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Velvet Undercover
Perfect for fans of Jennifer Donnelly and Libba Bray comes this page-turning historical spy thriller from Teri Brown, author of the Born of Illusion series.
Samantha Donaldson's family has always done its duty for the British Crown. In the midst of World War I, seventeen-year-old Sam follows in their footsteps, serving her country from the homefront as a messenger for the intelligence organization MI5. After her father disappears on a diplomatic mission, she continues their studies of languages, mathematics, and complex puzzles, hoping to make him proud.
When Sam is asked to join the famed women's spy group La Dame Blanche, she's torn—while this could be an unbelievable adventure, how can she abandon her mother, who has already lost a husband? But when her handlers reveal shocking news, Sam realizes she can't refuse the exciting and dangerous opportunity.
Her acceptance leads her straight into the heart of enemy territory on a mission to extract the most valuable British spy embedded in Germany, known only as Velvet. Deep undercover in the court of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Sam must navigate the labyrinthine palace and its many glamorous—and secretive—residents to complete her assignment. To make matters worse she must fight a forbidden attraction to the enemy—a dangerously handsome German guard. In a place where personal politics are treacherously entangled in wartime policy, can Sam find Velvet before it's too late . . . for them both?
A thrilling story of one girl's journey into a deadly world of spy craft and betrayal—with unforgettable consequences.
Samantha Donaldson's family has always done its duty for the British Crown. In the midst of World War I, seventeen-year-old Sam follows in their footsteps, serving her country from the homefront as a messenger for the intelligence organization MI5. After her father disappears on a diplomatic mission, she continues their studies of languages, mathematics, and complex puzzles, hoping to make him proud.
When Sam is asked to join the famed women's spy group La Dame Blanche, she's torn—while this could be an unbelievable adventure, how can she abandon her mother, who has already lost a husband? But when her handlers reveal shocking news, Sam realizes she can't refuse the exciting and dangerous opportunity.
Her acceptance leads her straight into the heart of enemy territory on a mission to extract the most valuable British spy embedded in Germany, known only as Velvet. Deep undercover in the court of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Sam must navigate the labyrinthine palace and its many glamorous—and secretive—residents to complete her assignment. To make matters worse she must fight a forbidden attraction to the enemy—a dangerously handsome German guard. In a place where personal politics are treacherously entangled in wartime policy, can Sam find Velvet before it's too late . . . for them both?
A thrilling story of one girl's journey into a deadly world of spy craft and betrayal—with unforgettable consequences.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2015
23 people are currently reading
5622 people want to read
About the author
Teri Brown
9 books355 followersWell behaved women rarely make history. Teri Brown lived that quote way before she ever even heard it. The two things she is most proud of, (besides her children), is that she jumped out of an airplane once and she beat the original Legend of Zelda video game. She is a novel writer, head banger, pet keeper, math hater, cocktail drinker, booty shaker, book reader, city slicker, food fixer, French kisser, rule breaker, wine sipper and word scribbler. She loves her husband, kitties and chocolate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
October 21, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
“I’m pleased to inform you that you’ve been selected to join La Dame Blanche. We would like you to leave for training with the objective of joining the Third Company in Luxembourg. Are you interested?”
This started off okay, but I lost interest.
Samantha was a strong character, and she always tried to do what she thought was the right thing. She was young to be a spy, but she seemed to be confident and suited for the role, and the blackmail certainly cemented things for her.
The storyline in this was okay, but I just lost interest. I’m guessing that other people would enjoy this, but for me I just got bored, and I couldn’t get back into the story.
The ending to this did have a bit of an interesting twist, but it still wasn’t enough to save this book for me. I do think other people will enjoy this though, it just wasn’t for me.
6 out of 10
“I’m pleased to inform you that you’ve been selected to join La Dame Blanche. We would like you to leave for training with the objective of joining the Third Company in Luxembourg. Are you interested?”
This started off okay, but I lost interest.
Samantha was a strong character, and she always tried to do what she thought was the right thing. She was young to be a spy, but she seemed to be confident and suited for the role, and the blackmail certainly cemented things for her.
The storyline in this was okay, but I just lost interest. I’m guessing that other people would enjoy this, but for me I just got bored, and I couldn’t get back into the story.
The ending to this did have a bit of an interesting twist, but it still wasn’t enough to save this book for me. I do think other people will enjoy this though, it just wasn’t for me.
6 out of 10
December 17, 2015
I give this a solid 4.5 stars!! I really really liked it!! I was on the edge of my seat reading and everything was sooooo interesting. I had never read a book like this one before but I really enjoyed it. I liked all the characters and the plot was really good. There were a few things that confused me when I was reading that I wish could have been explained a bit more. Other wise I definitely recommend this book!! A really quick, exciting read!
September 8, 2015
Historical fiction about spies?! YES AND PLEASE. She's smart, observant, and fifteen. Undercover as a governess for German royalty. (Full review to come)
Read
October 16, 2015While I can't stop thinking there is something slightly cheesy about this book (and the racy sounding title and come-hither cover aren't helping matters any) I gave it a chance and thought it was a lot of fun.
I loved the setting -- WWI Germany -- and thought the spy stuff, while completely improbable, was still pretty entertaining. Samantha, the main character, was kind of a prickly loner, but I get that, so liked her. She's a young British girl with a talent for speaking perfect German and is plucked out of school and asked to go undercover as a governess to help contact a missing spy. (Okay, here's the part that never made sense to me - the organization who recruits her knows the spy's code name but not who she is. Then they're saying that she's dropped out of sight, but there are two likely candidates of who she is. To me, that part was a little sketchy.) There's a romance, which was pretty insta-love-y but still quite sweet. I wish the book had conveyed more of a sense of danger and had richer historical detail, but I still enjoyed it. Historical brain candy, like the last book I read, but tasty nonetheless....
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
I loved the setting -- WWI Germany -- and thought the spy stuff, while completely improbable, was still pretty entertaining. Samantha, the main character, was kind of a prickly loner, but I get that, so liked her. She's a young British girl with a talent for speaking perfect German and is plucked out of school and asked to go undercover as a governess to help contact a missing spy. (Okay, here's the part that never made sense to me - the organization who recruits her knows the spy's code name but not who she is. Then they're saying that she's dropped out of sight, but there are two likely candidates of who she is. To me, that part was a little sketchy.) There's a romance, which was pretty insta-love-y but still quite sweet. I wish the book had conveyed more of a sense of danger and had richer historical detail, but I still enjoyed it. Historical brain candy, like the last book I read, but tasty nonetheless....
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
April 18, 2021
2.5 stars
Historical fiction is the genre that I've been trying to delve into much more this year. This paired with a fondness for (at least the idea of) spy thrillers, as soon as I heard about Velvet Undercover, I was excited. A teenage spy sent into Germany from the UK during World War I? Color me intrigued. This book was entertaining... but not exactly mindblowing.
I'll start with my biggest point of critique and the thing that kept this book from ever really engaging me fully: the writing. I have this thing with historical fiction - especially those set in Britain or with British characters. I really need the writing to feel authentic and engrossing. If you're in Britain, you should at least attempt to present British-sounding dialogue and terminology. You should not, like this book, talk about a dinner of stew and biscuits - when biscuits in Britain means cookies. *facepalm* Overall the writing was so Americanized and watered down for its target audience. That's not to say it was bad, but it just left me wanting more. And with settings in London and Berlin, I really want a sense of atmosphere to where I can picture the places, the people, and the mannerisms in my mind, but this book never quite got there.
The plot, luckily, kept me going. Samantha Donaldson gets recruited by MI5 due to her having lived in Berlin as a child, to dive into the field and save an undercover agent who may very well be compromised. She's been trained at a special school and has a knack for code breaking, so she's glad to be able to put those skills to good use. However, she doesn't go completely voluntarily. She's blackmailed into it, being promised information about her father who went missing during a diplomatic mission.
As far as mysteries go, Velvet Undercover does a lot of things right. You're pointed in one direction, Samantha is gradually decrypting clues as she goes along, and before long there are some murders and plot twists that convince you to keep reading. It really is interesting and compulsively readable in that sense. And as the story, for a large part, takes place in the royal palace in Berlin, it was cool to see an image of how one of the enemy countries was governed. Though the book doesn't delve into it too much, you do get a sense of the political maneuvering during the time period (and the foreshadowing about the consequences for the country and the world in the coming decades).
