eileen_critchley's review against another edition
3.0
I think this was a lofty and admirable undertaking, especially for a first novel. Two of the characters are based on real people, and that is always interesting to me. I always want to learn more about them and their part of history, and I think that's a good thing. This novel talks about the Nazi Doctor Trials and the medical experiments, which I didn't know much about and read more about online. I think anytime a book makes me want to read more about a subject, it's served a good purpose.
However, I think the book could have been edited down, and I think it took too long to reach the point where it all came together (the characters are "intertwined" and yet they aren't really until the last part of the book). All in all, not a bad read, but I'm not in a hurry to read the prequel necessarily either. In other words, I liked it, didn't love it.
However, I think the book could have been edited down, and I think it took too long to reach the point where it all came together (the characters are "intertwined" and yet they aren't really until the last part of the book). All in all, not a bad read, but I'm not in a hurry to read the prequel necessarily either. In other words, I liked it, didn't love it.
thegirlwhoreadsbooks13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Medical content, Murder, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Torture, Violence, and War
ilikecows321's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
taximom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
cleaper's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautifully written book! This is one of those books that you can't put down and once you finish it, it leaves you bereft because you know that no matter what you read, it won't be as good as this was.
jolka97's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.75
terib's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fairly quick read. It took a bit to get the 3 main characters names straight, but after that it was better.
I like historical fiction, although that sounds like a terrible thing to say when speaking about the Holocaust. I wish the author had taken a little more time developing her characters before she plunged in to the meat of the story. Was Kasia prone to anger or self centered-ness before this all began? Could Zuzanne really be that forgiving and just “sweet” as a physician?
I did wonder why or how Caroline stayed in the outside looking in once it seemed like a path for her and her lover opened, finally. Why not go for it?
The meeting toward the end between Kasia and the Doctor pulled at my heart. She didn’t get a pleasant ending by any means. However, I’m not sure how that event provides a sudden change-maybe it would. Her anger was ruining her family, her relationships, her life. She seemed spoiled and a petulant kid much of the time. By the time Halina was young, it was harder to find empathy for Kasia; even though I knew her guilt drove much of her actions.
I like historical fiction, although that sounds like a terrible thing to say when speaking about the Holocaust. I wish the author had taken a little more time developing her characters before she plunged in to the meat of the story. Was Kasia prone to anger or self centered-ness before this all began? Could Zuzanne really be that forgiving and just “sweet” as a physician?
I did wonder why or how Caroline stayed in the outside looking in once it seemed like a path for her and her lover opened, finally. Why not go for it?
The meeting toward the end between Kasia and the Doctor pulled at my heart. She didn’t get a pleasant ending by any means. However, I’m not sure how that event provides a sudden change-maybe it would. Her anger was ruining her family, her relationships, her life. She seemed spoiled and a petulant kid much of the time. By the time Halina was young, it was harder to find empathy for Kasia; even though I knew her guilt drove much of her actions.
tdubsreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
laurenwilliams555's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
5.0