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kshertz's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a fascinating book about black women GIs in World War II. It’s hard to tell how much is historical and how much is fiction but it definitely is heavy on the fiction. It definitely has love stories and other pieces to make it a little more exciting but the history is what was really interesting to me about this book. I actually wish there was a little more history. I’m looking forward to the Netflix series that’s coming out later about it. I love that this history is coming out and being shared and it’s fascinating to see what Black women were doing at that time and to really feel how brave it was
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
byrdy's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
3.0
I am not normally a fan of WWII books, fiction or otherwise, but I couldn't help getting sucked into this one. The characters are flawed and interesting, and their arc over the course of the war is the best part of this book. I will say that since the action follows the characters' military careers, (signing up, training, deployment, etc.), the story felt a little monotone. There wasn't one main conflict building to a climax and a resolution, which is fine because that wasn't the point, but it might be good to know that going in. That build comes in the characters' development and relationship with each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual assault
kimveach's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I appreciated learning about the history of Black women in the Women's Army Corps (WAC). The story was written more in the style of a young adult book, even though it was about adult women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing
amandalorianxo's review
emotional
informative
reflective
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
4.25
I was so happy to see this being part of Book of the Month’s main picks when I initially saw it in 2021. This part of World War Two was hidden a lot in our textbooks and I had no idea that women of color held such an important role in that time period. Anderson did such a wonderful job at portraying both Grace and Eliza as individual but strong women as they faced a multitude of experiences from 1942 onward. The racism and assault was difficult but a real as you can get portrayal of the difficulties the women of color might have faced even serving for their country. This is a must read for a diverse viewpoint about not just world war 2 but in general for the history of Black Americans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism