Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein is the second book from the Electric Monkey collection, published by Egmont.

Set during World War II this is a unique and imaginative Young Adult read.  

Verity and her friend Maddie are close friends.  It's unlikely that without the War their paths would have crossed, coming from such different backgrounds, but War has brought them together.

The story opens with Verity being interrogated by the Gestapo, she's been captured and tortured, and is about to spill the secrets of the Allied Forces.  

Verity chooses to write her confession down, in detail, and it is in this confession that we learn about her dear friend Maddie - how they met, became friends, and how Verity finds herself just where she is now.

Despite not even knowing Verity's name for some time, and not even meeting Maddie during the story - these are two warm and realistic characters.

So very different; a rich girl from Scotland and a working-class Stockport lass, but united in their strong friendship and in their battle to prove themselves in what is very much a man's world.

There are some heart-breaking scenes within this story, yet there is a sense of tremendous strength of character, and a real insight into active service for women during the War.

Elizabeth Wein has produced a inventive, fascinating and emotional story with strong female lead characters.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me this to review.   You can watch the trailer for the book here.