The FitzOsbornes at War (The Montmaray Journals, #3)

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The FitzOsbornes at War (The Montmaray Journals #3)

4.21 of 5 stars 4.21 · rating details · 604 ratings · 164 reviews

Michelle Cooper completes her heart-stealing epic drama of history and romance with The FitzOsbornes at War.

Sophie FitzOsborne and the royal family of Montmaray escaped their remote island home when the Nazis attacked. But as war breaks out in England and around the world, nowhere is safe. Sophie fills her journal with tales of a life during wartime. Blackouts and the Bl...more

Library Binding, 560 pages

Published October 9th 2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers (first published April 2nd 2012)

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Oct 22, 2012 Reynje rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: australian, historical-fiction, read-2012, ya-lit, young-adult, books-that-linger

The third and final volume of the Montmaray Journals lands squarely at the intersection of what I wanted this book to be, and what I think it needed to be. Happily, those were not mutually exclusive outcomes, although “happily” feels like the wrong word to use. Because the ending of the trilogy was bittersweet, as most good endings are.

It’s difficult to review The FitzOsbornes at War in great detail because SPOILERS, and not just for this book but for all three, as they are very connected. Howe...more
The third and final volume of the Montmaray Journals lands squarely at the intersection of what I wanted this book to be, and what I think it needed to be. Happily, those were not mutually exclusive outcomes, although “happily” feels like the wrong word to use. Because the ending of the trilogy was bittersweet, as most good endings are.

It’s difficult to review The FitzOsbornes at War in great detail because SPOILERS, and not just for this book but for all three, as they are very connected. However, as the title states, the third book is the account of the FitzOsborne’s (exiled royal family of the fictional island of Montmaray) experiences throughout World War II.

First of all, standing ovation for Michelle Cooper on writing an impeccably researched work of historical fiction. The attention to detail and factual accuracy is really impressive, and I say this as someone with an abiding love of historical fiction and aggressive loathing of anachronisms. The fatal flaw in some historical YA is a tendency to temper the narrative and characterisation with a contemporary outlook. But I’d argue that this isn’t necessary to create a story that’s engaging for a modern audience; history doesn’t need to be injected with a dose of Gossip Girl to make it relevant or interesting. Cooper’s plots remain firmly rooted in their respective time periods, but the themes are still compelling and her characters relatable. Granted, an interest in history / historical fiction is probably necessary to gain maximum enjoyment from the series, but I admire the integrity of the books to their setting.

Cooper has written a masterful blend of fact and fiction, weaving historical figures and events into her characters’ story seamlessly. The inclusion of real life people of note – Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, the Kennedys, Unity and Deborah Mitford to name very few – doesn’t feel awkward or didactic. Rather, they are an organic part of the story, and integral to the period of history in which Sophie and her family lived. It hurts my head to think of the amount of research and fact checking required to write these parts of the story as authentically as Cooper does, but the end result is a story rich with historical context. Cooper brings this section of history to life: the Blitz, the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the Allied invasion of Normandy, and living conditions in England throughout the war are all vividly communicated through the lens of Sophie’s experiences. The human element of her personal emotions makes this novel more than merely a recounting of past events - it places the reader in the story, enables them to experience joy and grief, boredom and fear alongside her.

Sophie’s narration really carries this series for me. While I came to love all of the characters and their dynamics, it’s her voice that brings the story to life. It would be easily to draw comparisons (or rather, similarities) between Sophie FitzOsborne and Cassandra Mortmain; A Brief History of Montmaray is in part an homage to I Capture The Castle, yet Sophie retains an individuality that I find very appealing. She’s self-deprecating, though not frustratingly so, and is rather more worldly-wise than Cassandra, which is occasionally revealed through the sharp edge of humour to her voice. Sophie’s growth throughout the series is evident – fitting, considering the amount of time the books cover – but especially in the last book, where her transition into adulthood is poignantly and realistically depicted.

On the ending, which I desperately want to talk about but can’t for fear of wrecking the entire experience for others, I’ll simply say that it felt right. It’s a slightly surprising, yet brave resolution that feels like the right way to leave these characters. (For those with questions, Michelle Cooper has a Montmaray Q & A on her blog, but be aware that page is extremely spoilerific).

