The FitzOsbornes in Exile

The Montmaray Journals #2

by Michelle Cooper

Michelle Cooper combines the drama of pre-War Europe with the romance of debutante balls and gives us another compelling historical page turner.

Sophia FitzOsborne and the royal family of Montmaray escaped their remote island home when the Germans attacked, and now find themselves in the lap of luxury. Sophie's journal fills us in on the social whirl of London's 1937 season, but even a princess in lovely new gowns finds it hard to fit in. Is there no other debutante who reads?!

And while the balls and house parties go on, newspaper headlines scream of war in Spain and threats from Germany. No one wants a second world war. Especially not the Montmaravians—with all Europe under attack, who will care about the fate of their tiny island kingdom?

Will the FitzOsbornes ever be able to go home again? Could Montmaray be lost forever?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, World War II, War, British Literature

450 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2010

About the author

Michelle Cooper writes novels for teenagers. She is the award-winning author of Dr Huxley's Bequest, A Brief History of Montmaray, The FitzOsbornes in Exile, The FitzOsbornes at War and The Rage of Sheep.

More Info:
Michelle was born in Sydney, Australia. She attended a succession of schools in Fiji and country New South Wales, then went to university in Sydney. She worked as a speech and language pathologist for fifteen years, helping students with learning problems. Michelle liked this job a lot. She got to watch students improve their literacy skills and become happier, more confident learners - also, she got to work in an office covered in Harry Potter posters and give herself smiley stamps when she did a good job.

The Rage of Sheep, her first novel, won a mentorship with the Children's Book Council of Australia. The Rage of Sheep was published in paperback by Random House Australia in 2007, with an ebook edition released in 2012.

Michelle's second novel, A Brief History of Montmaray, was published by Random House Australia in 2008, with an audiobook version, narrated by Melissa Chambers, released the same year by Louis Braille Audio. The novel was awarded the Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards and was shortlisted for the Gold Inky, Australia's teenage choice book award. A Brief History of Montmaray was published in North America by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers in 2009, and was named in the American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults list. An audiobook version of the North American edition was published in 2010 by Listening Library, and a Vintage Classics paperback edition was released in Australia in 2012.

The FitzOsbornes in Exile, the second book in The Montmaray Journals trilogy, was published in Australia in 2010, as a paperback and audiobook. It was shortlisted for the Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature (NSW Premier's Literary Awards) and the Western Australian Premier's Young Adult Book Award, longlisted for the Gold Inky Teenage Choice Award and named a Notable Book for Older Readers by the Children's Book Council of Australia. The book was published in North America in 2011 as a hardcover, ebook and audiobook, and was listed in the Best Teen Books of 2011 by Kirkus Reviews and in the American Library Association's 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults.

The FitzOsbornes at War, the final book in The Montmaray Journals trilogy, was published in Australia and New Zealand in April, 2012 and in North America in October, 2012. The film and television rights to The Montmaray Journals have been optioned by a US production company.

Her latest book is Dr Huxley’s Bequest: A History of Medicine in Thirteen Objects, which was shortlisted for the 2018 Young People's History Prize.

-> from http://www.michellecooper-writer.com/...

Reviews

[Mariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear sir or friend,
I am a princess in exile. My family cannot access our funds unless you, a kind American, will launder money through your bank account and send letterhead, bank statements and personal documents. Thank you for helping.

Sincerely,
the FitzOsbournes

I don't know why they didn't just send out a letter like this, if they needed money so bad. I get them all of the time. And prince and princesses? Please. Like every African in London is an exiled prince. They need to come up with a better story than that.

I liked the second book better than the first, The Brief History of Montmaray. Sophia knows herself more and it's time to see past the "I'm not as beautiful as Veronica or Toby, I'm not as smart." She begins to value herself for her capacity to give a damn. That's something to me, too.
It ends on another cliffhanger! Cooper is writing the third one currently, according to her blog (I may gripe about these two books a lot but I'm a fan enough to start reading her book blog. What can I say? I'm complicated). I hope she'll finish it before I lose interest. I want to know how she will resolve this. I don't see how they could convince the English to get their little island back from the Nazis. An island with a population of one family, at the end of the first book! Will Sophia continue to grow into herself in the natural way she has so far (why I love these books), in spite of the drama?

The teenagers are involved in pretty much every historical event of the age (much like how The X-men were a part of the cuban missile crisis, mixed in with the Soviet Union, etc. in the craptacular new X-Men film. So THAT'S why that happened! That makes LOTs more sense. Right). It's kinda silly, kinda cute to read about how earnest they are about how everything is so dire if THEY don't DO something. They were kids! And who gave a damn about that little island? The Brits didn't care what the Czechs thought. Montmaray? Pfft. The Spanish civil war? (The kids do help save some Basque children. It couldn't have really been a happy ending that they are exiled in Mexico. Because no one with Basque blood wanted to go back when they started to allow them easier citizenship several years ago? Really? Mexico is a happy place for all! Nor would the remaining possessively guard their heritage or deny jobs to outsiders, or anyone wanting to join their football team. Yeah, happy ending. The chapter was too book ended for me. I gripe!) It was good to read a young adult book that knows about things like appeasement, though. If I found it hard to swallow that teenaged characters were allowed to be part of anything? (Let alone zip about the country in a car by themselves.) I really couldn't swallow the importance of a monarchy, let alone a dead one.

