**YOU PICK WHAT I READ EVENT** Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Release Date – February 6, 2012
Publisher Website -  Disney Hyperion
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages -  332 pages
My Rating- 4.5/5
**borrowed from fellow blogger**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Code Name Verity is a compelling, emotionally rich story with universal themes of friendship and loyalty, heroism and bravery.

Two young women from totally different backgrounds are thrown together during World War II: one a working-class girl from Manchester, the other a Scottish aristocrat, one a pilot, the other a wireless operator. Yet whenever their paths cross, they complement each other perfectly and before long become devoted friends. But then a vital mission goes wrong, and one of the friends has to bail out of a faulty plane over France. She is captured by the Gestapo and becomes a prisoner of war. The story begins in "Verity's" own words, as she writes her account for her captors.

So much has already been said about Code Name Verity. So much of it will probably be better than what I will say. Every single thing you've heard is true. It's heart wrenching, beautifully written, and transports you into the story.

So much of this novel, if given away, would be a spoiler. I am going to be careful, as I think this is one that shouldn't be spoiled at all. Embark on this journey knowing as little as possible, as it'll have the most impact that way.

Maddie and 'Verity" are the two main characters in this story. It's a story of true friendship set in a dangerous time. Romance takes a huge backseat in this novel, and is fairly non existent. A delightful change of pace as it allows the bonds of friendship to take center stage. This plot is heavy, filled with action and twists, that romance would have felt out of place. It shows that romance isn't necessary to drive a plot forward (even though I do love me some romance).

Historical novels are so dependent on the details. The research, and nuances that go into them. This novel shows the tremendous research that went into it, and that is woven throughout the story. The torture scenes are written in such a way that make you uncomfortable. Elizabeth Wein uses very little descriptions, and nothing overly graphic or explicit is described, but you feel every second of it. It's the fact that your imagination is so much worse, and the little prompting will leave images in your head and an all too vivid picture of the pain 'Verity' must be in.

'Verity' is writing her account of not only her experience as a prisoner of war, but her life leading up to the capture. It feels historically accurate, and resonates as deeply as if you are reading an actual diary account. Women's roles in the war are looked at, and how 'Verity' and Maddie both got involved. Maddie's passion is flying, and she wanted to be useful. She loved nothing more than being in the air, and this prompted her to seek out ways she could fly. 'Verity' is more socially outgoing of the two, and a natural at her job. Each of these characters come to life under Elizabeth Wein's careful plotting.

Code Name Variety took me by surprise. This is not a novel I would normally pick up, and the praise it's garnered is what drew my attention. I urge anyone who may feel that this is not the book for them to give it a chance. It's filled with heart, tears, and a touching friendship that defies everything.