Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Code Name Verity


The New Year.  That time when all of us resolve to do more, be more and complete more.  I have resolved to be better this year in many ways but one of my resolutions is to read more.  And then write about it more.  And so, after a 6 month hiatus, here I am again.

Code Name Verity is one of those books that I heard about over and over again this past year.  It seemed to be a favorite book by many.  So I went into this book with very high expectations.  And I must admit I was a little disappointed.  I liked the book, but it wasn't everything I had hoped it would be.  I listened to the audio version - I don't know if that played a factor in it.

This is a historical fiction book about World War II, but because of the twists and turns it is difficult to discuss without giving spoilers, so I am going to copy the description of it from IndieBound:

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, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? 

The book is very interesting.  I really liked the characters and it has an interesting story line.  The plot moved very slow for me though.  It was also filled with a lot of flying and plane details, which were interesting, but I think the amount of them is what helped to slow down the story.  I would definitely recommend this book, but perhaps not as heartily as it was recommended to me.