Code Name Verity is the story of two young women who meet during World War II as volunteers with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Maddie Brodatt is scrappy and talented mechanic whose Granddad own’s a motorbike shop outside Manchester, England. She learns how to fly planes and becomes part of the Air Transport Auxiliary, flying military planes between airbases in the UK. Julie Beaufort-Stuart is headstrong, unflappable and from the Scottish Highlands. She is fluent in English & French which, along with her stellar acting abilities, make her a perfect spy. The two become best friends.
One night, Julie is scheduled to be flown to France to meet up with some French Resistance but the pilot is in a motor accident. Maddie volunteers to fly her (although women are not allowed to fly to France). After the plane’s tail is hit, Maddie makes Julie parachute out believing that is safer than landing with the injured plane. After Maddie crash lands the plane, she is taken in by the French Resistance group that Julie is suppose to meet up with. But after a few days, Julie doesn’t make contact.
The first half of the book is written from Julie’s perspective and the second half from Maddie’s. This is important because you learn about the Maddie & Julie’s friendship first and then Julie’s version of events in France. Then in the second half, you hear from Maddie with Julie’s ingenuity and cunning revealing the more complex story.
Somehow, I tend to read a lot of World War II books. Code Name Verity is one of the better ones. Maddie and Julie are fantastic characters – very real, likable and funny! The author did a lot of research to make the story realistic. Plus, there are two more books in the series!
Happy Reading!
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