hopeheadden's review against another edition
2.0
This is sooo not for me lol. It’s written like a giant poem, and I didn’t know that before reading it. It’s pretty short (thank god) but took me a while to finish because I just could not get into it. I really am not a poetry girly. I don’t want to read 5 metaphors and similes in a row. Some of them honestly make me think of angst tumblr girls and I just cringe. I am sure this story is great for others just so not me. Giving it two instead of one stars because I’m sure it’s objectively good but I just did not like it
ammah's review
inspiring
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: War and Genocide
haley_j_casey's review against another edition
5.0
This was an even lovelier book than I was expecting, and it's exactly what a story written in verse should be.
katieproctorbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Probably more like 3.5—this one might work for a YA reader better than me. I did love the history of Prague woven throughout.
_emma_rose_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
This book was almost a 4-star read for me, but there were just a few things missing. I felt like writing this book in verse prose detracted from the story instead of adding to it-- it forced the action to be much shorter and prevented the characters from being fleshed out. I loved the world the author created, but there was barely a third of a book-length story in here. Maybe that's what the author intended, and what other people want to read! It just didn't quite work for me. I did really appreciate the care and dedication the author showed in describing Jewish culture, which I am unfamiliar with. It felt loving and respectful and important.
kilbmc's review against another edition
5.0
In the running for my favorite book of the year. The writing is STUNNING.
gcramer3's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I’m very confused with the overall high rating on this book. This was kinda ass. Writing in verse was cool in theory, but it ended up just feeling stilted. I didn’t care for the writing style in general, either. It read as very amateurish. I liked the premise and the historical elements in the city of Prague, but I didn’t find much else in the story very enjoyable. The characters are all one-note, and a lot of the conflict was cliche - especially the protagonist’s parents doing the whole “you can’t be an artist, you have to be a doctor!” song and dance. And this is petty but it bugged me that she didn’t study once the entire time. This whole thing is why I usually avoid YA.
mcbooklover728's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
makreads13's review against another edition
5.0
This was beautifully written with a wonderful setting and characters. This cute, original story is a quick read and hard to put down.
ashleekitty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0