Reviews

The author is fantastic. A friend described Alaska as being a character itself and I could not agree more. But if it wasn’t for the way the author writes, I would have abandoned this book. It was super sad and depressing. Even the happy times were tainted with sadness. The lead character was very flat, in my opinion…and that makes sense due to her journey. But ugh. Not my type of book at all, however it’s a good book. No denying that.

zenwils's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

lizschultz24's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

peppes's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

comfortfromwithin's review

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4.0

4.25 stars, (8.5/10). This book was an amazing journey, with a not so fabulous conclusion. Don’t get me wrong, I love the pacing and character work of this novel. It was fabulously done, and I was loving the ride until the last 100 pages or so. But positives first:
- Amazing character study, especially surrounding PTSD and abuse. Most of the side characters felt like very real people.
- While the greater journey throughout most of the novel was survival, there were many subplots that helped breathe life into the novel. It truly felt like a young girl exploring a new world, and I absolutely loved it.
- Alaska. I felt as though I was visiting, and as someone who has never been there, I consider a great accomplishment on Hannah’s part.

Negatives:
- The last 100 or so pages felt very rushed.
- A certain scene at a station that felt very forced, and had no ramifications. While I loved Hannah’s commentary about patriarchy throughout the novel, this scene felt entirely too forced and started a cascade of whirlwind events that left no time for the reader to care.
- Overall, while I enjoyed the overall ending, it felt like Hannah was just rushing to get there.

The Nightingale remains my favorite Kristen Hannah novel, but only because of this stories conclusion. Still a great read, and I highly recommend it.

fkshg8465's review against another edition

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4.0

Was really bored by the first half. Found it hard to connect with a twelve-year old protagonist who felt too accepting of everything happening to her, though it’s easy to understand why, given who her parents were. Stuck with it because I lived The Four Winds so much and was sure it would get better, and the second half made the waiting worthwhile. However, I thinking author may need a better editor. So many times, the book felt like it should’ve ended, but then an unfinished thread was picked up, and my fatigue was again tested. I couldn’t lived without any one of the threads, but still, the story continued to keep me engaged despite my mental weariness. And each time, my tears would start anew. At one point, I was deeply weeping. I have no idea why crying makes the story feel so much more satisfying. Maybe it’s because it tapped into my own ongoing grief over my love lost. Maybe it’s because, while nothing in my life will change my past, I could keep holding onto hope for Lenny.

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