My heart is so full of love for the beautiful story that is The Pearl Thief!!
It’s a prequel to Code Name Verity, which I also absolutely love and remember with dear fondness like one remembers being stabbed in the feels with a rusty spork. EXCELLENT LITERATURE. And when I heard there was going to be a prequel about Julie’s childhood I just about lost my left sock in excitement. I am SO PLEASED!!
Although I do think it needs to be said: but this is literally nothing like Code Name Verity. It is more like a whimsical Scottish frolic and romp in the 1930s when Julie was 15 and caught up in her family’s estate that includes castles, pearls, and the occasional dead man.
Lovely.
Also no, you don’t have to read CNV to actually love and enjoy this! It works perfectly as a standalone too.
I actually received a copy for review, buuuut, I’d also preordered the audiobook because I listened to the other two books in the series via audio and may I just say THE AUDIO IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. It’s all Scottish accents and the most beautiful narration ever. Soooo much recommend. I think I fell into love with Scotland and can’t get up.
Honestly this is just a really nice book.
For me it was like revisiting an old friend! And it was just so perfect being around Julie Beaufort-Stuart again, particularly since her brother, the dashing and cheerful Jamie, is here too! Jamie is so sweet and basically an adorkable Hufflepuff. Um, yes, I sort all characters into Hogwarts Houses, obviously. What else does one do in their spare time.
And do you know what I’m really impressed with? It’s how delightfully feminist this book is.
Julie is a powerful character. She’s totally flawed and privileged and often doesn’t even know it and makes mistakes because of it…but she wants to learn and be better. PLUS she is all about femininity and being empowered. She doesn’t ask permission — she does things. And I also loved how she was queer but never once saw herself as “broken” because of it, which was so refreshing to read in a historical fiction. Basically I just left this book feeling so HAPPY because Julie was witty and could shoot a gun and wasn’t afraid to get mucky and was terrified of ghosts and LOVED BEING PRETTY and kissed whoever she wanted. And Julie’s surrounded by equally fabulous and powerful female role models, like her mother and grandmother, and they take 0% shenanigans too.
I’m just so in awe.
This book, I tell you. THIS BOOK. Usually I avoid historical fiction because of having to wade through pits of feeling inferior — but nooooot so here. There are sexist characters and the world isn’t sugar-coated into an “ideal land”, but it’s just NICE SEEING WOMEN BE PROUD OF THEMSELVES.
I also loved how the book handled the travellers!
Although it made my heart BREAK at how horribly they were treated. They’re called “tinkers” by the locals, (basically Scottish gypsies) and they’re abused and railed against at every turn and arughugugh it was so unfair. I love how Julie becomes friends with Euan and Ellen. And quite frankly Euan is the SWEETEST and most precious cinnamon scone in the world and anyone who beats him will BE DIRECTLY BEATEN BY ME. And Ellen was a piece of frosty ice and absolutely amazing and I loved her.
ME @ ANYONE WHO LOOKS WRONGLY AT EAUN AND ELLEN.
And I loved how the romance wasn’t cliche and it also was more like discovery and searches between growing up and realising the summer will end.
The plot was definitely a slow one.
But I enjoyed the lazy summery pace. And quite frankly it was the setting I was monstrously in love with! All old castles and manors and beautifully described rivers of pearls. The writing is just SO GOOD that every scene somehow was lush and delicious and I felt like I was there, taking my summer in Scotland.
This news just in: I wish to go to Scotland.
This is DEFINITELY a beautiful book and I can’t flail over it enough!
It didn’t hit me brutally like Code Name Verity did, of course, and it was a completely different pace / feel. But it was just NICE. It’s methodical and lush and full of powerful females and a ton of hilarious moments — coupled with mystery and murder and beautiful old historical items, an EPIC sister/brother duo, diversity, and all the tea you could possibly want.
Also it won my heart, so there’s that.
THANK TO BLOOMSBURY FOR THE REVIEW-COPY! The Pearl Thief (#0.5) by Elizabeth Wein was published July, 2017
★★★★☆
Sixteen-year-old Julie Beaufort-Stuart is returning to her family’s ancestral home in Perthshire for one last summer. It is not an idyllic return to childhood. Her grandfather’s death has forced the sale of the house and estate and this will be a summer of goodbyes. Not least to the McEwen family – Highland travellers who have been part of the landscape for as long as anyone can remember – loved by the family, loathed by the authorities. Tensions are already high when a respected London archivist goes missing, presumed murdered. Suspicion quickly falls on the McEwens but Julie knows not one of them would do such a thing and is determined to prove everyone wrong. And then she notices the family’s treasure trove of pearls is missing.
Goodreads Buy Publisher Review Book #1 Code Name Verity Review Book #2 Rose Under Fire
Next to fantasy, historical fiction is my FAVOURITE. This looks like an interesting book too, and its got such a pretty name and cover. 😀
Ahhh that’s so awesome you’re a HF fan!! I grew up reading like 80% historical fiction so it’s always nice coming back to it now.😂 (Although I pick contemporary/fantasy over it these days haha.) AND YES THE COVER IS SO PRETTY!!