The FitzOsbornes at War is my favourite book of the series, perhaps because it’s the most complex, the most difficult, and the most emotional. Cooper pushes the character further in this instalment, demands a heavier toll in the plot, yet delivers a greater reward in the conclusion.

Overall, I think the Montmaray Journals are classics in the making, and their value will be enduring.
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Apr 03, 2012 steph rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who loves historical ya books

Recommended to steph by: Jess

Shelves: books-read-in-2012, favorites, e-book, action-adventure, enjoyable, fiction-family, fiction-historical, lots-of-characters, love-triangles, made-me-grin-like-a-lovesick-fool, made-me-laugh, own, romance, to-buy-when-have-money

****NO SPOILERS BECAUSE THERE ARE ENOUGH REVIEWS WITH THAT ALREADY SO NO WORRIES ON THAT FRONT.

Solid 4.5 stars.

Okay,onto the review now. So if you are reading this book/looking into reading this book/deciding whether or not you want to read this book that someone has reccomended to you, then you have obviously read book one and book two and have fallen in love with Sophie and her family and friends, yes? No? Okay, first go read a brief history of montmaray and then the fitzosbornes in exile and...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

This was best of the trilogy, a sweeping and sometimes quite moving view of WWII from the perspective of the British home front. It was a book I was eager to return to after putting it down in a way that I haven't felt very often recently. However, given the power, I'd excise every mention of Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, and the progress of her romance. This strand of the story was completely extraneous, awkwardly tacked on, and I felt as though Michelle Cooper was winking over Sophie's head wheneve...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-all, 2012-new, ebook, ya-historical, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Okay, we'll get my first two major reactions out of the way first, and then I'll talk about them (and the rest of it) more.

1) HENRY?!?!?!?!?! I DIDN'T THINK I NEEDED TO WORRY ABOUT HENRY.
2) Rupert, REALLY?!

So this was pretty much a perfect book and way to wrap the trilogy up. My biggest beef with it was shipping related and it's not like I didn't see it coming, it was just that I didn't WANT to see it coming. And since my basic stance on Sophie's life is whatever Sophie wants, Sophie deserves, f...more

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Apr 02, 2013 Deirdre rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, ya

It's absolutely astounding to read such well-written, meticulously researched historical fiction. What a tour de force! And such fun to read, too!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys drama, romance, family stories, adventure, or books with great writing and appealing characters. In other words, practically everybody. It will particularly appeal to -- let us say -- disillusioned former fans of "Downton Abbey," or people who enjoy other tales of the gentry in difficult circumstances, f...more

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Mar 22, 2013 JoLee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, childrens-young-adult

I have fallen in love with the FitzOsbornes. The final book in the series did not disappoint. It's wartime so the FitzOsbornes have some pretty heavy stuff to deal with--lots of new and harrowing situations and lots of growth for all parties. Parts of the book brought me to tears and other parts made me laugh. And the pigeons! What a perfect way to bring the whole series together. I am so glad that Michelle Cooper included a little epilogue. It's nice to see how our characters are recovering fro...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Anne Broyles rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was my favorite of the trilogy. The first book introduced the characters, their tiny nation and the tension building towards World War II. The second book has the family in exile in London, living a sometimes incongruous life (balls and fashion and life on the surface) even as main character, Sophie, worries about international politics.

In this book, which is Sophie's diary from 1939-1948, we see the sobering side of war. Even monarchs of tiny countries are not immune from death and hearta...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Josie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, historical-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Opening this book was like resuming a conversation with an old and familiar friend. Sophie is very dear to my heart, and it was a joy to be able to see her story through to the end and discover how she grows and changes as a person. I was so happy when she got together with Rupert!

But... I feel like I can't give this book 5 stars, because I didn't like it as much as the first two. Yes, it was wonderful, but it was also heartbreaking. I do admire Michelle Cooper for keeping it realistic with all...more Opening this book was like resuming a conversation with an old and familiar friend. Sophie is very dear to my heart, and it was a joy to be able to see her story through to the end and discover how she grows and changes as a person. I was so happy when she got together with Rupert!

