Member Reviews
Well here we are again. Another book by Kate Quinn that I enjoyed. I expected nothing less from her having read two of her previous books. While I will say that I enjoyed her previous books more, this book was still a hit for me.
The story being told is about three female code breakers at Bletchley Park. How their friendship began and how it ended with one of them being placed in an asylum. The three women couldn't be any more different, yet they cared for each other at some point in their lives. They must work together to discover who the traitor is and unmask them.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Kate Quinn does it again with this novel set during WWII. The story captured my interest and held it throughout - I could not stop listening. I felt the emotions of the characters; I felt their frustrations, their fear, their pain, as well as their moments of happiness. All of this was perfectly narrated. The Rose Code is definitely a story to invest your time with - and it will encourage you to think of those unsung heroes during a war that caused so much devastation.
Mystery, thriller, romance, deception and redemption- The Rose Code by Kate Quinn really does have it all, and it is outstanding. In this novel we follow the lives of 3 very different English women, Osla, Mab and Beth. The women work at Bletchley Park, an estate in the English countryside that served as a top-secret intelligence site during WW2, where intercepted enemy communiques are decoded. There is a dual timeline in this book, on one side we have the story of the women in their work from 1940 on, and on the other side it 1947, the weeks prior to the marriage of Queen Elizabeth.
I loved this book. I did not know about Bletchley Park, but I have read some stories about women who were unsung heroes of the war, doing incredible work for their country. Quinn skillfully weaves the story of these people, their joys and heart break, all amidst the backdrop of a terrible war. Not a spoiler- but the last few chapters made me tear up with joy.
A special note about Saskia Maarleveld, the amazingly talented narrator of The Rose Code. I continue to be astonished by the world of voice actors, and Maarleveld has shot to the top of my favorites with this book. She has so much vocal range, and brilliantly brings the characters to life. Her narrations added so much to my enjoyment of this beautiful novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the advance listening copy!
This is my second audio book from Kate Quinn, I just finished The Alice Network not long ago. Seems like I found a new author to follow, it was another great read!
I absolutely loved reading about the day to day activities on the Bletchley Park - which I was not familiar with - and the character development of the narrators. Mab was by far my favourite one to read, I would cheer a little in my head every time it came to her chapters. I adored seeing their friendship grow despite the differences in their personalities, how they each faced the the war in their own ways, all the while working hard to do their part on it . The pace of their trajectories felt believable, and the author made a great job weaving their histories with the context of the time.
My reading experience had some ups and downs though, which was expected on a book this long and with three narrators and two different timelines. I would've probably enjoyed a more chronological narrative - it just felt like I was going back and forth from the first and second season of a TV Show. I kept speeding up anytime it said :"X days to Royal Wedding" so it would come back soon to the main narrative. I really loved Osla's humour and personality, but the whole Prince Phillip arc kept me rolling my eyes... I had also a really hard time connecting with Beth, specially from the middle to the end, liking her chapters only when it involved the other two. The ups far surpassed the downs though, and I could not put it down once I started.
A special mention regarding the audio-book's narrator, she made a great job distinguishing the voices of the characters! I would definitely recommend the book to any lovers of Historical Fiction!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for providing a Copyof this book
This little known story delves into the code breakers of Bletchley Park Osla, Mab, and Beth come from very different worlds, but become friends through their lodgings at Bletchley Park. But the oath of secrecy prevents them from knowing what the others do even though they work at the same place and this will tear them apart. Years later when one reaches out for help solving a final code will the others be able to move beyond the past?
This was my first time reading a story written by Kate Quinn and I am truly blown away.
Kate Quinn takes historical fiction to a completely different level. I was immersed in the story from the very start. The journey you go on along with these characters go on is heart wrenching. Quinn’s writing made me feel like I was at Bletchley Park deciphering codes, hoarding secrets, and just trying to survive.
Mab, Osla, and Beth all felt so real and tangible. Their pain is written so raw, you can’t help but feel it along with them.
The formatting of the timeline, alternating from past to present and Osla’s Bletchley Park newsletter, not only sucks you into the story but makes the story fly by.
