The Alice Network.

 

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption. 

1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister. 

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she's recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, code name Alice, the "queen of spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy's nose. 

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth...no matter where it leads.

 

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A powerful, memorable story. 

I love books that feature strong women. The Alice Network was this type of book. Charlie and Eve were different from one another, but both have courage. I loved that the story was told in two different timelines and featured Eve in both. From the beginning, you wonder what happened to Eve; to make her cruel, restricted. When Eve was introduced when she met Charlie in 1947, I didn’t like her. On the other hand, I wondered if there was a reason behind her attitude. I felt as if she knew more about Rose than she was telling Charlie. I had a strong feeling that there was a story behind that. Once I read Eve’s story, everything made sense to me. There are no words for what Eve had to go through, what she had to deal with all those years. It was good that she met Charlie when she did; Eve needed a friend like her. I believe that Charlie helped her, even if Eve might not see that. 

I loved Charlie and Eve’s stories. However, reading from Eve’s point of view captured my attention more. I had always loved stories about resistance and spies. I think that is one of the reasons that I was drawn to Eve’s story more. Plus, there was more happening during that time. Eve had to put up with so much pain to hide her identity. I had a feeling that she would find a way to get her revenge one day. Eve and Charlie have courage. Neither of them gave up, despite what they had to face as a result. Charlie never gave up trying to find her cousin, Rose. Eve never gave up on finding a man she hated. I felt their every emotion. The Alice Network is not just a historical book but also a story about friendship, courage, and hope. This isn’t a book that you will forget—one of the most influential books that I have read. I cannot stop thinking about it. The Alice Network is one of the stories that will stay with me; for years to come. 

The Alice Network is the first book that I have read by Kate Quinn and now that I have, I wished that I have read it sooner. I’m eager for a chance to check out the rest of her books now. If you are a fan of historical fiction, with some thriller in the mix, be sure to check out The Alice Network. This is the story that will have you on the edge of your seat from the beginning until the end.