But, yet in other things, this book is a bit simplistic and juvenile. And not in the sense that this is a fun, rompy spy novel - it's completely serious - but Samantha can be pretty dumb. She arrives in Berlin knowing that there are two suspects that could be Velvet. She focuses only on that and gets annoyed when it's been like a week and she's not sure who it is yet. Seriously, after like a week, she plans to just ask one of the two if they're Velvet. And I'm supposed to believe she's a top notch spy with a promising future? Her sleuthing was pretty simple, and she jumped to conclusions way too quickly. I kind of expected that she would first spend some time (months, pretty much) adjusting to her surroundings and gaining the trust of the people, doing some sneaky and intelligent poking around here and there, but... no. Not really.
That's not to mention that the plot twist that should shock you was about the most obvious you might expect from such a spy novel, and that Velvet ended up being exactly who I thought it was - from the first mention of that character on the page. I still kind of enjoyed figuring out how the pieces fit together, and the story had a pretty solid construction, but it just didn't wow me. At all.
I guess it's all about managing expectations. Velvet Undercover is a story you read for the plot and setting, not the characters or the romance (which isn't a big deal - very much a side story - but also gave me pretty much zero feels). The story is solid and mildly addictive to read. And yet, at the same time, you shouldn't expect serious sleuthing, intriguing puzzles, or shocking plot twists. I hate to say it, but remember the 'teenage' in the 'teenage spy novel' label.
Summing Up:
Though I mostly enjoyed this book for its unusual setting and intriguing premise, Velvet Undercover never really wowed me. Samantha is pretty freaking dumb for a supposedly brilliant teenage spy, and I called the plot twists from a mile away. Above all, though, I really wish the writing had impressed me more. Writing style is more than half the battle in historical fiction with me, and Brown's was so average and bland that I'm doubtful I want to try another one of her novels. But we'll see about that at a later date.
GIF it to me straight!
Recommended To:
I... don't really know.
*An electronic review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.
Historical fiction is the genre that I've been trying to delve into much more this year. This paired with a fondness for (at least the idea of) spy thrillers, as soon as I heard about Velvet Undercover, I was excited. A teenage spy sent into Germany from the UK during World War I? Color me intrigued. This book was entertaining... but not exactly mindblowing.
I'll start with my biggest point of critique and the thing that kept this book from ever really engaging me fully: the writing. I have this thing with historical fiction - especially those set in Britain or with British characters. I really need the writing to feel authentic and engrossing. If you're in Britain, you should at least attempt to present British-sounding dialogue and terminology. You should not, like this book, talk about a dinner of stew and biscuits - when biscuits in Britain means cookies. *facepalm* Overall the writing was so Americanized and watered down for its target audience. That's not to say it was bad, but it just left me wanting more. And with settings in London and Berlin, I really want a sense of atmosphere to where I can picture the places, the people, and the mannerisms in my mind, but this book never quite got there.
The plot, luckily, kept me going. Samantha Donaldson gets recruited by MI5 due to her having lived in Berlin as a child, to dive into the field and save an undercover agent who may very well be compromised. She's been trained at a special school and has a knack for code breaking, so she's glad to be able to put those skills to good use. However, she doesn't go completely voluntarily. She's blackmailed into it, being promised information about her father who went missing during a diplomatic mission.
As far as mysteries go, Velvet Undercover does a lot of things right. You're pointed in one direction, Samantha is gradually decrypting clues as she goes along, and before long there are some murders and plot twists that convince you to keep reading. It really is interesting and compulsively readable in that sense. And as the story, for a large part, takes place in the royal palace in Berlin, it was cool to see an image of how one of the enemy countries was governed. Though the book doesn't delve into it too much, you do get a sense of the political maneuvering during the time period (and the foreshadowing about the consequences for the country and the world in the coming decades).
But, yet in other things, this book is a bit simplistic and juvenile. And not in the sense that this is a fun, rompy spy novel - it's completely serious - but Samantha can be pretty dumb. She arrives in Berlin knowing that there are two suspects that could be Velvet. She focuses only on that and gets annoyed when it's been like a week and she's not sure who it is yet. Seriously, after like a week, she plans to just ask one of the two if they're Velvet. And I'm supposed to believe she's a top notch spy with a promising future? Her sleuthing was pretty simple, and she jumped to conclusions way too quickly. I kind of expected that she would first spend some time (months, pretty much) adjusting to her surroundings and gaining the trust of the people, doing some sneaky and intelligent poking around here and there, but... no. Not really.
That's not to mention that the plot twist that should shock you was about the most obvious you might expect from such a spy novel, and that Velvet ended up being exactly who I thought it was - from the first mention of that character on the page. I still kind of enjoyed figuring out how the pieces fit together, and the story had a pretty solid construction, but it just didn't wow me. At all.
I guess it's all about managing expectations. Velvet Undercover is a story you read for the plot and setting, not the characters or the romance (which isn't a big deal - very much a side story - but also gave me pretty much zero feels). The story is solid and mildly addictive to read. And yet, at the same time, you shouldn't expect serious sleuthing, intriguing puzzles, or shocking plot twists. I hate to say it, but remember the 'teenage' in the 'teenage spy novel' label.
Summing Up:
Though I mostly enjoyed this book for its unusual setting and intriguing premise, Velvet Undercover never really wowed me. Samantha is pretty freaking dumb for a supposedly brilliant teenage spy, and I called the plot twists from a mile away. Above all, though, I really wish the writing had impressed me more. Writing style is more than half the battle in historical fiction with me, and Brown's was so average and bland that I'm doubtful I want to try another one of her novels. But we'll see about that at a later date.
GIF it to me straight!
Recommended To:
I... don't really know.
*An electronic review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.
July 17, 2015
I feel as though this book did half of what I needed it to in all areas. It half made sense. The characters were half developed. The plot was half enjoyable. Overall I'm left with a hardly memorable story and equally unmemorable characters. Disappointed am I. Review to come.
November 15, 2015
Fafa's Book Corner (Wordpress)
Fafa's Book Corner (Blogger)
DNF
I think the only spy novels that I can enjoy are those written by Ally Carter. When I first heard about this book I was excited. I love reading spy novels and thought that this would be enjoyable. I was wrong.
The book starts off with explaining the readers that Sam is at a competition of sorts. Sam is a Girl Guide a group under MI5 in which she and a few other girls deliver messages. At the start of the book Sam and the other girls are in competition to see who will be going home with the Markel Cup. The competition consists of a few different tests.
Life at home isn't so great. Her father disappeared on a mission and since then her mother and her have remained hopeful that he will return. She really wants to win the Markel Cup because she feels like she would make him proud.
She does not win and goes to the bathroom to cry. Her cousin Rose comes in to cheer her up. When the two leave the bathroom they run into Captain Parker who reveals he would like to speak with her.
The next day she goes to the Girl Guides and is she told by her boss that the Captain wishes to see Sam. The Captain tells Sam that he was impressed by how she was able to translate a French poem into German. Due to this he offers her a chance to work with La Dame Blanche. After some thinking she declines. The Captain tells her that if she takes the job then he will personally look into her fathers disappearance. She was basically blackmailed into agreeing.
This would have been way better had I known earlier that this is supposed to be a lighthearted spy novel. The writing style read as such. I found that Sam's character was a bit of a snob and noisy. Now of course I have read about characters as such and enjoyed those books for example are Rebel Belle. But in this book the writing style really didn't work. It came off silly like Ruby Red.
Overall this was not an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to those who are looking for a lighthearted spy novel.
Fafa's Book Corner (Blogger)
DNF
I think the only spy novels that I can enjoy are those written by Ally Carter. When I first heard about this book I was excited. I love reading spy novels and thought that this would be enjoyable. I was wrong.
The book starts off with explaining the readers that Sam is at a competition of sorts. Sam is a Girl Guide a group under MI5 in which she and a few other girls deliver messages. At the start of the book Sam and the other girls are in competition to see who will be going home with the Markel Cup. The competition consists of a few different tests.
Life at home isn't so great. Her father disappeared on a mission and since then her mother and her have remained hopeful that he will return. She really wants to win the Markel Cup because she feels like she would make him proud.
She does not win and goes to the bathroom to cry. Her cousin Rose comes in to cheer her up. When the two leave the bathroom they run into Captain Parker who reveals he would like to speak with her.
The next day she goes to the Girl Guides and is she told by her boss that the Captain wishes to see Sam. The Captain tells Sam that he was impressed by how she was able to translate a French poem into German. Due to this he offers her a chance to work with La Dame Blanche. After some thinking she declines. The Captain tells her that if she takes the job then he will personally look into her fathers disappearance. She was basically blackmailed into agreeing.
