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ghh2023's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love to read books about women empowerment and women pushing the boundaries of social acceptance in their time period. I really liked Rebel Spy because there was a lot of inner monologue between her past self (Francisca) and her present self (Miss Coates). I think it is really good to give women from the past a voice that they never would have had in their own time. I wonder how many more women helped out in major moments in history that we still don't know about. Many of their exploits and missions have not withstood the test of time and so we will never know the full impact of women's contributions throughout history. Francisca was really brave in ways that I do not know that many people would be if they were in her shoes. I feel like readers never get to be up this close and personal to war whether it be the present or the past. I cannot believe that life did not change in very many ways for the upper echelons of society during the war. I feel like it is insensitive to go to dinners and parties while men are out there dying. In this book, it was really clear that the upper class of America still acted a lot like a member of Britain at this time. This is an interesting viewpoint to write about overall. And, I was also really impressed by the beautiful descriptions of floating and the ocean in this book as well. I love learning about facets of American history that are tucked away and largely unknown!
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A charming and adventurous historical ficiton built on a mystery of the era that still stands today. I've read or seen several takes on the Culper spy network and the the speculation on who the mysterious 'Lady' in code name was. While this story took some inevitable routes given the trends in young adult and patriotism that usually comes into play, I did appreciate that Rossi tried to build a genuine gray area. I believed there was real conflict for our young heroine, and while I could have done with a little less vilifying in order to make a love interest no completion, there was a genuine ache when it came dividing cause from personal acquaintances that someone shared history with.
Endearing characters with a nice touch of history that I hope will spark young imaginations to learn more about this period themselves.
Endearing characters with a nice touch of history that I hope will spark young imaginations to learn more about this period themselves.
ksophialydia's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"I was just like America, was the truth. Only I couldn't declare independence. All I'd been able to do was run."
Weeks after Frannie Tasker's mother dies, she knows she needs to flee from her cruel stepfather. When a shipwreck brings an unexpected method of escaping her small island, Frannie takes on the identity of a dead girl and becomes Emmeline Coates. Now free and wealthy, Frannie sails to the American Colonies to live as a Loyalist Lady. But when a chance encounter with a rebel makes her question all of her allegiances, and another opportunity is put before her, Frannie undertakes a dangerous task: spying on the redcoats for General Washington, becoming the famous and mysterious 355, or "Lady".
This brilliant historical fiction interweaves many different narratives of life in Revolution era America and dangers that come with being a Patriot. Rossi highlights the real brave men and women who fought for freedom (as well as those who sought to stamp out that freedom), and wonderfully introduces readers to the legend-like figure that is the real 355--an identity lost to history. (Alas, Anonymous truly is always a woman.) I would think that the real 355 would be impressed with how Rossi writes Frannie, who represents many of the ideas and values that built America--the ideas and values worth risking one's life for, worth risking a fate worse than death for.
"Rebel Spy" is a page-turning supplement to American History that brilliantly fills in the gaps that the textbooks leave out. Namely, it answers the question: where are the women of the Revolution? Step into this thrilling work of historical fiction to find the answers.
"I was just like America, was the truth. Only I couldn't declare independence. All I'd been able to do was run."
Weeks after Frannie Tasker's mother dies, she knows she needs to flee from her cruel stepfather. When a shipwreck brings an unexpected method of escaping her small island, Frannie takes on the identity of a dead girl and becomes Emmeline Coates. Now free and wealthy, Frannie sails to the American Colonies to live as a Loyalist Lady. But when a chance encounter with a rebel makes her question all of her allegiances, and another opportunity is put before her, Frannie undertakes a dangerous task: spying on the redcoats for General Washington, becoming the famous and mysterious 355, or "Lady".
This brilliant historical fiction interweaves many different narratives of life in Revolution era America and dangers that come with being a Patriot. Rossi highlights the real brave men and women who fought for freedom (as well as those who sought to stamp out that freedom), and wonderfully introduces readers to the legend-like figure that is the real 355--an identity lost to history. (Alas, Anonymous truly is always a woman.) I would think that the real 355 would be impressed with how Rossi writes Frannie, who represents many of the ideas and values that built America--the ideas and values worth risking one's life for, worth risking a fate worse than death for.
"Rebel Spy" is a page-turning supplement to American History that brilliantly fills in the gaps that the textbooks leave out. Namely, it answers the question: where are the women of the Revolution? Step into this thrilling work of historical fiction to find the answers.
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, War, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Child death, Classism, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Murder
books4susie's review against another edition
5.0
I have been looking forward to reading this book for several months before it even came out. The mystery surrounding spy 355 hooked me and I did some extensive research before starting the story. Frannie Tasker and all her friends and family are fictional but many historical events, people, and places are woven into the story. The beginning was a bit slow to build and her decision to become a spy seemed quick, but I was pleasantly surprised by all of the possibilities that the ending provided.
trashley_dawn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.0
thelibraryofklee's review
5.0
Historical fiction - ✅
Strong female lead - ✅
Believable romance - ✅
YA - ✅
I first came across Rossi after falling in love with her dystopian series. I took a punt and brought this book with high hopes, even though the genre was different (but still fell into one of my favourite categories). I was NOT disappointed.
The American Revolution is barely taught in NZ schools so the historical fiction aspect for me was refreshing in an area I knew very little about.
Frannie is an amazing female lead. She’s a fighter in her very essence and I loved how Rossi reimagined the life 355 may have lived. Any story that admires the unsung work of women in defining historical moments is going to always strike a chord for me. Too long have they been the invisibly words between the sentences, relegated to the background - the home keepers and the victims.
The romance was divine. I’m not a romance reader by nature, but this story had just the right equilibrium to it. The romance is built solidly for the era.
And it’s YA. I feel like this is just the sort of book to get young people interested in historical fiction. Which I think is vital!
Will be recommending.
Strong female lead - ✅
Believable romance - ✅
YA - ✅
I first came across Rossi after falling in love with her dystopian series. I took a punt and brought this book with high hopes, even though the genre was different (but still fell into one of my favourite categories). I was NOT disappointed.
The American Revolution is barely taught in NZ schools so the historical fiction aspect for me was refreshing in an area I knew very little about.
Frannie is an amazing female lead. She’s a fighter in her very essence and I loved how Rossi reimagined the life 355 may have lived. Any story that admires the unsung work of women in defining historical moments is going to always strike a chord for me. Too long have they been the invisibly words between the sentences, relegated to the background - the home keepers and the victims.
The romance was divine. I’m not a romance reader by nature, but this story had just the right equilibrium to it. The romance is built solidly for the era.
And it’s YA. I feel like this is just the sort of book to get young people interested in historical fiction. Which I think is vital!
Will be recommending.
jessicafarmer80's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book. I love historical fiction! Any book that makes me want to research more, has done a great job of teaching me something new. I do wish the ending wasn’t left up in the air because of course my mind can go to so many different situations. Also one funny note, I noticed the last page of my hardback copy ends on 356, why not “355”?
greenmachine31's review against another edition
5.0
Reminded me of one of my favorite shows Turn: Washington's spies.