But... I feel like I can't give this book 5 stars, because I didn't like it as much as the first two. Yes, it was wonderful, but it was also heartbreaking. I do admire Michelle Cooper for keeping it realistic with all the death and devastation (and showing how damaged Toby was after his experiences in particular), but I can't agree with her killing off Henry. I kept asking myself if the plot would have been significantly altered if she had lived, but I can't see it having a great effect? So then I wondered if perhaps Henry is one of those characters who you can't see growing up, and so needs to stay forever young -- but no, there's a line in the first book about Henry probably being an eccentric spinster when she grows up, and I can so see that happening, with her going off and having adventures in far-flung places. It was devastating to think that she'd never have the opportunity to do anything like that. And yes, I know WW2 was horrible and senseless and maybe that's the point, but what's the use of being an omnipotent author if you can't save your favourite characters from a sticky end?

I don't know. :( I don't mind weeping buckets at a good book if I can understand the reasons behind a tragic event, but Henry's death felt so unfair that it simply doesn't sit right with me.

In other news, I'd like to kick bloody Kick Kennedy right out of the novel. Her appearances felt shoehorned in just so Michelle Cooper could gratuitously namedrop JFK in the following entry. And all of Sophie's gushing about "poor Kick!" (italics hers) whenever anything tragic happened to her was utterly ridiculous, given that Kick was never mentioned at all the rest of the time.

P.S. I do love that Michelle Cooper answers questions about Montmaray and the books on her website. Some of her answers make me very happy, and this one made me laugh: "Alice’s horrible husband conveniently dies of a heart attack during the final months of the war, and she and Mary live together happily in their cottage in Fowey till they are very old."(less)

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Dec 22, 2012 Knitme23 rated it 4 of 5 stars

The final installment of the FitzOsbornes saga was the heftiest, but it also flew by the fastest. Cooper did a great job finishing up the story--as several reviewers have remarked, it's hard to go into much detail for fear of spoilers, but many of the lines fell where I'd hoped, though there were some devastating surprises.

Overall, I felt like I had a whole new understanding of what the war was like for the citizens of England. While Angela Thirkell's books go more into the "mom details" of try...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Jaylia3 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reading the FitzOsbornes at War felt like catching up with old friends. Covering the WWII era from 1939 to 1948, this third book in the series is much longer than the other two, over 500 pages, but I never found myself skimming. The series began in the tiny, impoverished kingdom of Montmaray, a fictitious island off the coast of Spain and France, home to a crumbling castle and the dwindling royal family of the FitzOsbornes. Most of the adult FitzOsbornes are mad or dead, but the teenage members...more

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Oct 11, 2012 kris rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 15, 2012 Catriona rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: so-much-love-for-these

I am so happy, and so, so sad. I feel like crying, then smiling, then crying because I’m smiling and oh goodness I don’t know. I think crying is winning here.

I have just finished reading the final book in my favourite trilogy in the whole wide world, dear goodness, I don’t even know what to say.

The final book came out on the second of this month, and I am reminded once more why ‘A Brief History of Montmaray’ (the first in the series) is my favourite book of all time. It is so beautifully written...more I am so happy, and so, so sad. I feel like crying, then smiling, then crying because I’m smiling and oh goodness I don’t know. I think crying is winning here.

I have just finished reading the final book in my favourite trilogy in the whole wide world, dear goodness, I don’t even know what to say.

The final book came out on the second of this month, and I am reminded once more why ‘A Brief History of Montmaray’ (the first in the series) is my favourite book of all time. It is so beautifully written, so raw, so true, so captivating… so heartbreaking. I really, really hope Michelle comes down to Melbourne so I can meet her and hug her and thank her for producing such an amazing series and try to delve into her mind a little.

But, I suppose I should carry on with a proper book review, even though I just want to sit here and gush about how beautiful it is.

The Montmaray Journals is set in a fictional island around the time of the second world war. Although some characters and settings are not real, Cooper manages to incorporate real time events and situations within this fictional world.

The series is told through a young girl’s diary accounting the happenings within her life, and the final book is spread across 9 years, so by the time the last page is turned, Sophie is (from what I remember) about 26 years old.

