Oh, my heavens, I don’t even know where to start with this book! It was just the best. History, romance, suspense. It’s one of my favorite kinds of books. I liked the way it was written, it was almost like it was in third person, yet it was in first person. (Does that sound weird? It’s sort of hard to explain.) I was a little confused by the cover, because it gives the impression that the book is more of a Middle Grade contemporary love story, rather than a MG historical fiction, with a little crush in the mix. But either way, I loved the story!
Title: The Romeo and Juliet Code
Series: The Felicity Bathburn series #1
Author: Phoebe Stone
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication date: January 1, 2011
Source: borrowed from the library
Synopsis: A sudden trip to a seaside house. A boy with brown sugar eyes. And then , a mysterious letter.
Felicity’s glamorous parents have a secret. When they leave her with distant relatives in Maine, far away from the battles of WWII, Felicity hopes they won’t be gone for long. Her new Uncle Gideon hides things. Her Aunt Miami is star-crossed. And Derek, a kid her age, refuses to leave his room.
But Felicity needs Derek’s help. Gideon is getting coded letters from Felicity’s parents, and she’s sure they’re in trouble. Can Felicity crack the code, heal the family and save her parents, all while surviving her first crush? It’s a tall order for a small girl, but Felicity is up for the challenge.
So, the book is a historical fiction. I mean really, the cover and description are so vague. At first, by the cover, I thought it was a contemporary, like I said, and then I was thinking “Oh, WWII, maybe it’s a flash-back sort of thing,” but it’s not. And it’s not all lovey-dovey, either. So there’s that. The cover is just all wrong.
But the story is all right. Sooo many mysteries, and then I didn’t even know something was a mystery until the end and it was just crazy good. Felicity (or Flissy, as her family calls her), is sent to live in Maine with her American relatives while her parents go back to London, closer to the war. And you know what? I’m really liking the British perspective. Between this one and Finding Ruby Starling, I really want to read more books set in England!
The historical aspect of the book is perfect. From the mentions of seeing the newspaper headlines to give the reader a feel for what’s going on, and Felicity sending and receiving a letter from President Roosevelt, it’s not so in-your-face, but it also plays the main role in the story.
Flissy’s crush was so sweet, as well. As I said, it’s not a romance, but then at the end you get a little feeling that there’s something between Felicity and Derek, but they’re eleven and twelve, so it’s not going to be anything big. Just enough to make your heart swell. 😉 (Another misleading thing… the title. There actually is a Romeo and Juliet Code, it’s not just referring to Felicity’s crush.)
The ending was wonderful. I was flabbergasted, really. Some threads were still left undone, but I give it the benefit of the doubt, because there is a sequel. (Which I am SO SO SO excited to read! (*Squeeeee!!*)
5 stars!
So what do you think of The Romeo and Juliet Code? Sound good?
This book has been on my TBR since forever, but another book always manages to squeeze it’s way through. The cover is prety misleading. 11 and 12 is pretty young and from the review you gave us, it doesn’t sound at all like romance. IT STILL SOUNDS SUPER ADORABLE THOUGH!
Oh, and I read Amy & Rogers Epic Detour, I did like it but I get what you mean when Amy pushed it a little to far. It was a DNF for me. Oh and question: Im thinking about getting Second Chance Summer, which you said you liked, is it depressing? Or sad? Thanks Emily!
It was on mine, too! 😀 There are about a hundered books on my TBR that I never get to. For example, I’ve owned Melanie Dickerson’s new book, The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, for a month and a half (I won it in a giveaway), and have I read it yet? Nope. It’s just… other books! So little time! Agh! 😉 Moving on… lol.
You SHOULD read this book. I think you would like it.
Yeah… Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour was great – up until the breaking point. I was really disappointed about it.
Okay. Second Chance Summer: yes, there will be tears. (Even though you’ll KNOW what’s coming.) (I’ll leave it at that. 😉 ) But the plot is so good, I love how Morgan Matson weaves in flashbacks… and the romance is adorable! So even though it is kind of sad, it’s bittersweet. And still a great summer read! I hope you read it.
My library has this book but I haven’t gotten it yet. Frankly I don’t want to be seen with that cover this week( in my next letter). My fjaknf( since you don’t want to know why this is a big week ;p) would tease me about that cover. They would think im reading a romance book. I promise I’ll read it when my fhakbfb leave though ;p. So sometime next week. I have so many books I need to read( and I own them!), it’s not funny. I can’t decide what to read next! I’m going to make my mom choose ;p
Have you written your story for daisys contest yet? I sent mine to her today. I’m going to send you the final draft of it in a bit.(i accidentally pasted my story to this comment! That took a long time to delete). I hope she gets 4 people! I love competetion ;p. I’m quite proud of my story.
Okay. Wow. Now you’ve got me really intrigued. Since I’m taking so long to send my letter, I should just have you finally tell me in text! 😉
Noooo…. ugh. I’M GOING TO. I will… argh. If I send it in the day the contest ends, I’ll still send it. Hopefully. I’ll tell you more in my text. (As you’re texting me as I type this. 😉 )
What books do you have to read next?
Oh my goodness. I read this book a few years ago and its like one of my favorites. When i read it i was like what just happened. I love this books so much