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

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The FitzOsbornes in Exile (The Montmaray Journals #2)

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 1,014 ratings · 232 reviews

Forced to leave their island kingdom, Sophie FitzOsborne and her eccentric family take shelter in England. Sophie's dreams of making her debut in shimmering ballgowns are finally coming true, but how can she enjoy her new life when they have all lost so much?

Aunt Charlotte is ruthless in her quest to see Sophie and Veronica married off by the end of the Season, Toby is as...more

Paperback, 451 pages

Published August 2nd 2010 by Random House Australia

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2012 YALSA Nominees - List 1

33rd out of 100 books — 44 voters

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

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19th out of 42 books — 24 voters

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Jun 12, 2011 Mariel rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: shy girls

Recommended to Mariel by: a little book worm (me)

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

Sincerely,
the FitzOsbournes

I don't know why they didn't just send out a letter like this, if they needed money so bad. I get them all of the time. And prince and princesses? Please. Like every African in London is an exiled prince. They need to come up with a bett...more Dear sir or friend,
I am a princess in exile. My family cannot access our funds unless you, a kind American, will launder money through your bank account and send letterhead, bank statements and personal documents. Thank you for helping.

Sincerely,
the FitzOsbournes

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

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

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

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

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

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Jun 11, 2011 Melee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

Michelle Cooper did a great job with the setting again. Not only did she wonderfully conjure the stifling high society of the times, but also more important things, such as the pol...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Maureen E rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, young-adult, simply-superb

A couple of weeks ago, my friend B. (who sometimes comments here as the Baroness) mentioned A Brief History of Montmaray and The FitzOsbornes in Exile as being very Maureen-y books. Shortly afterwards, I was at the library* and happened to see the first one on the shelf. So I snatched it and settled down to read.

And, yes, these are very Maureen-y books. Which is a way to translate my slavering love for them into somewhat sane human-speak.

In A Brief History, we’re introduced to Sophie FitzOsborne...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Nicci added it · review of another edition

I read A Brief History of Montmaray ages ago. It was just something that sounded interesting, so I picked it up one day at the library. I really, really enjoyed it, so I was really excited when I discovered this new sequel. It was just as interesting, entertaining, and touching as its predecessor. Filled with a detailed, exquisite historical world and vibrant characters, the Montmaravians are an amazing bunch.
Sophie is a perfect narrator. She is sweet, caring, but also just a little bit tough. I...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Amu rated it 4 of 5 stars

After fleeing the German bombardment of Montmaray at the end of the last novel, Sophie and her family settle in to life in England with their formidable Aunt Charlotte. Desperate to see Sophie and Veronica married into society, Charlotte despairs of Veronica's political leanings, tomboy Henry's antics, and Toby's charming laziness. Sophie's innocent, and often almost cheerfully stoic, naivety masks the seriousness of the world events unfolding around them as she narrates the trials and tribulati...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Charty rated it 4 of 5 stars

While I found A Brief History of Montmaray interesting, well-written and charming, it wasn't exactly the most memorable thing I've ever read but I enjoyed it enough that I was looking forward to the sequel and the sequel has delivered in spades.

The the writing and scope of the story has taken leaps forward (although the characterization remains strong which was a strength of book one). The writing is crisper and there's much more humor, the historical events and personages are interwoven into t...more While I found A Brief History of Montmaray interesting, well-written and charming, it wasn't exactly the most memorable thing I've ever read but I enjoyed it enough that I was looking forward to the sequel and the sequel has delivered in spades.

The the writing and scope of the story has taken leaps forward (although the characterization remains strong which was a strength of book one). The writing is crisper and there's much more humor, the historical events and personages are interwoven into the story seamlessly. While the overarching plot loomed large, the events were rather confined in book one, whereas here the FitzOsbourne's have taken up residence in England with their Aunt Charlotte. In addition to their concerns for their lost kingdom, they are involved in the larger world of Europe and the looming threat of war. Veronica is busy debating politics and exposing Fascist followers as the idiots they are. The girls organize a refuge for Basque children from Spain. In the meantime all the children are still adjusting to their new life in England, sometimes with unexpected results.

Cooper's main strength has been in her characterization, particularly of Sophie, who is a quiet, often overlooked member of her tumultuous family, however Cooper shows her shining in several ways. As a keen observer of her family and those around her, she often has shrewd insights into other's characters, which she then uses to her advantage. Simon calls her, ruefully and not entirely sarcastically, Machiavellian. But if she does manipulate people, it is from a heart that wants the best for others. She may not be the prettiest, or the most intelligent or the cleverest, but she begins to come into her quiet strength. When Veronica falters before giving her speech to the League of Nations, it is Sophie who is there to encourage her. As you can tell I identify strongly with Sophie and appreciate a female protagonist who is, in many ways very ordinary, and yet allowed to be extraordinary in her very own, true to her character way.

