Book Review: The Huntress by Kate Quinn

Title: The Huntress

Author: Kate Quinn

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

Pages: 560

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"In the aftermath of war, the hunter becomes the hunted...

Bold and fearless, Nina Markova always dreamed of flying. When the Nazis attack the Soviet Union, she risks everything to join the legendary Night Witches, an all-female night bomber regiment wreaking havoc on the invading Germans. When she is stranded behind enemy lines, Nina becomes the prey of a lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress, and only Nina's bravery and cunning will keep her alive.

Transformed by the horrors he witnessed from Omaha Beach to the Nuremberg Trials, British war correspondent Ian Graham has become a Nazi hunter. yet one target eludes him: a vicious predator known as the Huntress. To find her, the fierce, disciplined investigator joins forces with the only witness to escape the Huntress alive: the brazen, cocksure Nina. But a shared secret could derail their mission unless Ian and Nina force themselves to confront it.

Growing up in post-war Boston, seventeen-year-old Jordan McBride is determined to become a photographer. When her long-widowed father unexpectedly comes home with a new fiancee, Jordan is thrilled. But there is something disconcerting about the soft-spoken German widow. Certain that danger is lurking. Jordan begins to delve into her new stepmother's past- only to discover that there are mysteries buried deep in her family... secrets that may threaten all Jordan holds dear."

My Rating: 4/5

This was such a great historical fiction read. Th different perspectives really added to the overall plot, and watching how each piece tied together fed the intrigue. I would highly recommend it, especially as an audiobook. The end itself was a bit predictable, but I have found that when it's historical fiction (if you know the history) most of the time that is the case. I look forward to reading more from the author soon.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

Title: The Rose Code

Author: Kate Quinn

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Pages: 624

Publisher: William Morrow

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"1940. As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything- beauty, wealth and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses- but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a more than society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets. Imperious self-made Mab, product of East-End London poverty, works the legendary code-breaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband. Both Osla and Mab are quick to see the potential in local village spinster Beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, and soon Beth spreads her wings as one of the Park's few female cryptanalyses. But war, loss, and the impossible pressure of secrecy will tear the three apart.

1947. As the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip whips post-war Britain into a fever, three friends- turned- enemies are reunited by a mysterious encrypted letter- the key to which lies buried in the long-ago betrayal that destroyed their friendship='[-;/0 and left one of them confined to an asylum. A mysterious traitor has emerged from the shadows of their Bletchley Park past, and now Osla, Mab and Beth must resurrect their old alliance, and crack one last code together. But each petal they remove from the rose code bring danger- and their true enemy- closer..."

My Rating: 5/5

This book was so much more than I had at first assumed it would be. I thought that this would be a fun girl power historical fiction, as much as one can be when it's based in England during, WWII. But this was more than that. It told the stories of so many people who helped fight the war in a totally different way. I knew that there had been code breakers, but I had no idea that Bletchley Park existed. I can't imagine having to keep everyone, family, friends and neighbours so in the dark about what you are doing while knowing you are doing your part in the war effort as much as others. I think the main characters were so well written, and the interpersonal relationships felt real. I loved the writing style and the audiobook was a great way to consume this story. I would strongly recommend it. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny