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jcqln112's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Child death
mel_s_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Wow. Just wow.
THIS is the story I feel like I have been waiting for for the last couple of months, the one that would blow me away!
I can't help but compare with Winter Garden which I also recently read, because there were definitely a lot of similarities - historical WWII fiction, dual timelines, family drama - and I have to say, this book absolutely nailed it in a way that Winter Garden didn't quite hit the mark.
I was equally drawn into both timelines, which wove themselves together seamlessly. The family struggles in the 'present' day felt completely authentic and the characters were well developed. Some difficult themes were explored, and I felt like these were all handled exceptionally well.
The historical timeline was, as can be expected with WWII fiction, absolutely heartbreaking, but equally inspiring. The character development of Alina was particularly strong.
This was my first Kelly Rimmer book and I definitely will be trying more!
THIS is the story I feel like I have been waiting for for the last couple of months, the one that would blow me away!
I can't help but compare with Winter Garden which I also recently read, because there were definitely a lot of similarities - historical WWII fiction, dual timelines, family drama - and I have to say, this book absolutely nailed it in a way that Winter Garden didn't quite hit the mark.
I was equally drawn into both timelines, which wove themselves together seamlessly. The family struggles in the 'present' day felt completely authentic and the characters were well developed. Some difficult themes were explored, and I felt like these were all handled exceptionally well.
The historical timeline was, as can be expected with WWII fiction, absolutely heartbreaking, but equally inspiring. The character development of Alina was particularly strong.
This was my first Kelly Rimmer book and I definitely will be trying more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Grief, and Pregnancy
travelthrupages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, Grief, and War
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Genocide, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Pregnancy