Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival.
I was super excited when my best friend decided to order this from the Book Depository because she wanted to read it sooner than the US pub date - and even more excited when she said I could borrow it. After reading Code Name Verity (you can see my review here if you're interested) I must admit I was little scared, in a good way, of Elizabeth Wein, being how she shattered my heart into a zillion pieces and proceeded to tap dance on said pieces.
Rose is an American pilot working with Allied forces during WWII. As we know from the description, she ends up captured and imprisoned in a concentration camp. The story that follows is one of heartbreak, unimaginable pain, friendship, and hope.
I know it's going to happen, but to compare Rose Under Fire to Code Name Verity is like comparing apples to oranges. Yes, they are both war stories and feature strong women who are pilots. But that's where the similarities end, really. Rose has her own story to tell, her own horrors and suffering to convey. And Wein does a great job of conveying them. Rose's desperation and fear leaped off the page and into my heart. I cried for her, I cheered for her, but most of all, I hoped for her.
Rose makes friends inside the walls of the concentration camp. They rally together to support and help one another in a time when all hope seems lost. The bond these women create are the types of bonds I strive to have with my closest friends. They are willing to die for one another, to give up food or shelter. They do everything they can to help one another survive.
Wein's writing is amazing. I had no trouble at all imagining the world she was creating within these pages. It was a bleak time, dark and dreary, and I felt all that while I was reading. She attacked all my senses as I flipped page by page, engulfing me in a horrible time of our history.
I very much look forward to reading more by Elizabeth Wein in the future.
Brandy, I just wrote a long review, before I remembered that you have to be logged in first for it to take it. But, it is definitely a book worth rewriting the review!! As you and Malissa have said in your reviews, it should not be compared to "Code Name Verity", because it is a very different book. But, I found that I couldn't help myself. I loved "Rose Under Fire", but I found myself missing the twists and turns from "Code Name Verity". That said, the one thing that I love about both books is when she takes a character that you know you shouldn't like at all, and makes that character at least a little more understood and human. I cannot think of her name, but in "Rose Under Fire", I was surprised to find a little humane feeling towards the "assistant" with the "rabbit" surgeries. I think that there were a lot more people like here in the Nazi party that anyone guesses. People that were scared and did things they regretted and tried to make whatever they could right, too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, just wanted to let you know that when I turned this book in at the library, the librarian sounded very interested in reading it. I not only highly recommended it to her, but also let her know that she should definitely read "Code Name Verity", also. So, hopefully, I have added one more Elizabeth Wein fan to her list!
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to do... she's pretty amazing in her writing. :)
Delete