The Rose Code: A Novel

I just couldn’t put this book down! Every time a read a book about WW2 I learn something new. Although I had a hard time understanding the different machines and what they did I was amazed that there were people out there who could actually decipher these codes.For me the best part was reading the authors notes at the end explaining who her fictional characters really were At first the only names I knew were Prince Phillip and Alan Turing. I then started researching the other people by their real names and ordered another 5 books because of it. I have a lot of reading and learning ahead of me. You won’t be sorry you purchased this book!!

The Rose Code is one of the BEST WWII Historical Fiction novels I’ve read. SO much to discuss! Such a page turner! And just when you think the story is wrapping up, it amps up with unexpected twists and turns.The Rose Code is the story of three very different, strong, resilient, intelligent, independent, groundbreaking women whose lives intertwine and grow closer because of their code breaking work.Mab the powerful Amazon,Beth, the character that grows and changes the most, and Osla , the one always challenging and breaking the expectations and limits put on women. Don’t you dare call her a deb!The novel is full of secrets, half truths, and deceptions. Looks are deceiving and things aren’t as they appear. Breaking down is a running theme throughout the book. Breaking down codes, spirits, bodies, and mindsI marvel at how the citizens of England stood strong and endured the bombardment of the blitz and horrors of war. The love stories and getting married without really knowing each other was so moving and memorable.The Rose Code highlights the power of correspondence.I loved the notes Francis and Mab wrote to each other. She so verbose in person and Francis on the page.Endearing and humorous highlights from my reading experience:Mab giving “the talk”, Beth and Boots, Go, chess and crossword puzzles, The Mad Hatters, dances, and Dilly. All things Dilly!I’ve been including quotes in my reviews lately, so I will include this one that really captures the essence of the book and what it would be like to live during this time.‘I know there’s a war on, Osla wanted to shriek. I know! I know! But something else went on at the same time war did, and that was life. It kept right on going up until the moment it stopped.’Once you start, you won’t be able to put The Rose Code down, and if you do, it is most likely to encourage someone to read this book!

What a perfect day to review the first buddy read I did with my mom and man, did we set the bar high with our first pick. This was my first Kate Quinn book. I continue to ask myself why that is the case. All I have to say is WOW! If you like historical fiction, you need to have Kate on your radar. Since I have finished this one, I have picked up two of her other books to dive into soon.This dual timeline, multiple POV historical fiction transports you to Bletchley Park in Britain, where the best minds come together to take a crack at breaking German code. Mab, Osla, and Beth are thrown together into a world they didn’t even know existed, becoming fast friends along the way. Jumping between 1940 and 1947, we follow these three very different women as they dive into code breaking during the war and then find their own mystery to solve years later. We’ve got history, love, mystery, war, a book club, and so much more.This is not a short story or a fast read. I would say it took me about the fourth of the way through to feel like I had a good handle on who the characters were and the base of the story. But I haven’t been this sad a book was over in a long time. By the time I reached the end, I had become so connected to these three women. It was so immersive and unique!If you like:-World War II Historical Fiction-Strong Female characters-The perfect amont of mystery-Twists you do not see coming-A group of friends with a great book club-Plot driven novels-Small cameos from real people in history-EMOTIONAL momentsThen add this one to your list.

I loved this book about the women who decoded enemy messages. The diversity of the characters and the relationships they develop are entwined with the plot making for an interesting read.

This is one of those storirs that start out simply and keep getting better and better. I have read several books about the people anf work at Bletchley Park but this one seemed to catch the reality of day to day best.

Love, love this book. A wonderful story. Once I started reading this book I did not put it down until the end!

fAbulous read,historic with so many twists and turns, hard to put down! Patriotism at its best, women and men alike!

Kate Quinn marvelously navigates an interesting story of brilliant women (and men) as Enigma codebreakers during World War 2. What held me back from giving it a 5 is remembering that early on I had to remind myself to “just finish it.” Oh, it becomes a page-turner about halfway thru. And the friend who told me I might enjoy it (I love books about strong WW2 women) did say it starts off slowly. So, yes, if books about women doing top-secret war stuff intrigue you, then I recommend you read it. But I’d put this one as more of a “drama” novel than a WW2 history book.