But I liked the familial stuff. Teenaged Sophia trying to live with being herself (she's resigned to being a shy bookworm) and find friends with people she can feel comfortable with. She will decide if what her family wants is what she wants at all (Montmaray, that dead island, back). Is she in love with a man who may or may not be homosexual? (Simon is like Clark Gable selling his sexual favors to the highest bidder.) How could she be with him knowing how her brother feels about him? (One of the highest bidders.) Will Veronica see people past her own idealogies? The historical stuff is okay but I like better reading about kids stopping playing dress up (some of them haven't stopped yet) and living in the world. Sophia lives in it by writing her journal. It's where a shy girl can relax enough to breathe. I will always want a place where a shy person can relax with likeminded souls.

P.s. I know I'm complaining a lot but... Did the American character HAVE to be a Kennedy? (Okay, almost a year later I see that this family must be largely based on the Mitfords. Kick Kennedy can stay but she doesn't bore me to tears any less.)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this even more than the first book! Sophie is coming into her own in this second novel. She's older and she's been tested, so she's able to see her own strengths and not be under Veronica's shadow. I love when we get more of Simon and Toby, too, and they weren't around as much in the first book. The foursome is really coming into its own too. Each one is so distinct, and I love seeing each FitzOsborne develop and grow, especially since they have such a big goal that they're working towards. Each person's strengths are vital. Henry provides lots of amusement, as does Aunt Charlotte. (Well, plus an equal amount of eye rolling!)

I love how seamlessly Michelle Cooper weaves in the politics of the time too. I really felt the horror of the Spanish Civil War earlier in the book and then Germany's different actions that ended up leading to war later on. I felt the tension in Britain between appeasement and action, between the Fascists and Communists, and between those who ignored the political scene (the debutantes!) and those who were aware and engaged in it. Fun to see lots of historical cameos too, like the odious Oswald Mosley. I like that Sophia and Veronica's growing up in the isolation of Montmaray means that they're so different from the other debutantes. Though it's not wrong to care about finding a husband, dresses, etc., Sophia and Veronica have so much more depth to them because they put these things in their proper place.

Loved this buddy read with Jen and Melissa!

Spoilery Bits (Beware!):

I have a feeling Veronica and Daniel are destined to end up together in some form. It's funny to see how indifferent Veronica is to romance generally. I was not like that at her age! I laughed at her and Daniel's impromptu and very public kiss in front of the British Museum. Like Sophie, I'll be following developments with interest.

Toby is a charming rascal. He does seem one of the types to be better suited to war, where he can use his energy and insouciance for the bravery of the moment. He has trouble sticking to things long term that require patience and diligence. I'm curious to see how his RAF career plays out in the war. I wonder what Simon will do in the war. His skill set is entirely different. I liked him much better in this novel. His loyalties are clear and he and Veronica get along much better. I liked his summation of Toby's character towards the end. The inequality of opportunity between Toby, as a titled man, and the girls (even though they're titled) and Simon (illegitimate , no title) is stark and quite sad. If only Simon and Veronica could go to Oxford!

I like that Sophie is not thinking romantically of Rupert yet. (Though clearly other characters are!) It seems quite clear that they'll end up together, but they're both so young still. There's a delightful innocence to their friendship that always seem to bode well for future and lasting romance in novels. I love the very end of the novel when Sophie hears all about her mother from Col. Stanley-Ross. He is such a great character. I almost want him to marry Veronica. I think they'd actually be a decent pair because the Colonel clearly respects women's abilities and is up to his neck in the politics of the day. Also definitely seems to be in some kind of Secret Service role, so I can't wait to see what he gets up to in the war.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dec 7, 2013

It's not just a gorgeous cover. Cooper is really good at creating historical characters expressing progressive views, and showing how unappreciated that is by their contemporaries. Even how dangerous that can be.



Library copy.

[Catriona · Rating 5 out of 5]

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I am physically shaking. My heart is racing. My hands (and feet) are sweating.



I have just completed the second Montmaray Journal and I am bursting with love, if Michelle Cooper keeps popping emotionally gripping books like this, I think I might just explode. With love and passion and any other word that means endless devotion to a novel.



I’m actually seriously considering finding her “official fan site” or, even better, her email address and sending her my deepest appreciation. I physically can not begin to describe how fucking fantastic this book truly is. I’m am so attached to these characters, Sophie in particular, and I am most probably going to start crying when I finish the third and final book (coming soon).







This is the first book in a while that I have become emotionally, and mentally attached to and if I can get one single person in the world to start reading this book I will be the happiest person ever.



Actually, I was in a book store today (where I bought the next book I shall be reading), and I was browsing the teen section when I saw ‘A Brief History Of Montmaray’ tucked away on the side looking sad. I then picked it up and placed it in the very middle of the shelf, in front of other books, and all I could think was “I’m going mad”. But you know what happened? Another lady was standing there, looking for a book for her daughter, when mum said to me “Oh look Catriona, theres that book your reading!” And I said “Oh gosh, yes. Isn’t it wonderful?” And the lady said “I’m looking for a book for my daughter to read.” When mum said “Well my daughter rated that book 12/10, that’s how good it is.”



We then walked away and bought another book I wanted, and glancing back, I saw the woman reading the blurb of the first and second book. YES! I am so proud. Maybe another girl my age will read this book and enjoy it just as much I have enjoyed it. And that’s when you realize how wonderful life is.



Yes, I am going mad.



I’m not going to do a proper review for this book, as it is a sequel. But you can find my review for the first book ‘A Brief History Of Montmaray” somewhere within my blog.



If you have ever considered reading this book, do not hesitate. You will not regret it.



