Reviews

Lovely War by Julie Berry

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yanners's review against another edition

3.0

I can finally understand how tormented Ares felt (at least when he was acting all grumpy and moody at the beginning). I can’t believe I actually entertained all those pages of instalove and supposed heartache because long-distance relationships where the guy has the tendency to not reply to the girl’s letters which creates misunderstandings that he has died but I guess that just means I have a stone for a heart. I was pinning my hopes on the fact that more people would die (preferably James or Aubrey) but of course death traipsed all over the place but there because it would be sacrilege if any of their love stories ended there.

The single redeeming element was how the ideas of war, love, music and death was interwoven into both couples’ story which made the whole thing slightly more tolerable. And of course, the really weird ending which culminated to a reciprocated romance between Hephaestus and Aphrodite which made me perk up slightly. 3 stars

camilacadibe's review against another edition

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5.0

This book made me happy.

This book made my sigh while smiling a satisfied, I-am-so-in-love-this-is-happiness smile.

This book made me sad.

This book made me cry while driving my car, possibly almost causing an accident.

Thank you, Julie Berry, for writing this heartbreaking, heartwarming story.

Also, the audiobook for this is just perfection. 100% recommend reading it that way.

I'm so sad it is over, those romances and friendships are part of my heart now.

The gods were perfect, the humans were perfect, the jazz was everything.

The author did her research diligently, and so made a great job writing a convincing love story at that time. I'm so so glad I bought this audiobook. I feel light and warm and... Just happy.

For more books like this!

csohlstrom's review against another edition

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5.0

To be honest, when I saw that this book was marketed as YA fiction, I almost didn’t read it. But I am so glad I did. I DEVOURED this gorgeous, sweet, sad, epic book about four teenagers who meet and come of age during World War I, and the love, tragedies, hope and hardships that ensue. I absolutely loved it.

andreac713's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

cathiwarren's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a heartbreakingly sweet story about the oft-forgotten Great War. The involvement of the Greek gods and goddesses in the telling of the story, while amusing, seemed awkward to me and I think the story could have been just as well told without it.

I can't say enough for the audio version...I have the hardback as well and at times read along, but this one is masterfully narrated by several pros.

soph_reads_too_much's review against another edition

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5.0

This book blew my mind. It is impossible to put into words how much I loved this book. But I am going to try my best.

I don’t know what more I could have asked for in this book. Romance, History, Greek Mythology, Fiction. It is a recipe for perfection. From the first chapter I was hooked. The story being narrated by the Gods as Persephone defends to her husband why she has never experienced true love - even though she is the Goddess of Love, crazy right?

There was humour with the Gods making funny remarks and the mortals having their own wit. The romance was epic and I truly couldn't get enough of both couples and their journeys.

This book also had many shocks that I truly didn’t expect. When it comes to Historical Fiction books, particularly War books, I always expect a few things in this book and I truly thought I prepared myself for what was to come, but nothing could have prepared me for this book.

One minute I was squealing with how cute the book was getting, and the next I was balling my eyes out. Then I could breathe and stop crying but suddenly, again, I was crying. It was a complete and utter roller coaster.

This instantly became a favourite book for this year, and dare I say of all time. I will be recommending it to everyone I see!