Rebel Spy

Synopsis

Rebellious Frannie Tasker knows little about the war between England its thirteen colonies in 1776, until a shipwreck off her home in Grand Bahama Island presents an unthinkable opportunity. The body of a young woman found floating in the sea gives Frannie the chance to escape her brutal stepfather-- and she takes it.

Assuming the identity of the drowned Emmeline Coates, Frannie is rescued by a British merchant ship and sails with the crew to New York. One the way she meets nineteen-year-old Asa Lane, an American rebel, with whom she reluctantly shares her truth. In turn, he teaches her the rules of civility and decorum she will need to follow to pass as a lady.

For the next three years, Frannie lives a lie as Miss Coates, swept up in a courtship with a dashing British lieutenant. But after witnessing the darker side of the war, she realizes that her position gives her power. Soon she finds herself eavesdropping on British officers, risking everything to pass information on to George Washington's Culper Spy Ring under the alias 355. Frannie believes in the fight for American liberty-- but what will it cost her?

Inspired by the true "355" and rich in historical detail and intrigue, this is the story of an unlikely New York society girl turned into an even unlikelier spy.

Loved

• Asa. Okay, Asa Lane is for sure the best character in this story :) He is mysterious and captivating from the first scene when he is introduced as a gentleman, yet gets in a brawl with a scoundrel. Asa remains mysterious and intriguing throughout the story, ever the sea-loving adventurer, but softened by a love for poetry and a  sophisticated education. The most lovable thing about Asa though is love for Frannie and the lengths he goes through for her all throughout the book. (Let's be real, she doesn't deserve him!) But he is a swoony love interest and he delivers on every front :)

• The historical setting. I've been in a major Revolutionary War mood lately where I haven't been able to get enough American history. This setting in the middle of New York surrounded by famous figures such as John Andre and General Clinton gave the story intensity and depth as Frannie navigates real issues and has relationships with actual historical people. We also get to see some lesser-known sides of the war, such as the prisoner ships and the Culper spy ring, which is fascinating to learn about. Knowing this story is based on a real female spy, "355," makes the story even more engaging and compelling since it's tied to a real war hero whose story hasn't been discovered yet.

• The intensity. This is a fun blend of a spy story combined with the charm, wit, balls, and frivolity that comes with being part of civilized society in this era. Although the spy plot takes a while to pick up in the book, starting from the beginning there are intense scenes that keep us turning pages and wondering how Frannie will escape. I enjoyed the pacing of this story as it doesn't go too long without some type of suspense or intensity to keep us guessing but is also complemented by the genteel society and propriety of the time.

Didn't Love

• Undeveloped plot. I'm not really sure how to put my finger on what felt a little lacking in this story, but I think it's that the plot could have been more developed. The spy stuff was super interesting and fun to read about, but it felt like it wasn't that much a part of the plot. There are only a few scenes where she's actually spying and the spy gig itself takes nearly half the book to start. I wish there had been more detail and depth to the Culper Spy Ring (which is barely mentioned in the story) because it's such an interesting part of the War that we'd all love to learn more about.

• Unresolved endings. I also feel like the ending was not resolved very well. I won't spoil, but it felt like the end was abrupt and that most of the characters in the story were left high and dry with no development or resolution. After closing the book I felt like I didn't quite get closure and there were some answers and resolutions that I found myself wishing had happened.

• My least favorite element of YA literature made an appearance in this story: miscommunication. I understand why authors use this device to promote suspense and conflict, but boy am I sick of it! So much could be solved with one sentence or one conversation that didn't happen for some silly reason or another. Okay rant over. But I was really annoyed at Frannie for this during some of the book!

Content

• Language: 
• Occasional uses of "damn" and "hell."

• Sexual content: 
• Main female character kisses two different male character multiple times during the story. None of the kisses are described in much detail, none of it passionate or spicy.
• **Main character sexually assaulted by a man. He physically hurts her and then puts his hand up her shirt and squeezes her breast.

• Violence
• Quite a bit of domestic violence from stepfather:
• Scene mentioned above where he hits her hard on the head, then sexually assaults her.
• Tries to kill her multiple times by pushing her into deep water, trying to shoot her, using a knife, and strangling her.
• Threatens to kill, rape and physically harm her multiple times.
• Lots of war violence mentioned: men killed in battle, a character is hanged, people and children starving, etc.
• Mentions women being raped by British soldiers: one so badly that she cannot have children and one impregnated by an officer.
• A ship sinks and everyone on it drowns: bodies described. One body is taken and clothes are taken off it.
• Prison ships are described in detail: men starving, sick, going "mad," and dying at fast rates. Conditions are dire and disturbing.
• A character is killed by having his throat slit.
• A man shoots himself and dies.


• Other themes:
• Much talk of women not being able or appropriate to assist in the war, or even know much about politics.

Overall Thoughts

I enjoyed this story for its spy elements, some intense scenes, enjoyable love triangle, and front-row seat to the Revolutionary War and a few of its famous figures. It was especially interesting to see the role that women played in the war, which is much less talked and known about: women spying, freeing prisoners, and working covertly for George Washington. I do feel like some of the plot was not quite developed to its full potential, and the ending felt unresolved and a little shallow in its fulfillment. But overall this is an engaging story for fans of the Revolutionary War, historical fiction, girl power, or just a fast-paced novel with a dash of history, romance, and action. :)