I'm absolutely dying to read the last book and can't wait for my hold to fill.(less)

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Jan 21, 2013 Beks rated it 4 of 5 stars

I just finished reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is entertaining, is very well researched, and has a lovely cast of characters, and adds layers of complexity to these characters that was not in the previous book 'A Brief History of Montmaray' (as far as I remember).

It's been several years since I read the fist book, and recently before reading the this and the third book, I read 'I Capture the Castle'. As soon as I read the opening line of this book ('I write this sitting at an ex...more I just finished reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is entertaining, is very well researched, and has a lovely cast of characters, and adds layers of complexity to these characters that was not in the previous book 'A Brief History of Montmaray' (as far as I remember).

It's been several years since I read the fist book, and recently before reading the this and the third book, I read 'I Capture the Castle'. As soon as I read the opening line of this book ('I write this sitting at an exsquisite little Louis the fifteenth secretaire...') I immediately realised how similar this (and particularly the first novel) was to I Capture the Castle. But thankfully this did not lead me to feel like this book was a rip off of I Capture the Castle, probably because there are enough differences and good writing for me to love this book in it's own right.

So this is what is good about it:

-Being a bit nerdy I loved the fact that, as far as I remember from high school history, this novel is quite historically accurate, and weaves the history well into the fiction so that it feels completely natural and therefore gives a snapshot of the times that is clear and feels real enough despite the slightly eccentric cast of fictional main characters.

-The characters grew, particularly Sophie (some of the other characters develop much more in the third novel...). Don't you just hate it if characters don't develop, or their character development seems forced? Because the book spans over two years there's space to see how Sophie matures - she doesn't mature quickly, and she develops according to things that occur.

-Sometimes you read a historical fiction type novel (or any really that's trying to be based on reality) where too much is happening to a character at once and you think 'this is ridiculous and unrealistic'. That doesn't really feel like it here. Sure,out of the ordinary things happen, but there is enough time in between them for it to not be entirely ridiculous, and considering the family this story is about, well, the events seem more likely to happen them (I don't think that last sentence really made sense, so sorry)! It's made more clear in the third book that only the eventful parts are in there, that ordinary, everyday things happen most of the time, which really helps the book feel more real. I really liked this about the story.

-This book is a fun, light read that is perfect for lazy summer days, or cold winter nights curled up with a mug of tea. It's not meant to be dissected too much (I've probably done enough), sure it has some interesting themes and more challenging aspects, and is well researched and well written, but in the end this book is (to me) meant for enjoyment, not essays.

Extra note: I have a feeling I've punctuated this review as badly as Mr Bowker would (for all of those who've read the third book) so sorry!(less)

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Aug 23, 2012 TheBookSmugglers rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: notable-reads-of-2012, awesome-historical-fiction

Originally reviewed on The Book Smugglers

January 1937. The FitzOsbornes have narrowly escaped their beloved home Montmaray with their lives, and have taken refuge with their only surviving relative, Aunt Charlotte (aka the Crown Princess) in the comforts of her extensive English countryside estate. Here, Sophia, Veronica, Toby, and Harry (and of course, alleged half-brother Simon Chester) struggle to their new lifestyle - the decadence of British high society a far cry from their crumbling castl...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Jaylia3 rated it 5 of 5 stars

This second book in the series picks up after a Nazi attack forced a frantic and complete evacuation of the tiny island kingdom of Montaray. Sophie FitzOsborne, her brother Toby, her sister Henry and her cousin Veronica are in England now, trying to figure out what they can do to get their homeland back. Their castle may have been crumbling, and there isn’t much left of the island’s population, but Montmaray has a rich history, sending troops to fight with the British in WWI and helping Elizabet...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Vivian rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: novels, ya, picture-books

Brush a stroke of Austen's Sense and Sensibility and another of the British television series Downton Abbey ,perhaps a smudge of The Great Gatsby and even Alcott's Little Women on the canvas of this ambitious historical plot for the barest trace of the feel of the story. The blue-blood FitzOsbornes, orphaned royals of the tiny island principality of Montmoray (which lies off the coast of Spain)are deposed in the mid 1930's by a display of pre-WWII German aggression and narrowly escape to England...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Krista rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, adolescent-literature

