Scan barcode
aejohnson85's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book extremely disappointing. It’s based on the real story of Vera Atkins and the women she recruited as spies during the Second World War, however, I feel this book did not do those women justice. The characters are not well developed at all, nor is the storyline itself. Two characters fall “in love” after close to zero contact or interaction with each other...there was a bit of interest with the betrayal storyline, however, that ending fell flat as well, in my opinion.
I seem to be in the minority on this one but I would have rathered a stronger novel to honour the work Vera Atkins and her spies did during the War.
I seem to be in the minority on this one but I would have rathered a stronger novel to honour the work Vera Atkins and her spies did during the War.
awesomebrandi's review against another edition
3.0
This is a historical fiction novel focusing on a women's division of spies during WWII. It is a multiple character POV that bounces between several years.
There were some solid action sequences here, but the biggest issue I have with this book is the MC Marie. She is absolutely insufferable. She's supposed to be this trained spy, and yet she continues to make absolutely terrible decisions (knowingly), and then falls in love with some guy. Just, gross, gag me. She comes across as whiny, insecure, ignorant and selfish. The other two POVs are better, but not amazing. The romance elements in the book felt weird and forced.
As with most WWII books: Violence, Nazis, death, etc. Although, in the scheme of things, this is relatively light on the violence compared to some WWII books. It ends up almost leaning too much toward the romance side for my tastes.
There were some solid action sequences here, but the biggest issue I have with this book is the MC Marie. She is absolutely insufferable. She's supposed to be this trained spy, and yet she continues to make absolutely terrible decisions (knowingly), and then falls in love with some guy. Just, gross, gag me. She comes across as whiny, insecure, ignorant and selfish. The other two POVs are better, but not amazing. The romance elements in the book felt weird and forced.
As with most WWII books: Violence, Nazis, death, etc. Although, in the scheme of things, this is relatively light on the violence compared to some WWII books. It ends up almost leaning too much toward the romance side for my tastes.
sofi0518's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
I loved the story of the women of the SOE. I wished the author had spent the entirety of the novel with them. I found Grace’s storyline superfluous and uninteresting.
I loved the story of the women of the SOE. I wished the author had spent the entirety of the novel with them. I found Grace’s storyline superfluous and uninteresting.
skynet666's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful and with info on a subject I knew nothing about.
karenholmes's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic historical novel set between the ending of IIWW and the aftermath it tries to explain the whereabouts of the SOE women never accounted for because they did not have militar status. So they never existed. This gave men permision to use and to ulitmately kill them.
I know it looks like kind of dark, but at the same time it brings the sorority, the friendship and the love amongst the Resistance in France.
Enjoyed it and will probably read more from Pam Jenoff.
I know it looks like kind of dark, but at the same time it brings the sorority, the friendship and the love amongst the Resistance in France.
Enjoyed it and will probably read more from Pam Jenoff.
cooperca's review against another edition
4.0
A story of three women, two SOE operatives during WW2 and one in New York a year after the war has ended.
Eleanor's story begins in London, 1943 where, as a member of the SOE (Special Operations Executive, she's placed in charge of recruiting and training women agents. Dropped into enemy territory, their job will be to transmit back to London enemy troop movements.
Marie's story begins in London, 1944. She's one of Eleanor's unlikeliest recruits. Her French is flawless her "spy" skills not so much.
Grace's story beings in New York, 1946. She finds a suitcase in Grand Central Station that belongs to Eleanor. This suitcase and the photos within start Grace's journey to find out who and where Eleanor is.
Eleanor and Marie's stories were filled with intrigue, tension, and . Marie finds herself in occupied Paris and Eleanor finds herself questioning the loyalty of her fellow SOE operatives.
For me, Grace's story was the weakest and frequently took me out of the moment. Her constant fixation with Mark became old fairly quick.
A compelling novel, well written, giving the reader an absorbing story mix of fiction and history.
Eleanor's story begins in London, 1943 where, as a member of the SOE (Special Operations Executive, she's placed in charge of recruiting and training women agents. Dropped into enemy territory, their job will be to transmit back to London enemy troop movements.
Marie's story begins in London, 1944. She's one of Eleanor's unlikeliest recruits. Her French is flawless her "spy" skills not so much.
Grace's story beings in New York, 1946. She finds a suitcase in Grand Central Station that belongs to Eleanor. This suitcase and the photos within start Grace's journey to find out who and where Eleanor is.
Eleanor and Marie's stories were filled with intrigue, tension, and . Marie finds herself in occupied Paris and Eleanor finds herself questioning the loyalty of her fellow SOE operatives.
For me, Grace's story was the weakest and frequently took me out of the moment. Her constant fixation with Mark became old fairly quick.
A compelling novel, well written, giving the reader an absorbing story mix of fiction and history.
ecdereus's review against another edition
3.0
Hoewel op zich best een spannend boek over de vrouwen die in het voorjaar van 1944 als radiotelegrafiste door de geheime Britse SOE (Special Operations Executive) werden ingezet in bezet Frankrijk, kan het niet tippen aan 'Het Alice-netwerk' van Kate Quinn of 'Codenaam Torenkraai van Ken Follett, die ik beide eerder las.'
Toch 3½ ster.
Toch 3½ ster.
kingala's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
cmrobe06's review against another edition
3.0
This one took me a long time to get into. The premise was very interesting but I could not latch on to the story enough to keep reading until the last 60 pages or so. I found one character I liked but still not a ton of development on her. Just fell a little flat for me.