A brief history of Montmaray & The FitzOsbornes in exile by Michelle Cooper.


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[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to the excellent A Brief History of Montmaray (and which will, based on the ending and the #2 in the title, become part of a trilogy, I assume) is just as charming, compelling, thoughtful and engaging as is predecessor. I think it could be read as a stand-alone, but really there is no reason not to read the first book first as it is excellent!

Here we find the FitzOsbornes entering adulthood dealing with life under their proper aunt's control in elegant London *and* threats of a second world war looming on the horizon. From negotiating the politics of coming out balls and trying to avoid dull suitors foisted upon them by their well-meaning aunt, to run-ins with Blackshirts and assassins, Victoria and Sophie face their fair share of troubles. Tomboy Henry fairs somewhat better in the countryside with her beloved dog and a host of other creatures but, as heir to the Montmaray throne, Toby seems to fritter away his Eaton education--one that untitled Stephen would give anything to obtain himself. Budding romances, political intrigue, and seeking the retribution due to Montmaray are all told through Sophie's eyes and make for delicious storytelling and satisfying plot.

I may have actually enjoyed this one more than the first, since I liked the interweaving of historical events and persons which seemed more involved here than in the first book when they were on Montmaray and more isolated. I also preferred London's 1930s upper class setting to the Gothic aspects of the Montmaray castle though I know some readers felt the opposite. In any case, this is a stand-out series and I highly recommend it!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-1/2 Stars

I loved this second entry in the Montmaray Journals! Sophie is the perfect narrator and I am anxious to find out how everything wraps up in the third and final book.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of The Brief History of Montmaray, the first book in the (thus far) trilogy about the FitzOsbornes, royal family of the Kingdom of Montmaray, they were running for their lives in the midst of a Luftwaffe attack. Book 2, The FitzOsbornes in Exile, continues following these royals after their safe arrival in London as recorded by Sophia FitzOsborne in her journal.

Now, it is 1937 and the FitzOsbornes have found refuge at Aunt Charlotte’s Milford Park estate in Dorset. Sophie has been looking forward to making her debut in society, excited more by the elaborate parties and the beautiful gowns. Veronica, her beautiful cousin, couldn’t care less about making her debut and instead is focused on getting Montmaray away from the Germans, Henry, short for Henrietta and Sophie’s younger sister, is up to her usual tricks, even managing to acquire a pet pig named Estella. Toby, the future king of Montmaray, is more interested in Simon Chester than school or his monarchy, and Simon, son of housekeeper Rebecca Chester and the late King of Montmaray, has just been made Lord Chancellor in an attempt to appease his claim on the Montmaravian throne. Needless to say, this all makes for some interesting reading. Oh yes, and wealthy Aunt Charlotte rules over the FitzOsbornes with an iron hand, doing her best to get Sophie, Toby, and Veronica married off to suitable partners, and away from ideas of returning to Montmaray, and getting Henry under control and more girlish.

Sophie continues to journal about the everyday things in the lives of the FitzOsbornes, providing a window into 1930s English upper class society and politics. And Sophie is the ideal chronicler of all that goes on around her. She is shy and quiet around people, becoming the girl no one notices, but also the girl who takes in everything she observes and uses it for, as Simon Chester learns, rather Machiavellian purposes.

Of course, with the world on the brink of war, politics is everywhere in The FitzOsbornes in Exile. with lots of mentions of real-life characters like Unity Mitford, the Mitford sister who likes wearing her Swastika badge everywhere, British Fascist Sir Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirts, and Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, Sophie’s new friend and daughter of Ambassador Joseph Kennedy. And if these are unfamiliar names, don’t worry. Cooper makes it all very clear and intelligible for readers who might not be so familiar with this time period. And you would think that the assassination attempt on Veronica for her strong anti-Fascist opinions, a target of the Fascist movement in Britain, but, well, I’ll leave the crazed assassination bit for you to discover yourself.

Of course, there is also plenty of humor. My favorite bit being when Henry and her Girl Guide patrol of evacuated Basque girls are invited to Buckingham Palace for tea, along with several other Guide patrols. Things quickly go downhill for Henry when she graphically explains to Princess Elizabeth how the Germans could annihilate London should war be declared, much to the horror of many of the Guides present and Queen of England herself. After all, England was maintaining a policy of appeasement and the delusion that they were still friends with Germany. In fact, England’s early refusal to take Germany seriously is demonstrated throughout The FitzOsbornes in Exile.

All in all, The FitzOsbornes in Exile a very worthy sequel to The Brief History of Montmaray, though somewhat more of a historical novel than the first book. It is still witty and fun, and there is plenty of action and adventure to satisfy. The book covers pre-war Britain, beginning in January 1937 and continuing through August 1939, less than two weeks before war is declared. But, do not be despaired wondering if the FitzOsbornes will ever get their island kingdom back - there is a third book, aptly names The FitzOsbornes at War. It is being released in Australia and New Zealand in April 2012, lucky ducks, and in England and North America in October 2012. Umm..I wonder how much the postage from Australia to the US is? Tempting!

This book is recommended for readers age 12 and up
This book was purchased for my personal library

[Reynje · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

In lieu of, or until I write a proper review, I thought I’d write a recommendation for the Montmaray books (and yes, I’m aware that I’m cheating here by incorporating books 1 and 2 into one review..)

