Devil Darling Spy by Matt Killeen

 DEVIL DARLING SPY

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Review:

The sequel to Orphan Monster Spy, an incredible first book, following the introduction of the main character, Sarah Goldstein. The opening of Devil Darling Spy was intriguing, wondering where Sarah was, until a little girl, named Ursula Haller, was caught. She was known as Sarah’s disguise to fight Nazi Germany from her first mission at the girl’s boarding school.

Now working for Captain Haller, Sarah travels to Africa with him after persuading him that she will be good for the team, concerned for Haller, disguising herself as his niece. Her child-like features make her appear as a twelve-year-old rather than sixteen, giving her an advantage in solving the mission. A mission they must complete after gaining information on a new weapon being created, wiping out entire villages and towns due to being a horrifying disease. They knew that they must stop their enemies from taking it first and destroy every last part of it, so Britain wouldn’t take advantage of it either.

After saving a maid from being murdered, because of listening to their secrets, Sarah suggested that Clementine could become a spy too and help with the mission in Africa due to her race, so she wouldn't be killed. This book involves many dark and historically accurate themes from Nazi Germany, in the second world war, including racism, sexism, fascism, antisemitism, and many more. These topics are significant, and I thank Killeen for not straying away from the countless issues during that time.

The characterisation was amazing, presenting the trauma and upsetting nature of being a kid in the war. Witnessing tragic and horrifying events was distressing and unsettling to read making you feel sorry for Sarah being in this situation. However, not being here, she most likely will be in a concentration camp due to her religion, Judaism.

The use of a variety of languages portrayed in this book was fantastic. I like how sometimes we don’t know what the characters are saying, being in the same boots as Sarah when she couldn’t understand a language. Involving the reader like we were there in the story.

The suspenseful story had many instances of Sarah in danger, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Due to her talents and her disguise as a little girl, she must find all the secrets and complete the mission, destroying the weapon. Will she stay alive and stop this weapon from falling into the wrong hands?

The Little Village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft

 The Little Village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

Review:

I was expecting a Christmas story set during the winter holidays, but more than half of the book was set up for the lead-up to December. However, the main Characters’ goal was to open a community café on the weekends before the big event, making this the main plot line.

A story about love, determination, and of course, interior design, which gives an intriguing insight into the career. The book leads with two characters, Alexia and Ben, going back to each other’s points of view. They both met at a wrecking party, organised by Alexia to demolish some parts of the old Angel Pub, which had been abandoned for decades, until Ben’s uncle, Gabe, bought the plot. After employing Alexia to transform the building, Gabe decided to turn the old pub into a café where villagers organise events and socialise. Something that was missing in the village since the town hall closed. Until all of the historic pieces in the building, suddenly vanished. After hearing that someone they knew had stolen all of the furnishings, they had to restart the project, almost failing to do so. All of the funds, the village raised, were stolen and no one knew what to do until Gabe let the mastermind of Alexia take over the whole project.

Although I was expecting a story during December, the story progresses from September to reaching the deadline just before Christmas. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, from the unique aspects and themes following an interior designer, which was a new plot and character design for me.

 

I apologise for not publishing this review sooner, December was a busy month for me.