purchelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
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? No
4.5
alindstadtcorbo's review against another edition
5.0
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
Read with the 2021 booktwt book club!
Okay y'all. This f*cking WRECKED ME.
This quote from the book, said by Aphrodite, just about sums my everyday emotions up in a nutshell, and how I felt for the entirety of the novel—
So yes. I sobbed during both the overwhelming with love, happy parts, and the devastatingly sad parts. Let me be honest with you here, there are very few pages in this novel that have not felt the sting of the salt water of my tears.
This was a tale of Love during Wartime, and took place mainly during World War I in Europe (mostly France & England). I loved that Aphrodite was telling her tales of two couples (but actually three, you'll see
Read with the 2021 booktwt book club!
Okay y'all. This f*cking WRECKED ME.
This quote from the book, said by Aphrodite, just about sums my everyday emotions up in a nutshell, and how I felt for the entirety of the novel—
"Joy can do that. It can hurt as much as pain."
So yes. I sobbed during both the overwhelming with love, happy parts, and the devastatingly sad parts. Let me be honest with you here, there are very few pages in this novel that have not felt the sting of the salt water of my tears.
This was a tale of Love during Wartime, and took place mainly during World War I in Europe (mostly France & England). I loved that Aphrodite was telling her tales of two couples (but actually three, you'll see
drowningfaithh's review against another edition
5.0
“A soldier, looking for love on the eve of war? It’s as old as the hills. I’ve heard that song before.”
This is an overdue review but the feelings are still fresh and its impact is still as great. I can gladly say that this is my favorite book. It made me realize that historical fiction books are my kinda thing. So if you haven’t read this, please do. You won’t regret it. I’ve cried like a million times in the span of how many chapters.
Actually, I’m not a fan of romances revolving around love at first, because I like those typical slow-burn and well-developed romances. However, this book really got to me.
Julie Berry was able to capture the essence of what it was like to be young and in love. As I read the scenes, I felt like I was back in high school being nervous and shy around a person I really liked. Hazel and James’ romance was just so pure and they were adorable together. Their small interactions felt like something I could scream and fangirl about. They are literally what I would say the epitome of a pure and sweet relationship. How the author portrayed their romance was so very nostalgic and it hit me right in the feels.
Stéphane and Colette’s relationship was only shown to us in one chapter yet I so deeply felt Colette’s pain with the loss of Stéphane. I think that is just some very masterful storytelling by Julie Berry. For all this happen in one chapter yet feel so developed? It was amazing. I am in awe.
The way the book addressed racism during the World War II was also something that got to me. Every time people of color were oppressed, I was so mad that I had to put the book down just to calm myself. Julie Berry just kept dropping dialogue that made me pause and think about it. Here are some:
“Aubrey wonders if he’ll die in his country before he ever gets the chance to die for his country.”
“I came to fight a war with the Germans,” whispered Joey. “For democracy. But they’re gonna start a war right here at Saint-Nazaire. For stupidity.”
AND I can say that I was a wreck when Joey was murdered—Joey, who only had a few scenes yet I couldn’t help but feel attached to this character and once again it is all because of Julie Berry’s masterful writing! I cannot stress this enough. She’s an amazing author.
I started this thinking, Yep, one of the soldiers is going to die for sure. Boy, was I wrong. I did not expect Hazel, out of everyone in this book, to die. Pure, sweet Hazel who was the least likely to be in danger. I cried when she did. Like, bawled my eyes out and everything. That was a very powerful twist. Again, Julie Berry, you are amazing.
One thing that I did not like about this book though is it being narrated by Greek gods. As much as I love Greek mythology, the spiel between the gods was sometimes an awkward transition from the main story. Some of it was unnecessary banter, however I do see the point of it in a way. With depicting how love and war is connected. If only the dialogue was a little more serious between the gods.