I enjoyed this book even more that the prequel, A Brief History of Montmaray. The Fitzosbornes, Sophie, Veronica, and Henry (the 10-year-old sister of Sophie) are now living with their Aunt Charlotte in London. Aunt C's main objective is to get them all married off to rich men with titles. Veronica and Sophie are more interested in wresting control of their island kingdom, Montmaray, back from the Nazis. And young Henry is only concerned with torturing her new governess and rambling about the co...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Josie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: five-stars, young-adult

This had a different feel to A Brief History Of Montmaray. It was longer, and there was more emphasis on politics and the situation in Europe and so on, as well as Sophie's interest in her debut balls and London society. A Brief History takes place over the course of two and a half months, and it's a contained adventure, tightly plotted and impossible to put down. Yes, it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but it could be read as a standalone novel, whereas The Fitzosbornes In Exile is definitely t...more

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Feb 15, 2012 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of the first book, fans of strong, thoughtful, protagonists who try to do the right thing

Shelves: classic-feel, family, favorites, historical-fiction, timeless-feel, young-adult

Another fantastic installment to the “Montmaray” series!

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

The FitzOsbornes have many obstacles and decisions to face: how to regain their beloved Montmaray; how to help innocent children forced to flee their countries and seek refuge in England; and how to do all this whilst not tipping off their stuffy aunt who is housing the FitzOsbornes and who controls all...more Another fantastic installment to the “Montmaray” series!

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

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

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

Speaking of the next book, I’m definitely eagerly awaiting it! I’ve loved both initial installments and can hardly wait to find out what happens next in the lives of the FitzOsbornes!
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Feb 08, 2012 Alex Baugh rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: world-war-2

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

Now, it is 1937 and the FitzOsbornes have found refuge at Aunt Charlotte’s Milford Park estate in Dorset. Sophie has been lo...more At the end of The Brief History of Montmaray, the first book in the (thus far) trilogy about the FitzOsbornes, royal family of the Kingdom of Montmaray, they were running for their lives in the midst of a Luftwaffe attack. Book 2, The FitzOsbornes in Exile, continues following these royals after their safe arrival in London as recorded by Sophia FitzOsborne in her journal.

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

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

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

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

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

This book is recommended for readers age 12 and up
This book was purchased for my personal library
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Nov 22, 2011 Eva rated it 4 of 5 stars

Continuing the story of the young people who are the last members of the royal family of Montmaray, this book is even better than the first. Now living in England with their forty-something, widowed, society aunt, Sophie is torn between the joys of plenty of hot water, new clothes and good food against the anguish that the Germans are using their former home as a base to attack their former friends. While their aunt insists that the Veronica and Sophie attend debutante balls and seek a husband,...more

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Aug 24, 2011 J rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: high-school-fiction, historical-fiction

Sequel to "A Brief History of Montmaray". We catch up with the FitzOsbornes in England, where they have arrived after barely escaping the bombardment of their island home by the Nazis. Sophie continues to write about their lives in her journal, and what a change in circumstances. Whereas they were poor royals on Montmaray, now they live with their rich Aunt Charlotte, and she is determined to launch Sophie and her cousin Veronica into society and get them married off. But this is 1937 and Hitler...more

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Jul 02, 2011 The Library Lady rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical_fiction

Here is the problem with this book--which I personally loved.It's terrfic. But the author intends it to be and it is pitched as a YA book. And though the protagonists are teens,it's really not a teen book.
It's a book for women who love books set in late 1930s England right before WWII. It's a book for women who read Maisie Dobbs and Dorothy Sayers. It's a book for women who read Nancy Mitford (there are references to the Mitford sisters) and I Capture the Castle.

Because though the characters are...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Phoebe rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lisa, Kezia, Beckah, Deborah

I found this novel to be that rare creature, the sequel that is better than the first book. Picking up where book 1 left off, Sophie, Veronica, Toby, Henry, and Simon are now safely ensconced in their aunt's luxurious country house, safe but miserable at the thought of their beloved island kingdom in ruins and in possession of the Nazis. Narrated by Sophie through journal entries, the book takes the reader through two years, to the very eve of World War II. Toby wallows in his unrequited love fo...more

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Jun 12, 2011 Whatchyareading added it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, series, kate, historical

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviewed at WhatchYAreading on June 7, 2011.(less)

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Jun 03, 2011 Cathy/The Crazy Bookworm rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The FitzOsbornes in Exile is book #2 in this series. Although I haven't read the first book, I was still able to enjoy everything that the book had to offer! I look forward to devouring the first book, and then eagerly await book #3.

I love historical novels, especially war time and this book gave me exactly what I was looking for. The author created a vivid setting, placing me right in the centre of Sophie's world. I love the 1930's era, and Michelle Cooper captured that perfectly.

