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oceanwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, and War
chelle22's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
alexxrose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I struggled to connect with the main character's love of the artist Edvard Munch. This might be because I'm not well versed in art but I also felt like the paintings were supposed to be in reference to things happening in Lina's story but I couldn't make the connections very well.
I felt like the book shied away from some of the horrors of these camps. I don't know if this was a specific choice give the fact its a YA novel, or if the author didn't feel like it would be appropriate but it felt like it took away from the story. I don't need to see misery and death exploited on the page but it felt like there were grim undertones that were being purposefully looked away from. Which did disappoint me given the topic of the book.
The book also ended very abruptly.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Sexual assault, Suicide, and War
brittsbooknook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
POV - Lina, back & forth between her present time and her memories of before their wrongful imprisonment in Siberian labor/prison camps.
Lina's mother - what a heroic character. She did not let bitterness overtake her.
"His eyes found mine. "I'll see you," he said. " 😭
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
danileah07's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Antisemitism, and Deportation
Minor: Excrement and Vomit
lostintheplot's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Deportation
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, and War
Minor: Sexual assault
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Gore, and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape, Antisemitism, and Injury/Injury detail
victoriaa's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault
literary_lady602's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
susylamb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow! Wow!
This is the saddest/ hardest story I have ever read about the Stalin/Hitler reign. Incredible these stories of Lithuanians who did not give in. 12 years in prison camps, death, and sickness. The brutality that humans can inflict on other humans is heart wrenching. Yet, they fought for their freedom and for their stories to remain alive. I believe it honors their story when I can read it.
Read the author’s note at the end! This was her family/ her history that she wants people to not forget.
I have recently discovered this author, and I am thankful for what she is bringing to light.
Moderate: Sexual assault
Holocaust brutality, death,