The writing is immaculate. Never have I come across words so eloquently painted across the page (except perhaps from Marcus Zusak, who is also Australian), and so free and flowing to read. It was about 500 pages, yet I felt like I was reading 100 in five minutes. Not once did the writing feel stunted, or artificially placed, or on the other end of the scale; basic and cliche’d.

The characters once again were fantastic, completely believable and relatable. I am not going to bother to put a spoiler before this sentence, as it was set in World War 2 and it is expected that not all the characters shall see the end of the war. Even the characters that were not as likeable that died were an awful shock and hurt just as much as the more amiable ones. I believe this is how living through war really is. At some points death can just seem like increasing numbers printed within a newspaper, but once one realizes that those numbers are individual lives with a wife and children, it does not matter their past wrong doings, it is just a case of feeling the most heart wrenching sorrow. The Montmaray Journals have taught me that.

Without further ado, and seeing as it is midnight and I have school tomorrow, I rate this book (and the series) 50/50. I cannot possibly see how I could deduct points. Goodnight all, and please, consider giving this series a shot.(less)

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Apr 02, 2012 Kace rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A Quick Rundown of Random Feelings:

A) I think the first person really becomes a problem in this book, because a lot of the things I wanted to know kind of get unresolved. Especially in regards to Toby/Simon. We just get some kind of rush, threesome marriage implications and that is supposed to be that. I just wanted some kind of closure, I don't feel like I got it?

B) Also, I really enjoyed the build-up of Rupert/Sophie in FitzOsbornes in Exile, but boy did the scene where they eventually come to...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Kerry Hennigan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This third and final volume in The Montmaray Journals is a suitably mature novel given that the children whose rather fanciful adventures filled the first book: A Brief History of Montmaray, are now adults living in a world at war.

The FitzOsbornes of Montmaray, a tiny island kingdom off the coast of Spain, are living in exile in London and each is doing their bit to help the allies win the war.

With Montmaray under Nazi occupation, Sophie, whose journals tell the story, and her siblings Henrietta...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Anna Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, adventure, bildungsroman, childhood, drama, family, friendship, growing-up, historical-fiction, love, new-beginnings, relationships, war, trauma, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 08, 2013 Siria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 21st-century, australian-fiction, historical-fiction, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. There were things that I didn't find satisfying about The FitzOsbornes at war. While it is possible to have a character suddenly realise that what she feels for someone isn't just friendly affection, but romantic love (c.f. Jane Austen, Emma), I didn't think it was well done here. It wasn't that the character build-up wasn't there between Sophie and Rupert, I just thought Cooper's writing was lacking something in that scene—a little too confusing, a little too tell-not-show. Likewise, while I ap...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Anne Stockwell rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wish I had reread the first two books before reading this; it's definitely not a stand-alone and there is not much of a recap. I found it confusing at first, trying to remember who everyone was and what kind of history they had with the other characters, and that turned out to be quite important. I also wish I had not read the goodreads reviews first since one of them had a major spoiler with no warning whatsoever (very bad manners!) and so I knew one of the major plot twists before I started....more I wish I had reread the first two books before reading this; it's definitely not a stand-alone and there is not much of a recap. I found it confusing at first, trying to remember who everyone was and what kind of history they had with the other characters, and that turned out to be quite important. I also wish I had not read the goodreads reviews first since one of them had a major spoiler with no warning whatsoever (very bad manners!) and so I knew one of the major plot twists before I started. That said, I enjoyed the book, although the first book (A Brief History of Montmoray) is still by far my favorite. This was very much an historical novel about life in England during the Second World War, and I did feel like it captured how it must have been, especially in London during the Blitz - trying to get around the city at night with no streetlights or car headlights, because of the blackout, sleep-deprived because of waking up to the air- raid sirens and having to haul yourself down to the damp, chilly shelters in the middle of the night, worried all the time about the safety of friends and family; and then having to go to work in the morning, because almost everyone was expected to contribute to the war effort - our heroine not excepted. And the miseries of food-rationing are never long off the page. And because these are politically aware young people (being the exiled royalty of the island kingdom Montmaray), there's a feeling of political uncertainty missing from many other novels about the time. Churchill does not come off as an unblemished hero in this one, his appeasement of the fascists in Spain being an obvious example.
One caveat for parents, teachers etc.: like some other series, the characters in this book are growing up. There's more sex in this book, and some pretty grown-up moral dilemmas. So definitely not for the younger crowd, middle school's a grey area, and fine for high school (some great talking points, good book report fodder!) - but do get them to read them in order!
And I LOVE that cover photo!(less)

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Dec 06, 2012 Marina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012, historical-fiction, war, young-adult

I read this last night (all of it) and I've been thinking about it since then. I can't get it out of my head. I luuurved this trilogy. Hmm, I think the five stars are for all of it and not only this book.

