Reviews

Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll

patsypoo's review against another edition

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3.0

Great WWII historical fiction for young readers. It tells the story of Olive, who gets sent from London to Devon with her little brother, Cliff, during the children's evacuation period.
If I was a child I'd probably have loved it. But now I'm old and cynical it takes more work and I can see things coming a mile off.
It was still an enjoyable read and it'd be a great pick for young children.

amy_hobbs's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

bigbeardedbookseller's review against another edition

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3.0

Even though it started out with the Batman origin story, something bad happens after watching 'The Mark of Zorro' this story didn't grab me.

It felt forced in places with the voice of the main protagonist knowing more about things than she would have at the time, this was the first jarring moment for me.

It also tried to emulate the writing style of the fifties and sixties and the language used just wasn't as fluid as the books it could be compared to.

Not really a book I can recommend.

mat_tobin's review against another edition

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5.0

In the midst of World War Two, a bombing in London becomes the explosive catalyst that sees two sisters separated. Along with her younger brother, Cliff, Olive is evacuated to the Devonshire town of Budmouth Point with no answer as to what happened to her older sister. Yet amongst this close-knit community, she discovers a mystery which ties Sukie to a plot as dangerous as it is mysterious. In Letters from the Lighthouse, Carroll not only captures the past with an engaging and affecting narrative but shows herself to be a leading historical novelist for children.

More of my review here.

select_snozberry's review against another edition

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4.0

Right up there with Carrie's War. Am going to save a copy for a little girl called Olive (like the protagonist) who will love this when she's old enough.

rebeccadanielle's review against another edition

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4.0

I love Emma Carroll’s storytelling and she’s fast becoming a new favourite of mine. Letters from the Lighthouse is a middle-grade book set during world war 2, Olive and her younger brother Cliff are sent to Devon when London becomes too unsafe for them to remain. Once there Olive begins to unravel the mystery of her missing sister Sukie. I loved the sense of adventure and mystery in this book as well as the serious side to the story.

_xellsx_'s review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

samiya_xoxo's review against another edition

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3.0

This book follows two siblings set to leave London during WWII and leave for the countryside. This book was refreshing to read because it was another POV about the war from a child's perspective while on the journey to the countryside. This is a great read for younger children learning about wars.

emshobbies_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

Having studied history (and both world wars within that) for over six years, I was pleased with how factually correct this book was compared to others I’ve read.

celticrockgirl's review against another edition

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4.0

4.25⭐️