I'd read the previous two historical novels by this author (based in the 20th century) and enjoyed them so I was looking forward to this book. As well as the usual good plot/style/characters the appeal of another Bletchley Park story is always attractive.85 chapters and 621 pages - this really is a chunk of a book but I was expecting an easy read.I was hooked in by the dedication "To the veterans of Bletchley - you changed the world" - that really does say it all.We follow two young women arriving at Bletchley Park to start working in it's secret world and occasionally flip forward to 1947 where Princess Elizabeth is about to marry her Prince.The historical setting gives the author scope to include may of the real characters of the time. Dilly Knox, in particular, has a major role in the book and seems to be portrayed well.There are strong characters that are developed in a realistic way. I'm not convinced about the royal connection and that plot strand failed to convince me which was a disappointment.Overall, it is an easy read with a balance of romance and history.The book is too long though and there were times when my attention wandered, often distracted by the amount of detail that the author wants to pack into some of the scenes,A few of the plot line felt unlikely so it is interesting to read the author's note at the end which confirmed that many of the most ridiculous events did actually happen (fact is always stranger than fiction)!There is so such potential here and the author grabbed at every opportunity to include more into the book which left the fantastic story diluted by unnecessary distractions.I loved the fictional characters and felt they were pitched at a good level with lots of intrigue. A reader is able to get some understanding of being an employee at BP at a variety of levels and I was fascinated with the real life connections explained at the end.Of course, a novel always has to have an ending and I don't think the author knew what to do with this story. She created an overly dramatic conclusion that stripped away some of the authenticity that she had worked hard to build.I will buy this author's next book but I'm hoping it will be more succinct.

As my followers know I'm really into my World War 2 novels this year, and when I saw The Rose Code, I just knew I had to buy it.Now it is a HUGE book 600+ pages, but don't let that put you off and it, it is an immense and thrilling read.Kate Quinn has obviously done a lot of research in writing The Rose Code, because the depictions of Blethcly Park and its team of cryptoanalysts and the women who worked there are totally realistic and the pages came alive in my mind whilst reading, rather like a movie.I loved the three main characters of Osla, Mab and Berth and the story and plot that involves all three, is immersive. But the thing that stood out was the realism of the settings, from Bletchley Park to London to Coventry, it really is a marvellous read. And I must be going a bit soft in my old age because I adored the love story that flows with each character - and the addition of Prince Phillip, Queen Elizabeth's to-be husband was frankly amazing! I have to also admit at one stage to crying over characters and events that happened!The Rose Code is a tremendous novel about courage, love, betrayal and of what it was like to live and work during WW2 as a woman. The plot and storyline are impeccable as is the cast of characters, this was a real page-turner and I couldn't get enough of The Rose Code. I was gripped right up to the last page.If you like novels set during World War 2 then I urge you to read The Rose Code, it really sets the standard of this period and I rate it a well worthy 5 Stars.

lettura avvincente

As expected

The Rose Code follows three unlikely friends (Beth, Mab and Osla) in their new post at Bletchley Park, cracking German military codes in an attempt to stop the world war raging around them.I honestly don't know how to sum up how I feel about this book. It was just so... Incredible. I don't normally read historical fiction so wasn't sure what to expect, but I was absolutely blown away by this book. This was an easy 5🌟 read for me.The first thing I adored about The Rose Code is the characters. Every character is so unique and, those that are meant to be likeable, I absolutely loved. Osla, Mab and Beth were all so different but I loved them all for different reasons. I also loved the side characters, especially Dilly with his eccentric code-cracking ways.I also loved the way that time flipped between the 1940s working in BP and the present day, 1947. Kate Quinn did this in such a way that she revealed just enough information in both time periods to make the story flow, without spoiling anything that was to come next.If I was to have any critiques, it would be that the page count (624) felt unmanageable at times, and I felt some parts of the story could have been condensed and we still would have ended up with the same result. However, this was a minor gripe and I still loved every second of this book.