Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“I’ve never told anyone about my war, Bob. But someone very wise once told me that by opening our hearts, revealing our scars, we are made human and flawed and whole. I guess I’m ready to be whole”.

I was nervous picking up my first historical fiction and truth be told, I asked my boyfriend to choose a number between 1 and 85, went down on my to-read list, and picked up the corresponding chosen number. When I picked up Beneath a Scarlet Sky and read the synopsis, I wasn’t overly convinced and instead asked Siri to chose a number between 1 and 85. It was fate that I was going to read Beneath a Scarlet Sky.

It took some time for me to decide how I felt about this book. In the first 60 pages, I was constantly reminding myself this book was a retelling of the Second World War that read as fiction. By page 100, I had completely lost myself in the fiction. I found myself emotionally involved with Pino’s character, watching as he grew from a young boy, into a teenager, and into a man.

At moments, this book was heartbreaking to read and I struggled to get through chapters as the reality of war and its consequences were brutality detailed. At its roots, Sullivan unapologetically tells the story of real people, real events and the life of the unsung hero of the Second World War- Pino Lella. I will think about Pino well after I have finished this book and encourage you all to read this man’s incredible story.

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pensandpicks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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mahayhansen's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

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jelenabts7's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

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ximevillarejo's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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elihegy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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bethshuff's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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aylaravenstar's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I liked this book a lot. It was a bit slow to start, but once I got to the primary plot, I had a hard time putting the book down. I rated this at a 4 though because I wish there were more transparency regarding what is fact and what is embellished or filled in by the author. I was disappointed to learn of the controversy surrounding this book.

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