You may enjoy A Brief History of Montmaray and The FitzOsbornes in Exile if you like reading about / are a fan of / are interested in:

Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle
Meticulously researched historical fiction
Holy-Grail-hunting Fascists
Unrequited love
The Spanish Civil War
Picasso’s Guernica
Epistolary novels
Fictional, poverty-stricken monarchies with eccentric kings
The League of Nations
Political intrigue/machinations
1930s high society, scheming and scandals
Cloudy weather with a chance of war
Castle-dwelling families

The FitzOsbornes in Exile in particular is history-heavy, but thanks to a plot that gains steady momentum, it avoids being dry or overly weighed down with the facts. The high volume of information is counter-balanced nicely by characters that are interesting and well-drawn.

Recommended for history buffs and/or people who like their historical fiction with a fanciful twist – which sounds like a terrible oxymoron, but I promise it’s not.

[steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review March 2020: 8 years later, and this series still stands up to the test of time. The part where Simon calls Sophie "Machiavelli disguised as a debutante" after she basically blackmails him into doing what needs to be done is probably my favorite line from this whole series because it basically describes what type of person Sophie is. She is the glue that holds the entire family together, the peacekeeper, the thinker, the journaler. She is just such a great character and I love her a lot. I am so glad this series is from her POV.

The author did a good job weaving in all the pre-WWII bombing, rallies, evacuations etc into the book help advance the plot along. It felt read and true and though sometimes there were too many details for me to understand (I am not up on my WWII knowledge), I still enjoyed it because it showed the timeline that the FitzO's were heading towards and it made the stakes of the final few chapters that much more intriguing and heart pounding. Now excuse me while I go read book 3, because this time I do not have to wait 2+ months for it to be shipped from Australia. :)

Original Review March 2012:THIS WAS AMAZING. I mean, AMAZING. The first one was delightful but this one, this one JUST BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER. Everyone and their uncle need to read this series so they can flail with me . Honestly. And if anyone happens to live in Australia and can send me book 3 when it comes out next month, I'd appreciate it. I DON'T THINK I CAN WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR FOR IT TO GET TO NORTH AMERICA. I NEED TO SEE THE CONCLUSION OF MY FITZOSBORNE'S AND CO.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title to this sequel to A Brief History of Montmaray suggests, the FitzOsbornes - the royal family of the tiny kingdom of Montmaray, an island lying midway between Britain and Iberia, in the Bay of Biscay - had gone into exile in Britain, driven from their ancestral home by a Nazi invasion. Living in the lap of luxury provided by their Aunt Charlotte, whose marriage to a wealthy Englishman had established her in that nation's high society, our narrator Sophie, her brilliant cousin Veronica, tomboyish younger sister Henry (Henriette), flippant older brother Toby (now King Tobias!), and (unacknowledged) cousin and friend, Simon Chester, all struggle in their separate ways to adjust to the dramatic turn that events have taken. As Sophie and Veronica endure the "Season," during which Aunt Charlotte attempts to fix their matrimonial prospects, Toby struggles at Oxford, and Simon undertakes a number of projects of his own, they must all of them grapple with the fact that Montmaray has been lost, and, coming together again, begin to plan how best to retake it. Quarreling as much amongst themselves as ever, the FitzOsbornes in exile, whether confronting deranged assassins or evading Nazi agents, are still a force to be reckoned with...

After my somewhat ambivalent feelings regarding Michelle Cooper's first foray into the world of Montmaray's royal family - I enjoyed A Brief History of Montmaray , but not quite as much as I'd expected - I wasn't sure how I would like this second installment. I'd hoped, given the fact that I found the conclusion of the first book stronger than the beginning, that I would like this sequel even more, and I was not disappointed. I raced through The FitzOsbornes in Exile, and enjoyed every minute of it! Yes, Cooper does sometimes feel as if she's doing a bit of an info-dump for the benefit of her readers - "see children? this is why fascism might have appealed to people..." - but it is never so pronounced that it takes away from the excitement of the story, or my involvement with the characters. And it is the characters - from Sophie herself, who suddenly seems so much more mature, to Simon and Toby, whose relationship is anything but simple - that really make this book worthwhile. I felt, in the first book, curiously distant from FitzOsbornes, and I struggled to work up much interest in their lives. Here, by contrast, I was completely wrapped up in their story, and dead to the world, while reading. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the third and final installment, The FitzOsbornes at War !

[Sundae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the royal family of Montmaray! On to the 3rd and final volume next.

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook read by Emma Bering.

This is book two in a series about the royal family of the fictitious island nation of Montmaray. The title gives a pretty big clue as to what is happening, and the front leaf gives away what happened in book one to result in this exile. The book is told as a series of entries from Princess Sophia’s journal, and the family’s experiences in England from 1937 to 1939.

This is a fast read, an easy young adult novel about the beginning of World War II. The British social class of the late 1930s is described well, including the debutante season. Cooper includes some real people – i.e. U.S. Ambassador Joseph Kennedy and his family, especially daughter Kick and sons Joe and John.

Having taken refuge with their Aunt Charlotte, the young king and his siblings chafe at her insistence that they join society and make advantageous marriages. They are much more concerned with the very real political issues facing England and Montmaray as Hitler’s German troops push his agenda.

I liked this one better than the first in the series. The characters are better developed, and I enjoy reading about strong, resourceful, intelligent young people.

Emma Bering does a fine job narrating the audio book. She has good pacing and enough skill as a voice artist to clearly differentiate the characters.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

November 2025:

Thoroughly enjoying my reread of this trilogy. It's wonderful.