This would have been way better had I known earlier that this is supposed to be a lighthearted spy novel. The writing style read as such. I found that Sam's character was a bit of a snob and noisy. Now of course I have read about characters as such and enjoyed those books for example are Rebel Belle. But in this book the writing style really didn't work. It came off silly like Ruby Red.
Overall this was not an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to those who are looking for a lighthearted spy novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2015
"Trust no one." Good advice for a spy.
I can always gauge my enjoyment of a book by the amount of times I am inspired to go and Google. I'd never heard about La Dame Blanche and I blame our crappy high school history curriculum. Why didn't we ever learn about some of the heroines of the war? The people that risked their lives to track train schedules, troop movements, and the like? (Remember, no computers or internet in WWI).
Samantha is a bright young woman destined for more than her present job at MI6. She is talented in both math and speaks many languages due to her father's work as an ambassador. After she places third in a Girl Guide contest, she is approached by MI6 and offered a job as a spy. She balks at first because her father is missing and she doesn't want her mother to lose anyone else. When they offer to help find her father, Samantha accepts the offer.
Samantha is trained in all matters of spycraft - ciphers, evasion, self-defense, etc. Her mission is virtually impossible. Samantha takes on the identity of a distant cousin Sophie who will be a governess to the children. She is dropped in the palace of the Kaiser's son in order to find the elusive agent Velvet, whose identity is unknown because the handler has been murdered.
The story kept my interest throughout. Each time I thought I knew who Velvet was, I was dead wrong. Each chapter begins with a definition of something to do with spycraft. The story is told through Samantha/Sophie's point of view and I enjoyed watching her unravel the mystery.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Balzer and Bray for a review copy of this book.
I can always gauge my enjoyment of a book by the amount of times I am inspired to go and Google. I'd never heard about La Dame Blanche and I blame our crappy high school history curriculum. Why didn't we ever learn about some of the heroines of the war? The people that risked their lives to track train schedules, troop movements, and the like? (Remember, no computers or internet in WWI).
Samantha is a bright young woman destined for more than her present job at MI6. She is talented in both math and speaks many languages due to her father's work as an ambassador. After she places third in a Girl Guide contest, she is approached by MI6 and offered a job as a spy. She balks at first because her father is missing and she doesn't want her mother to lose anyone else. When they offer to help find her father, Samantha accepts the offer.
Samantha is trained in all matters of spycraft - ciphers, evasion, self-defense, etc. Her mission is virtually impossible. Samantha takes on the identity of a distant cousin Sophie who will be a governess to the children. She is dropped in the palace of the Kaiser's son in order to find the elusive agent Velvet, whose identity is unknown because the handler has been murdered.
The story kept my interest throughout. Each time I thought I knew who Velvet was, I was dead wrong. Each chapter begins with a definition of something to do with spycraft. The story is told through Samantha/Sophie's point of view and I enjoyed watching her unravel the mystery.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Balzer and Bray for a review copy of this book.
August 11, 2015
Possibly the only teenage-girl spy novel I've ever truly enjoyed, and I've read lots of this particular genre in hopes of finding a good gem. This is it!
Samantha is realistic, which I appreciate very much in a protagonist; she is a girl that is clever and talented and knows of the weight of what she is doing. Although she tries her hardest to be brave, some times (given the tenacious circumstances thrown at her) little slip-ups happen, but like any good spy she recovers quickly and keeps a calm head. More importantly, given the romantic inclinations she has for Maxwell (a high ranking palace guard) and him for her, Samantha often reminds herself that her work is much more important, and generally refuses to preoccupy her time thinking about him.
The existence of an all-women elite spy group is very interesting, and rather plausible, much like other "things" that occur in the novel. The plot-twists were unexpected and brilliant (although looking back, I appreciate the foreshadowing), the main players all interesting in their account, plus a nice and sweet romance that doesn't overwhelm the stakes at hand. The world building too was well done and I could see myself in Berlin, where everyone in the city was holding their breath, tense and waiting for something to happen.
So all in all, 4 stars— one knocked off because of Miss Tickford; you'll know what I mean ;)
Samantha is realistic, which I appreciate very much in a protagonist; she is a girl that is clever and talented and knows of the weight of what she is doing. Although she tries her hardest to be brave, some times (given the tenacious circumstances thrown at her) little slip-ups happen, but like any good spy she recovers quickly and keeps a calm head. More importantly, given the romantic inclinations she has for Maxwell (a high ranking palace guard) and him for her, Samantha often reminds herself that her work is much more important, and generally refuses to preoccupy her time thinking about him.
The existence of an all-women elite spy group is very interesting, and rather plausible, much like other "things" that occur in the novel. The plot-twists were unexpected and brilliant (although looking back, I appreciate the foreshadowing), the main players all interesting in their account, plus a nice and sweet romance that doesn't overwhelm the stakes at hand. The world building too was well done and I could see myself in Berlin, where everyone in the city was holding their breath, tense and waiting for something to happen.
So all in all, 4 stars— one knocked off because of Miss Tickford; you'll know what I mean ;)
Read
June 17, 2015I don't normally read historical novels but I wanted to give it a try since this one was about spies during the World War I. I've seen a lot of World War II books but no one writes about the First one.
This was a perfectly nice story. Can't say I was on the edge of my seat like I thought I would be. It's a mystery/thriller after all. Shouldn't I be allowed to expect that?
It will certainly appeal to the younger readers looking for a break from all those dystopians.
The ending tied everything up nicely but in a way it left room for a possible sequel if the first one sells well. The final reveal was a nice touch and it left me with a smile on my face.
This was a perfectly nice story. Can't say I was on the edge of my seat like I thought I would be. It's a mystery/thriller after all. Shouldn't I be allowed to expect that?
It will certainly appeal to the younger readers looking for a break from all those dystopians.
The ending tied everything up nicely but in a way it left room for a possible sequel if the first one sells well. The final reveal was a nice touch and it left me with a smile on my face.
October 22, 2015
Why you should read it: I haven’t read many historical YAs and love these genre crossovers. Samantha is a really great heroine who is smart and the perfect spy. Teri Brown is also a fantastic storyteller, and Velvet Undercover will sweep you away. The mystery of who Velvet is kept me guessing, and come on, who doesn’t love an elite all-woman spy group?
INTERVIEW WITH TERI BROWN
I loved the women’s spy group. If you ran one, where would you send your spies?
Teri: In Portland, Oregon, we have an ice cream shop called Salt & Straw that has the craziest ice cream flavors known to man — honey and lavender, roasted cherry and bone marrow, blackberry and goat cheese with habanera — things like that. And they all work. Their ice cream is nationally known and so incredibly dreamy delicious. Every month they temporarily unleash a set of new flavors on the world. Yes, that is where I would send a spy — to uncover all their secret recipes and find out what they were working on ahead of time. You’re welcome, world. I’m nothing if not civic minded.
Tell us about this forbidden attraction to our German hero!
Teri: What’s not to love about dangerous attractions? Especially when you are 17 and undercover in Kaiser Wilhelm’s Palace! Plus, Maxwell Mayer wears his guard uniform so very well and has a touch of melancholy about him. Who can resist a handsome, tortured hero in uniform? Certainly not Sam. But there’s that whole being an undercover spy on the opposite side of the war thing that keeps getting in the way …
Head over to the HEA Blog to read more of Teri's interview!
http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/20...
INTERVIEW WITH TERI BROWN
I loved the women’s spy group. If you ran one, where would you send your spies?
Teri: In Portland, Oregon, we have an ice cream shop called Salt & Straw that has the craziest ice cream flavors known to man — honey and lavender, roasted cherry and bone marrow, blackberry and goat cheese with habanera — things like that. And they all work. Their ice cream is nationally known and so incredibly dreamy delicious. Every month they temporarily unleash a set of new flavors on the world. Yes, that is where I would send a spy — to uncover all their secret recipes and find out what they were working on ahead of time. You’re welcome, world. I’m nothing if not civic minded.
Tell us about this forbidden attraction to our German hero!
Teri: What’s not to love about dangerous attractions? Especially when you are 17 and undercover in Kaiser Wilhelm’s Palace! Plus, Maxwell Mayer wears his guard uniform so very well and has a touch of melancholy about him. Who can resist a handsome, tortured hero in uniform? Certainly not Sam. But there’s that whole being an undercover spy on the opposite side of the war thing that keeps getting in the way …
Head over to the HEA Blog to read more of Teri's interview!
http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/20...
