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The Rose Code by Kate Quinn: A Book Review

The Rose Code
Author: Kate Quinn
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: 2021
Pages: 635
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: 1940, Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire.

 

     Three very different women are recruited to the mysterious Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes.

 

    Vivacious debutante Osla has the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses – but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, working to translate decoded enemy secrets. Self-made Mab masters the legendary codebreaking machines as she conceals old wounds and the poverty of her East-End London upbringing. And shy local girl Beth is the outsider who trains as one of the Park’s few female cryptanalysts.

 

    1947, London.

 

     Seven years after they first meet, on the eve of the royal wedding between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, disaster threatens. Osla, Mab and Beth are estranged, their friendship torn apart by secrets and betrayal. Yet now they must race against the clock to crack one final code together, before it’s too late, for them and for their country.


     My Review: The Rose Code tells the story of three women who worked at Bletchley Park. Three enemies who were once friends are reunited by a strange letter written in code about the mysterious traitor of Bletchley Park. The three women have to join hands again to find the traitor. Can the three find the traitor and mend their broken friendship?


    The three women, Osla, Mab, and Beth are fictional. However, it seems that Osla is inspired by a real historical figure. The three characters are vastly different, Osla is a rich socialite who happened to date Prince Phillip, the Queen’s future husband. Mab is a poor woman who strives to rise out of poverty. Beth is a woman trying to survive domestic abuse from her mother. Despite these three backgrounds, I found the characters to be a bit bland. They were very stereotypical. The character I was most interested in was Beth because she had a very tragic story. Thus, I thought they could use more development.


    Overall, this was a story about friendship, choices, and forgiveness. The characters were very stereotypical. The romance which was one of the main focuses in the book was weak. I really did not like Prince Phillips’s relationship with Osla, and I think Prince Phillip made the best decision in ending up with the queen. Osla and Prince Phillip just did not connect. The mystery aspect was very little focused upon. I was disappointed by this because it was the best part in the book. I was also not impressed with the writing style. It was written in a passive voice. This novel also seemed to be very drawn out. Despite its flaws, The Rose Code reads like a soap opera because there is danger, betrayal, and scandal. I recommend this novel for fans of Code Name Verity, Code Name Helene, and The Codebreakers! The Rose Code is a light, fluffy read that is perfect for the beach!


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This is the official book trailer for The Rose Code:
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Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 21, 2024 at 11:10 AM

    Your review, while your own, should have supporting statements as to why you believe what you do. Stating the characters are “stereotypical” twice does not mean they are.

    I thought Quinn did a great job penning a story line that follows three young women with completely different backgrounds throughout wartime. I disagree with your “stereotypical” statement. Had Mab been stereotypical, she wouldn’t have been able to abandoned her impoverished roots, traces of them would have followed her around and we would have seen them briefly, most stories of impoverished women tend to leave them hiding their past, however, Mab does not hide her past.

    As far as Osla, she is also not stereotypical- she recognizes who she is, with wealth and status, but treats her friends as equals and goes above and beyond to support them. Most upper class women during that time would not have socialized with lower classes.

    I also can see bits of the mystery woven in where Quinn intentionally left out specific details. Had the story been stereotypical, Osla would have ended up with the Prince. However- the prince didn’t deserve Osla- he was not loyal to her, as he ultimately chose royalty and status over fighting for their relationship. He was not forthcoming with her about the nature of his writings with the Princess.

    I hope you’ll read again and see things from a different perspective.

    ReplyDelete

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