June 2021:

This book was so good! I liked the first book in the trilogy, A Brief History of Montmaray, though it took me a while to get into it and not to think of it as a wannabe I Capture the Castle, by which it was very clearly influenced. It eventually became its own thing though, and in this second book the story and the characters took off and became so rich and interesting and completely entertaining.

Historic and cultural details of Britain in the years running up to WWII are deftly interwoven with the fictional FitzOsborne family and their tiny island kingdom of Montmaray. The novel has a charming, old-fashioned style to it that I really loved; it's almost hard to believe it was written only a decade ago, and I mean that in the most complimentary way.

Really excellent - I can't wait to start the third and final book in the series. 4.5 stars

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second Montmaray Journal explodes from the start, using Cooper's work in A Brief History of Montmaray as a fabulous jumping off point. Sophie, Veronica, Toby, and Simon, now living in exile in England, struggle to make sense of a world in which World War II seems more inevitable with every passing moment. Meanwhile, Sophie attempts to find her place in the debutante society of London and to understand the fast pace of the world away from Montmaray. This book is packed full of historical events and ideas, and they are fitted into the story in a way that seems quite true to what it would have been like living in the late 1930s. Sophie has grown into a fierce young woman, standing up for her family and country, all the while, carefully recording all the events that define the world around her. I sincerely hope there are more books to follow in this series from Cooper, as The FitzOsbornes in Exile only left me wanting more.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than the first one! Sophie's character has matured a lot, I think; she was much more relatable than I remembered her being in the first book. (This most likely has something to do with her no longer perpetually pining for Simon.) Several times her insight and observations reminded me of Cassandra Mortmain.

Michelle Cooper did a great job with the setting again. Not only did she wonderfully conjure the stifling high society of the times, but also more important things, such as the political views. (There were indeed more Mitford references in this one. Yay! I was hoping the characters would get to meet one - Debo, maybe. But sadly, it was not meant to be. They did meet Oswald Mosley and "Kick" Kennedy, though! [Two people, famous in their own rights, but I only became aware of them through various books by and about the Mitfords, heh.])

And judging from the end, I do believe there will be another book in this series!

[Angieleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times this book was so tedious, the characters so unlikable, that I wanted to just toss my laptop and call it a day. The narrator perfectly captured how absolutely snobbish their aunt is, and just how whiny Sophie can be. Veronica was sometimes inexplicably stubborn, but the saving grace was the precocious Henri.

And though Aunt Charlotte was such an insufferable snob, it wasn't unexpected considering the time period.

Continuing on from where The Brief History of Montmaray ended, the exiled FitzOsbournes are polished up and about to go on the chopping block that is the Season. Neither Veronica nor Sophie showed any signs of wanting to get married, which wasn't exactly a surprise considering Sophie was between the ages of 16 and 18. Veronica was happy with the thought of becoming a spinster, especially as she became interested in politics and feminism. Toby could care less about going to college, wasting his education when Veronica or Simon would have given their left arms to be able to attend Oxford.

There were some very comical moments thanks to Henri and her Girl Brigade, but it was also somber as they fought for the League of Nations to recognize that the Germans had taken over their little island of Montmaray and they needed help getting rid of them so that they could go back home.

There is a third book in this series, but it was never made into an audiobook and neither my library nor Scribd have a copy. I'll just have to wait and see if it goes on sale on Amazon so that I can find out what happens.

[Step · Rating 5 out of 5]

It got rid of my review! This book is still perfect to me.

[Katie Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We had a short discussion in which we failed to agree about poetic license" <<< relatable

So, I both do and don't like this book better than Book 1 of the series, A Brief History of Montmaray. On the plus side, the diary format was less jarring for me here. Sophie's journal entries are more cohesive than before; less "stream-of-consciousness" rambling and more ordinary or garden variety first-person narration. I liked that. On the minus side, Sophie and her family have been driven out of Montmaray and taken up residence at their aunt's luxurious English estate. Because Montmaray was such a unique setting and allowed for all sorts of unique challenges for the characters (burying murdered bodies in the gloomy castle crypt, anyone???) ... summer house parties and debutante balls feel a little flat by comparison. Ya know what I'm saying?

On the plus side, Sophie and Veronica's sisterly (cousinly?? whatever) relationship continues to deepen, with Veronica being sure to tell Sophie how much she appreciates her quieter strengths, and how those qualities every bit as important as Veronica's brilliance and assertiveness. Which is lovely!! We love to see women supporting each other!! And it's never suggested that Sophie is "better" than Veronica because she's softer / more traditionally feminine: it's just, "these two girls are both equally strong in different ways and form an incredible dynamic duo, so, watch out, world!"

Veronica's speech to the League of Nations in the final chapters left me breathless. We stan a QUEEN. (No, seriously, why hasn't anybody crowned her the actual Queen of Montmaray yet?? I don't wanna hear about Salic law or primogeniture. Veronica FitzOsborne has earned that throne, and I want her to have it.)

On the minus side, though, the LGBT representation in this book was ... somewhat lacking. I was initially excited in Book 1 when it was hinted that Toby and Simon were a couple, but I was disappointed by the follow-through here. Now, I understand and appreciate the author's intentions here; she wants to bring awareness to the struggles of queer folks in a society where their very existence was illegal. And that's important!! In terms of execution, I would say she achieved her goal with Toby, at least: he's sympathetic and you definitely feel for him. But Simon, our bisexual character, is Just Not Very Sympathetic, and that's an issue, because his unlikeable-ness plays directly into a lot of negative stereotypes about bisexual characters. "Oh, he's promiscuous, he's manipulative, he's taking advantage of his partners, he's playing both sides for the sake of power and influence." Which is definitely not going to endear him to the audience, and does nothing but provide fuel for readers who already believe that bisexual folks are just Like That, because they can't help it.

