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zluke's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Definitely not as good or engaging as the other books. Very different in style and I didn't find the characters as developed or interesting.
dontstopreadin's review against another edition
4.0
Not to the level of Code Name Verity, but still great. Pretty emotional when you consider it in relation to the tie-in's to our other series and what happens to these characters. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect to this tale. Upbeat and fun compared to Wein's other books. Solid read.
annie_bordeaux's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5*
CW: sexual assault
this book wasnt bad, but it was disappointing. I read this book bc queenie/Julia is one of my favorite characters ever, but Julia in this book didnt feel like queenie. and ik shes younger in this book, so she'll be a bit different but she just feels like a totally different character. that being said, the pearl thief was an enjoyable book. I loved the mystery, and the setting descriptions were amazing.
CW: sexual assault
this book wasnt bad, but it was disappointing. I read this book bc queenie/Julia is one of my favorite characters ever, but Julia in this book didnt feel like queenie. and ik shes younger in this book, so she'll be a bit different but she just feels like a totally different character. that being said, the pearl thief was an enjoyable book. I loved the mystery, and the setting descriptions were amazing.
nishaali's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I was given an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way influence my views on the book.
Review: I have been eyeing up Ms Wein’s books for some time now especially [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity (Code Name Verity, #1)|Elizabeth Wein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388161911s/11925514.jpg|16885788], her wartime book that I’m told portrays the endurance of friendship during times of difficulty. The Pear Thief is actually billed as a prequel of Code Name Verity but it can definitely be read as a standalone which is what I did.
The Pearl Thief is set in rural Scotland and honestly this book made me fall head over heels with the landscape because Wein’s descriptive language and setting was so evocative. I will confess that there were quite a few words that were totally new to a born and bred Londoner like me (burn – which I think is Gaelic for ‘fresh water’ for example) so some of the descriptions weren’t the easiest for me to visualise but despite this I was able to get an idea of the gorgeous highlands and grand country house that Lady Julia lived in – testament to Wein’s writing definitely! I will say though, this is one of those books where a map at the beginning would have done wonders and perhaps a glossary for idiots like me 🙂
Lady Julia our protagonist was an interesting character. I didn’t immediately take to her but she grew on me as the book went on. I liked how adventurous and gutsy she was and willing to be open-minded and experimental even if society frowned upon it. Her friendship and dynamic with Ellen was easily my favourite – it was complex and a lovely surprise in a historical YA book! There was quite a cast of secondary characters but as The Pearl Thief is told from the Julia’s perspective, I felt we didn’t get to delve into their personalities as much as I’d have liked to – especially the McEwens and Mary who stood out.
Wein wove in societal issues like discrimination against the traveller community, rape and poverty in a really subtle way and gave an insight into what life was like in rural Scotland during that period of history. The discrimination theme was eerily timely and a little frightening how many parallels I could draw between Britain in the 1930s and 2017! One of the unique things about The Pearl Thief was the premise: the Strathfearn family estate being sold to private developers – a part of history that is oft-overlooked. The sexier Downton Abbey-esque era definitely gets more attention and so it was intereting to see a teenager dealing with a drastic change of fortune. I enjoyed seeing Lady Julia rise above her title and circumstances and discover her privilege but also we’re not all that different – be it Lady or traveller.
The mystery and plot of The Pearl Thief definitely kept me guessing. I managed to figure out some of it right towards the end but was still pleasantly surprised at the reveal. I loved that the mystery had a solid story behind it, the pearls were given significance and a history which made it all the more interesting. However, I felt the pacing of The Pearl Thief could’ve been better. I definitely think the book could either have been shorter and punchier or instead just gone the whole hog and had more detail about the other characters – instead it was somewhere down the middle and had me at times just wanting to return to the central mystery.
Besides some minor issues, The Pearl Thief was a solid historical YA with a unique setting not often found in young adult lit. Wein’s descriptive language really added authenticity and the mystery was good whodunnit that kept you guessing. If you’re after something with a great heroine like [a:Philip Pullman|3618|Philip Pullman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1396622492p2/3618.jpg]'s classic Sally Lockhart series or [a:Y.S. Lee|2868833|Y.S. Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1272895430p2/2868833.jpg]’s brilliant The Agency series this one’s for you! The Pearl Thief is out on 4 May in the US and UK. Thanks again to Bloomsbury for the ARC 🙂
Review: I have been eyeing up Ms Wein’s books for some time now especially [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity (Code Name Verity, #1)|Elizabeth Wein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388161911s/11925514.jpg|16885788], her wartime book that I’m told portrays the endurance of friendship during times of difficulty. The Pear Thief is actually billed as a prequel of Code Name Verity but it can definitely be read as a standalone which is what I did.
