nikimorr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is a true woman-power book spanning two wars. The ladies of this book were truly remarkable, especially learning that the WWI spy “Lilli” was a true war heroine and many of her stories were historically accurate.
This book can get very dark, especially describing Eve’s time as a spy during the war and during prison. However, it added a layer of authenticity. The author’s ability to relay the horror of what was happening in this setting was incredible. It was palpable.
It felt like multiple books in one book reading the lifetime of Eve and journey of Charlie, yet I never got bored or felt the book dragged. Everything felt necessary.
This is definitely a book that will stay with me. The character of Eve was fascinating and memorable. Her journey with grief, self acceptance, and guilt gives a lot to reflect about. Charlie’s story of self acceptance, self forgiveness, and her taking control of her own life despite stigma and scorn is aspirational.
Graphic: Abortion, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexism, Torture, Death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War
thebranchlibrary_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical trauma, Hate crime, Vomit, Genocide, Death, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Antisemitism, Alcoholism, Abortion, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Gun violence, War, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Blood, and Alcohol
sabrina_d_arcy's review
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual content, War, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Torture, Abortion, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Blood, Gun violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Excrement, Genocide, Mental illness, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
cadybooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Violence, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Police brutality, Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, War, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
madmantha's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Both narratives blend together seamlessly in the final arc; everything comes full circle.
One of my favorite epilogues ever written; really pulled on the heart-strings.
Graphic: Ableism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Gun violence, Grief, Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, War, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Classism, Colonisation, Genocide, Outing, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Stalking, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Antisemitism, Confinement, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Minor: Toxic relationship, Animal death, Bullying, Miscarriage, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Infertility, Religious bigotry, and Self harm
karolinaz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Gore, Sexual content, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Confinement, Addiction, Abortion, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Mass/school shootings, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, Ableism, War, Violence, Torture, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Murder, Genocide, Body horror, Antisemitism, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Vomit, Rape, Excrement, Infidelity, Classism, Cursing, Infertility, and Misogyny
christyadamsphd's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Torture and Sexual harassment
Moderate: War, Pregnancy, Murder, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Alcoholism, and Abortion
Minor: Suicide
travelthrupages's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion, Body horror, Cursing, Medical trauma, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
tatitos's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Abortion, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Rape, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
chalkletters's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s surprising that I’d forgotten Charlie, as she definitely undergoes the most positive character development over the course of The Alice Network, and that’s usually something I enjoy! Her evolution from obedient daughter to defiant bookkeeper certainly feels earned, though I did notice a bit more telling than showing at times, particularly towards the end.
Kate Quinn handles the plot excellently: there are moments of creeping horror, triumph and shock, and she does an excellent job of balancing the two timelines, keeping both interesting and engaging to the last. The ending is lovely, wrapping everything up and giving a sense of hope for the characters we’ve invested so much time in. Kate Quinn’s prose is consistently effective, with some really lovely moments, especially describing the flower fields in Grasse.
I don’t know if The Alice Network is something I’ll want to revisit again, but I’d definitely read more by Kate Quinn.
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Torture, and War
Minor: Blood, Child death, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Murder, and Suicide