I recently read and enjoyed CODE NAME VERITY on audiobook and I have yet to read this one or Rose Under Fire but I do hope to get around to them soon because Wein is a fantastic writer and the audiobook was all kinds of amazing! I am so glad you enjoyed this Cait, even though the plot was a little slow and your photographs and review as per usual are fantastic!
The narrators for her books are somehow just always the BEST?!? I mean, they’re different every time but ajfdkasld they are SO GOOD. I’ve read all 3 on audio now and best decision ever.😂
I STARTED THIS BOOK and then…got distracted with another book. OOPS but I am definitely coming back to it! I have not read CNV so hopefully, I still understand what’s going on? I used to be really picky with historical fiction but now I LOOOVE IT <3 It's mostly really awesome! AGH, I love books that are just effortlessly feminist, IT WARMS MY HEART! I WILL READ CAIT, because of Scotland, UM YES! And has anyone told you that your reviews are so well structured? BECAUSE THEY ARE. How does one make sense?
I think you’ll still get what’s going on without reading CNV!! But I think knowing CNV made this more special to me, because it’s like going back in time and there are some references that were just 100000% perfection. And feminist books just WARM MY HEART.
Aww, thanks Ilsa!! <3 That actually makes my day because I was so worried I was rambling in this one.😂😂
This sounds so good! I’ve read CNV, RUF and Black Dove White Raven and I liked them all, especially Rose Under Fire. I love historical but I don’t read so much of it…it’s harder to find somehow. I did recently read What I Saw and How I Lied which is very…interesting, I would say. And my favourite historical is A Brief History of Montmaray! It absolutely has empowered women and not just typical ‘strong females’ either and it has gay/bi characters too! It’s by an australian author and is set on a little island just before WWII and the rest of the series takes place in London. I love those books SO SO SO much. Kisses from Katie made me want to visit Uganda and Daughter of Smoke and Bone made me want to visit Prague.
I avoid HF a bit, I confess.😂 It’s generally too slow for me? But Elizabeth Wein writes SUCH GOOD BOOKS (although confession: I didn’t like Black Dove White Raven…I am ashamed) but CNV and RUF both kind of broke my heart. ❤️💔
Also I really need to find this A Brief History of Montmaray obviously!!
I am 100% ready to read this book! I loved Code Name Verity and all the characters. Now I just need to hunt down where I can find it, the audiobook version is looking probable.
I’m like 99% the audio made me fall in love with it even more. 😂 THOSE SCOTTISH ACCENTS THOUGH.
Historical fiction is amazing! ALL fiction is.
Just a bookworm’s opinion xD
Books are definitely marvellous. 😉
YOU RECOMMEND A LITTLE BUSH MAID. YESSS
(and this review made me want to read The Pearl Thief if JUST for the setting. Scotland, you say??)
AHHH YOU’VE READ A LITTLE BUSH MAID?!? It gave me SUCh reminiscent feels for it!! 😂 I haven’t read it in like…forever, but afjdksald.
*throws on TBR pile*
*congratulates your life choices* 🎉🎉🎉
ooooooh, sounds interesting! 😀
IT IS. SO MUCH SCOTLAND. 😍
I think I’m overdo for a reread of Code Name Verity. Also, how pretty is the cover of The Pearl Thief?! I’m definitely adding this to my tbr, and you might have even convinced me to listen to the audiobook. I don’t do audiobooks much, but I’m totally there for the Scottish accents!
Saaaame. I just realised it’s been like 3+ years since I read it?! THE SHAME. I loved that book so much!! And audiobooks are like my favourite, but I do think this is a particular good narration!😍
I love historical fiction, and Cody Name Verity has been at the top of my TBR for a long while. I now really want to read The Pearl Thief- it sounds like my kind of book. Thank you for the wonderful review!😊
Aww no thank YOU for reading!!🎉 And I really hope you enjoy Elizabeth Wein’s writing! It’s so fantastic. 😍
*Code Name Verity, sorry for the typo!
I have actually just got back from Scotland! We visited loads of Harry Potter related locations whilst there. Blog post coming soon about my trip. It is such an amazing place!!
AHHHHHH THAT’S SO AMAZING!! I will be looking forward to your blog post then!! 😱
Post up now!
http://liber-amoris.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/scotland-trip-with-harry-potter.html?m=1
THIS IS MAINLY REMINDING ME THAT I DESPERATELY NEED TO REREAD CNV. It’s been over two years? Maybe three. And it was so good! I haven’t read Rose Under Fire (my library didn’t have it) but I have read the third book and IT”S SO GOOD I CAN’T OMG. This sounds truly excellent. I really like how historical fiction can be such a fun way to learn about eras in history, but I wish there were more historical fiction books set in Asia, Africa, and South America because THOSE PLACES WERE AROUND IN HISTORY TOO,YO (New Zealand wasn’t until, like, the 1800s. Hmph). I DO like 20th century ones though. Some I’ve liked are A Mad, Wicked Folly, Out of the Easy, THE BOOK THIEF omg I can’t, and Passage To India (which was required for school but still counts okay?)
