Wow! This was a can’t put down book. It’s one you want to finish in one sitting because you have to know what happens next.

<i>*This book was given to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review*</i>

Love having this in my arsenal of World War II fiction. Far fetched, but a great, action-packed choice.

**TW** This novel does contain, child abuse, peer abuse, and attempted rape.
<i> Orphan Monster Spy </i> starts the action from the first page, and does not let up throughout. The novel opens as Sarah witnesses the death of her mother at a military checkpoint - it is a miserable time in Germany, just before its invasion of Poland. As a young Jewish girl, she finds herself on the run (she has already witnessed Kristallnacht, and knows what will happen to her if she is captured.) While hiding from the German police, she crosses paths with a man, whose own actions she finds highly suspicious. When she then rescues the same man later from the police, he takes her to his apartment where Sarah soon discovers he is a British spy, Captain Floyd, who decides to use Sarah to complete his latest mission. Sarah has the advantage of being blonde-haired and blue-eyed, so Captain Floyd asks her to infiltrate a government run all-girls boarding school for high ranking Nazism and befriend the daughter of a prominent state scientist. When Sarah arrives at the school, she discovers her assignment will not be an easy one. The daughter, Elsa, is part of a cliche, and its leader, the “Ice Queen,” has chosen Sarah as the group’s next victim. After a series of run-ins with the group, Sarah proves herself by taking the place of a weaker student in a teacher’s punishment. Sarah must then race against time to complete her mission.
Sarah is not a likable character, but she is one that the reader cannot help but hope for the best. She risks everything, since she feels she has nothing to live for, as she does not truly trust Captain Floyd. The relationship between these two characters speaks to the environment they live in, and both have a difficult time opening up to the other, although their actions prove they are beginning to care for one another in a father/daughter type of way rather than associates. This is not an easy read, but it shouldn’t be – there are not guarantees throughout the novel, and I found myself wondering if both Captain Floyd and Sarah would make it out alive. What was also excellent about this novel, was that the reader also cared for the side characters, like Mauser and Elsa – that there were no true villains (definitely horrible people, but no one was a true villain) and there were definitely no heroes – they were all victims of their circumstances and the choices they made. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a gritty thriller or someone looking for a World War II novel.

Matt Killeen's character Sarah/Ursula is quickly thrust into a life where everyone and everything may have a double meaning. Drawing upon her actress mother's advice and her own inner fury and strength, she not only survives Nazi Germany, she becomes instrumental in using the party lines to destroy the people that hold power.

This is a well paced story that gives us an insight into the effects that power and righteousness can have when they are not balanced by morality.

Although I receive and ARC copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

A great historical novel. It brings home the sacrifices so many people, including children, did to bring an end to World War II. It also touches on the courage and dedication of these same individuals. Killeen does an excellent job of recreating the world in which this story takes place. All of his characters have depth and their circumstances are sadly believable.

I thought I would just adore this book, but I didn't. It took a long time for me to get into and I felt like I was forcing myself to finish it (instead of being sucked in and wanting to know what happens next).

The premise itself is interesting and I love the mystery/suspense. I do think it will appeal to students, but not on a large scale like many other titles.

It was good. In the inside cover the describe it as “Mean Girls for Nazis and Inglorious Basterds for teens”. It is just that. It’s set in 1939 right as World War II is starting and you meet Sarah.

One problem Sarah is a Jew and trying to flee. Another thing about Sarah. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. The superior race. As she’s fleeing for her life she meets the Captain.

He turns her from an orphan to a spy. He teaches her his ways and gives her a mission. Find out information about the “grapefruit bomb”. First she has to go to a private school full of Nazi girls. Enter mean girls themes. She works her way through the channels while befriending the people who wants to kill her if they knew her secret.

Does Sarah complete her mission? Does she and the Captain survive? Do they find the grapefruit bomb?

My rating: 4 stars

I found this book on Netgalley and I knew it was a must read for me especially since I enjoy historical fiction, spy mysteries and young adult books. In fact, i received the print copy to be read in my ya library. Well, it is a winner! This action packed thrilling spy adventure kept me completely entertained. The 15year old Jewish girl finds she is orphaned at the beginning of WWII in the heart of Germany and she meets a strange man who gives her advice to save her life. Instead of running away from danger, she jumps into the middle of SS Officers to save his life resulting in a unique partnership. Through edge of your seat adventures, Sarah and Helmet work together to complete a world threatening mission. I especially liked the end with hopes there will be another mission for these two characters to take on to save the war.

Thank you Netgalley and Follett books.

In 1939 Germany Sarah and her mother are trying to escape to Switzerland, but her mother is killed. Blond, blue-eyed Sarah has been trained by her actress mother to assume various identities because she is a Jew. She is aided by a British spry, who convinces her to help him steal Nazi blueprints for a nuclear bomb. She enrolls in a Nazi boarding school, befriends a scientist's daughter, sneaks into a fortress where the bomb is being built, but not without a vast amount of intrigue and danger. With references to real-life characters, Orphan, Monster, Spy has a unique story line from which to investigate a variety of familiar topics, including the Holocaust, the race to get the nuclear bomb, and the complex spy network during WWII. This fast paced and cleverly constructed spy thriller is also a coming-of-age story about an incredibly imaginative and resourceful young girl, who lives in constant danger.