I was also put off by that ending between Aphrodite and Hephaestus. Although, even I couldn’t imagine how I’d wrap the thing with the gods. But I felt like Aphrodite apparently loving Hephaestus all along was anticlimactic. Since Greek mythology also mentions how Aphrodite didn’t like her husband. Okay maybe that’s just the Percy Jackson fan in me talking.
Anywaaaayy, all in all I’d say that this was an amazing read. There are so many things I'd like to say because everything about this was just *chef's kiss* but these are the few that I'd like to highlight.
In short, the answer is yes. Yes, you should read this. Like right now. Please.
This is an overdue review but the feelings are still fresh and its impact is still as great. I can gladly say that this is my favorite book. It made me realize that historical fiction books are my kinda thing. So if you haven’t read this, please do. You won’t regret it. I’ve cried like a million times in the span of how many chapters.
Actually, I’m not a fan of romances revolving around love at first, because I like those typical slow-burn and well-developed romances. However, this book really got to me.
Julie Berry was able to capture the essence of what it was like to be young and in love. As I read the scenes, I felt like I was back in high school being nervous and shy around a person I really liked. Hazel and James’ romance was just so pure and they were adorable together. Their small interactions felt like something I could scream and fangirl about. They are literally what I would say the epitome of a pure and sweet relationship. How the author portrayed their romance was so very nostalgic and it hit me right in the feels.
Spoiler
Stéphane and Colette’s relationship was only shown to us in one chapter yet I so deeply felt Colette’s pain with the loss of Stéphane. I think that is just some very masterful storytelling by Julie Berry. For all this happen in one chapter yet feel so developed? It was amazing. I am in awe.
The way the book addressed racism during the World War II was also something that got to me. Every time people of color were oppressed, I was so mad that I had to put the book down just to calm myself. Julie Berry just kept dropping dialogue that made me pause and think about it. Here are some:
“Aubrey wonders if he’ll die in his country before he ever gets the chance to die for his country.”
“I came to fight a war with the Germans,” whispered Joey. “For democracy. But they’re gonna start a war right here at Saint-Nazaire. For stupidity.”
AND I can say that I was a wreck when Joey was murdered—Joey, who only had a few scenes yet I couldn’t help but feel attached to this character and once again it is all because of Julie Berry’s masterful writing! I cannot stress this enough. She’s an amazing author.
I started this thinking, Yep, one of the soldiers is going to die for sure. Boy, was I wrong. I did not expect Hazel, out of everyone in this book, to die. Pure, sweet Hazel who was the least likely to be in danger. I cried when she did. Like, bawled my eyes out and everything. That was a very powerful twist. Again, Julie Berry, you are amazing.
One thing that I did not like about this book though is it being narrated by Greek gods. As much as I love Greek mythology, the spiel between the gods was sometimes an awkward transition from the main story. Some of it was unnecessary banter, however I do see the point of it in a way. With depicting how love and war is connected. If only the dialogue was a little more serious between the gods.
Spoiler
I was also put off by that ending between Aphrodite and Hephaestus. Although, even I couldn’t imagine how I’d wrap the thing with the gods. But I felt like Aphrodite apparently loving Hephaestus all along was anticlimactic. Since Greek mythology also mentions how Aphrodite didn’t like her husband. Okay maybe that’s just the Percy Jackson fan in me talking.
Anywaaaayy, all in all I’d say that this was an amazing read. There are so many things I'd like to say because everything about this was just *chef's kiss* but these are the few that I'd like to highlight.
In short, the answer is yes. Yes, you should read this. Like right now. Please.
natalie183's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ththalassocracy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.25
renacuajo's review against another edition
5.0
25/08/2020
I’ve been crying for the last 71 pages and I will never be the same again.
I’ve been crying for the last 71 pages and I will never be the same again.
tessaf's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the concept and the style, but at times the instalove bugged me (and I get that Aphrodite is helping it along I do).
tlamt's review against another edition
4.0
my eyes werent working right and i thought this was poppy war so i bought it