Author: Elizabeth Wein
Genre: YA Historical Fiction, Standalone
Published: 2012
Personal Rating: 2/5 (not enjoyable)
Format: eBook
Yearly Count: 55
From NetGalley:
Oct. 11th, 1943--A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.
As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?
This was difficult to read and not because it was about WWII. It was extremely boring, a little confusing, and I didn't like the method in which it was told. After I struggled through the first quarter, I sought out and glanced at other reviewers' thoughts. I found a few that mentioned that the second half (Part II) was worth the wait, so I decided to plod on. Mistake (for me). Although, I do agree that Part II was better than Part I. The best part was the Author's Note at the end of the book - that I found interesting. At this point, my opinion of this book is far from the masses. So . . . go ahead, read and decide for yourself.
My thanks go to Hyperion and NetGalley for sending me this eGalley.
The first part is definitely a little confusing and yes, I think the book is a lot slower than most YA novels (in fact, I'm not even sure why it's considered a teen book), but it's unique and I liked that. Sorry it didn't work as well for you.
ReplyDeleteSusan ~ If the first half would have been more engaging, I think the uniqueness would have been viewed more as a positive. And, I thought the same thing regarding its YA label.
DeleteI keep hearing things along the lines of it taking up to page 100 or later to get caught up in this one. I'm just not that interested or patient. I'll pass.
ReplyDeleteSuziQoregon ~ Unfortunately, I never got caught up in it because I never built the connection or believed it. (which is what the beginning should do!)
DeleteYikes!! I have been hearing about this one so much lately but had no idea what it was about until Andi/Estella's Revenge mentioned it was WWII. She also said that she picked it up but it was too boring for her current tastes.
ReplyDeleteTrish ~ "Boring" . . . definitely. I'm truly surprised at the 5 star ratings. I guess buying into it is what'll save the book. It didn't happen for me.
DeletePeople seem to love this one or not care for it much - there doesn't seem to be an in between. It's probably not for me.
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion ~ I haven't seen many negative reviews. I think this is the first WWII book that I didn't like.
DeleteThis one doesn't even interest me so I'm going with your thoughts and not going to bother looking this one up!
ReplyDeleteStaci ~ There are many that I tell you you should read anyway despite my thoughts, but this one I will not. :(
DeleteDitto what Staci said!
DeleteLes ~ Ditto to what I said to Staci! :)
Delete