What I liked most about this one particularly: it was intense, well written, the characters captivating as always and just with the right amount of drama (considering).

What I missed in this book that actually was present in the other two: THEM, SOPHIE. I mean, the first two books are so clearly...more I read this last night (all of it) and I've been thinking about it since then. I can't get it out of my head. I luuurved this trilogy. Hmm, I think the five stars are for all of it and not only this book.

What I liked most about this one particularly: it was intense, well written, the characters captivating as always and just with the right amount of drama (considering).

What I missed in this book that actually was present in the other two: THEM, SOPHIE. I mean, the first two books are so clearly about Sophie and her family, and this one is so clearly about the war... It didn't bother me at all while reading, because it was fascinating and I really like historical fiction... But, you know, what captivated me from the first book was that while nothing much was happening half of the time, it was really interesting -- I mean, there were entries almost every day and Sophie always had things to tell, I loved that and I thought it said much about the author's ability. But this book happens so fast. I felt like the Simon incident was 2 days ago and actually 2 years had happened!!! I understand that during WW2 Sophie's life was not as interesting and that most days she just went to work and cooked for her and Veronica, but, I think she could have made cool entries anyway. I understand that WW2 swallowed everybody's lives. I don't know, I'm not complaining, it's just that I missed characters. Simon (and he's my least favourite, tbh) disappeared completely for like 2 years, and Veronica was conveniently in Spain too much (I mean, really, Spain was so inconsequential to WW2).

Anyway, I loved it, ok. It's not only very emotional and well capturing of its characters psychology, but it's truly intelligent and comprehensive of the times.

Now, my complains, with spoilers: (view spoiler)[I'm sorry but I CAN'T GET OVER TOBY. I LOVE HIM. And I'm so angry at the end he gets. I'm not even complaining of the Resistance fandango and the bomb and all, I mean: AFTERWARDS, IN ENGLAND. I really liked the idea of a marriage between Julia and him. I love them as friends, and I thought that their marriage allowed them still to find ~~true love. Yeah, I imagined like two best friends having children but having sex with other people. AND THAT MADE ME HAPPY. But adding Simon to the mix? omg that is so DECADENT. I suspected something when Sophie says that Simon is so complicated that he would need two people to make him happy, but WHAT. He hates Julia and I don't like them together, and I like him with Toby, but I wish Toby were enough for him? Also, what is this child Davey? I sincerely hope he is not the heir of the throne. MY GOT. How I cried at the end of the book when Toby signs the message with: KING TOBY. Omg, so emotional.

Complain number 2: RUPERT I LOVE YOU BUT. BUT. HOW. I mean, I liked him from the beginning, and I always wanted him to end with Sophie. But the way she realised she was in love with him! Nooo! I wanted more development. I wanted to take pleasure in their courtship and the does-he-really-like-me, do-I-really-love-him, is-that-love? It was so sudden. But yes, Rupert and Toby are my favourites, I adore them.

Other complain: I know it's quite unimportant but: why did she give Aunt C such a violent death? couldn't she die from a bronchiolitis or something?

Other complain: WHAT WITH HER MUM'S DIARY?????????

Last complain before I gloat over what I liked: The epilogue? I wished it was way into the future. The fact it's done 4 years from the ending is sad: so many things can still change! Sophie is 28! I feel that if you do an epilogue you should be able to tell: and those were the consequences of all this. But I think the consequences are still happening? I don't know, that is just me rambling.