Basically: I must find this and read it. Also: I don’t know how to classify fantasy books set in a historical period. I usually go for fantasy but it’s also historical? hall
Omg SAME. It’s got to have been 3 years since I read CNV I think. But am I ready to relieve that pain? Hmm. No. *goes away to sob in a corner*
AND ABSOLUTELY YES TO THE OTHER ERAS IN HISTORY. It actually frustrates me how hard it is to find books set in Africa? Like newish YA ones. We have a need here!! The Book Thief was just mean though.
Oh, OMG I WANT. Rivers of pearls?? I am dead. I want to go to Scotland so badly I would trade my left little finger for that opportunity. So, I’ll meet ya at the river of pearls. Deal?? Deal.
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction because honestly? It usually intimidates me. I’m sitting over here like well crap. I probably don’t know my history well enough to be able to understand this story to the full extent and then I have to hide underneath an umbrella and pretend everything IS FINE. However, as for a historical fiction with an awesome heroine that I absolutely adored, My Lady Jane takes the cake on that one. FLIPPING LOVE THAT BOOK SO MUCH.
I will read the Pearl Thief, this I promise. HOWEVER, I would like to read CNV first just because I feel like it’ll mean more to me that way?? IDK GOTTA GO BEAT DOWN MY TBR BRB.
I WANT TO LIVE IN A SCOTTISH CASTLE AND BE A WILD GHOST OF THE MOORS. #New #Life #Plan
For someone who claims to really really like HF, I rarely picked up (oops I’m the worst). I looove how Wein develops the whole setting and wish I also had a castle in backyard! Having finished this, I’m preparing myself for the PAIN in my inevitable CNV re-read.
I grew up on HF actually but now I like NEVER read it?!? Usually I find it frustrating, but this was so beautiful and well done. Wein is a MASTER.
Based off cover alone, I would buy this book. Glad to know it’s a good story too!
IT’S SO PRETTY RIGHT?!? Those colours.😍
OMG! This sounds so amazing! I loved Code Name Verity, and I always thought Julie was queer but could never quite tell. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this before, but now I’m determined to get my hands on it. Thank you Cait, for yet another amazing review that helped me find another good book.
Yes! It’s always nice when it’s like put down on page and not just indications. *nods* I’m so glad you liked the review, Reike! THANKS FOR READING.
So I actually got Code Name Verity from the library, but was sort of bored? -hides in a closet- Anyway, you’re tempting me to pick it back up and see if time #2 is the charm for me.
I cannot spell my own last name, apparently. I win at life.
Hey I can barely spell my own name either tbh. So we can RELATE IN THIS.
Also so sad you didn’t like CNV! I think the audio realllly helped me, because it was rather slow. So if you’re into audios, total recommend. 😉
I love historical fiction, and for so many reasons beyond that this sounds like a book a *have* to read.
I definitely enjoy them more with powerful female heroines, but I am SUPER picky about my female heroines… The Shoemaker’s Wife was a beautiful, beautiful book and the female heroine in that one I did quite like. She is an independent and strong woman who 100% follows her heart, but doesn’t always 100% know what her heart wants. Very relatable.
Any book beautifully written makes me want to visit where it is set 😉 Especially if not only the scenery is lovingly described, but also the local cuisine. A good book set in Italy, for example, definitely makes me want to go on a food tour of Italy ;D
YESSS so much love for the heriones and just all the epic women here! I honestly get so tired of reading about bland heroines, so this was such a breath of fresh air.😍 And also the Shoemaker’s Wife sounds AMAZING then! It’s nice to read about actual realistic women too. 😂
Oh my gosh. There’s a PREQUEL? 😀 I can’t believe I did not know about this. I am off to promptly acquire a copy… I’m so glad you brought this to my attention! I loved Code Name Verity (aside from all the tears) and this book sounds amazing!
I KNOW RIGHT!?? I was so excited to see it has a prequel!! I can’t get enough of these characters.😍
I really loved this one too!! I feel like I need to re-read Code Name Verity now though. I really like the cover you have for the book – so cute.
-Lauren
The UK cover is just soooo pretty and the blues are amazing!!😍
Yay! Another one to add to my TBR! Thanks Cait!
P.S. Do you often lose socks in your excitement?
I DO lose a lot of socks in excitement. Also my dog eats them so basically I live in a sock-persecuted world.
This book sounds amazing!!!!! I definitely shall put in on my TBR.
Eeep so glad you think so, Lia!! IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.
i really want to read this now! and PLEASE go to scotland, i have family there and go up every other year. it’s AMAZING in real life.
I WANT TO GO TO SCOTLAND SO BAD THOUGH. Apparently I have long lost family up there too somewhere.😂