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kalynaobyrne's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
Spanning four decades (1917-1958), Lady Codebreaker is a story of both World Wars, prohibition, mental health and the struggles of women in STEM during that time. The story follows Grace Smith, one of the first lady codebreakers, as she deals with being in a male dominated field and politics while describing her process and contributions to the intelligence field.
Alden does a great job at writing captivating characters. Grace is incredibly complex and intelligent and Alden does a great job at bringing all of her complexities and failings into the novel. The other characters are extremely well written and complex in their own right.
Alden did a fantastic job of blending fact and fiction while making this a very enjoyable read. This story had a bit of everything: a love story, espionage, scandal, mysteries and even more. I was totally engrossed as I was listening. After reading this I definitely want to learn more about the female codebreakers during that time in our history.
I appreciate Alden for writing a woman's story who has fallen through the cracks in our history. I recommended this book to anyone who likes stories of women's empowerment and historical fiction. This was 4.5 stars for me.
readwithjackalope's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this story! Grace Feldman didn't want an ordinary life so she escaped her small town and found a job finding codes in Shakespeare's works. Soon she is learning cryptoanalysis with her coworker Robert. She falls in love with him and she soon becomes one of the nation's top codebreakers during WWI, Prohibition as well as WWII. During this time she had to navigate being a female in a male dominated. This was based on a true story.
My thoughts: This was a fascinating story that I couldn't put down. I learned a lot about codebreaking as well as its prevalence and prominence during wars, as well as during the prohibition with the rum runners as well as all manner of law enforcement issues. Grace was a fascinating person, and I loved her romance with Robert.
Thanks to @netgalley, @foreverpublishing and the author for this ARC
My thoughts: This was a fascinating story that I couldn't put down. I learned a lot about codebreaking as well as its prevalence and prominence during wars, as well as during the prohibition with the rum runners as well as all manner of law enforcement issues. Grace was a fascinating person, and I loved her romance with Robert.
Thanks to @netgalley, @foreverpublishing and the author for this ARC
transportedlfl's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
I love a brilliant woman in STEM and have long had a special affinity for the female codebreakers who helped to win World War II. This book is especially fascinating in how long it follows her life. Lady Codebreaker begins in 1918 before the first World War I. As K. D. Alden notes at the conclusion, the book follows four decades and two world wars. In between those wars, it also tackled Prohibition, and afterwards, it examines the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. I loved seeing such a sweeping historical fiction that really showed how those events flowed from one to the next. Not only did I enjoy it now, but it's the kind of novel I would have read to study for American history exams back in school.
The main character of Grace is spectacular. She is such an amazing woman, and I was impressed to learn about the real woman who inspired her character. The book ended with a great historical note that separated fact from fiction. And it made me want to dive further into learning about cryptology.
This novel included a bit of everything: a love story, espionage, scandal, mysteries, and more. I was utterly engrossed through every time it covered. Parts are quite intense, so I do recommend checking the content warnings. I was so glad I read this and plan to read more from K. D. Alden.
CW: sexual harassment, depression, pregnancy complications, PTSD, suicidal ideation
I love a brilliant woman in STEM and have long had a special affinity for the female codebreakers who helped to win World War II. This book is especially fascinating in how long it follows her life. Lady Codebreaker begins in 1918 before the first World War I. As K. D. Alden notes at the conclusion, the book follows four decades and two world wars. In between those wars, it also tackled Prohibition, and afterwards, it examines the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover. I loved seeing such a sweeping historical fiction that really showed how those events flowed from one to the next. Not only did I enjoy it now, but it's the kind of novel I would have read to study for American history exams back in school.
The main character of Grace is spectacular. She is such an amazing woman, and I was impressed to learn about the real woman who inspired her character. The book ended with a great historical note that separated fact from fiction. And it made me want to dive further into learning about cryptology.
This novel included a bit of everything: a love story, espionage, scandal, mysteries, and more. I was utterly engrossed through every time it covered. Parts are quite intense, so I do recommend checking the content warnings. I was so glad I read this and plan to read more from K. D. Alden.
CW: sexual harassment, depression, pregnancy complications, PTSD, suicidal ideation
readingwhilemynailsdry's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
maggiementions's review
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Grace leaves Indiana looking for something more. She ends up being hired to learn code breaking. When the government needs cryptanalysts during the prohibition Grace helps break codes and capture rumrunners. This leads to more intercepting of codes as the US comes closer and then eventually entering WW II. Grace faces incredible opposition not only from her male counterparts but from societal norms. Hoover is especially troublesome for Grace.
With fierce determination and unwavering loyalty Grace leaves her mark as one of first female codebreakers.
Not only was the history fascinating but Grace’s character is so visceral and complicated you can’t help but be sucked in to her incredible story!
With fierce determination and unwavering loyalty Grace leaves her mark as one of first female codebreakers.