November 30, 2015
Velvet Undercover was a fabulous book read. I immensely enjoyed reading it. The book was filled with never-ending, lip-biting suspense.
Previously read Teri Brown's Born of Illusion series and liking it, I expected no less from this one. Turns out my expectations were proven right.
Spying? And all that in synopsis was enough to attract me to the book.
I relished reading about Sam's skill like ciphering secret codes and her training as a spy. However, I would've really appreciated if it was more.
The main character, Samantha (aka Sophia Téresa) was brilliant, smart and brave. Loved her.
The romance was..hardly there. It was less, but sweet and nice though. Would've liked some more.
Previously read Teri Brown's Born of Illusion series and liking it, I expected no less from this one. Turns out my expectations were proven right.
Spying? And all that in synopsis was enough to attract me to the book.
I relished reading about Sam's skill like ciphering secret codes and her training as a spy. However, I would've really appreciated if it was more.
The main character, Samantha (aka Sophia Téresa) was brilliant, smart and brave. Loved her.
The romance was..hardly there. It was less, but sweet and nice though. Would've liked some more.
February 19, 2019
I found this book to be very cheesy at times and I may have rolled my eyes during the villain’s stereotypical plan reveal at the end... but damnit I enjoyed this book. I’m assuming I was just in the right headspace for something like this, but I’m glad I read it! To be honest... this book was a cover buy. I don’t usually like people on the cover of books but I was intrigued! I did guess the bad guy and the reveal before the epilogue, but I don’t even care, I was glad I was right! I think it was the perfect twist and anything else would’ve made me mad.
So there’s my review, short and sweet.
If you’d like to discuss this book with me, then message me on Instagram @The.ReadRose
I’d be glad to hear from you!
So there’s my review, short and sweet.
If you’d like to discuss this book with me, then message me on Instagram @The.ReadRose
I’d be glad to hear from you!
September 25, 2015
Originally posted HERE
While this story wasn’t as thrilling as I would have liked it to be, I still loved the mystery and deception of it all. Sam is a very sharp protagonist, which suited the plot. However, even when she was at her best, she still had this doubt within her mind about whatever situation she found herself in. I understand that she was thrust into it without notice, but one can’t be doubtful in life or death situations. Especially if you are in a country illegally, could be captured- tortured- killed for what you may or may not know, or you could just be charged with espionage and rot away in a prison camp. No time for screw-ups.
A desperate girl, eager to find out what happened to her father. An intelligence organization, desperate to retrieve a valuable asset from behind enemy lines. The problem? No one knows what Velvet looks like. Some have tried and failed (as in gotten killed) at this mission. So what makes Sam the next in line for being recruited into La Dame Blanche? Her ability to decipher codes, her multilingual skills, and the fact that they knew how to get her to agree. Mentioning her father is the equivalent of dangling a raw steak in front of a lion. A low blow, but it worked. Sam is very aware of things. Her father has been preparing her for this all along. Of course she agrees, of course she wants to make her father proud – especially if he’s still alive. The only thing that eats away at her, is leaving her mother. The woman is barely holding up since the disappearance of her husband.
So, the story arced like I expect most spy mysteries would go. Sam leaves her home under super secret orders. She is then trained in the art of spying, deciphering codes, self defense, weapon firing, etc… She is smuggled into Germany and is given her assignment. Only thing is, chance will always have a say in how things play out. Sam wasn’t expecting to fall for the handsome German guard. However, she didn’t let her guard down and always remembered her duty. Sam wasn’t stupid. The girl knew that there was more at stake than a mere rescue mission. And just what does her handler have to hide? The ending was a nice wrap, but I’m wondering if this will be a series of books about La Dame Blanche.
If you love stories of WWI, espionage and intelligence, then this would make a good book to read. It’s not heavy on the thrills, but this is YA after all. Definitely recommend.
While this story wasn’t as thrilling as I would have liked it to be, I still loved the mystery and deception of it all. Sam is a very sharp protagonist, which suited the plot. However, even when she was at her best, she still had this doubt within her mind about whatever situation she found herself in. I understand that she was thrust into it without notice, but one can’t be doubtful in life or death situations. Especially if you are in a country illegally, could be captured- tortured- killed for what you may or may not know, or you could just be charged with espionage and rot away in a prison camp. No time for screw-ups.
A desperate girl, eager to find out what happened to her father. An intelligence organization, desperate to retrieve a valuable asset from behind enemy lines. The problem? No one knows what Velvet looks like. Some have tried and failed (as in gotten killed) at this mission. So what makes Sam the next in line for being recruited into La Dame Blanche? Her ability to decipher codes, her multilingual skills, and the fact that they knew how to get her to agree. Mentioning her father is the equivalent of dangling a raw steak in front of a lion. A low blow, but it worked. Sam is very aware of things. Her father has been preparing her for this all along. Of course she agrees, of course she wants to make her father proud – especially if he’s still alive. The only thing that eats away at her, is leaving her mother. The woman is barely holding up since the disappearance of her husband.
So, the story arced like I expect most spy mysteries would go. Sam leaves her home under super secret orders. She is then trained in the art of spying, deciphering codes, self defense, weapon firing, etc… She is smuggled into Germany and is given her assignment. Only thing is, chance will always have a say in how things play out. Sam wasn’t expecting to fall for the handsome German guard. However, she didn’t let her guard down and always remembered her duty. Sam wasn’t stupid. The girl knew that there was more at stake than a mere rescue mission. And just what does her handler have to hide? The ending was a nice wrap, but I’m wondering if this will be a series of books about La Dame Blanche.
If you love stories of WWI, espionage and intelligence, then this would make a good book to read. It’s not heavy on the thrills, but this is YA after all. Definitely recommend.
December 29, 2015
Not the most original book ever, but fun!
My expectations weren’t very high for Velvet Undercover. I’ve had mixed reactions to Teri Brown’s previous books, and Debby (Snuggly Oranges) wasn’t a huge fan, which generally means I won’t be either. Oddly, though, this was the first book (that wasn’t HP) to click with me in a slump period. It’s not that it’s the best book ever, but for some reason Sam’s voice clicked with me. Velvet Undercover was a quick read for me that had me turning pages, and that’s what I really needed just now.
I debated what to rate this one, between 3 and 3.5, and went with 3. My enjoyment was more of a 3.5, but quality-wise, I don’t know that the book quite earns it. Velvet Undercover is fun, but it’s not adding anything new. It follows a pretty typical spy formula and does everything tolerably well. This one might be better for reviewers newer to historical fiction or espionage novels because of that.
This is, however, one of the rare instances where I would have liked the book more without the romance. For one thing, I think it’s way too convenient, and, for another, there’s not nearly enough build up of the relationship, especially given the circumstances.
If you’re looking for something fun and fast-paced, Velvet Undercover might fit the bill. I’m very glad I read it when I did, but I don’t think this is one that will stick in my memory.
My expectations weren’t very high for Velvet Undercover. I’ve had mixed reactions to Teri Brown’s previous books, and Debby (Snuggly Oranges) wasn’t a huge fan, which generally means I won’t be either. Oddly, though, this was the first book (that wasn’t HP) to click with me in a slump period. It’s not that it’s the best book ever, but for some reason Sam’s voice clicked with me. Velvet Undercover was a quick read for me that had me turning pages, and that’s what I really needed just now.
I debated what to rate this one, between 3 and 3.5, and went with 3. My enjoyment was more of a 3.5, but quality-wise, I don’t know that the book quite earns it. Velvet Undercover is fun, but it’s not adding anything new. It follows a pretty typical spy formula and does everything tolerably well. This one might be better for reviewers newer to historical fiction or espionage novels because of that.
This is, however, one of the rare instances where I would have liked the book more without the romance. For one thing, I think it’s way too convenient, and, for another, there’s not nearly enough build up of the relationship, especially given the circumstances.
If you’re looking for something fun and fast-paced, Velvet Undercover might fit the bill. I’m very glad I read it when I did, but I don’t think this is one that will stick in my memory.
October 2, 2015
FAAABULOUS!!
I had so much fun with this book. I loved how it was kind of light-hearted but also intense and exciting at the same time. How is that even possible? I don't even know.
I adored the main character. I loved her personality and felt like I really connected with her.
EXCITING
Spy stuff
Twists
Betrayals
Europe
Historical
Historical novels aren't usually my thing but now I want MORE MORE.
I had so much fun with this book. I loved how it was kind of light-hearted but also intense and exciting at the same time. How is that even possible? I don't even know.
I adored the main character. I loved her personality and felt like I really connected with her.
