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thillier's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
fairyna23's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
julia___reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
claireeshelby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I cannot remember the last time I read a 500+ page book in a matter of hours (and stayed up till 4am to finish). I was completely and entirely hooked. Beautiful, simple, descriptive writing style that brought out each of the characters nuances and understandably complex emotions in war time. I have read a lot of WWII historical fiction, and the way this story was architected resonated with me in a different way than any other. The impending doom that you know is on the horizon, but the incessant hope that you still feel until the very last moment when yet another disastrous Nazi action rips away a life.
I hesitated to give 5 stars because the writing did get a bit repetitive, but it held my attention for nearly 5 hours straight, so clearly something worked!
I hesitated to give 5 stars because the writing did get a bit repetitive, but it held my attention for nearly 5 hours straight, so clearly something worked!
Graphic: Child death, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Antisemitism, Murder, and War
Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
bookswithabs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lucydwyer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
exhaustedmumma's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
gabby_mitchell's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
heathersenter89's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful and heart wrenching story. I spent a lot of the second half of the book tearing up (or all out ugly crying). Sadness and small glimpses of happiness. Bonds of family, friends and sacrifice amidst the tragedy of war. If historical fiction from World War II isn’t your thing I’d give this a pass. Reminded me a bit of some old Danielle Steele books but with more action than romance.