Not only was the history fascinating but Grace’s character is so visceral and complicated you can’t help but be sucked in to her incredible story!
trudyd's review
5.0
Oh. My. Word. I stayed up late into the night finishing Lade Codebreaker. I tried putting it away for the night, but I couldn't stop thinking about what could be happening. With the various timelines a lot went on.
Watching the characters grow over more than 40 years was wonderful. Grace is an anomaly in 1917. When most women were looking for a husband, she was looking for a job, a life that didn't revolve around being a wife. A series of unique situations finds Grace as a codebreaker, solving the coded messages of the enemies along side Robert Feldman, a man that would end up as her husband.
The story takes the reader through two world wars helping the allies to win the wars one telegram at a time, one radio transmission at a time. The reader experiences the prohibition and the smugglers that kept throats wet.
The work atmosphere created lots of drama. Men looked down on women. Too many women in the same office creates competition and bickering. Some wanted power. Some wanted what others had. There always seems to be someone wanting to be queen bee. Bringing J. Edgar Hoover into the story sent up all kinds of flags.
Grace wants to be in the action. She finagled her self on to a ship to learn about the smuggling during prohibition. She braved planes in the 1930's when the only females flying were stewardesses. She frequently found herself deep in the action. The idea of not knowing what would happen next made for a thrilling read.
All the action and suspense is balanced by romance. Grace may not have wanted to get married but it became necessary. Robert Feldman fell for her when they were both at Riverbank. He is a brilliant man. He is confident. Bobby is a wonderful character. He knows what he wants and he wants Grace. For her, marriage is a solution to her problems. For Bobby, it the first step in convincing Grace that they were made for each other. They end up walking through hot coals together.
There life was packed full of drama and struggles. I didn't expect the ending, but it had me admiring Grace even more. She was a very powerful woman that would do anything to protect her husband.
Watching the characters grow over more than 40 years was wonderful. Grace is an anomaly in 1917. When most women were looking for a husband, she was looking for a job, a life that didn't revolve around being a wife. A series of unique situations finds Grace as a codebreaker, solving the coded messages of the enemies along side Robert Feldman, a man that would end up as her husband.
The story takes the reader through two world wars helping the allies to win the wars one telegram at a time, one radio transmission at a time. The reader experiences the prohibition and the smugglers that kept throats wet.
The work atmosphere created lots of drama. Men looked down on women. Too many women in the same office creates competition and bickering. Some wanted power. Some wanted what others had. There always seems to be someone wanting to be queen bee. Bringing J. Edgar Hoover into the story sent up all kinds of flags.
Grace wants to be in the action. She finagled her self on to a ship to learn about the smuggling during prohibition. She braved planes in the 1930's when the only females flying were stewardesses. She frequently found herself deep in the action. The idea of not knowing what would happen next made for a thrilling read.
All the action and suspense is balanced by romance. Grace may not have wanted to get married but it became necessary. Robert Feldman fell for her when they were both at Riverbank. He is a brilliant man. He is confident. Bobby is a wonderful character. He knows what he wants and he wants Grace. For her, marriage is a solution to her problems. For Bobby, it the first step in convincing Grace that they were made for each other. They end up walking through hot coals together.
There life was packed full of drama and struggles. I didn't expect the ending, but it had me admiring Grace even more. She was a very powerful woman that would do anything to protect her husband.
letmollyread's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
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? No
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read and review this book!
When Grace is hired by an eccentric millionaire as a Shakespeare expert in the early 1900s she has no idea what is in store. Soon, she is learning codebreaking, and will use those skills to aid the United States in World War I, during prohibition, and during the World War II. Grace faces countless barriers, even when taking down master spies, foreign agents, and rum runners. However, some of her most difficult hurdles are faced when questions of love, family, and loyalty, are questioned by those she is closest to.
This was a fun historical fiction that spans many decades. My absolute favorite part was Grace’s years working for the United States Coast Guard (first during prohibition and then during the second world war). If you didn’t know, by husband is in the Coast Guard, and I was giddy reading all about the service as it existed a century ago! Grace’s relationship with her husband was challenging, even from the beginning, and I felt for her as she attempted to navigate difficult conversations and choices in her family and career.
erin887's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
This was an absolute 5 star read for me! This is the historical fiction during world war 1/prohibition/world war 2 wrapped up in 1 novel in a way I’ve never read before. Grace was very real on the page. She was such an incredible woman that I had no idea existed! I loved the minor characters in this book so much too! The character, Kangaroo, was perfection and taught me about an event I had never heard of before that I don’t want to spoil. The character, Nellie, was so much like my great great Aunt Nellie (who was also friends with Eleanor Roosevelt and lived in Indiana) which was amazing to read about in such an accessible way. So grateful I got to read this ARC! First 5 star read of the year for me!