EXCITING
Spy stuff
Twists
Betrayals
Europe
Historical
Historical novels aren't usually my thing but now I want MORE MORE.
Want to read
June 17, 2015EpicReads is going to make my TBR list double it's size.
November 13, 2015
I'm so disappointed. Which is just so heartbreaking. Because I really wanted to love this book. It looks gorgeous. It sounded pretty interesting. But then I read all of it today. And it was bad. Really bad. Hurts my heart, but it is the way I felt. This was a two star for me. I have so many reasons for that. Ugh.
This book started badly for me from the very first chapter. It was so bad. Like, I haven't read such a bad chapter in a long time. Which is so sad, but it is how I felt. Writing was bad, which sucks, as I did love Born of Illusion by Teri from two years before. But this one? Oh, I did not like it. Not at all, really. Sigh.
About this first chapter. I did not like the writing. And my first impression of the main character, Samantha, was not good at all. It starts with a competition between her and two other girls. She thinks she will win. But she doesn't. And she runs to the bathroom to cry and sob and just act so badly. I didn't like being inside her head at all. Ugh. It was very painful to read about. So yeah. First impression was not good at all. And then it just went downhill from there. I'm not sure I will even be able to write about all the bad things. But I'm going to try my best. There are a bunch of characters in this book. And, sadly, I didn't like any of them at all. They were just so weird and they didn't feel natural at all. Well, the kids did; only them. Just, disappointing.
This is a book from 1915. Yet I don't think I ever felt like it was a book from the past. I felt like I never saw interesting things from the past. It was to be about World War I, but nothing bad happens at all. Nothing about the war. Just a teenage girl suddenly turning a spy, and trying to search for another spy in such a pathetic way. It wasn't good at all. Sam was a bad and boring character and I felt nothing for her. I didn't like her. But I didn't hate her either. But yeah. No good feelings for her at all, which is just sad.
I don't know how to speak about the plot in this one. It was so badly done. I couldn't stand it. I wanted to DNF this book after the first chapter. But I did not, because it was a print ARC from the publisher. So I read it. And it was such a struggle. I wouldn't have minded to stop reading it no matter when. Sam works as a messenger. Then suddenly she gets a job as a spy. She has zero training in that. None. Then she trains for a couple of weeks. Then gets sent to German. It was all so silly and didn't feel natural.
There is a bit of romance in this book. Well, more like insta-like. There isn't a single kiss. But Sam sees a guard. And she blushes just by looking at him. Wth. So weird. And then he helps her with everything after that, and he smiles and laughs at her all the time, and it did not seem natural at all. I didn't like it. And she has such weird thoughts about him. It was just awkward. I felt nothing for any of them. Small romance, but it sucked. Which breaks my heart. Ugh. Max was nothing special at all, unfortunately.
I don't know what else to say. I mean, there are so many bad things I could mention. But I'm not going to. Two stars. I didn't like the book. But I didn't hate it either, but I would not read it again. Ever. The plot is so badly done. The whole spy thing was so silly. Sam is not a good spy at all. She had such weird thoughts. She did it so badly. She kept thinking so often that she was using people. Just, what? When did she ever use anyone? She never did anything. I felt like this whole book was about.. nothing. Ugh.
I'm sorry for not saying more about this book. I suppose it could have been good. But I felt like it was so boring. This book just takes place inside a castle thingy. With Sam thinking that everyone is Velvet and doing such silly things trying to figure it out. It was so boring and not interesting. I didn't even like the one villain in this book. It made so little sense. There is one death. And I did not care at all. I expected more from this book. I wanted so much more. Like what I got from Wolf By Wolf. Sigh. Disappointed.
Thank you so, so much to Megan at HarperCollins International for sending me this print ARC for review. <3 It is all kinds of gorgeous. I'm so sorry that I sort of hated it. Breaks my heart. But still happy that I read it. And having gotten it from you guys meant the most to me. But, sadly, I will not be ordering the finished hardcover. My space is limited, and considering this was a two star, it is not a book I want to buy and own as a hardcover. Sigh. But I do think others might enjoy it. Maybe. I'm still a bit unsure :)
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This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2015/0...
This book started badly for me from the very first chapter. It was so bad. Like, I haven't read such a bad chapter in a long time. Which is so sad, but it is how I felt. Writing was bad, which sucks, as I did love Born of Illusion by Teri from two years before. But this one? Oh, I did not like it. Not at all, really. Sigh.
About this first chapter. I did not like the writing. And my first impression of the main character, Samantha, was not good at all. It starts with a competition between her and two other girls. She thinks she will win. But she doesn't. And she runs to the bathroom to cry and sob and just act so badly. I didn't like being inside her head at all. Ugh. It was very painful to read about. So yeah. First impression was not good at all. And then it just went downhill from there. I'm not sure I will even be able to write about all the bad things. But I'm going to try my best. There are a bunch of characters in this book. And, sadly, I didn't like any of them at all. They were just so weird and they didn't feel natural at all. Well, the kids did; only them. Just, disappointing.
This is a book from 1915. Yet I don't think I ever felt like it was a book from the past. I felt like I never saw interesting things from the past. It was to be about World War I, but nothing bad happens at all. Nothing about the war. Just a teenage girl suddenly turning a spy, and trying to search for another spy in such a pathetic way. It wasn't good at all. Sam was a bad and boring character and I felt nothing for her. I didn't like her. But I didn't hate her either. But yeah. No good feelings for her at all, which is just sad.
I don't know how to speak about the plot in this one. It was so badly done. I couldn't stand it. I wanted to DNF this book after the first chapter. But I did not, because it was a print ARC from the publisher. So I read it. And it was such a struggle. I wouldn't have minded to stop reading it no matter when. Sam works as a messenger. Then suddenly she gets a job as a spy. She has zero training in that. None. Then she trains for a couple of weeks. Then gets sent to German. It was all so silly and didn't feel natural.
There is a bit of romance in this book. Well, more like insta-like. There isn't a single kiss. But Sam sees a guard. And she blushes just by looking at him. Wth. So weird. And then he helps her with everything after that, and he smiles and laughs at her all the time, and it did not seem natural at all. I didn't like it. And she has such weird thoughts about him. It was just awkward. I felt nothing for any of them. Small romance, but it sucked. Which breaks my heart. Ugh. Max was nothing special at all, unfortunately.
I don't know what else to say. I mean, there are so many bad things I could mention. But I'm not going to. Two stars. I didn't like the book. But I didn't hate it either, but I would not read it again. Ever. The plot is so badly done. The whole spy thing was so silly. Sam is not a good spy at all. She had such weird thoughts. She did it so badly. She kept thinking so often that she was using people. Just, what? When did she ever use anyone? She never did anything. I felt like this whole book was about.. nothing. Ugh.
I'm sorry for not saying more about this book. I suppose it could have been good. But I felt like it was so boring. This book just takes place inside a castle thingy. With Sam thinking that everyone is Velvet and doing such silly things trying to figure it out. It was so boring and not interesting. I didn't even like the one villain in this book. It made so little sense. There is one death. And I did not care at all. I expected more from this book. I wanted so much more. Like what I got from Wolf By Wolf. Sigh. Disappointed.
Thank you so, so much to Megan at HarperCollins International for sending me this print ARC for review. <3 It is all kinds of gorgeous. I'm so sorry that I sort of hated it. Breaks my heart. But still happy that I read it. And having gotten it from you guys meant the most to me. But, sadly, I will not be ordering the finished hardcover. My space is limited, and considering this was a two star, it is not a book I want to buy and own as a hardcover. Sigh. But I do think others might enjoy it. Maybe. I'm still a bit unsure :)
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This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2015/0...
October 20, 2015
Samantha Donaldson's family has always done its duty for the British Crown. In the midst of World War I, seventeen-year-old Sam follows in their footsteps, serving her country from the homefront as a messenger for the intelligence organization MI5. After her father disappears on a diplomatic mission, she continues their studies of languages, mathematics, and complex puzzles, hoping to make him proud.
When Sam is asked to join the famed women's spy group La Dame Blanche, she's torn—while this could be an unbelievable adventure, how can she abandon her mother, who has already lost a husband? But when her handlers reveal shocking news, Sam realizes she can't refuse the exciting and dangerous opportunity.
Her acceptance leads her straight into the heart of enemy territory on a mission to extract the most valuable British spy embedded in Germany, known only as Velvet. Deep undercover in the court of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Sam must navigate the labyrinthine palace and its many glamorous—and secretive—residents to complete her assignment. To make matters worse she must fight a forbidden attraction to the enemy—a dangerously handsome German guard. In a place where personal politics are treacherously entangled in wartime policy, can Sam find Velvet before it's too late . . . for them both?