Now, what I loved: everything else and everybody. Sophie, Veronica (she's marvellous, and I love her even though sometimes I wanna punch her in the face, and her and Daniel omggggg), Henry!!!, Julia!!!!, my boyfriends Toby and Rupert, the sexy Colonel (HE IS SEXY), I loved them all. (hide spoiler)]

Omg this review was like, so teen.(less)

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Mar 12, 2013 Magdalen Dobson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was going to mark this as done last night when I got back from vacation, but I was exhausted and wouldn't have wanted to do anything but give it its five stars, so I stopped and waited until today. This book deserves a review, and a review I will give it.
The FitzOsbornes at War has possibly been one of my favorite historical fictions point blank. It's a narrative of a small, relatively unknown royal family driven to England by the Nazis during World War II. It's told in the form of a diary and...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Jasmine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 15, 2012 TheBookSmugglers rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-of-2012, hidden-gems, historical-fiction

Originally reviewed on The Book Smugglers

3rd September 1939

I'm quite sure that, in twenty or thirty years' time, people will say about this morning, "I'll never forget where I was when I heard the news."

So begins The FitzOsbornes at War, with the news of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announcing that the country at long last is at war with Germany. Sophie FitzOsborne may be a princess, but she and the rest of her family have been in exile from their invaded homeland for two years. Wh...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Alex Baugh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: world-war-2

The Fitzosbornes, royal family of that small fictional Channel island Montmaray, are back in this third and last book of the trilogy. As you may recall in Book I, A Brief History of Montmaray, the FitzOsbornes - Toby, Sophie, Henry (Henrietta), cousin Veronica and half cousin Simon - were forced by the Nazis to leave their island home and head for London.

And in Book II, The FitzOsbornes in Exile, we found them hobnobbing between London and their Aunt Charlotte's Milford Park estate in Dorset. Ho...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Red Balloon Bookshop added it

Shelves: reviewed-by-barb, ya

The war in question is World War II, and the royal family of the little island kingdom of Montmaray is caught up in the British war effort in this fabulous conclusion to the FitzOsborne saga. Whether it's dodging bombs during the Blitz, flying missions for the RAF, or just standing in line to buy rationed food, Sophie and family are "doing their bit." Think "Downton Abbey,” but set during WWII, and you get the idea. The characters are sympathetic--real people, not stereotypes (well, maybe Aunt C...more

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Oct 27, 2012 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: general-fiction, historical-fiction, read-in-2012

This trilogy has gotten better with each book. I thought this final installment was excellent. WWII is in full swing and all the FitzOsbornes have their parts to play. Once again, the story is told through the eyes of Sophie, now a young woman. This is very much a "homefront" book. Details about the war itself are scarce; instead the story is about dealing with daily life as the world changes forever.

There is an interesting contrast between the way Sophie and Veronica handle the stress and heart...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Arianna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Arianna by: herhairgrowsback on tumblr

Shelves: ebook, original-language, in-my-heart

4.5 stars, actually. This book is, by far, the best of the trilogy. It is the most exciting, the one that most of all will keep you awake at night to read more, because you need to know what's happening to the characters, you need to know that your favourites are okay - but then again, they all are your favourites because they're all flawed and terribly lovely for one reason or another. Except for Rupert, maybe, whose only flaw is his shiness and is entirely perfect in my eyes. Okay, back to the...more 4.5 stars, actually. This book is, by far, the best of the trilogy. It is the most exciting, the one that most of all will keep you awake at night to read more, because you need to know what's happening to the characters, you need to know that your favourites are okay - but then again, they all are your favourites because they're all flawed and terribly lovely for one reason or another. Except for Rupert, maybe, whose only flaw is his shiness and is entirely perfect in my eyes. Okay, back to the book: there is not one single moment that'll leave you bored - not once will you look at the closed book in a moment of spare time when you normally get back to reading and think "oh, no, I'll do something else instead". Sophie's entries will keep you alway thorougly entertained - mind you, you will cry. I know I did. (view spoiler) When certain things happened, I couldn't believe it because Sophie couldn't believe it. This book is the best written of them all. I don't know anyone who was in England during the WWII, but at times it felt like I was there myself: that's how utterly engrossing this book is. You can see Sophie growing, and it is the best feature of this book: how natural her growing is, from a girl to a woman. (view spoiler) Her life is interesting, some of her thoughts are so deep and heartfelt you feel like hugging her. I'm really enthusiastic about this book, so, everyone, go read it!(less)

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Jun 27, 2012 Rebekah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: galley, young-adult, ala2012, historical, world-war-2

What a satisfying ending to a great series. I really loved Sophie. This book read like a journal, one much more interesting than mine, all the boring bits cut out. Sophie has such wit and a dry sense of humor. I found myself sharing snippets of the novel with a friend because it was just too funny not to share.

