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A review by scoutfinch75
The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein
5.0
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I have to start with how much I loved the Morse code headings to each part of the book. And yes, I did have some fun decoding them!
I read The Enigma Game without having read any of the author's previous books and the story definitely stands alone. Prior knowledge of any of the characters is not needed. I really enjoy stories told from more than one perspective, and in this book we have three. I quickly became emotionally invested in the characters and their stories.
I love historical fiction and this Young Adult novel takes us straight into the action. It's as if the reader is there; you can smell the petrol fumes as the Bleinhelm planes roar overhead. Feel the freezing air as Jamie and his squadron climb above the clouds, flying routine missions they may never return from. You can taste the fear as the enemy aircraft drop their bombs, the blasts reverberating through the landscape, suffocating dust clouds blackening the horizon.
Jamie, Ellen and Louisa make you care. Be prepared to experience all emotions. Rage when Louisa is subjected to racist comments and behaviour, terror when Ellen is held at gunpoint, agonising grief when some of the squadron don't make it back from their missions. I am left wanting more, I want to know what happens next to our protagonists. The end of this story isn't the end of theirs and I really hope the author writes more.
The enigma machine and trying to crack the code was so important during WWII, this story is a fascinating insight in what could have been.
The Enigma Game is a fast paced, heart in your mouth, action adventure that leaves the reader a little breathless.
(Oh, if you are wondering, the Morse code at the top of my review says, LOVE THIS BOOK )
I have to start with how much I loved the Morse code headings to each part of the book. And yes, I did have some fun decoding them!
I read The Enigma Game without having read any of the author's previous books and the story definitely stands alone. Prior knowledge of any of the characters is not needed. I really enjoy stories told from more than one perspective, and in this book we have three. I quickly became emotionally invested in the characters and their stories.
I love historical fiction and this Young Adult novel takes us straight into the action. It's as if the reader is there; you can smell the petrol fumes as the Bleinhelm planes roar overhead. Feel the freezing air as Jamie and his squadron climb above the clouds, flying routine missions they may never return from. You can taste the fear as the enemy aircraft drop their bombs, the blasts reverberating through the landscape, suffocating dust clouds blackening the horizon.
Jamie, Ellen and Louisa make you care. Be prepared to experience all emotions. Rage when Louisa is subjected to racist comments and behaviour, terror when Ellen is held at gunpoint, agonising grief when some of the squadron don't make it back from their missions. I am left wanting more, I want to know what happens next to our protagonists. The end of this story isn't the end of theirs and I really hope the author writes more.
The enigma machine and trying to crack the code was so important during WWII, this story is a fascinating insight in what could have been.
The Enigma Game is a fast paced, heart in your mouth, action adventure that leaves the reader a little breathless.
(Oh, if you are wondering, the Morse code at the top of my review says, LOVE THIS BOOK )