The Montmaray Journals

Hey guys! So this is a post that should have come out a while ago, but I haven't gotten around to it with school and volleyball etc. But I have been really busy reading books! My English teacher requires us to read for at least twenty minutes each night, so I've read four or five pretty long books to do reviews on! The first of which is the Montmaray by Michelle Cooper!

This series takes place before and in the middle of World War II. It is the diary of Princess Sophia FitzOsborne of the island of Montmaray. She is the middle child; her older brother Tobias (Toby) is away at school in London and her younger sister Henrietta (Henry) is refusing to grow up and become a proper lady. They live with their smart older cousin, Veronica, the old housekeeper Rebecca, and their faithful dog. Life is simple, and money is tight. The king of Montmaray is mad after traumatic incidents in the first Great War where almost all of the male citizens of Montmaray were killed. Simon Chester also pops into the island from time to time. The trilogy follows the family from living happily on Montmaray, to being forced into exile after Germans raid the island, to fighting in World War II.

I really enjoyed this series! It was heart breaking for sure, with unexpected plot twists and deaths, but I was able to rejoice and be happy along with Sophie and her family! There is a cast of funny and quirky characters, and there are a lot of real people from history in here as well!   Some examples are the Kennedy family, Winston Churchill, and Neville Chamberlain to just name a few. Cooper captures the emotions of our second World War and the historical hardships of the upper class in a way that I've only seen Downton Abbey accomplish.

My favorite book in the series was probably the second  book. It follows the events of the family being exiled to London and living with their aunt. They go to parties, partake in clubs, and get presented at court. I think the reason I like it so much is because I can relate Downton Abbey's characters and themes. Except while Downton Abbey focuses on both the upper and lower class, while the Montmaray Journals just captures the events of the upper class.

I really loved this series, and I recommend it to everyone who likes history and is in middle school and high school. I learned a whole lot about World War II and the politics involving it. The cast of characters taught me that no matter where you come from, you shouldn't let anyone get in the way of loving someone.

Please R&R my latest post! Have you read this series? What did you think of it? Tell me in the comments! Thanks for reading! The next post will be up later today or tomorrow!