ekmook's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? No
3.75
kiperoo's review
5.0
This is one of those untold stories of WWII we've been needing for a long time. Love the friendship/rivalry/etc. between Grace and Eliza through all kinds of tribulations.
rrickman33's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this look at the first and only all-Black battalion of the WAC. It's a part of history I hadn't explored yet and I was so excited to learn. The writing felt more YA than adult so it was easy for me to fall into and absorb. I only wish the plot was more developed along with the character development but I still enjoyed the story all the same.
Grace is a budding pianist, Eliza is journalist, and both are living under the thumbs of their parents. In an attempt to take control of their own lives they enlist in the WAC during WWII. We follow them through training and onto Europe as they try to find their place in the world. It took over half the book for these characters to actually get into action in Europe though and I was starting to wonder if it would ever happen.
Overall, a fun historical fiction read about a new battalion I hadn't read about before. I definitely recommend it but just know it's more character driven than plot driven.
Grace is a budding pianist, Eliza is journalist, and both are living under the thumbs of their parents. In an attempt to take control of their own lives they enlist in the WAC during WWII. We follow them through training and onto Europe as they try to find their place in the world. It took over half the book for these characters to actually get into action in Europe though and I was starting to wonder if it would ever happen.
Overall, a fun historical fiction read about a new battalion I hadn't read about before. I definitely recommend it but just know it's more character driven than plot driven.
sduncan1997's review
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lissalovestoread's review
3.0
Whenever there is a part of history that has been previously overlooked I am always very appreciative of those who work to bring those events, people, etc. to light, and that is how I feel about Kaia Alderson bringing the work of the Six Triple Eight into the public eye--very appreciative. I was very interested in reading even a fictional account of what it was like for these brave women--entering a man's world, and a primarily white man's world at that.
I do wish, however, that there had been more time spent on certain aspects of the character building in the book. I would have loved a bit more time spent with Grace & Eliza before they decided to enter the WAAC. I do think we certainly understand both of their reasons for joining, but I would have liked a bit more background to give extra substance to those reasons. I also wish we could have seen a bit more of Grace's time with her parents after her time with the Army. We got to see more of the parent-child relationship between Eliza & her parents during her time at home, but with Grace we just heard a brief update at the end on how things were after she came home. I missed a conversation between Grace & her mom covering some of what kept them distant with one another during the bulk of the book. And I wished we could have gotten to know some of the minor characters a bit better as well. (Basically I want a longer book, it seems. :) )
Lastly, I felt that the book was written in a style that was a perfect set up for a mini-series. Time jumps, chapter ending cliff-hangers, a few moments meant to scare you or make you think there was danger afoot, all added to that overall feeling for me. I really cannot decide how exactly I felt about that, but it was something that I kept thinking throughout my reading of this book.
I do wish, however, that there had been more time spent on certain aspects of the character building in the book. I would have loved a bit more time spent with Grace & Eliza before they decided to enter the WAAC. I do think we certainly understand both of their reasons for joining, but I would have liked a bit more background to give extra substance to those reasons. I also wish we could have seen a bit more of Grace's time with her parents after her time with the Army. We got to see more of the parent-child relationship between Eliza & her parents during her time at home, but with Grace we just heard a brief update at the end on how things were after she came home. I missed a conversation between Grace & her mom covering some of what kept them distant with one another during the bulk of the book. And I wished we could have gotten to know some of the minor characters a bit better as well. (Basically I want a longer book, it seems. :) )
Lastly, I felt that the book was written in a style that was a perfect set up for a mini-series. Time jumps, chapter ending cliff-hangers, a few moments meant to scare you or make you think there was danger afoot, all added to that overall feeling for me. I really cannot decide how exactly I felt about that, but it was something that I kept thinking throughout my reading of this book.
momwrex's review
3.0
2** - for characterization- the antagonism between certain characters just got annoying, and the problems they created for each other (and then wouldn't discuss) seemed contrived.
4**** - for covering a little known part of black history/women's history - I need to learn more about this history.
4**** - for covering a little known part of black history/women's history - I need to learn more about this history.
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed learning the history of Black women serving in WW2 in the WAC. The writing style was good and there was a lot of great history in this book. However, the reason I dropped a star was one of the two main characters, Grace, turned out to be rather unlikeable in my opinion. She was constantly judgmental, bitter and resentful thru the entire book and it became obnoxious really quickly. Eliza, the other main character, was a little better but could also be spiteful towards Grace as well. I much prefer stories where women look out for each other, give each other the benefit of the doubt, and are just plain kind to each other. This part of the book was really disappointing to me.
therealjunglebookie's review
3.0
Surprisingly enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. I like Eliza and Grace’s opposing personalities and how different their individual stories are on the reasoning of them joining the WAC.
I thought this was a very heart warming story and I’m glad it all worked out well for both of the main characters in the end. Idk if I would have enjoyed it as much if I had to read it instead of listening to it on audio though
I thought this was a very heart warming story and I’m glad it all worked out well for both of the main characters in the end. Idk if I would have enjoyed it as much if I had to read it instead of listening to it on audio though
kwheelies2495's review
3.0
This book took me so long to finish. I had such high hopes but after the first 50 pages it kind of goes down hill. I am giving it three stars because I loved the characters and the idea behind the story, but the execution wasn’t my favorite. She also wrote this book with language we use today not language used in the 40s so it threw me off a bit. You can probably skip it.