Code Name Helene
This book is based on the life of Australian reporter Nancy Wake, who worked as a British spy during World War II. The novel switches between her life aiding the Resistance in 1944 and when she met her husband 8 years earlier.
Real talk, I downloaded this early one morning before I was fully awake and then promptly forgot I had it. I was surprised and pleased when I discovered it on my tablet later that day. I absolutely loved the Alice Network and I was hoping this would be similar.
The writing and the love story are absolutely beautiful. Nancy is tough as nails but also completely human. I want to be like her when I grow up. As I read how Nancy and Henri fell in love, I fell in love with Henri a little bit also. When Nancy sat in the plane, preparing to parachute into the French countryside, I felt like I was sitting there with her, having my bones shaken by the engines and trying not to throw up. When Nancy saw the Nazis tie an old woman to a wagon wheel and whip her in a public square, I felt sick and had trouble not crying.
This is a wonderful book, but I’m not in a place where I can finish it now. I will finish at some point in the future, when it doesn’t feel like society is imploding. But I can’t now.
Did not finish at 35%
The Disasters
Nax Hall is kicked out of the Ellis Station Academy less than 24 hours of his arrival. All he’s ever wanted is to be a pilot, but now he’s on a shuttle back to Earth. Joining him are three other washouts, Rion, Case, and Zee. Just as they are about to leave, the station is attacked. The disasters manage to escape, but learn that they’ve been framed for the attack on the station. They must find the real culprits and clear their names.
I love heist stories, especially with oddball characters. I thought the Disasters would be like the Rogues of the Republic series by Patrick Weekes. Nope. None of the characters felt well-developed. Even though the story was told from Nax’s point of view, his story didn’t make me feel anything and I couldn’t slip into his frame of mind. It probably didn’t help that Nax just annoyed me. One minute he’s deeply insecure and anxious, the next he’s overconfident and arrogant. His emotions were all over the place, even for a teenager. I found myself dreading reading it, so I gave up.
Did not finish at 40%.
I had similar feelings about The Disasters; I had been trying and failing to power through a hard copy, but I was able to rush through at double-speed when I found an audio version on hoopla. Forced myself to finish it for book club, and actually kind of enjoyed it! Had I continued reading though, I don’t think I would have given a favorable review.
Oh interesting! I wish I could listen to audio books but I have trouble following the story. I don’t learn well from hearing information. Maybe it’ll become a tv show or movie so I can try it again.