nikimorr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
“Women who couldn’t be beaten.”
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
jollymama's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Violence, and Murder
sarahflanders's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, War, Alcoholism, Abortion, Alcohol, Child death, Cursing, Death, Medical content, Murder, Suicide, and Pregnancy
am4man's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Torture, Suicide, Abortion, Murder, and Gun violence
stabilesero's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
I absolutely loved this book. The trio of Charlie, Eve and Finn; all of their flaws and developments were just captivating.
I loved the duo perspectives of both Eve and Charlie, it added a depth to the book and I loved to see their contrasts and similarities. It loses 0.25 of a rating purely because I feel like Charlie's perspective has nothing on Eve's, but it was nonetheless relevant to Eve's present story.
There were spicy moments, and swearing, which I found didn't take away from the plot or characters and I feel that reviews that claim they do, don't give Quinn enough credit for how they were used to show the development of character or who the characters were.
I'm thoroughly looking forward to reading more of Quinn's works because of this book!
I loved the duo perspectives of both Eve and Charlie, it added a depth to the book and I loved to see their contrasts and similarities. It loses 0.25 of a rating purely because I feel like Charlie's perspective has nothing on Eve's, but it was nonetheless relevant to Eve's present story.
There were spicy moments, and swearing, which I found didn't take away from the plot or characters and I feel that reviews that claim they do, don't give Quinn enough credit for how they were used to show the development of character or who the characters were.
I'm thoroughly looking forward to reading more of Quinn's works because of this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Violence, Murder, Abortion, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Cursing, Death, and Genocide
Minor: Suicide attempt
shannonsnell's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, War, Abortion, and Murder
kmbbb's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Torture
Moderate: War and Violence
thebranchlibrary_'s review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
angelofthetardis's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This one was recommended to me ages ago by someone at work (so long ago, in fact, I can't actually remember who it was!). It tell the intertwined stories of Charlie, an American society girl in 1947, and Eve, a bitter drunkard. But she wasn't always this way. Charlie is trying to find her cousin, missing since the war, and Eve's past service during WW1 might just hold the key to finding her.
Firstly I would say this reads like a very well researched, deeply respectful retelling of a little known story. While our main characters are fictional, the supporting cast is comprised of real women who undertook unbelievably dangerous roles during the occupation of France between 1914 and 1918. It has definitely made me want to read more on the subject (yay for the recommendations at the back of the book!) to establish the line between fact and fiction. But I suspect even the fictional plot line is very plausible.
This book does do time jumps and perspective swaps; the chapters alternate between Charlie in 1947 (written in the first person) and Eve in 1915/16 (written in the third person). While you do need to keep your wits about you a little, these changes don't actually have that much of an effect on the overall flow of the piece - I only 'noticed' it once. It's eminently readable!
There's a nice little bit of romance tagged on for good measure. It's not integral to the overall plot (I think you could take the relationship out all together and it wouldn't have a huge impact), but equally it's just another nice little subplot that gives the warm-fuzzies after some of the darker scenes. It fits well and doesn't feel overly forced, although as usual for books people seem to fall very quickly!
While there aren't any huge plot twists or major reveals, the mystery does keep you reading; the structure drip feeds information about Eve's life (which is the more interesting thread), but each time leaves you wanting more. That's not to say Charlie's part of the story isn't interesting, but that is more of the vehicle through which we get this amazing fictionalised version of history.
The only reason I haven't given this book 5 stars is because it's not sparked a visceral response in me. I like it, and would definitely recommend/read again, but there's nothing in me screaming that I must go and buy this book asap. I'll pick it up when I see it for a good price.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual content, Death, Abortion, and Torture
Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Murder, and Genocide
emmehooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
I was not expecting to so throughly enjoy this book! Badass women spies, badass women defying social convention. The dual timelines wove together beautifully, there was just enough truth in the fiction to keep me interested, and I appreciated that most of the characters were “fallen” people by society’s standards. Absolutely would read another book by Kate Quinn or on this subject.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Torture, Grief, Biphobia, War, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Mass/school shootings, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit, Sexual content, Cursing, Excrement, Gaslighting, Antisemitism, Murder, Infidelity, and Alcohol