hillarya's review against another edition
4.0
Code Name Helene is a historical fiction depicting the life a tremendous women that helps save so many lives during WWII. The story of this woman is so amazing. I'm so glad I found this book to know of this woman that helped so much in the war effort. She was a true hero. Although it didn't have the ending I would have hoped for, life doesn't always turn out the way we would like. The author's notes at the end were fantastic. Knowing that she stayed true to Mrs. Fiocca's true character and story made it that much better. I can't wait to read more from Ariel Lawhon.
aravenclawlibraryx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Title: Code Name Helen
Author: Ariel Lawhon
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Format: paperback book from the library
Series: NA
Star Rating: 2 stars
tw: antisemitism, torture, destruction of businesses, sexism, public execution, war, gun violence, talks of raping women
This book had the potential to be so good. I Was Anastasia was absolutely amazing so I was hoping this would be just as good. But it wasn’t. It was so slow. Like absolutely so ridiculously slow. Things didn’t happen until the last 30 percent or so. I’m all for slow plots but this one took the cake for being so slow. It took me over a month to finish this book. I haven’t done that since I read Roots in high school. I just couldn’t bring myself to pick it up and read it.
Nancy was a pretty cool person. I think, that if she was written in a different way, I would have liked her more and I think I would have liked the book better. Sure, she was a badass. She didn’t take any crap from anyone, no matter the gender. But man, everything was written in a way that was so boring.
It seems to me that I have a problem with reading about covert operations during World War II. the idea has the potential to be so good but it just keeps falling flat. It’s just so upsetting because this particular genre has the potential to be super cool but it ends up just falling flat.
I think that, overall, this just wasn’t the book for me. I think that there are others that would like this book, especially if they are into women in espionage. But honestly, this was just not the book for me. However, I am going to look more into Nancy, since she is a real person and her life seems very cool.
lauralovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my historical fiction loving heart. I feel like I took a mini vacation from this genre lately, but I’m back and it feels so good to be reunited. Code Name Hélène was so fascinating, and while some may say that they have had their fill of WWII era stories, I love all aspects of this timeline, and with historical fiction, I welcome any and all times of the past to get a glimpse into what that world was like.
I guess it had been awhile (or at least a few books since) I’ve read a WWII story, so this felt refreshing for me anyways. This book was based on the real life of Nancy Wake, an Austrian expat who worked as a reporter in Paris just as the war was about to take place, and later on as a spy. Known as the White Mouse, because she couldn’t be captured.
I was mostly intrigued by the espionage aspects and how terrifying that must have been for a woman during that time. I loved that most, and how the true story was told. From the action that takes place, avoiding the German patrols, to the romance she finds, it was just an overall great read for me.
*many thanks to Doubleday Books for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own
I guess it had been awhile (or at least a few books since) I’ve read a WWII story, so this felt refreshing for me anyways. This book was based on the real life of Nancy Wake, an Austrian expat who worked as a reporter in Paris just as the war was about to take place, and later on as a spy. Known as the White Mouse, because she couldn’t be captured.
I was mostly intrigued by the espionage aspects and how terrifying that must have been for a woman during that time. I loved that most, and how the true story was told. From the action that takes place, avoiding the German patrols, to the romance she finds, it was just an overall great read for me.
*many thanks to Doubleday Books for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own
pm22's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this and learning more about Nancy wake. My dad recommended this to me, and It was a great introduction to her story. I definitely am going to pick up one of the biographies based on her and learn more about her. I wish more people knew about her! I liked the past vs present chapter style, and enjoyed reading about her interactions with other characters. I love reading about parts of history that are not well known and this did exactly that with learning about her story. I was a little confused when Marceline was captured and it had seemed for a second that she was going to tell Nancy what she had done to Henri, but then we never found out what she did tell her.
4 stars because the book seemed at times unnecessarily long. I think parts of it could have been cut shorter.
4 stars because the book seemed at times unnecessarily long. I think parts of it could have been cut shorter.
sara_c_reads's review against another edition
5.0
A most excellent story!
This story about Nancy Wake is based on a a true person/story! Such a remarkable lady in history and made an amazing impact in WW2. Why am I just now hearing about her?! Bravo to this author for sharing Nancy Wake’s story!
This story about Nancy Wake is based on a a true person/story! Such a remarkable lady in history and made an amazing impact in WW2. Why am I just now hearing about her?! Bravo to this author for sharing Nancy Wake’s story!
mlbowen's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
emily907's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
jackyobrien6's review against another edition
4.0
In typical historical fiction fashion, this book is about an ordinary French citizen who turns to resistance work in the face of the Nazis. Nancy just started enjoying married life when the war came to France, and while her husband is away fighting, she can't just sit back and do nothing. She starts of with smuggling letters, and before long she is boot camped trained and airdropped into the fighting as one of the strongest resistance leaders. Nancy thrives as Helene, and has a knack for being in charge. But like all soldiers, war wears her down and tragedy strikes.
This book lived up to the hype that I had heard about it. Nancy was strong and likable and the action kept up throughout.
This book lived up to the hype that I had heard about it. Nancy was strong and likable and the action kept up throughout.
jdkelly's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I found the pact of this book slow at the beginning as we are introduced to Nancy’s pre-war life. The timeline of the book jumps around and sometimes the jumps were a little too jarring and I left like some of the story line was missing. Overall, I enjoyed reading about Nancy’s life and her contribution to WWII.