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sydneylmeyer7's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Murder, War, and Deportation
Moderate: Child death
firedoor11's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
slow-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
3.75
A very nice historical fiction romance. Artfully done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: War
dswilson85's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
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
This beautiful story of friends and romance amidst the dawn of Fascism in Italy was cruising to a 5.0 rating until the last ten percent of the book. Without spoilers, the drama and action in those final pages ramped up to a wholly different and uncomfortably fast pace. The magic of the first 90% was in the engaging trio of main characters, and the detailed description of life in 1940's Rome. The somewhat leisurely pace of the book echoed Italian life as I know it, even today. Following a somewhat Hollywood-movie action scene at that 90% mark, I lost all enthusiasm for the remaining pages. It was as if the author felt the need to wrap up all the loose ends, when in fact the story could've been concluded by leaving much to the reader's imagination. 90%: 5.0. The remainder: unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, and Murder