I will without a doubt be reading anything written by Kate Quinn I can get my hands on after reading this!
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Audio for the advanced listening copy!
I have always been fascinated by the Bletchley Park and the stories of the code breakers. This was a fantastic book about not only a very interesting time in history, but also female relationships, breaking the glass ceiling, and the legacy of secrecy. Great read!
I always hesitate before picking up a WWII book. I know it's an important subject and so many great books are set in this period of time but I usually am looking for something else when I choose to read a book. I often want to enjoy what I'm reading and war isn't very "enjoyable" to say the least. However, The Rose Code managed to grab my attention and I found the three women we followed pretty interesting. The three of them ended up hired to break up German codes and we also learn about their personal lives. There's romance a bit of drama and even a mystery about a spy that might be among them.
Overall, I'm glad I got to listen to this audiobook. It was a good book but unfortunately, there were times where the audio lost a bit of my attention (I probably would have liked it a bit more if it had been shorter). If you love WWII fiction with some romance and mystery in it, then this is for you!
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
this audio was amazing i am so happy i had the chance to listen to it since the ebook hasnt been released yet. i had been looking forward to it alot
For some reason I really like books set in WWII, I especially like it when women are working just as hard as the men to defeat the enemy, so I really looked forward to this one.
I liked that the book bounced back and forth between during the war and after, although as times it drove me nuts. I would just get into what was going on and something pivotal would happen and we'd switch times, making me groan. I thought the narrator did a great job of making the listener realize the switches in time.
I really like the friendship that the 3 women had, loved how they were so into their jobs. It was a bit stunning to them and to the reader the one time they actually talked about what the did and they realized why they were kept apart, so no one could really know what was going on. Part of me thinks that was not a good idea (they could have bounced thoughts off each other to figure out more), part of me thinks it was a great idea (too many would have been tempted with that much knowledge).
It was interesting to see the women develop romantic relationships and how that changed their friendships and the advice they all gave each other. It was probably sound advice, yet not. Each woman really seemed to know herself and found someone that was perfect for them despite circumstances.
I hated what blew things up, hated that Beth bared the brunt of horrible things. I know Mab and Osla didn't mean to do as much damage as they did with their words, but it happened at the wrong time. Later on though, they were able to take away some of the hurt with their actions.
As frantic as work was during the war, the work they did leading up to the wedding was more. I really loved how the old team was brought back together and how some of them were a bit stunned with what they learned, what was right in front of their face and they were to shut off to see it.
The ending made me smile, love that all 3 women seem like they are going to live happy lives, not sure that was going to happen before that last week, but above all glad to see that repaired their friendship and once again save the country.
The Rose Code follows Osla, Mab, and Beth who are all invited to work at the mysterious Bletchley Park. They are hired as code breakers, working in different departments, and work to decrypt intercepted messages from Germany. We follow the three girls as they take on their roles and try to keep the secrets of BP while living their lives. The story goes between the height of WWII and several years after the war, where we learn that Beth is in a mental institution and trying to get Osla and Mab, who no longer speak to each other, to help her get out.
This was a fantastic story. I was immediately drawn to the three women and loved reading about each of their stories, which were all very different. It is exciting and heartbreaking all at the same time and it gives the reader a lot of appreciation for the code breakers who worked so hard and had to keep this secret for most of their lives.
If you love WWII historical fiction, I highly recommend this book.
Another great book by Kate Quinn! This book follows the story of three female code breakers during WWII. It navigates dual timelines, both of which contain their own "code breaking" story line. The woman are strong-willed and full of heart while they deal with the heartbreak and tragedies of war... and life!
ALL THE STARS!
This is one of the times I didn’t want to let go of the characters. My attachment to them was tangible.
After spending days listening to these three women, I just didn't want to leave and never hear from them again.
Meet the women:
Osla, A Canadian-born debutant, the smart and pretty socialite who wants more in life. In 1939, her friend introduces her to a young Navy officer, Phillip of Greece and she becomes his girlfriend.
Mab, "Queen Mab", who has fought for an education and wants to find a man who can provide for her and her sister Lucy.