I feel like Simon //could// have been sympathetic in theory as a young and conflicted bisexual making a lot of bad decisions, if we had been in his POV and gotten to see more of his fears / motivations. As it is, though, he's just this gross side character whom we only get to see through Sophie's (admittedly somewhat judgmental and scandalized) gaze, which ... doesn't help anybody.

*shakes head solemnly*

Even though I found the rich, cultured English setting less engaging than the briny, untamed Montmaray one, the author still did a great job fleshing out the political conflicts of the day. It's downright terrifying to watch the rise of Fascism through Sophie's eyes, and to realize how many of her aristocratic British peers openly favor Hitler. There's more than a few lines in here about the dangers of complacency and casual bigotry which just hit different in the age of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. They hit different, man. *violent eye twitching*

Even though these books aren't perfect, they're valuable and enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series, The FitzOsbornes at War.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic installment to the “Montmaray” series!

Here, in book II, we find the FitzOsbornes living in England after their home/island kingdom was destroyed and taken over by Nazi Germans.

The FitzOsbornes have many obstacles and decisions to face: how to regain their beloved Montmaray; how to help innocent children forced to flee their countries and seek refuge in England; and how to do all this whilst not tipping off their stuffy aunt who is housing the FitzOsbornes and who controls all their money.
While this book isn’t nearly as “edge of your seat” as the later half of the first book, I did feel it kept my attention, and the challenges, though less action-y, were captivating and compelling in their own right (and there was a large part of me that was delighted not to have to worry about nightmares after reading this book!).

I still loved the characters: Victoria is still strong but kind, Toby is still fun and cheerful (though he does have his own bout of depressivness in this one) and Sophie is still thoughtful and good. The only thing that did sort of bother me is the constant back and forth with Simon. I’m never quite sure where we’re supposed to stand with him – is he good or bad or something in between? And I’m not sure if the confusion is supposed to be from Sophie’s perspective, or if the author is trying to string us along. But, for a family that’s known Simon basically forever, it seems that there should be a bit more concrete perception of him – or at least something less drastic. I can’t remember him ever doing anything really bad, and yet part of me would not be surprised if the author decided that Simon was the one who’d tipped off the Germans and sent them to destroy Montmaray (personally, I don’t think this is where things are leading, but that’s about the level of uncertainty that seems to float around the character). Whichever way it does land, I hope things get settled or explained in the next book.

Speaking of the next book, I’m definitely eagerly awaiting it! I’ve loved both initial installments and can hardly wait to find out what happens next in the lives of the FitzOsbornes!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

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The second Montmoray book finds Sophie and her family in England in 1937 and 1938, and besides being generally delightful and charming, there are plenty of references to the Mitfords and the Kennedys (Kick Kennedy is actually a character and JFK appears a couple times too--DID YOU KNOW that Kick Kennedy and Deborah Mitford were sisters-in-law? I mean, a few years after the events of this novel). I freaking love Mitfords and Kennedys. ANYWAY. A lot of times with YA books, I feel like it's too modern POV/ahistorical for the upper class characters to be pro-Jew, anti-Nazi, etc, but these characters have plenty of reasons to hate Germany and be against appeasement, which is nice, I guess. UGH sorry, I am tired and only talked about the Mitfords when they aren't even really in it and there is so much good stuff here (secretly gay/bisexual boys! Fighting for justice for one's home! Ladies getting s--- done! etc). I also appreciate the lack of attention on romance (well, none of the main characters are really interested in it, despite their aunt's efforts to marry them all off) since there are way more important things going on. I totally want to start the final book right this second but I need to get to bed at a reasonable hour, alas. A/A-.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I was glad to note that for this second book concerning the FitzOsbornes, the author acknowledged (in a way) I Capture the Castle, because there are some strong similarities, this time even down to the opening sentence ('I write this sitting...'). But it does, however, have plenty of its own originality. There was perhaps a little too much political talk for my liking, but the characterisation was very strong, and Sophia had a pleasant and likeable voice. I assume there will be more books to follow, as lots of things were left open, and Sophia has not yet had a romance of her own (which I really hope she does, and not with Rupert or Simon - but I have a feeling Simon may try something, judging from those 'speculative looks' he occasionally gives Sophia, but I hope Sophia isn't swept away by him [again], because I feel he's a wee bit of a cad.)

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed this second book even more than the first and I adored the first! Cooper does an exceptional job of showing us how Sophie, all the characters but especially Sophie, grows and develops so believable. The political maneuvering was so intriguing and the actual history and sense of the time is woven in so well. Our knowledge of the events to come makes the events so powerful. I am ready to trek to Australia to get my hands on the third book sooner! Well, I'd love to visit Australia anyway but getting book 3 soonest is an added incentive ;-) I'm eager to learn what happens to the FitzOsbornes and am wondering if Henry will have a bigger role in the next one.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the first book in this trilogy, but I LOVED this one. I felt like all the characters were able to come into their own. Sophie was finally seeing how she fit into the family dynamic, Toby and Veronica and Simon all matured and Henry was my absolute favorite! Her girl guide troop made me howl with laughter, as did most of all her dialogue. I really enjoyed the descriptions of London and Milford, as well as the generous sprinkling of integrating real people into the plot. This book felt like an episode of the new "Upstairs Downstairs" or "Downton Abbey". I couldn't put this down. If I had discovered this trilogy as a 15 year old I would have been obsessed. Highly recommended!

