. The characters had realistic accounts to remind you of the setting but were perfectly understandable and the story moved along nicely.
I would love to hear more of Sarah's exploits in the war. She could definitely have her own series and would make a great TV character.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.