biblio_jordyn's review
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What could have been better?
At the end it felt a little slow/disappointing, as opposed to the beginning/middle where I was sucked in.
I also wish there was more spy things/suspense integrated into the novel and more appearances from the minor characters. Basically I wanted MORE.
What I enjoyed:
The beginning pulled me in right away and it has LGBTQIA+ rep all throughout this novel.
Now, while I’m new to this historical fiction game…I HAVE TO SAY! This espionage sub genre maybe a favorite of mine. I think spies are the coolest thing ever and I loved the main character and hearing her story. She’s sneaky, and smart, and I would definitely want to be her friend.
ALSO, I love Clementine’s relationships to her friends! From what I did see of them…they were a great ragtag bunch and I’m here for it.
I thought this book did a great job integrating WW2 in a way I haven’t seen it before with the plot and set of characters
Then! There’s great talk about gender and identity, this is my favorite quote regarding it:
“I was talking in circles. But how was I to explain that I was born a boy, and I was born a girl too? Or rather, how could I explain that boy and girl have nothing to do with birth.”
At the end it felt a little slow/disappointing, as opposed to the beginning/middle where I was sucked in.
I also wish there was more spy things/suspense integrated into the novel and more appearances from the minor characters. Basically I wanted MORE.
What I enjoyed:
The beginning pulled me in right away and it has LGBTQIA+ rep all throughout this novel.
Now, while I’m new to this historical fiction game…I HAVE TO SAY! This espionage sub genre maybe a favorite of mine. I think spies are the coolest thing ever and I loved the main character and hearing her story. She’s sneaky, and smart, and I would definitely want to be her friend.
ALSO, I love Clementine’s relationships to her friends! From what I did see of them…they were a great ragtag bunch and I’m here for it.
I thought this book did a great job integrating WW2 in a way I haven’t seen it before with the plot and set of characters
Then! There’s great talk about gender and identity, this is my favorite quote regarding it:
“I was talking in circles. But how was I to explain that I was born a boy, and I was born a girl too? Or rather, how could I explain that boy and girl have nothing to do with birth.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
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