Then, there is Beth. She's already considered a spinster. Her mother treats her poorly and she uses the Bible as a physical punishment. Her self-esteem is non-existent.
All three will work at Bletchley Park, the mansion used as the center of the allied code-breaking during the Second World War. Osla will find a place as a linguist. Mab working with fixing the machines used for code-breaking and Beth as a cryptanalyst.
Sworn to secrecy by the Official Secrets Act of 1939, these three women will become fast friends until there is a betrayal. A betrayal that will leave Beth at Clockwell's sanitarium.
Then in 1947, the year that Phillip marries a Queen, a coded message will be delivered to Osla and Mab asking for help. It is a message that neither woman can dismiss before a third one loses her mind for good.
Kate Quinn does a fantastic job at describing these women, their timelines, and their stories. I was wholeheartedly invested in them. I felt their happiness, their sorrows, and their pain.
The secondary characters were excellent too. Mr. Grey, Harry, Boots, all a great addition to the story.
As I get near the end of my review, I can forget to mention the amazing job that Saskia Maarleveld did as a narrator. She was fantastic. I think this book was perfect as an audiobook. 5 stars to her.
One last thing, and just for those curious minds. Osla Benning was a real person. She was fluent in German and she did work at BP.
How many years until I can see the movie?
Cliffhanger: No
5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Harper Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
NetGalley provided me with an audiobook to review.
5 Stars!
This had everything that I like in a good historical novel. WW2, women centered, espionage, betrayal, friendship, heartbreak. Three women who have never met start working at Bletchley Park as part of a large group to help break the Nazi's codes. They become fast friends, but along the way there are misunderstandings and many betrayals. Each of these women have had lives filled with disappointment but when they work at Bletchley Park during the war, they begin to see their value and worth in this world of code breaking.
Lots of twists and turns. It was so good I wanted to keep listening to the story nonstop.
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with an audiobook version of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed Kate Quinn's book the Alice Network and enjoyed Huntress. I was excited for the opportunity to preview her newest title The Rose Code on audibook. The narrator had a pleasant reading voice and did a great job with the various characters. I was quickly immersed in the story and found myself looking for opportunities to listen. The story and characters were so fascinating especially to learn that some of the characters are based on true people and real events. I would say that this title is now my favorite of Kate Quinn's and would highly recommend it to others. The book is long, but in this case, I didn't mind the longer length and was happy that so much of the story was included. It is remarkable and so enjoyable.
Really enjoyed this one. A look at the code breakers (mostly women) in London during WWII. A fresh take on WWII historical fiction (which is way over-saturated these days). I liked learning about the code breaking and I liked the characters. Knowing about their backstories made them seem more relatable. I found myself rooting for Osla, Mab, Beth, and Harry throughout. I think the audiobook narrator did a great job voicing the three characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
The Rose Code is another formidable book from Kate Quinn and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It tells the story of a bold group of women who worked as code breakers during the Second World War and is part historical fiction, part mystery, which unravels up until Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles's royal wedding in 1947. The lively rendition of the audiobook by Saskia Maarleveld kept me on the edge of my seat right until the last word.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for allowing me to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
****ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
As a lover of historical fiction, especially WWII, I was very excited to read (listen) to this book and was not disappointed! The book took place in two separate time periods in the 1940's and focuses on three women that were code breakers at Bletchley Park. The war is often told from the male perspective so to really have women's contributions highlighted was a huge win for me. I loved watching these women help their country while also going through their own personal struggles ( many of which are very relatable to todays reader even almost 80 years later).
I really enjoyed the narrator and found myself enraptured in the story when I was listening, which I always find important especially with historical novels!
Kate Quinn never fails to impress. The storytelling is captivating and brilliant. She makes the reader feel like we are in the world she's describing. Beautiful.
The Rose Code is a historical novel about the British network of breaking the code of the Germans during World War II. The characters particularly the four women were well developed and I truly cared about what was happening with them throughout the story. I had read the author's earlier historical novel, The Alice Network and this was another book I could not put down. I listened to the audio book and the narrators were excellent. I can highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in historical fiction especially about those breaking the codes to help end the second world war.