The Pearl Thief is set in rural Scotland and honestly this book made me fall head over heels with the landscape because Wein’s descriptive language and setting was so evocative. I will confess that there were quite a few words that were totally new to a born and bred Londoner like me (burn – which I think is Gaelic for ‘fresh water’ for example) so some of the descriptions weren’t the easiest for me to visualise but despite this I was able to get an idea of the gorgeous highlands and grand country house that Lady Julia lived in – testament to Wein’s writing definitely! I will say though, this is one of those books where a map at the beginning would have done wonders and perhaps a glossary for idiots like me 🙂
The river has a voice that doesn’t die. It is as inhuman and ancient as starlight.
Lady Julia our protagonist was an interesting character. I didn’t immediately take to her but she grew on me as the book went on. I liked how adventurous and gutsy she was and willing to be open-minded and experimental even if society frowned upon it. Her friendship and dynamic with Ellen was easily my favourite – it was complex and a lovely surprise in a historical YA book! There was quite a cast of secondary characters but as The Pearl Thief is told from the Julia’s perspective, I felt we didn’t get to delve into their personalities as much as I’d have liked to – especially the McEwens and Mary who stood out.
Wein wove in societal issues like discrimination against the traveller community, rape and poverty in a really subtle way and gave an insight into what life was like in rural Scotland during that period of history. The discrimination theme was eerily timely and a little frightening how many parallels I could draw between Britain in the 1930s and 2017! One of the unique things about The Pearl Thief was the premise: the Strathfearn family estate being sold to private developers – a part of history that is oft-overlooked. The sexier Downton Abbey-esque era definitely gets more attention and so it was intereting to see a teenager dealing with a drastic change of fortune. I enjoyed seeing Lady Julia rise above her title and circumstances and discover her privilege but also we’re not all that different – be it Lady or traveller.
They were the ‘dirty bold sleekit tinkers’. They were not dirty, did not appear to be all that bold, and it remained to be seen how sneaky they were. In fact, I was floored by the girl’s beauty.
The mystery and plot of The Pearl Thief definitely kept me guessing. I managed to figure out some of it right towards the end but was still pleasantly surprised at the reveal. I loved that the mystery had a solid story behind it, the pearls were given significance and a history which made it all the more interesting. However, I felt the pacing of The Pearl Thief could’ve been better. I definitely think the book could either have been shorter and punchier or instead just gone the whole hog and had more detail about the other characters – instead it was somewhere down the middle and had me at times just wanting to return to the central mystery.
Besides some minor issues, The Pearl Thief was a solid historical YA with a unique setting not often found in young adult lit. Wein’s descriptive language really added authenticity and the mystery was good whodunnit that kept you guessing. If you’re after something with a great heroine like [a:Philip Pullman|3618|Philip Pullman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1396622492p2/3618.jpg]'s classic Sally Lockhart series or [a:Y.S. Lee|2868833|Y.S. Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1272895430p2/2868833.jpg]’s brilliant The Agency series this one’s for you! The Pearl Thief is out on 4 May in the US and UK. Thanks again to Bloomsbury for the ARC 🙂
illusie's review
2.0
The cover was beautiful, but I didn't really like this book. I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters. The story felt a bit flat to me.
odurant8's review against another edition
5.0
Another literary masterpiece from Wein. Readers who have not yet read Code Name Verity will hopefully be intrigued enough to pick up that title next. Julie is a flawed but captivating character, and her friendships with Travellers surprise her, having grown up in privilege. During the course of the novel, she will discover how different her life experiences have been compared to others, and her worldview will shift. It's part coming-of-age, part history, and part mystery, with a little romance. Wein adds background notes and sources for further reading.
abbyl819's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved the first 2 books in this series, Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire, but this one was a little disappointing. Although I am definitely not saying this was not a good book, it was not as good as the first two. I didn't feel that the Julie we know and love from Code Name Verity was portrayed as the same person here. It was fun reading about her again, but if I hadn't known, I would not have thought she was the same person. Her personality was so different, as was reading through her perspective. It made it seem like Lady Julia and Julie/Verity aren't even related. Overall, this was a good mystery that kept me guessing until the last page, but I was disappointed in the portrayal of Julie throughout the book.
geerfear's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD performed by Maggie Service
3.5***
15-year-old Julia-Beaufort Stuart comes home from finishing school for one final summer at the family’s ancestral home: Strathfearn House. She has many fond memories of time spent with her older brothers, Sandy and Jamie, and especially with her grandfather, the recently deceased Earl of Strathfearn. Now the property has been sold and is being converted into a school for boys. The construction workers have pretty much taken over the house and grounds, with the family ensconced in a few upstairs rooms, and the morning room. But a chance encounter by the river, will result in charges of murder and theft.
This is a prequel of sorts to Wein’s Code Name Verity, giving readers a little background on the character of Julia. It’s a good mystery and coming-of-age tale set in 1938 in the Scottish Highlands.