I found the...more

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Feb 19, 2011 Catriona rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: so-much-love-for-these

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

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

I’m actually seriously considering finding her “official fan site” or, even better, her email address and sending her my deepest appreciation. I physically can...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Hannah Ward rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who loved any of Eva Ibbotosons books

Recommended to Hannah by: Library

Shelves: favorites, romance, so-funny, to-re-read, historical, so-sad

I loved this book because it reminded me of A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson. I like that this isn't set during a really obvious time- most books around this period are set during the war, or the Great Depression, so it was a refreshing change. The FitzOsbornes are a wonderful family, and I love that each member has their own distinct personality; Henry with her animals and distraught governesses, Veronica with her unconscious beauty and politics, Toby and his lazy yet fierce attitude to his li...more

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Nov 10, 2012 AnnaBnana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction

This book was lovely. It's a continuation of A Brief History of Montmaray with a *much* more appealing cover! The story continues in journal style, with Sophie and her comrades having taken refuge in England with Sophie's aunt after the events of the first book. I appreciated this book so much as a piece of historical fiction because the story takes place as events are escalating in Europe as opposed to most WWII fiction, which happens once war has officially broken out. Cooper also offers up lo...more

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May 02, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This book picks up right where the previous book ended. Sophie and her family are now safely in England, living with their Aunt Charlotte. This book felt much different than the first. Sophie is still that same girl who reads both Jane Austen and Machiavelli, but she really comes into her own here, and I really rooted for her. Cooper does a great job of giving the reader a real sense of time and place through Sophie's eyes, and she really made me care about this family.

It's an odd feeling as the...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Cathy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: listened-to-audio-book, world-war-ii

Emma Bering does a great job of narrating this audiobook, capturing the voice of Aunt Charlotte with her aristocratic prejudices and her yearning for Toby to marry and produce an heir and for Sophie and Veronica to catch husbands, as well as the boldness of Veronica who is determined to have Montmaray acknowledged by the League of Nations and have the Nazis evicted. Montmaray is a fictitious island 200 miles off the coast of Spain. In the previous book, A Brief History of Montmaray, Sophie FitzO...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-the-shelf

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

And while the balls and house parties go on, newspaper headlines scream of war in Spain and threats from Germany. No one wants a second world war. Especially not t...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

more reviews at: thegoddessofbooks.blogspot.com

The FitzOsbornes in Exile picks up right where A Brief History of Montmaray left off, and documents the events from Sophie's point of view for the next two years. Aunt Charlotte is determined to get Veronica and Sophie married off, sending them to every party possible for two Seasons, yet the two remain single. Sophie complains of her fellow debutantes, who are superficial back-stabbers, and asks where all the quiet book-loving girls are. *Waving my...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Reynje rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: See below

Recommended to Reynje by: Myself, because I'm a history nerd

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-2011, young-adult

3.5 stars

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

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

Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle
Meticulously researched historical fiction
Holy-Grail-hunting Fascists
Unrequited love
The Spanish Civil War
Picasso’s Guernica...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 06, 2013 Siria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

Another compulsively readable installment, which I think benefits from its narrator being that little bit more mature and capable of more thoroughly appreciating some of the things going on around her. Parts of the book do drag somewhat if you already know what's going on at this time in European history, and I know that I got pulled out of things a little by the cameos made by some of the Kennedy clan—it's hard not to have the fact Kick Kennedy will be dead in a few years at the back of your mi...more

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May 21, 2011 Sue Bursztynski rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a sequel to "Montmaray" and is the journal of Sophie, princess of a very small kingdom, the island of Montmaray which has been taken over by the Nazis. The royal family of Montmaray live in a castle all right, but that's as royal as they get. There's housework to do and goats to look after. In this novel, Sophie and her family have had to flee their home to England, where they stay with a family member and live like aristocrats for the first time, as Sophie's cousin Veronica embarrasses...more

1 like · like · see review

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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.

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 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.

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Books by Michelle Cooper

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

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

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Quotes from The FitzOsbornes in Exile

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,' I said, sighing.
'Is it?' said Veronica, looking surprised. 'Universally acknowledged? Surely that presupposes life similar to human societies beyond this planet, and besides--'
'No, no, it's a quote from ... Never mind,' I said.” — 17 people liked it

“Simon called you 'Machiavelli disguised as a debutante.'" "Gosh," I said, not sure whether to feel flattered or insulted.” — 10 people liked it

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The FitzOsbornes in Exile (The Montmaray Journals #2)

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