[LauraW · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished the FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper. I liked it, but it seemed much less focused than the first book - until the end. It felt like the middle book of a trilogy - most of the characters had been introduced in the first book; a few were added or fleshed out here, but no major developments with them. There were minor developments and minor actions, but the story seems to still be waiting for bigger conclusion. Maybe it is just the looming of World War II. We know it is coming and this just seems like an interlude before that cataclysm.

[TheBookSmugglers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed on The Book Smugglers

January 1937. The FitzOsbornes have narrowly escaped their beloved home Montmaray with their lives, and have taken refuge with their only surviving relative, Aunt Charlotte (aka the Crown Princess) in the comforts of her extensive English countryside estate. Here, Sophia, Veronica, Toby, and Harry (and of course, alleged half-brother Simon Chester) struggle to their new lifestyle - the decadence of British high society a far cry from their crumbling castle on the sea. In particular, the three eldest FitzOsbornes grapple with their Aunt's mission to bring them out into society and quickly marry them off - only to people of quality, of course. While Sophia is, understandably, excited for her new wardrobe and debut as the Season starts, her charming older brother Toby and beautiful cousin Veronica can muster far less enthusiasm. Toby, because he's already - wildly, inappropriately - in love with Simon; Veronica, because she could care less about being a debutante when the fate of Montmaray is at stake and in the clutches of the Nazis. As the months pass, Sophia and her siblings go through the ups and downs of the English aristocracy, all the while struggling to come to grips with the rising tensions at home and abroad.

All the while, the fate of Montmaray hangs in the balance, and if the exiled royals want to save their sovereign country, they must take action in an increasingly volatile world - as Guernica is decimated, Hitler rolls across Czechoslovakia, and both England and the League of Nations are paralyzed from taking any retaliatory action.

The second volume in the Montmaray Journal trilogy, The FitzOsbornes in Exile is a rare book that manages to blend the lighthearted with grave subject material, alternating between debutante balls and political embroilment. All this, of course, relayed through the candid narration of Princess Sophia's journal entries. The fact that Michelle Cooper can pull this off is both amazing and effective, allowing readers to connect with Sophia and her family, but also realizing the dark days that are rapidly approaching for the FitzOsbornes and the rest of Europe. There are bits that are frothy and entertaining - as Sophie regales us with tales of her wobbly curtseys, her fear of falling on her face as a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding, wearing the wrong thing that sets the more vicious young ton ladies atwitter - and her narrative feels wholly genuine, just like a girl would write about in her journal (if you're a girl and ever kept a journal, you may identify with Sophie's recordings of hopes and dreams and friends and clothes - I know that I did).

But then, seamlessly, Michelle Cooper switches from parties and chilled champagne to the cold truth of Europe in 1937-1939: assassination attempts, impotent politicians, and an increasingly ominous political environment. Add to this volatile cocktail the author's tightrope-walking act, weaving a fictional country into the tensions leading up to the collapse of the League of Nations, and England's declaration of war after years of appeasement! This seemingly impossible feat is accomplished fantastically well, with very little infodumping or contrivance.[1. Ok, almost no contrivance. There was one conversation in particular, about the Maginot Line involving silverware that felt a little obvious and history lesson-ish. BUT, I found it interesting and well done enough to ignore any info-dumpy misgivings (not to mention this whole exchange is likely very helpful for any reader unfamiliar with the attacks, tactics, and advances during the period - particularly young adults that may be reading about the Maginot Line for the first time!).]

The true beating, bleeding heart of this book, however, is Sophia FitzOsborne. My goodness how Sophie has grown in this second book! Her voice and keen (but seemingly offhand) observations are what drive A Brief History of Montmaray, and in The FitzOsbornes in Exile, we watch her mature not only in writing style and narrative voice, but as a character, too. Sophie, as you may recall, is the evenheaded FitzOsborne that doesn't think too highly of herself (resigned as a perennial wallflower), but isn't annoyingly self-deprecating or petty. She references Jane Eyre on occasion in her journals, and the allusion is apt - you can feel Sophie shares Jane's passion and compassion, bubbling, writhing beneath her calm exterior. As the years pass and Sophie grows from a 16 year old to an older and wiser 18 year old, her journal entries stray less towards girlish infatuation (with someone who likely will never return her attention, seeing as he was her brother's paramour), to fears for her family, for her nation, and fort he frightening prospect of things to come.

Of course, the other Montmaravian royals are present and wonderfully drawn in this second book, too, painted sympathetically by Sophie's pen. Veronica is the same headstrong, brilliant, passionate woman that speaks her mind (and has a heartfelt, beautiful speech at the end of the book), Toby is the same infuriatingly charming wastrel, spoiled yet endearing in his own way because of his big heart. Harry, who also grows in this book, is delightful as always, leading a squadron of Basque children refugees and becoming a scout leader with a penchant for mischief and archery (this will make sense when you read the book). And of course, Simon Chester is there too - breaking Toby's heart with his indifference (and pursuit of glamorous women), frustrating Veronica with his superiority, leaving Sophie to mediate the mess. We're also introduced to the FitzOsbornes' matriarch, Charlotte, who is more of a caricature as the overly-dramatic aunt, keen to marry off all of her nieces and nephew and see them situated in good society.

