Enigma: The Battle for the Code by Hugh Sebag-Montefiore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fascinating and at times a difficult read. Fascinating of course because of all the real-life events, efforts made to gather code machines and code files, and the endless work required by so many people of all abilities during WW2. It was difficult to read about the heroes at sea, lives lost, by Naval and Merchant vessels, due the constant and significant threat from German U-boats, without deep sadness. I also had difficulty getting my head around some of the technicalities involved in the operation and deciphering of the Enigma machines. Often I had to stop reading due to the exhaustion of trying to understand what I had just read.

Despite all of these difficulties I was left with feelings of tremendous admiration and wonder. The incredible dedication required by so many clever code-crackers, who had often been plucked from relatively "ordinary" lives and jobs, left me numb with amazement and, I suppose, a sort of belated gratitude for their contribution to ending the War earlier than seemed likely in 1943.
Highly recommended.



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Girl Soldier by T.R. Horne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Girl Soldier is an action-packed thriller with plenty of twists and turns and an intriguing plot. I found the central protagonist, Rain, likeable and suitably complex for me to care about and root for right to the end. She has thoughts and emotions which this reader could believe in considering the dramatic events and situations, amazing revelations and various love interests that come her way and into which she plunges. The dialogue was real and believable throughout the story, except for the very beginning when Rain is readily recruited into the CIA, based pretty well upon the shock news (to her) that her farmer father was once one of their best operatives and has taught Rain how to shoot well.

Later, we find out that the evil CIA chief has underlying motives for her acceptance into training. To me this was pretty well OK as an ongoing motive for much of the ensuing excitement, treachery, torture and killing. But the initial simplicity of the reasoning for Rain joining the CIA, fundamentally against her father’s wishes, bothered me all the way through the book. This was a pity as it is extremely well-written and leaves you wanting more in a subsequent sequel. Girl Soldier is a very enjoyable shoot ‘em up thriller with a powerful, intelligent and emotional female hero at the centre of the action.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.


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