Set during the First World War, this story is of Samantha Donaldson, a young bright Girl Scout who was asked to be an undercover spy for the MI5, through La Dame Blanche (a secret woman-only spy organization), and is sent into the heart of Germany to extract an agent who has info on some deadly weapon. The story is divided into parts, each a phase of her spy life, and each chapter starts with a spy word definition giving an idea of what to expect in that chapter. Her training was fun but a little too easy, if you ask me, even after what we find out in the end. The real challenge for her is to find the agent without knowing who exactly it is.
While Samantha gets into the role of Sophia, a relative to the crown princess, she has to skulk around the palace, evade any suspicions, and protect her heart from the handsome personal guard to the prince, Maxwell. Max is a bit suspicious of her, but mostly he overlooks it. She, meanwhile, has moral conflicts over using someone's affections for her job. Though only seventeen years old, she shows quite a lot of maturity, and smarts. The brilliance was a little over-exaggerated, when she literally outwits seasoned spies. Like, did they really underestimate her that much? Anyway, the story has some good twists, and the mystery is the kind that would keep you reading, so overall it's a great spy book.
Received a free galley from Balzer + Bray via Edelweiss; this does not influence my opinions or the review.
When Sam is asked to join the famed women's spy group La Dame Blanche, she's torn—while this could be an unbelievable adventure, how can she abandon her mother, who has already lost a husband? But when her handlers reveal shocking news, Sam realizes she can't refuse the exciting and dangerous opportunity.
Her acceptance leads her straight into the heart of enemy territory on a mission to extract the most valuable British spy embedded in Germany, known only as Velvet. Deep undercover in the court of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Sam must navigate the labyrinthine palace and its many glamorous—and secretive—residents to complete her assignment. To make matters worse she must fight a forbidden attraction to the enemy—a dangerously handsome German guard. In a place where personal politics are treacherously entangled in wartime policy, can Sam find Velvet before it's too late . . . for them both?
Set during the First World War, this story is of Samantha Donaldson, a young bright Girl Scout who was asked to be an undercover spy for the MI5, through La Dame Blanche (a secret woman-only spy organization), and is sent into the heart of Germany to extract an agent who has info on some deadly weapon. The story is divided into parts, each a phase of her spy life, and each chapter starts with a spy word definition giving an idea of what to expect in that chapter. Her training was fun but a little too easy, if you ask me, even after what we find out in the end. The real challenge for her is to find the agent without knowing who exactly it is.
While Samantha gets into the role of Sophia, a relative to the crown princess, she has to skulk around the palace, evade any suspicions, and protect her heart from the handsome personal guard to the prince, Maxwell. Max is a bit suspicious of her, but mostly he overlooks it. She, meanwhile, has moral conflicts over using someone's affections for her job. Though only seventeen years old, she shows quite a lot of maturity, and smarts. The brilliance was a little over-exaggerated, when she literally outwits seasoned spies. Like, did they really underestimate her that much? Anyway, the story has some good twists, and the mystery is the kind that would keep you reading, so overall it's a great spy book.
Received a free galley from Balzer + Bray via Edelweiss; this does not influence my opinions or the review.
November 19, 2015
Velvet Undercover is a historical young adult novel about a teen who goes into Berlin undercover as a spy. Now this whole spy thing was something I knew would interest me. But it’s also World War I and I haven’t read a lot of books taking place during that war.
Right away I really liked the character of Samantha. She’s very sure of herself and bold. At the same time she’s able to show her fear and vulnerability, though it’s hidden (at least most of the time) on the outside. She makes a good spy for the most part, especially considering this is her first time. She has a few blunders but I think that makes it more real. I loved that even after making a mistake she’s able to shake it off and resume. For example, when she’s training she is looking for a tail and realizes that she was a little obvious about it and plays it off as she’s looking around for something and then snaps her fingers, like ‘oh yes, that’s right!’ and continues off with a purposeful stride.
There is some mystery in the book, which I always enjoy. Samantha has to find the spy named Velvet. But that’s about all she knows. So she goes undercover in Berlin to find out who it is and get her out. While there she makes friends with a handsome soldier. They aren’t able to spend a great deal of time together but I enjoyed the time they did spend together and we got a chance to see that this could be a romance. Except that he’s an enemy soldier… The romance is light. Not even a romance, really. Just a friendship that is not really a friendship at all since Samantha is not even the person she’s pretending to be.
The historical aspects and setting were pretty great. I would say it was ‘light’ on the details but this was a good thing. I get bored with war books and that’s why I pick up the YA ones, hoping for something a bit lighter and easier to get through. And in fact I read through this book in a single afternoon/evening. I stayed up just a tad late finishing it up, anxious to find out what happens in the end.
And the ending. Wow, it was fantastic! One big thing I did predict and it wasn’t a surprise at all but several other things totally did surprise me, catching me completely off guard. It was done really well.
I do recommend this one for fans of historical spy stories, it’s a fun and fast read while still giving us what feels like a true look at some history.
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
Right away I really liked the character of Samantha. She’s very sure of herself and bold. At the same time she’s able to show her fear and vulnerability, though it’s hidden (at least most of the time) on the outside. She makes a good spy for the most part, especially considering this is her first time. She has a few blunders but I think that makes it more real. I loved that even after making a mistake she’s able to shake it off and resume. For example, when she’s training she is looking for a tail and realizes that she was a little obvious about it and plays it off as she’s looking around for something and then snaps her fingers, like ‘oh yes, that’s right!’ and continues off with a purposeful stride.
There is some mystery in the book, which I always enjoy. Samantha has to find the spy named Velvet. But that’s about all she knows. So she goes undercover in Berlin to find out who it is and get her out. While there she makes friends with a handsome soldier. They aren’t able to spend a great deal of time together but I enjoyed the time they did spend together and we got a chance to see that this could be a romance. Except that he’s an enemy soldier… The romance is light. Not even a romance, really. Just a friendship that is not really a friendship at all since Samantha is not even the person she’s pretending to be.
The historical aspects and setting were pretty great. I would say it was ‘light’ on the details but this was a good thing. I get bored with war books and that’s why I pick up the YA ones, hoping for something a bit lighter and easier to get through. And in fact I read through this book in a single afternoon/evening. I stayed up just a tad late finishing it up, anxious to find out what happens in the end.
And the ending. Wow, it was fantastic! One big thing I did predict and it wasn’t a surprise at all but several other things totally did surprise me, catching me completely off guard. It was done really well.
I do recommend this one for fans of historical spy stories, it’s a fun and fast read while still giving us what feels like a true look at some history.
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
December 16, 2015
I would have given this five stars because of the emotions that are washing over me, but this is a really cheesy, romancey mystery novel. And I couldn't give it five stars without killing my integrity as a reader.
I have always loved books about world war 1 and especially books with an air of mystery. This book was chock full of spies, codes, secret meetings, stalking, secret formulas, and just the right touch of "OHEMGEE they like eachother". It was actually a pretty decent mystery, too, which made me really happy. I predicted a couple things but not everything! All of this and it was still mostly historically accurate! Which was amazing!! I mean really they wouldn't let girls be spies... But FEMINISM right?
My biggest issue with this book would be the title. It's so cheesy, as is the cover. It actually has nothing to do with the story so tis unnecessary.
The main character was pretty weak to be honest, but I loved her. She has a great backstory, and even though it's completely unbelievable I loved it! Her parents brought her up to love codes and science and solving puzzles and I was like yes strong female character, but then her actual actions were pretty weak. Anyway, I loved how the book opened and introduced Samantha (I actually totally forgot her real name halfway through the book) It really drew me in and made me want to finish it! Maxwell is probably one of my favorite fictional male characters of all time. He's perfection. So well written. Dying.
I got so caught up in reading the book I forgot to eat dinner which is a huge deal for me. I actually knew who Velvet (a code name for a person) was the whole time and so when it was revealed I literally screamed. (That's how invested I was in this book) So crazy since the book is not actually very good, but I loved it anyways!!
I have always loved books about world war 1 and especially books with an air of mystery. This book was chock full of spies, codes, secret meetings, stalking, secret formulas, and just the right touch of "OHEMGEE they like eachother". It was actually a pretty decent mystery, too, which made me really happy. I predicted a couple things but not everything! All of this and it was still mostly historically accurate! Which was amazing!! I mean really they wouldn't let girls be spies... But FEMINISM right?