Julia is awakening to the pleasures of love, and she has two somewhat competing crushes. The construction manager, Francis Dunbar, is obviously forbidden. He is “much” older (in his 30s), and has no idea that she’s only fifteen, and she’s rather forward in showing her attraction (at least in private). Then there’s the enigmatic Ellen McEwen. She and her brother Euan are members of a family of Travelers who have worked seasonally on the Strathfearn estate for generations. Ellen is confident, bold, accomplished and angry. But she also immensely attractive to Julia.
The plot focuses on the estates treasure trove of ancient artifacts, including Bronze-age spear points, centuries-old hand-crafted items, and a jar full of Scottish river pearls, some purportedly once belonging to Mary Queen of Scots. When the archeologist hired to inventory the collection goes missing, at about the same time that Julia is found near the river with her head bashed by an unknown solid object, the local officials are quick to suspect the Travelers. Julia is certain they had nothing to do with either event, but she really cannot remember how she came to be injured.
I thought Wein did a good job of moving the plot forward and keeping the reader guessing. There are plenty of suspects and certain bits of evidence point first in one direction and then in another. I figured it out barely ahead of Julia. I was a little disappointed in how the final act played out, but still thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
There are several really good supporting characters in the book. Librarian Mary Kinnaird stands out for her dedication as the curator of the library’s collections, and her accomplishments despite her disabilities. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, her facial features are distorted, and she has some hearing loss, but she’s a fierce defender and stands her ground more than once. Julia’s nanny, Solange, who is also the French companion of Julia’s grandmother, stands out as well; although, she is a bit weepy and prone to hysteria. And on the other side of the coin, Sergeant Angus Henderson, the water bailiff, is a power-drunk bully who goes toe-to-toe with Julia one time too many.
The author’s note at the end of the novel gives additional historical information about Travelers as well as Scottish river pearls. Very interesting and makes me want to read more.
Maggie Service does a marvelous job voicing the audiobook. She sets a great pace, and brings Julia, Ellen, Euan and Jamie to life.
3.5***
15-year-old Julia-Beaufort Stuart comes home from finishing school for one final summer at the family’s ancestral home: Strathfearn House. She has many fond memories of time spent with her older brothers, Sandy and Jamie, and especially with her grandfather, the recently deceased Earl of Strathfearn. Now the property has been sold and is being converted into a school for boys. The construction workers have pretty much taken over the house and grounds, with the family ensconced in a few upstairs rooms, and the morning room. But a chance encounter by the river, will result in charges of murder and theft.
This is a prequel of sorts to Wein’s Code Name Verity, giving readers a little background on the character of Julia. It’s a good mystery and coming-of-age tale set in 1938 in the Scottish Highlands.
Julia is awakening to the pleasures of love, and she has two somewhat competing crushes. The construction manager, Francis Dunbar, is obviously forbidden. He is “much” older (in his 30s), and has no idea that she’s only fifteen, and she’s rather forward in showing her attraction (at least in private). Then there’s the enigmatic Ellen McEwen. She and her brother Euan are members of a family of Travelers who have worked seasonally on the Strathfearn estate for generations. Ellen is confident, bold, accomplished and angry. But she also immensely attractive to Julia.
The plot focuses on the estates treasure trove of ancient artifacts, including Bronze-age spear points, centuries-old hand-crafted items, and a jar full of Scottish river pearls, some purportedly once belonging to Mary Queen of Scots. When the archeologist hired to inventory the collection goes missing, at about the same time that Julia is found near the river with her head bashed by an unknown solid object, the local officials are quick to suspect the Travelers. Julia is certain they had nothing to do with either event, but she really cannot remember how she came to be injured.
I thought Wein did a good job of moving the plot forward and keeping the reader guessing. There are plenty of suspects and certain bits of evidence point first in one direction and then in another. I figured it out barely ahead of Julia. I was a little disappointed in how the final act played out, but still thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
There are several really good supporting characters in the book. Librarian Mary Kinnaird stands out for her dedication as the curator of the library’s collections, and her accomplishments despite her disabilities. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, her facial features are distorted, and she has some hearing loss, but she’s a fierce defender and stands her ground more than once. Julia’s nanny, Solange, who is also the French companion of Julia’s grandmother, stands out as well; although, she is a bit weepy and prone to hysteria. And on the other side of the coin, Sergeant Angus Henderson, the water bailiff, is a power-drunk bully who goes toe-to-toe with Julia one time too many.
The author’s note at the end of the novel gives additional historical information about Travelers as well as Scottish river pearls. Very interesting and makes me want to read more.
Maggie Service does a marvelous job voicing the audiobook. She sets a great pace, and brings Julia, Ellen, Euan and Jamie to life.
emilyshakespeare's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5