pili87's review against another edition
3.0
Historical fiction is not my usual cup of tea but despite this and the slow start, everything really pays off in the second half of the book.
I knew from the beginning that the end was shocking (it was a recommendation that highlighted this that got me into reading it) and I knew that I had to pay attention to clues and hints in Julie's story and yet, it still took me by surprise.
It's beautifully written and suspenseful but I felt overloaded with information every once in a while. It's not a light read, at least not for me, so I had to take breaks and think hard on what I knew in order to keep track of events, characters or places. I confess that I failed more than once but I did not lose my focus on the story and main characters. Maybe in a few years, a second read will be more satisfying when I know what details to look out for!
I knew from the beginning that the end was shocking (it was a recommendation that highlighted this that got me into reading it) and I knew that I had to pay attention to clues and hints in Julie's story and yet, it still took me by surprise.
It's beautifully written and suspenseful but I felt overloaded with information every once in a while. It's not a light read, at least not for me, so I had to take breaks and think hard on what I knew in order to keep track of events, characters or places. I confess that I failed more than once but I did not lose my focus on the story and main characters. Maybe in a few years, a second read will be more satisfying when I know what details to look out for!
gracie98buena's review
3.0
After five years of my father begging me to read it, I finally did. A very good book that tugs at the heartstrings and made me tear up on the last page. I loved Queenie and will probably read the sequel eventually.
3.75
3.75
hannchilada's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I'm just too young to understand but this book was kind of stretched out with incessant unnecessary air terms. It was interesting and very realistic, but the plot twists weren't surprising. It was fun to learn about though!!
cdeane61's review against another edition
4.0
A ripping good yarn. Strong female characters, WWII setting, planes, the French Resistance, the Gestapo, all melded together by two best-of-friends, who had it not been wartime might never have even met.
This book does not pull any punches, and some of the situations are downright miserable, but it reads as authentic, and very believable.
I came in to expecting much, due to some online hype, and I'm not sure it lived up to that, but recommended nonetheless.
This book does not pull any punches, and some of the situations are downright miserable, but it reads as authentic, and very believable.
I came in to expecting much, due to some online hype, and I'm not sure it lived up to that, but recommended nonetheless.
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting look into the not-so-great stories of those who resisted the Nazi regime. I listened to the audiobook, and immediately fell in love with the Scottish accent of the reader. It made it easier to hear about methods the Nazis used to gain information from prisoners, and the difficult decisions those in the resistance efforts had to make to be true to their cause. It's not a feel good story, but it was a great story about a difficult time in world history.
yoav's review against another edition
3.0
ישנן ביקורות מקיפות פה אז לא אתאר את העלילה, נהנתי מהספר פחות משציפיתי. לתחושתי הסיפור העלילתי החזק שועבד לטובת הטוויסט בעלילה וזה הופך אותו למאוד קר וקצת מיגע. החלק השני של הספר טוב יותר והסוף מרגש, ואז אתה שואל את עצמך מה הסיפור העיקרי? זה ספר עם עלילת ריגול ?- כי זה לא משהו; זה רומן על תפקידן של נשים במלחמה? - כי הבחירה פה היא בשתי נשים שבדרך המקרה מצאו את עצמן בנסיבות חריגות; זה רומן על חברות? -אז למה עלילת הריגול והטוויסט? הייתי שמח ברומן יותר ישיר.
rhiannonjq's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to this when I was younger but had forgotten most of the plot. But I really cared about the characters and there were quite a few moments that ripped my heart out.
(Also, anyone else get a bit of a gay vibe?)
(Also, anyone else get a bit of a gay vibe?)
alira207's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
The plot of the story was great in itself, but I found that what I loved most about it was the development of Maddie and Julie’s friendship. It was just so wonderfully done, I loved every interaction they had.
tishreads's review against another edition
3.0
The concept of this book was good. I think it was a more unique take on the WWII era. There are a lot of layers to the novel, and I think it's worth a second read.
That being said... **SPOILERS AHEAD***
I wanted more from Maddie. I felt by far that she was by far the more compelling character and when I realized that the second half of the novel was from her perspective I was excited. Unfortunately, the focus is really still on Julie. The author doesn't give Maddie a unique voice and I found myself frequently confused.
The idea that Julie, a wealthy, royally descended, prep school educated girl would write with a similar voice to Maddie, who grew up middle class and in the country is just not believable. In addition, the fact that Maddie is Jewish is just sort of thrown out there and never explored. I would have loved to know more about how the atrocities going on affected her view of her faith, which she doesn't seem to actively practice.
That being said... **SPOILERS AHEAD***
I wanted more from Maddie. I felt by far that she was by far the more compelling character and when I realized that the second half of the novel was from her perspective I was excited. Unfortunately, the focus is really still on Julie. The author doesn't give Maddie a unique voice and I found myself frequently confused.
The idea that Julie, a wealthy, royally descended, prep school educated girl would write with a similar voice to Maddie, who grew up middle class and in the country is just not believable. In addition, the fact that Maddie is Jewish is just sort of thrown out there and never explored. I would have loved to know more about how the atrocities going on affected her view of her faith, which she doesn't seem to actively practice.