My biggest issue with this book would be the title. It's so cheesy, as is the cover. It actually has nothing to do with the story so tis unnecessary.
The main character was pretty weak to be honest, but I loved her. She has a great backstory, and even though it's completely unbelievable I loved it! Her parents brought her up to love codes and science and solving puzzles and I was like yes strong female character, but then her actual actions were pretty weak. Anyway, I loved how the book opened and introduced Samantha (I actually totally forgot her real name halfway through the book) It really drew me in and made me want to finish it! Maxwell is probably one of my favorite fictional male characters of all time. He's perfection. So well written. Dying.
I got so caught up in reading the book I forgot to eat dinner which is a huge deal for me. I actually knew who Velvet (a code name for a person) was the whole time and so when it was revealed I literally screamed. (That's how invested I was in this book) So crazy since the book is not actually very good, but I loved it anyways!!
January 3, 2016
I received an eARC via Edelweiss for review purposes.
Samantha, a bright and talented young girl growing up in WWI, is a Girl Guide and messenger for MI5. She is approached by MI5 to work for the spy organization La Dame Blanche. After she accepts, she's embedded deep undercover with the German royal family to search for another British spy known only as Velvet, who has valuable information.
Velvet Undercover was better in the second half, and I enjoyed the mystery, but other than that I felt that this book was average. It came of as cheesy most of the time, but I loved the last 40% or so, and the mystery and tension and plot twists in the second half was the saving grace for Velvet Undercover.
I was not a massive fan of the romance, but I enjoyed Maxwell as a character. I thought Samantha was quite an arrogant character, and her brilliance exaggerated. She went through little training, unbelievably so, before going undercover with the ROYAL FAMILY and the German Crown Prince. For such an essential mission, a more seasoned spy, or properly trained spy would have been sent it. Nevertheless, I'm being picky. If you're looking for a more light-hearted spy novel with a historical setting, then this might be the one for you.
However if you're looking for something as in-depth, emotional and clever as Code Name Verity and the like, then you'll be disappointed.
Samantha, a bright and talented young girl growing up in WWI, is a Girl Guide and messenger for MI5. She is approached by MI5 to work for the spy organization La Dame Blanche. After she accepts, she's embedded deep undercover with the German royal family to search for another British spy known only as Velvet, who has valuable information.
Velvet Undercover was better in the second half, and I enjoyed the mystery, but other than that I felt that this book was average. It came of as cheesy most of the time, but I loved the last 40% or so, and the mystery and tension and plot twists in the second half was the saving grace for Velvet Undercover.
I was not a massive fan of the romance, but I enjoyed Maxwell as a character. I thought Samantha was quite an arrogant character, and her brilliance exaggerated. She went through little training, unbelievably so, before going undercover with the ROYAL FAMILY and the German Crown Prince. For such an essential mission, a more seasoned spy, or properly trained spy would have been sent it. Nevertheless, I'm being picky. If you're looking for a more light-hearted spy novel with a historical setting, then this might be the one for you.
However if you're looking for something as in-depth, emotional and clever as Code Name Verity and the like, then you'll be disappointed.
March 21, 2018
*Source* Edelweiss
*Genre* Young Adult / Historical
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Teri Brown's Velvet Undercover is the thrilling story of one girl’s journey into a deadly world of spycraft and betrayal—with unforgettable consequences. The story is set to the backdrop of the Great War, aka World War I. Samantha Donaldson is a practical, intelligent British girl. She’s studied code breaking, languages, and mathematics, and she isn’t afraid to prove herself to anyone. She's a strong, brilliant, likable heroine. She is also someone who can legitimately speak several languages as though she was native to that country.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Young Adult / Historical
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Teri Brown's Velvet Undercover is the thrilling story of one girl’s journey into a deadly world of spycraft and betrayal—with unforgettable consequences. The story is set to the backdrop of the Great War, aka World War I. Samantha Donaldson is a practical, intelligent British girl. She’s studied code breaking, languages, and mathematics, and she isn’t afraid to prove herself to anyone. She's a strong, brilliant, likable heroine. She is also someone who can legitimately speak several languages as though she was native to that country.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
December 3, 2015
FIRST THOUGHTS: Velvet Undercover is a good, if average, read. I didn't particularly find myself invested in any characters, nor did I particularly find the details (historical or plot) extremely interesting. It was a quick read though, and the writing itself was decent.
August 26, 2019
— 3.75 / 5 stars ✨ —
October 19, 2015
I picked up Velvet Undercover because I loved Code Name Verity so much. Granted these are written by two totally different authors, but they both have similar aspects. We’ve got teenage females playing huge roles in World Wars (Verity in World War 2, and Sam in World War 1). Plus…spies. I mean come on! And the one thing that Code Name Verity didn’t really have…romance (which it didn’t need).
We start out Velvet Undercover with Sam being in a competition as a Guide Girl. They compete in all kinds of areas like the description mentions. Samantha’s performance in the competition as well as her previous work with the Guide Girls has caused her to stand out. Only when she’s offered an opportunity of a lifetime, she’s torn. Her father was abducted in the war and is presumed dead by many. She doesn’t want to leave her mother alone. But when information about her father is dangled in front of her, Samantha can’t turn down the opportunity to trade for answers. She’ll join the LDB in exchange for information on her father.
Samantha is then taken through a brief training period to prepare her for her first undercover spy operation—exposing and recovering another spy, Velvet, lodged deeply undercover in the Kaiser’s household. Personally, I found the amount of training Samantha was given for her mission to be extremely lacking and in no way realistic, but I didn’t dwell on that too much. And so Samantha takes the place of a distant relation to the duchess and will be acting as an assistant governess to the prince’s children. The LDB have narrowed down “Velvet” to two possible people—the governess and a close personal friend of the duchess. The role of assistant governess gets her close to the governess, and the distant relation will get her close to the duchess’s friend. While Sam does have a knack for solving puzzles, I wasn’t all that impressed with her actual spy work. I can’t imagine that you aren’t fearful even if you are a spy, but Sam was often clumsy and let her fear get the better of her.
Early on Sam finds herself feeling trusting and friendly with one of the prince’s personal guards who made her feel calm and welcome. But getting close to Maxwell isn’t the best idea, especially under the circumstances. Maxwell is a loyal guard and Sam isn’t who she pretends to be. Plus she’s on a mission. Yet these two have multiple encounters that spur them along toward one another.
I actually picked out “Velvet” from very early on as well as another twist. Even though these were things I predicted, I didn’t feel like the book was really predictable and I wasn’t 100% certain that I was right. I read Velvet Undercover very quickly. Part of that was because I was really into the story and the other part was because I had opportunity to keep reading and wasn’t forced to put it down. I do see where some might find this one more on the slow side. I won’t say that Velvet Undercover was as good as Code Name Verity, but I think it was a very well done spy book. It had a few flaws, but nothing to hold it back too much. I’m giving Velvet Undercover 4 Stars. Have you read Velvet Undercover? What did you think? Let me know!
We start out Velvet Undercover with Sam being in a competition as a Guide Girl. They compete in all kinds of areas like the description mentions. Samantha’s performance in the competition as well as her previous work with the Guide Girls has caused her to stand out. Only when she’s offered an opportunity of a lifetime, she’s torn. Her father was abducted in the war and is presumed dead by many. She doesn’t want to leave her mother alone. But when information about her father is dangled in front of her, Samantha can’t turn down the opportunity to trade for answers. She’ll join the LDB in exchange for information on her father.
Samantha is then taken through a brief training period to prepare her for her first undercover spy operation—exposing and recovering another spy, Velvet, lodged deeply undercover in the Kaiser’s household. Personally, I found the amount of training Samantha was given for her mission to be extremely lacking and in no way realistic, but I didn’t dwell on that too much. And so Samantha takes the place of a distant relation to the duchess and will be acting as an assistant governess to the prince’s children. The LDB have narrowed down “Velvet” to two possible people—the governess and a close personal friend of the duchess. The role of assistant governess gets her close to the governess, and the distant relation will get her close to the duchess’s friend. While Sam does have a knack for solving puzzles, I wasn’t all that impressed with her actual spy work. I can’t imagine that you aren’t fearful even if you are a spy, but Sam was often clumsy and let her fear get the better of her.
Early on Sam finds herself feeling trusting and friendly with one of the prince’s personal guards who made her feel calm and welcome. But getting close to Maxwell isn’t the best idea, especially under the circumstances. Maxwell is a loyal guard and Sam isn’t who she pretends to be. Plus she’s on a mission. Yet these two have multiple encounters that spur them along toward one another.