The history of the novel, WW2, I found extremely interesting. It showed a side to the war that I hadn't read before, one of mistakes and coverup and odd little nitches of expertise that I...more What a satisfying ending to a great series. I really loved Sophie. This book read like a journal, one much more interesting than mine, all the boring bits cut out. Sophie has such wit and a dry sense of humor. I found myself sharing snippets of the novel with a friend because it was just too funny not to share.

The history of the novel, WW2, I found extremely interesting. It showed a side to the war that I hadn't read before, one of mistakes and coverup and odd little nitches of expertise that I hadn't known about before. Such meticulous research and surprisingly, to me a least, I didn't find it boring at all!

However, I did have an issue with this series, and with this book in particular.

Sophie and her family and friends have the sensabilities of those living in the year 2012, NOT 1940 in relation to sex and physical relationships. A few examples, without names in the hopes that I don't "spoil" anything.

--A friend has a one night stand with a soldier she barely met for "comfort," they are both lonely. She gets pregnant. She gets an abortion. In 1940. Sophie doesn't see anything wrong with this situation. Sex with a stranger for comfort is apparently normal, as is the resulting situation.

--Though later Sophie does have a very physical night with a boy, but she's still technically a virgin and they were both so lonely and sad with events that had happened with the war. So I guess anything for comfort during war time?

--A character in the novel doesn't believe in marriage, so her and the boy she loves will just live together.

--A character is bisexual, and has had many physical relations with boys and girls. Also not a big deal. In the end he is in a relationship with a married couple. Kind of a living-together-threesome. In 1940? Ack! I find it disturbing for 2012!

--Sophie is making out with the boy she loves and he stops her when she gets a little carried away and asks, "Have you done this before?" Sophie responds, "Sort of." He then says, "Oh good. At least one of us knows what they're doing."

Just a few examples of something that REALLY bothered me. Especially as I thought more about the book once I'd finished it. It didn't ring true to me for a historical novel set in 1940. I'm not dumb enough to believe this never happened in 1940, but for me it was like a soap opera set in 1940 but with modern sensibilities and it didn't ring true.

I would've given the book 5 stars if not for this. As is, 3.5 stars.(less)

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May 26, 2012 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-historical, 2012, world-war-ii

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. So. I admit to having put this book aside for a day earlier this week, because I just could not read on immediately. Henry’s death devastated me. The biggest part of that was the shock of it being HER that was suddenly blown away by the Nazis, I did not see that coming at all. Obviously, it started with Anthony, which is when I started realising that what still seemed like harmless, innocent adventures during book 1 and 2, was now definitely something else entirely. And of course I knew it would...more So. I admit to having put this book aside for a day earlier this week, because I just could not read on immediately. Henry’s death devastated me. The biggest part of that was the shock of it being HER that was suddenly blown away by the Nazis, I did not see that coming at all. Obviously, it started with Anthony, which is when I started realising that what still seemed like harmless, innocent adventures during book 1 and 2, was now definitely something else entirely. And of course I knew it wouldn't end with him. But Henry. I didn’t actually cry until Sophie got to the part about the funeral, though, I think part of me just didn’t want to accept the horrible truth.

I care about all of these lovely characters so much, and I did fully realise there was no way they'd all emerge unscathed. When Toby’s plane went missing, I had half a mind to just run outside and LOOK for him. For Tobias FitzOsborne. A fictional character. Let's not dwell on my state of mind while reading this book.

Anyway, enough with all the gloomy business. Because I pretty much loved this entire trilogy. I loved the perfect blend of fact and fiction. Having always been incredibly interested in anything that deals with WWII (I have my grandfather to thank for that particular obsession), I enjoyed this particular original story so much. I also very much liked all of Sophie's descriptions of London-during-times-of-war. Her portrayal of life during those times, of people trying to go on despite the dire living conditions and uncertain future outcome, was excellent.

