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Rose Under Fire

Book 2 in the series:Code Name Verity

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"Rose Under Fire" by Elizabeth Wein is a gripping historical fiction novel that follows the story of Rose Justice, an American pilot who gets captured by the Germans during World War II and is sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp. The book delves into the horrors faced by Rose and other women in the camp, showcasing themes of friendship, loyalty, and survival. The narrative structure shifts back and forth in time, providing a vivid portrayal of life in the prison camp and Rose's struggle to survive and serve as a witness to the atrocities committed.

The author, Elizabeth Wein, weaves a compelling tale that transports readers to the heart of WWII, with detailed descriptions of the characters and settings that make the story come alive. Through Rose's journey, Wein explores themes of courage, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity, making "Rose Under Fire" a poignant and emotionally impactful read.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Rose representing youthful innocence turned into courage, and the Rabbits exemplifying resilience in the face of brutality.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features lyrical prose and intertwines poetry with personal narrative, effectively conveying the emotional and historical aspects of the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Rose Justice, an American pilot who is captured during WWII and sent to Ravensbrück, exploring her struggles and the bonds she forms with fellow prisoners.

Setting:

The setting is intricately tied to historical events, focusing on Ravensbrück concentration camp while also incorporating pre- and post-war contexts.

Pacing:

The pacing varies throughout the narrative, starting slowly but intensifying as the story deepens, especially in the camp's later sections.
I just got back from Celia Forester’s funeral. I’m supposed to be writing up an official report for the Tempest she flew into the ground, since she’s obviously not going to write it herself, and I saw...

Notes:

Rose Under Fire is a companion to Code Name Verity but stands alone as a story.
The protagonist, Rose Justice, is an American pilot in the Air Transport Auxiliary during World War II.
Rose gets captured by the Germans and sent to Ravensbrück, a women's concentration camp.
The story is told in journal and letter form, providing a personal account of her experiences.
Rose is a budding poet, and her poetry plays a significant role in her survival and storytelling.
The novel explores the horrors of medical experimentation faced by a group of Polish women known as the 'Rabbits.'
The setting includes the backdrop of World War II and highlights the atrocities committed in concentration camps.
Wein emphasizes women's roles in the war and the power of female friendships to endure hardship.
Rose's character evolves from naive and romantic to someone weighed down by traumatic experiences.
The book confronts themes of hope, resilience, and the importance of telling survivors' stories.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes content warnings for depictions of violence, trauma, death, and medical experiments in a concentration camp setting.

From The Publisher:

While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbr¿ck, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that's in store for her?

Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival.

Ratings (4)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (14):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (6)
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1 comment(s)

Loved It
3 months

this book is not a sequel but a sister book to

code name verity

american pilot rose justice becomes a friend of maddie brodatt's a year after julie's death, and chronicles her experiences in a journal maddie gave her

this book has a different tone than

verity because rose is chronicling her time in the ravensbruck women's concentration camp after her escape from it

this choice is practical, because how could rose hide paper and pencil in the camp and how could she even be lucid enough to write it

a diary from inside a concentration camp, if one even exists, would not read like this

rose falls in with a group of women called the rabbits (because they were used for medical experimentation)

while the story of her time in the camp and the horrible things that happened to her, her friends, and the things she did to survive is compelling, this book is really about what happens after

what does justice look like to a girl who was orphaned at 13 and grew up in a concentration camp where the doctors cut chunks of bone out of her legs

how is healing possible for a soviet fighter pilot (they were smart enough to put their women in combat, btw) who survives the greatest horror of the twentieth century only to become an air hostess

while in the camp, everyone is obsessed not just with survival but with telling their story to the world

i had no idea people didn't believe the stories of concentration camps while they were actually happening, and that makes me feel shame

especially in these times, when white supremacists are not afraid to identify themselves

now is the time to remember the story of the rabbits, who were real people at the real ravensbruck camp, to tell their stories again and again and again

the people who commit these crimes rely on the fatigue of survivors and allies who run out of people to hear their stories

but this book, this beautiful book of victory in the face of death, tells that story again

 
 
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