kathrynemw's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
penny_literaryhoarders's review
4.0
What a beautiful debut! Exquisite writing with a heart wrenching story. Human perseverance and bravery during WWII was incredible.
mindfullibrarian's review
5.0
A stunning debut with a completely original and riveting take on the European WWII genre.
Thanks to Edelweiss, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this digital ARC.
A month ago, I declared that I would be DONE with European WWII novels given that they were all seeming the same and I was completely burned out on them. Enter Elise Hooper, the author of THE OTHER ALCOTT, urging me to try this one, as she had been on an author panel with Devin Murphy at ALA and that I'd love it. I contacted Murphy and he had his publisher provide me with a digital ARC. And OH MY GOODNESS I am so glad I found this book! I will be shouting it from the rooftops as the newest must-read WWII novel for the following reasons that make it fresh, original, and necessary:
1) Set in Holland, NOT France, Germany or Poland
2) Male narrator
3) Maritime premise
4) NO ROMANCE - I'm sick of romance sweetening up the horrors of death and war
5) An eerie look into Nazi mentality and the ease at which they indoctrinated youth
6) Hope within the devastation
7) A very relevant message about refugees
I have already put this on hold at my public library for my husband, since I told him he MUST read it. He's excited about it, and I can't wait to hear what he thinks of it.
The only thing I wish for is an author's note describing how much of the story is based on fact, since I rely heavily on these pieces to help me in further reading on the topics. I am hoping there is one in the finished edition, otherwise I will be searching it out piece by piece! EDITED TO ADD THIS NOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE AUTHOR: There is an authors note essay in the back of the final version all about how and why I wrote the book.
Required reading for lovers of historical fiction and WWII narratives.
Thanks to Edelweiss, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this digital ARC.
A month ago, I declared that I would be DONE with European WWII novels given that they were all seeming the same and I was completely burned out on them. Enter Elise Hooper, the author of THE OTHER ALCOTT, urging me to try this one, as she had been on an author panel with Devin Murphy at ALA and that I'd love it. I contacted Murphy and he had his publisher provide me with a digital ARC. And OH MY GOODNESS I am so glad I found this book! I will be shouting it from the rooftops as the newest must-read WWII novel for the following reasons that make it fresh, original, and necessary:
1) Set in Holland, NOT France, Germany or Poland
2) Male narrator
3) Maritime premise
4) NO ROMANCE - I'm sick of romance sweetening up the horrors of death and war
5) An eerie look into Nazi mentality and the ease at which they indoctrinated youth
6) Hope within the devastation
7) A very relevant message about refugees
I have already put this on hold at my public library for my husband, since I told him he MUST read it. He's excited about it, and I can't wait to hear what he thinks of it.
The only thing I wish for is an author's note describing how much of the story is based on fact, since I rely heavily on these pieces to help me in further reading on the topics. I am hoping there is one in the finished edition, otherwise I will be searching it out piece by piece! EDITED TO ADD THIS NOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE AUTHOR: There is an authors note essay in the back of the final version all about how and why I wrote the book.
Required reading for lovers of historical fiction and WWII narratives.
bitesbooksbrews's review
3.0
I feel like I would have enjoyed this a lot more with a lot less of the personal, and violent details. Maybe it’s because I’m not male, but some of the coming-of-age details seemed too much and I skipped over those parts, also why must people describe the color of bodily fluids? I will say the story was decent and the writing was fairly beautiful and compelling, minus the parts I mentioned.
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