And as always, I loved how each of the family members' own unique personality camr to the front during different situations. Especially Toby’s story throughout this final book was perfectly done, imho. He changed and grew up so much, and in the end all he wanted was to go back home, to where they belonged and had been happy and carefree before all of the horror started. And I think the "solution" at the end, with all of them living in London but spending their summers in Montmaray was a good compromise.

I could probably mention a dozen other things, but oh. Too many feelings.

The FitzOsbornes are a perfect, quirky kind of royals, and I will miss them.
(less)

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Apr 07, 2012 victoria.p rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 08, 2012 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ya-fiction

The first book enchanted me despite the boring cover, but I skipped the second book, because I was busy. I had no intention of reading this one, either, but once again the main character's chatty voice drew me in. I love the way historical incidents are worked into the plot and the way popular mood is reflected in conversations. Very sweet relaxing read, for those who like historical WWII fiction. Kick Kennedy was such a fun real-life cameo character!

****"Semi-Spoiler****

But a romance novel, th...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Manda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Michelle Cooper

Michelle Cooper writes novels for teenagers. She is the award-winning author of A Brief History of Montmaray, The FitzOsbornes in Exile and The Rage of Sheep.

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Michelle was born in Sydney, Australia in 1969. She attended a succession of schools in Fiji and country New South Wales, then went to university in Sydney. She started a Pharmacy degree, but didn't like it very much. She dropped ou...more Michelle Cooper writes novels for teenagers. She is the award-winning author of A Brief History of Montmaray, The FitzOsbornes in Exile and The Rage of Sheep.

More Info:
Michelle was born in Sydney, Australia in 1969. She attended a succession of schools in Fiji and country New South Wales, then went to university in Sydney. She started a Pharmacy degree, but didn't like it very much. She dropped out of her course in her final year and did a variety of jobs, including stuffing envelopes, selling ladies' shoes and working in a blood bank. Then she decided she should get a proper job, so she enrolled in a degree in Speech Pathology. 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 was her first novel. An early draft of the novel won a mentorship with the Children's Book Council of Australia. This meant she was lucky enough to work on the manuscript with Young Adult author Alyssa Brugman. The Rage of Sheep was published by Random House Australia in August, 2007.

Michelle's second novel, A Brief History of Montmaray, was published by Random House Australia in June, 2008, with an audiobook version, narrated by Melissa Chambers, released in November, 2008, by Louis Braille Audio. The novel was awarded the Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature and was shortlisted for the Golden 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 October, 2009, and was named in the 2010 ALA Best Books for Young Adults list. An audiobook version of the North American edition was published in January, 2010, by Listening Library.

The FitzOsbornes in Exile, the second book in The Montmaray Journals trilogy, was published in Australia in August, 2010, with an audiobook released in November, 2010. The book was published in North America in April, 2011 as a hardcover, e-book and audiobook. Michelle is currently working on the final novel in the Montmaray trilogy.

-> from http://www.michellecooper-writer.com/...(less)

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Books by Michelle Cooper

A Brief History of Montmaray (The Montmaray Journals, #1)

The FitzOsbornes in Exile (The Montmaray Journals, #2)

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Quotes from The FitzOsbornes at War

“When I was little, I longed and longed to be older, except now I can't recall what exactly it was that I most keenly anticipated. Being allowed to stay up as late as I wanted? To wear or eat or read whatever I pleased? Well, I could do all those things now, but mostly I don't--either because I have to get up early for work the next morning, or haven't enough money to buy the outfit I really love, or for some other boring, grown-up reason. Also, children don't realize what a huge proportion of adult life is used up worrying about things--from what to make for dinner and whether one's sheets will get dry in time to make the beds that night, to whether one will ever manage to meet the right man and marry him. Shouldn't being a grown-up be slightly more exhilarating?” — 3 people liked it

“And I’ll gaze across the chasm to the other side of the island, where I can still sometimes catch sight of a curly-haired urchin running joyously through the tall purple grass, her faithful dog at her heels.” — 2 people liked it

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The FitzOsbornes at War (The Montmaray Journals #3)

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