I actually picked out “Velvet” from very early on as well as another twist. Even though these were things I predicted, I didn’t feel like the book was really predictable and I wasn’t 100% certain that I was right. I read Velvet Undercover very quickly. Part of that was because I was really into the story and the other part was because I had opportunity to keep reading and wasn’t forced to put it down. I do see where some might find this one more on the slow side. I won’t say that Velvet Undercover was as good as Code Name Verity, but I think it was a very well done spy book. It had a few flaws, but nothing to hold it back too much. I’m giving Velvet Undercover 4 Stars. Have you read Velvet Undercover? What did you think? Let me know!
October 9, 2015
I rarely write reviews, but I felt the strong need to do so this time--to right a wrong. Haha, I realize that sounds very overdramatic, but I was excited when I picked up a copy of this book and my excitement was seriously dampened by primarily bad early reviews here on Goodreads.
Diving into the book despite snippets of the low reviews echoing in my head, I read the book beginning to end on the edge of my seat--it's a tense and nail-biting thriller--and was totally in love with the world building, the characters, the intrigue and mystery, the AWESOME GERMAN PALACE SETTING. Additionally, amid the flood of badass heroine stories currently available in the YA market--where female characters are superhuman bullet-proof, super smart, and impossible-to-beat born fighters--the main character in VELVET UNDERCOVER, Samantha, was an absolutely refreshing heroine, a girl who certainly has her talents, but also has serious weaknesses, least of which is youth and naivety. She felt like a true teenage heroine and while people scoff at the reader complaint that characters "should be relatable," I will stand staunchly on my soapbox and say that it is NICE as a reader to relate to the main character in the small way of at least believing that, like me, she is a multifaceted human rather than some idealized superhuman version of a female.
I didn't literally miss my train stop while reading this book (some people use this as a gage, I know), but the ticket collector did have to tap my shoulder after several verbal requests for my attention. I was that into this book!
I really expected this book to disappoint somewhere along the way, but it never did. For this reason, it is my totally personal opinion that the low reviews are a reflection of advance reader copies falling into the wrong hands rather than a reflection of the book. If you're in the mood for YA, historical fiction, spies, codebreaking, WWI, and are particularly interested in a setting beyond Allied territory, this book is absolutely going to be your cup of tea.
Diving into the book despite snippets of the low reviews echoing in my head, I read the book beginning to end on the edge of my seat--it's a tense and nail-biting thriller--and was totally in love with the world building, the characters, the intrigue and mystery, the AWESOME GERMAN PALACE SETTING. Additionally, amid the flood of badass heroine stories currently available in the YA market--where female characters are superhuman bullet-proof, super smart, and impossible-to-beat born fighters--the main character in VELVET UNDERCOVER, Samantha, was an absolutely refreshing heroine, a girl who certainly has her talents, but also has serious weaknesses, least of which is youth and naivety. She felt like a true teenage heroine and while people scoff at the reader complaint that characters "should be relatable," I will stand staunchly on my soapbox and say that it is NICE as a reader to relate to the main character in the small way of at least believing that, like me, she is a multifaceted human rather than some idealized superhuman version of a female.
I didn't literally miss my train stop while reading this book (some people use this as a gage, I know), but the ticket collector did have to tap my shoulder after several verbal requests for my attention. I was that into this book!
I really expected this book to disappoint somewhere along the way, but it never did. For this reason, it is my totally personal opinion that the low reviews are a reflection of advance reader copies falling into the wrong hands rather than a reflection of the book. If you're in the mood for YA, historical fiction, spies, codebreaking, WWI, and are particularly interested in a setting beyond Allied territory, this book is absolutely going to be your cup of tea.
May 4, 2016
Full disclosure: I know shit about WWI. So I had 0 clue of what was supposed to be historical accurate or not, these being plot and costumes or clothes or whatever, so I definetely wasn't in this book for the historical aspect but for the spy stuff and I have to say that it didn't disappoint me.
The strongest quality of Velvet Undercover was its pace, we start with a lot of just information about the spy stuff and them things go building, the mystery starts to form and about 70% in is basically a torture to put the book down. I really enjoyed the way the mystery was handled too, at first I was holding my disbelief with Sam being chosen by a highly secretive spy organization during a war time to do such a important mission, but we have a good explanation and everything did made sense by the end.
I liked Sam as a character, she was strong and smart, making the situations a lot more easy to believe in; but none of the secondary characters really had a strong personality and the book lacked a more emotional side for me. There is a romance (kind of) on this, I don't know if I would call it a romance because it never really happens but it's pretty obvious that they like each other, so despite this not being in any way a instalove at the same time it kind of seemed like it was? Ugh, is just the way Sam thinks about him since the first time they met makes it clear he is a love interest. But they were never really romantically involved on the book. So yeah, I don't know what to make of it. What I did do was roll my eyes at some of their interactions.
If you like detective/spy stories I would say to give this one a shot, for me it was worth it may be to you too.
Review originally posted here.
The strongest quality of Velvet Undercover was its pace, we start with a lot of just information about the spy stuff and them things go building, the mystery starts to form and about 70% in is basically a torture to put the book down. I really enjoyed the way the mystery was handled too, at first I was holding my disbelief with Sam being chosen by a highly secretive spy organization during a war time to do such a important mission, but we have a good explanation and everything did made sense by the end.
I liked Sam as a character, she was strong and smart, making the situations a lot more easy to believe in; but none of the secondary characters really had a strong personality and the book lacked a more emotional side for me. There is a romance (kind of) on this, I don't know if I would call it a romance because it never really happens but it's pretty obvious that they like each other, so despite this not being in any way a instalove at the same time it kind of seemed like it was? Ugh, is just the way Sam thinks about him since the first time they met makes it clear he is a love interest. But they were never really romantically involved on the book. So yeah, I don't know what to make of it. What I did do was roll my eyes at some of their interactions.
If you like detective/spy stories I would say to give this one a shot, for me it was worth it may be to you too.
Review originally posted here.
October 20, 2015
I received an ARC from the publisher via a Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this YA historical spy thriller. It was well paced to keep the action moving and the threat of discovery alive. I was particularly intrigued by the setting - WWI isn't a big time period in YA books, and it was a nice change from the usual WWII. Samantha is a good heroine. She is smart but she still makes a few mistakes, as any teen would, so she came across like a real rookie spy. The romance in this story is entirely too rushed. I liked the romantic interest, and he will be a character that other readers will consider very charming and attractive, but little time is taken to establish a believable relationship between him and the protagonist. I enjoyed the way the story was set up, which allowed for a little training, and a lot of time in the field. This was just twisty enough that I got turned around for a little while. Who can trust a spy, after all? However, when it was time for the big reveal, I wasn't quite as satisfied by the explanation as I could have been. There just wasn't enough of a backstory to allow readers to put the pieces together on their own, and that always feels a little like a cheat to me. This story reads quickly and it is compelling. I think it could have been longer to flesh out a few more of the details, but overall, it is a good read for middle school and high school girls who like lady spies. I would be interested in seeing Samantha in a few more adventures. Language and situations are appropriate for grades 7+.
October 27, 2016
I don't know that I really enjoyed this book at a 4 star level, but compared to others in the YA genre, it ranks pretty high. It was a fast and fun read and I like the cover even though it is nothing like the heroine.
It is WW1 and Samantha Donaldson is a 17-year-old British schoolgirl whose unique ability to master languages and understand codes make her an easy choice for the elite, female spy group known as La Dame Blanche. Her first mission? To infiltrate the court of Kaiser Wilhelm and find the missing spy known only as Velvet.
Sam is a cocky, spunky heroine and though I normally would be annoyed with a heroine who is talented at everything, she still came across as believable. I liked the mystery, action, and historical setting though the twists were pretty obvious. Overall, though, the story stays tight and consistent. The romance could have used a lot more development and the writing is a tad dry, but this really was a good read.
It is WW1 and Samantha Donaldson is a 17-year-old British schoolgirl whose unique ability to master languages and understand codes make her an easy choice for the elite, female spy group known as La Dame Blanche. Her first mission? To infiltrate the court of Kaiser Wilhelm and find the missing spy known only as Velvet.
Sam is a cocky, spunky heroine and though I normally would be annoyed with a heroine who is talented at everything, she still came across as believable. I liked the mystery, action, and historical setting though the twists were pretty obvious. Overall, though, the story stays tight and consistent. The romance could have used a lot more development and the writing is a tad dry, but this really was a good read.
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