Sarah is a Jew living in Nazi Germany and she uses all of her wile to survive. When her mother is shot at a checkpoint and Sarah scrambles to find another plan and way out, she saves a British spy. He gives her a new direction, yet it will lead her back into the heart of Germany and threaten her safety more than ever before. Sarah is tasked with pretending to be his young niece and attending a prestigious boarding school with the children of Nazi officials. There she is to become friends with important people and discover key information for the enemy.

While it took me a few chapters to get into this novel, once I was invested I was all in. The plot moves quickly, the characters are cheeky and funny, yet serious and compelling. I would enjoy this as a series and would love to see what happens next (because so much more could happen next). I think this work was well-crafted and provided depth.

Solidly gripping YA historical fiction read. I enjoyed the main character, but some of the writing was a bit underdeveloped and choppy. Still, it's good enough to recommend to the right reader.

For instance, at the beginning Sarah has to run away from the Nazis, so the author keeps repeating Sarah's mother last words to her, <i>lauf</i>, run - over and over. I was just bored with it.

I didn't like the way the author introduced snippets of the past so Sarah could move forward (just my personal choice).

This book was really good. It was a very unusual WWII story, which makes me question it somewhat. It's more <i>Alex Rider</i> than <i>Code Name Verity</i>, but nothing seemed completely out of the realm of possibility. The horrors were not the typical Nazi ones. ALL I needed coming off my last book was to read about MORE child molestation... so that was unpleasant. But I would still rate <i>Orphan Monster Spy</i> highly as an action-filled spy adventure.

I received an ARC from Viking Books.

Set in the world of Nazis and World War II, Sarah the main protagonist embarks a dangerous and treacherous journey where people are not to be trusted.

Orphan Monster Spy is not just an ordinary historical fiction story that you can find and read every day. It is the kind of story that will teach and tell you how dangerous our world was during the war years ago. 

Home schooled by her mother, Sarah learn to cope up and survive threatening things she experience in the dangerous world of Germany. The teachings her mother taught her become handy when she engage herself to be a spy and infiltrate a Nazi boarding school. 

If you do not speak and understand German language, having a dictionary and internet connection by your side is the best way to understand some parts of the story. It is because of the reason that there are lots of German words and phrases that you will encounter. Having the German words doesn't make the story boring but it gives us factual information during those times.

The world building is something you don't wanna miss and the character and plot development is to die for. 

To sum it up, the book will take you to a roller coaster ride of thrilling and enjoyable ride that will make you gaga for more historical and thriller books to read in the future.

I highly recommend it for people who is a fan of historical fiction and for those who are eager to learn more about the World War II.

Intense and chilling - definitely gripping for a YA audience, especially in the first and last thirds of the book.

I was fascinated by the story of Sarah, who became Ursula, and her “uncle,” Helmut, who worked together as spies in the days leading up to WWII. I was unable to put this book down, and some parts were horrifying. I am thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.

A big thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this YA book about a young girl caught up in trying to prevent the creation of a bomb like the world has never seen.

Sarah's actress mother gets shot at a checkpoint causing their car to crash giving Sarah an opportunity to escape. She unknowingly aids a British spy using the acting skills her mother has ingrained in her over the years. In return, the spy whose alias is Helmut Haller bestows Sarah with a new identity as his niece Ursula Haller and enrolls her in an exclusive German private school favored by many in the Reich in hopes that she can infiltrate the home of the scientist leading the charge on creating the bomb.

Throughout we are immersed in Sarah's inner thoughts as she reminds herself of her mission and how her acting skills and gymnastic skills can further the mission. Her courage and determination are admirable. She is no robot, though, and we suffer along with her. Historical fiction that reads like a thriller. Excellent for teenagers who are interested in the psychology behind the Reich and love exciting fiction.

What better day to finish reading Orphan Monster Spy than International Women's Day! This thrilling story of espionage in World War II Germany focuses on blond-haired blue-eyed Sarah, a 15 year old Jewish girl whose particular set of skills make her the perfect tool for a British spy master. Home schooled by an actress mother, she has a command of multiple languages and a gift for improvisation. Add to that her years of gymnastics training, and there is almost no situation Sarah can't get into and -- equally important -- out of. This is a page turner from the very first chapter with events vividly and horrifically drawn. The book is classified for ages 12 and up, but the pleasure of reading this definitely was enhanced by my knowledge of WW II history, and the sexual perversions both described and alluded to made this a book for a mature reader.
The end of the story hints at the possibility of further escapades by this unlikely pair, and I for one would be happy to follow them.

15-year-old Jewish girl Sarah's mother is shot as they are fleeing Nazi-occupied Germany. Sarah is aided by a man who turns out to be part of a resistance group and she agrees to help. She uses her Aryan looks, musical talent and acting skills to get into an exclusive boarding school in the hopes that she can befriend the daughter of a scientist working on a powerful bomb.

This was powerfully written and the German interspersed within the narrative was effective without being overdone. I liked the flashes of backstory that explained the pain and haunting trapped in Sarah and explained her motivation for joining the resistance. There were a couple of slow spots in the book, but on the whole it was a tense read with many twists and interesting characters and situations. A good read for older teens and adults who like historical fiction.

This is the story of little Sarah, the Jew that wasn't a Jew, who became a orphan, than a spy, but along the way a monster. If you like this era of books than you will like this one. At some points you will shake your head and say no way that happened but then you will remember all the things of that era and then you will tell yourself, maybe it could have. This book is fill with action and suspense like you would think it should be but there are also twists and turns that you don't see coming, and you'll be like what??? If you like Elizabeth Wein books you will adore this one as well, it is a historical fiction not to be missed if you like this time period.
This review will appear on pub date of 20 march