At first I found it hard to get into this book, and didn't think I was really that invested, until the one moment in this book that completely changed my perspective and brought me to sobbing tears. This book is filled with twists and turns that leads you down a path you NEVER expected. This book is beautifully written, and still brings tears to my eyes. READ THIS BOOK!

Being semi-obsessed with speculative fiction often means I'm a little behind when there's a must-read book from another genre out there. Such was the case with Code Name Verity. I enjoy historical fiction and I actually read quite a bit of it. I don't, however, follow the new releases as carefully as I do spec-fic. But after reading Code Name Verity I find myself reconsidering that position. Why was this book so amazing you ask? Well to start off with, it was a pulse pounding, heart wrenching adventure of a book. I've read a lot (a lot) of World War II novels in my day. That's pretty much all they gave us growing up. This wasn't a bad thing, but it did give me the impression that I had "read them all." Code Name Verity proved me wrong. This book was beautiful and surprised me over and over again as I was reading. I don't have enough words to describe the emotional depth and authenticity of this novel. I also loved getting to know the main characters of Code Name Verity. Unique, independent and strong, I'm honestly not sure if I prefer one over the other. Queenie is a quick thinker and a little arrogant, but I couldn't help admire he­r throughout all her struggles. I couldn't imagine how horrible her life would have been after being captured by the Germans and I felt overwhelmed by an urge to protect her, even though I barely knew her. Maddie on the other hand, is more withdrawn and practical. Her level of courage and determination is something we can all aspire to. I could go on about this novel, but at the end of the day it comes down to this. You need to read this novel. It hits all the right emotional notes and does so with incredible historical detail. And to top is all off, it has an ending that all but made me sob on the subway ride home. Final recommendation: I can't recommend this book enough. Whether you regularly read historical fiction or not, you're sure to love it. This and other reviews at Hooked on Books (http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com)

A plane goes down in enemy territory. In order to live longer, Verity must provide the gestapo with top secret details. Twists and turns. Loved it.

I have to admit that I struggled with Code Name Verity at first; it was a slow read for me, one that I found difficult to get into but one that with an ending so powerful and unforgettable that it redeemed itself and made my experience completely turnaround! Although this story is set in World War II, it's really a story about two girls who become best friends and what was most likely the period in their life that had the great impact on them. It's also written in journal format, which is something I've mentioned before that I never seem to take to well as a reader. But the story itself is a beautiful tale that leaves a mark on your heart. Reasons to Read: 1.Lively, endearing characters: Maddie and Queenie are two of the most incredible characters I have ever read about; their personalities literally jump off the pages, and they're just fantastic young women to read about. They're so realistic and familiar, that it's hard to believe that they're no more than fiction. Queenie, especially, was one character that I found totally endearing and striking. The choices she makes, the stories she tells... she's one character you WON'T forget soon. And Maddie is equally brave, in her own unique-Maddie way. Gah, I love these two so much! 2.An ending that'll make you go "WHAT?!": Yeah, it' sone of THOSE endings. I mean, you kind of figure that you know what to expect... but it's still so heartbreaking and momentous and just THERE, and you really don't want it to happen. Yet, it's shocking all on its own. It's a good thing though, I mean, I loved it even though it made me tear up a bit too. It's a good book with feeling is what I'm trying to say, I suppose. 3.An interesing perspective of WW2: And that ending? I won't spoil anything, but I think it does a noteworthy job (as does the book) of offering us readers a very interesting perspective of World War II, one that we wouldn't often get to see. I mean, I don't think I've ever seen a movie or read a book that deals with female pilots or wireless operatives. But on top of that, Queenie and Maddie aren't overly concerned with the war. We see all the little ways in which a war like this tears lives apart. Beautiful and tragic, all at the same time. But I have to warn you that I struggled with the first half of the book. Queenie was easily my favourite character and I loved what she had to say, but I found the way it was written to be difficult to stick with. As I already mentioned, I'm not one to enjoy reading journal entries - I always find it lacking as a method of narration. Plus, I found Code Name Verity even more difficult to read as a journal because while Queenie's writing it, she's writing it from the perspective of her friend Maddie. Or, what she thinks Maddie's perspective/story would be and how to best tell it. I really enjoy historical fiction and this one is great- right down to the writing style and character voices/slang used. Another fair warning though: there's a lot of talk of airplanes and flying that went way over my head. A lot of it. I think it's more so to set an atmosphere and get into the character's heads but it can drag on to read about. This books is one of the few that gets better after you read it. The way it sinks in, and you can't get it out of your head. It isn't a book that you finish and forget about immediately afterwards. ARC/e-galley received from Random House Canada for review. (abridged from original review due to posting limitations)

