The beloved #1 New York Times bestseller, a “fiendishly plotted” (New York Times) ”heart-in-your mouth adventure” (Washington Post) that “will take wing and soar into your heart” (Laurie Halse Anderson)
October 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 … 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?
A universally acclaimed Michael L. Printz Award Honor book, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other.more
Oh. My. Word. I am wrecked. My heart is broken. I can hardly breathe. Best book I’ve read this year.
First, I listened to the audiobook, and the two narrators, Morven Christie and Lucy Gaskell, made me see and experience Julie and Maddie completely. The sighs. The slight holding of a breath. The accents. All were perfection. I hate “overacting” in audiobooks, and trust me, there was none of that in this one. It was simply a masterful performance.
As for the book, I don’t know how I made it from 2012 when it released until 2020 without knowing about this novel. But I’m glad I stumbled on it when I did. The storytelling is amazing. It isn’t a light story by any means. It is painful and brutal and thrilling and honest about things that happened in WWII (even if the story itself is fiction). But oh, Julie and Maddie. I will never forget these two heroines. Never.
Note to followers of my reviews: There is some cursing throughout this novel, and of course, some violence.
I found CODE NAME VERITY at the library with a yellow post-it note inside that said:
“THIS IS AN AMAZING BOOK!!”
I was so tickled by the note, I prepared myself for an absorbing war story told in an engaging way that must have a delightful ending–something along the lines of THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY.
CODE NAME VERITY is absorbing and engaging in every way.
It is also GUT-WRENCHING.
I was sick over it for days. Absolutely destroyed.
I walked around in a daze for a week and only just yesterday–after skim-rereading the novel–was able to acknowledge its absolute perfection enough to be able to write this somewhat spoiler-y, half-coherent recommendation.
To prepare the next reader, I have added “Yes, but also GUT-WRENCHING!!” to the post it-note. It was my duty.
I give the book my highest recommendation.
A tale of two female friends, both in peril in occupied France during the Second World War. Cleverly interlaced, and so simply and charmingly told through their own voices, you can’t wait to get to the end. It doesn’t pretty up the war experiences, but tells a story of resilience and cunning.
Good story but a hard writing style to follow… at least for me.
We should never forget all those who we lost to war.
I’ve been looking through the reviews and all of them seem to be excellent, I don’t see what these people see but were all different. I couldn’t even finish this book because of the feeling of boredom is cast. It is way too long, way too many words and it doesn’t make sense, it has no adventure and I don’t understand what really happened. Other than some historical stuff it’s quite a bore.
These British teenaged girls in this WWII young adult novel written by a female pilot have the courage and strength to face unimagined danger. I could not put this down.
My goodness this book. I was skeptical about starting it, but I’m so glad I did!! Literally I was sitting on my bed, glued to the book, ignoring all calls to dinner. At various parts of the book, I went, “NO!” and “Ohohoh YES!” I was crying and laughing and screeching at this book.
After I finished it I immediately went back to see my favorite parts and saw how it all connected together again. I cannot recommend this book enough!!
Young British spy code-named guess what is captured after her plane, piloted by her best friend Maddie, crashes in occupied France. Verity hangs on during Nazi brutal interrogations, engaging in a battle of wits with her captor, as she relives her path to espionage and captivity and tries to survive. As Verity chronicles her mission for the Nazis in order to stay alive, she looks back to the evolution of her relationship with Maddie and their time together in England. Ultimately, Verity’s purpose becomes clear. This book is labeled “young adult,” but it stands tall with some of the best recent WW2 historical fiction in my view. Ms. Wein brings Verity to life as a tragic, yet in some ways triumphant, figure I’ll not soon forget.
Was this review helpful? I am an avid world war based fiction reader and author. You can read more of my takes at https://brodiecurtis.com/curtis-takes/.
This book is a great read. Probably best for freshman age and up. There is a little bit of language
This book kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat. I fell in love with these characters and rooted for their success until the very last page.
An exceptional and moving story that takes loyalty to an ultimate test. It’s been labeled Young Adult, but this is a very mature book about a deep friendship. It’s at the top of my “Favorite” list.
A superbly crafted story that puts the reader inside the main characters’ minds. I’ve listened to it on audio twice and read it once and will come back to it over the years.
An incredible story with an unexpected twist
By the time I finished this book, I really enjoyed it; however, especially in Part 1, I was both frustrated and interested. I could not discern who narrated the story, but the plot itself kept me curious enough to muddle through. There was also the “Why?”’ factor, that kept me curious enough to continue reading. Since Part 2 answered so many questions and quickly eliminated the confusion and frustration I felt with Part 1, I enjoyed the “Aha!” moments. However, my lack of context in Part 1, made me miss some important details, which only became apparent in Part 2’s “Aha!” moments. I almost need to read this book again to glean all the story’s nuances and subtleties.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, both good and bad, and I really liked viewing some characters from the dual perspectives. As difficult as some decisions were, I think they were the right ones, realistically conceivable. Had I known how the author achieved her clever plot twists prior to reading, I don’t know that I would have read it. I don’t like being a frustrated reader. The two parts are definitively different, and the novel as a whole contributes to World War 2 historical fiction.
An interesting war time story with spies and deception. Women pilots and espionage made for an intriguing story.
Whoa! This book! I got to the end and was so surprised, I read it again! Loved it.
Ah those unreliable narrators! Who is telling the truth? Who is Verity? Until the end of book, the reader is never sure. Set in the WWII era, these two women British operatives, one a flier and one an agent, deal with capture and interrogation in a suspense-filled story.
An amazing read – seriously one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The emotions, the struggles, the twists and turns that leave you guessing until the very end. Beautifully written!!
Female pilots, captured spy, talking in code, secret missions, downed planes, Resistance fighters, evil Nazis…historical fiction at its best – at least that’s what I was hoping. Unfortunately for me this book was just okay. Don’t get me wrong, it was interesting; just not my favorite WWII novel. The story is told in two voices – one the voice of captured spy, Julie and the other her best friend, pilot Maddie. In the first half of the book Julie is writing out her confession and story for her Nazi captor. In the second half we hear from Maddie. The two versions of the story come together towards the end. It was an effective writing technique. And the female character both major and minor were strong, brave women. So, why only 3 stars? I found this book a rather tedious read – I felt like the pace was so slow and it just took a while to get anywhere. And while Maddie was brave, I found her to be somewhat irritating at times -a little too singularly focused, shallow, and self-absorbed. There were also plot points that I found rather disturbing, leaving me feeling rather depressed and disappointed. So do I recommend it? If you like WWII fiction, then give it a try – just proceed with caution.