My only particular quibbles with this second book - which overall is better than the first, in my opinion - are twofold. First, the sense of time passing and pacing is a little slow, and a little dragging in this second book. While Ms. Cooper does a phenomenal job of blending the light with the heavy, reading about such and such garden party or chicken luncheon can be slightly tedious (especially when there is a Deranged Assassin on the loose and the fate of Montmaray is ignored for so long!). The second quibble is meatier and a slight spoiler - so look away if you don't want to know: The integration of Montmaray as a possible catalyst/role player in key events leading up to England's participation in the war left me feeling a little uncomfortable. There's the implication that Montmaray was (possibly) the landing base for the bombing of Guernica, for example (and the destruction of Montmaray was, apparently, the test run for Guernica! AND Guernica may have been bombed because of the help of a Basque Captain in rescuing the Montmaravians!). And then later in the book, we see this again with Montmaray's appeal to the League of Nations - which is unanimously approved!!!!- to condemn Germany's aggression. This type of revisionist history makes me feel conflicted, to say the least.

All this said, I truly, wholeheartedly enjoyed this book and I eagerly await the third and final volume of the Montmaray journals with The FitzOsbornes at War. If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend it.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The FitzOsbornes in Exile" - written by Michelle Cooper and published in 2010 by Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books. "I am beginning to think we FitzOsbornes have been hit with that "May you live in interesting times" curse." Sophie continues relating the story of her royal family from Montmaray following their escape from their island home amid a Nazi bombing raid. They go to live in England with her aunt, the Princess Royal, who ponies up a lot of money to get the girls ready to come out in society and the newly minted King to attend Oxford. Unfortunately, no one seems to be cooperating and that, mixed up with some challenging intrigues, makes for another super entertaining story. Cooper seems to be channeling Georgette Heyer with her witty talk and scene-setting details as she again serves up a proper British cocktail of fact and fiction. Sophie ends one of her journal entries: "Sometimes I think Life is best summed up as (a) Awful Bits, and (b) Things That Successfully Distract One from the Awful Bits." The table is set for the last installment in the trilogy and I look forward to reading it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why good reads thinks I haven’t read this book - because I have about 100 times and it is everything to me!

[Liliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You FitzOsbornes are formidable.”
“Even in exile?”
“Especially in exile.”

I love this entire family SO MUCH, even Simon (who annoys me on every other page he’s on). Love them all. Icons.

[Whatchyareading]

When I reviewed Michelle Cooper’s A Brief History of Montmaray, I hadn’t yet read the follow-up. In fact, I hadn’t even realized there was going to be a follow-up until right before I wrote my review. And then no bookstores had a copy of The FitzOsbornes in Exile. I know, because I went to six of them. I ended up having to order it online (which always annoys me) and then wait for it to come (which annoys me even more) before I finally got to pour through it in one night of ridiculous excitement.

I have to talk about Sophie, because Sophie is these books. Oh, Sophie. I freaking love Sophie. I love that she is smart. I love that no one ever gives her credit for being smart, and she just lets it roll off her back. I love that she is so open-minded. I love that she is the glue that holds her whole family and, by extension, her whole country and its history together. And I love, maybe more than anything else, that she knows what she wants and what’s important and she fights and works toward it. She may not have ever aspect of her life figured out, it’s true. But she also lives in a difficult time under difficult circumstances and she still wakes up every day and makes things happen. That’s why (as I said when I reviewed A Brief History), Sophie is the kind of character I want to put onto my future child’s brain as soon as is humanly possible.

The buildup to World War II is such a perfect setting for this story. There is the political insecurity and the general unease in the world, and that is really reflected in Sophie’s story. I thought the historical touches added a lot to this book’s plot and character development. I especially liked the real world characters dropped in (Kick Kennedy, for one, was a perfect compliment to Sophie) and the communism versus fascism versus socialism arguments were fascinating to read even if once or twice they slowed down what was happening in the plot.

But this is a journal, so of course the characters are going to comprise most of what made The FitzOsbornes so interesting. Things happen, and the FitzOsbornes do things, sure. But how Sophie feels about her family and her friends helped make me love this book. And her family and friends themselves were so well characterized. Everyone had a personality that went deeper than a stereotype. Everyone was more complicated than that, and often in ways only Sophie could see. It made this journal feel like it could be real, which is probably the greatest strength of this series.

Her comparisons between Simon and Rupert were also a great read for me. Simon, who has relationship troubles all his own, but who acknowledges Sophie’s intelligence and guile (even if he always seems surprised by it). And Rupert, who quietly appreciates her and seemed to be a perfect compliment to her in so many ways. I think it will be interesting to see where this goes. I, hope, at least, that she ends up with one of the two because I think it will say a lot about the type of person Sophie decides to be.

My one complaint was how quickly time seemed to pass in this book. If you aren’t paying attention to the dates at the start of each chapter, you can quickly get lost (I did). In some ways, those holes made me feel like something was missing. But, on the other hand, it’s the nature of a journal and a life. Still, it made some of the character choices feel a little out of place because they were quick reversals from something that to the reader feels like it was five minutes ago, but for the character could have been months. The I Capture the Castle similarities were also still there, but seemed lessen by the historical context.

Overall, I loved FitzOsbornes in Exile and I love the whole Montmaray Journals series. I wish Michelle Cooper had a twitter/facebook/something so I could fangirl her on every social network possible. Her books are smart and fun and sad and funny and many, many other adjectives. Please, go pick up A Brief History of Montmaray if you haven’t already and plow on to The FitzOsbornes in Exile. You won’t regret it.

Reviewed at WhatchYAreading on June 7, 2011.