Arrested by the Gestapo in Nazi-occupied France, "Verity" has made a deal with her Nazi interrogators. In exchange for information on everything she knows about the British War Effort, she will be given pen and paper to write down her confession and more time to live. And so begins Code Name Verity, taking place in both the present and past as "Verity" chooses to write from the perspective of her best friend Maddie, how they first met and eventually became ever the loyal to each other... and how their secret mission went so horribly wrong. Within a few chapters, I was completely in awe of Elizabeth Wein's writing style and all the little details that completely bring the book to life. I've read several novels taking place during WWII... but I've never read anything like Code Name Verity. Most of the time, we're used to seeing the terrible battles fought on the front lines, so I was enthralled learning more about the important roles Maddie and "Verity" played in the war as they first served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force together before breaking away to become a pilot and a secret agent, respectively. As "Verity" recounts more of her past on every scrap of paper she can get her hands onto and struggles against her captors, an ache starts in your chest which never fades away. Because while you're still not sure if her words are wholly true, you just know that as soon as "Verity" stops writing, there will be only the desperate hope that it will be enough to save her. She may have questioned her own strength, but we truly see how both she and Maddie were as courageous and talented as they come. Elizabeth Wein's Code Name Verity is an extraordinary tale of friendship and bravery which moved me to tears. My heart still hurts just thinking about all the events which led to the conclusion... and I'm still not quite sure I've recovered. Code Name Verity is an absolute must-read not just for historical fiction fans, but also for readers who can't tear their eyes from emotionally compelling novels which take your breath away. You can also read this review at: http://midnightbloomreads.blogspot.ca/2012/05/code-name-verity-by-elizabeth-wein.html

*Copy provided by publisher for review* Utterly Compelling And Emotionally Driven Code Name Verity, unlike other titles I choose to read and review, wasn't one I had initially decided to pick up and read. It wasn't until all the hype behind Elizabeth Wein's latest started surfacing that I wanted to take a deeper look into it. Regrettably, there was one thing about Code Name Verity that absolutely terrified me - a historical setting. In the past I've rarely found myself enjoying titles in the historical fiction genre. Luckily, Code Name had something completely and utterly potent that hooked me in right from it's synopsis - a promise of a mystery that would slowly reveal itself throughout the story. Code Name Verity is a intensely emotional read that follows the lives of two completely different women in different periods of their lives. Taking place during World War II, Code Name Verity is told through "Verity's" own words, describing her story that inevitably led her to the point of being captured by the dreaded Gestapo and being kept as a prisoner of war. “One moment flying in green sunlight, then the sky suddenly grey and dark.” Diving into Elizabeth Wein's Code Name Verity, I was instantly welcomed by her heart-shattering and compelling writing that immediately introduced me to it's historical setting. Meeting both Maddie and Queenie, two characters that couldn't be any more different, was absolutely wonderful. Elizabeth Wein perfectly depicted two easily likable characters, both featuring a strong and powerful loyalty, bravery, and unbelievable realism that emotionally hooked me in instantaneously. Code Name Verity is, without a doubt, one novel that effectively filled it's pages with incredibly engrossing writing that absolutely refused to let me go. Code Name Verity is the first historical title in the young adult genre that has pulled me so deeply into it's pages - I loved every moment of it! If Elizabeth Wein plans to write another title as enticing as Code Name Verity, you can certainly be sure that I'll be there waiting to get pulled in all over again! Utterly compelling and emotionally driven, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein was so much more than I had expected. With two enticing characters and incredibly realistic drama, I highly recommend Code Name Verity to teens and adults with a passion for historical fiction.