mxemma's review
3.0
I'm not a fan of Florence Nightingale as a person, but this was a good book, and I did enjoy it. I don't know if I'd read it again, but it was worth reading the first time.
steph01924's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It's been awhile since I've read a good YA historical fiction novel. I'm also happy that it was a stand-alone book...no drawn out sequels here, thank the Lord.
The novel takes place during the Crimean war, which I honestly didn't know much about. The book doesn't delve too deeply into the politics and outcomes of the war beyond the damage it does to the men and women involved. I enjoyed learning more about Florence Nightingale (obviously taken with a grain of salt, although at the end the author mentions she did a lot research to make it fairly accurate to Nightingale's real disposition) and the medical practices of the nineteenth century.
Molly was a plucky, SMART, and realistic character, and she had enough personality to be a good backdrop protagonist to the larger character of the hospital. There was a love triangle, as is touted in the summary, which initially made me leery of the book. In the end though, I thought it was well done--certainly nowhere near cheesy-Twilight levels. I liked both men, and I could see why she was torn. There were actual physical circumstances keeping her pulled between the two, in addition to the fact that she was young and didn't understand what love was. It wasn't all about how she just couldn't make up her mind, which I appreciated.
I thought the writing style was well-suited to a young adult novel; it wasn't so simplistic that it insulted teen readers, but it wasn't as graphic as it could've been as a regular fiction book. And despite the heavy themes, the ending left me happy, so I felt like I could close the book and feel good about sending Molly on her way.
Entertainment mixed in with some interesting historical facts -- that's how history should be taught! If middle-school and high-school kids read more stuff like this in school (in addition to some better written history textbooks), maybe they'd come away learning a lot more.
The novel takes place during the Crimean war, which I honestly didn't know much about. The book doesn't delve too deeply into the politics and outcomes of the war beyond the damage it does to the men and women involved. I enjoyed learning more about Florence Nightingale (obviously taken with a grain of salt, although at the end the author mentions she did a lot research to make it fairly accurate to Nightingale's real disposition) and the medical practices of the nineteenth century.
Molly was a plucky, SMART, and realistic character, and she had enough personality to be a good backdrop protagonist to the larger character of the hospital. There was a love triangle, as is touted in the summary, which initially made me leery of the book. In the end though, I thought it was well done--certainly nowhere near cheesy-Twilight levels. I liked both men, and I could see why she was torn. There were actual physical circumstances keeping her pulled between the two, in addition to the fact that she was young and didn't understand what love was. It wasn't all about how she just couldn't make up her mind, which I appreciated.
I thought the writing style was well-suited to a young adult novel; it wasn't so simplistic that it insulted teen readers, but it wasn't as graphic as it could've been as a regular fiction book. And despite the heavy themes, the ending left me happy, so I felt like I could close the book and feel good about sending Molly on her way.
Entertainment mixed in with some interesting historical facts -- that's how history should be taught! If middle-school and high-school kids read more stuff like this in school (in addition to some better written history textbooks), maybe they'd come away learning a lot more.
doodlewinger's review
2.0
The book wasn't terrible but it wasn't that great either. It was a quick reayud finished in less than 3 hours. The author kept hinting at what could have been supernatural like powers but never fully explained. Molly was supposed to be a healer, a woman in Turkey at the market spoke to her in a dreamlike state, and she made people feel better just by touching them. Then they never really discussed it again instead focusing on her love life. I still might have given this three stars if not for the fact that the author cheated the love triangle. I can't stand when instead of making the main character choose between the men, she just k ills off one of them. Molly never would have chosen she was too indecisive. She finally made a maybe decision and chose dr macleon, but only when he was dying. Then after he's dead and she is reunited with Will she claims that it was clear that she should have always been with will. Dumb.
melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
What a great story! This book is based on the real life experiences of nurses who served in the Crimean War with Florence Nightengale. Though Molly the main character is fictional, many of her experiences are true to what the nurses in the Crimea experienced. There is romance and the ending was a little shocking for me. I didn't see it coming and was a little sad afterwards. I really recommend this book for teens who like historical fiction. Look forward to reading more by this author.
elvenavari's review
3.0
There was a lot of unharnessed potential in this book but at the same time it was very well done. I enjoyed Molly's character and the struggles she experienced, it all felt very real.
broooe's review
2.0
It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either. The writing is very good but the actual story and characters are kind of bland.
amywrites's review
5.0
I knew little about Florence Nightingale before reading this book. So, like any history/book nerd, I consulted Wiki about her. She seemed like a pretty cool lady. The way she was portrayed kind of reminded me of how Elizabeth I is always done – nobody is allowed to be in love.
I enjoyed the characters a lot. Molly is a strong young lady who seems to always have a battle raging within her, but does the right thing. Her two lover interests – Will and Dr Maclean – are wonderful. I love ‘love triangles’ and I always root for someone from the start to finish, but I didn’t in this one. Before she met Maclean, I was rooting for Will. But once she met the charming doctor, I was torn. Both men are so different in the best of ways. Emma is a good companion for Miss Molly, though at first I wondered what she was about.
The plot is amazing as is the description. I felt as if I was there and could see everything vividly in my head – the swaying ship in the storm, the battlefield, and the wounded soldiers. At times it was so descriptive in what was happening during the operations that I had to close my eyes, take a deep breath and get a new pair of knees before continuing.
There was a moment near the end (when you read it, you will know which part) that affected me greatly. I was sitting in class when I read it, tears pricking my eyes. That wasn’t the only part where I cried. I can promise you, if you read this there is a 96% chance of muttering ‘who is cutting the onions?’
Even though there were many sad parts, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Molly ends up happy with one of her young men though there were many times I doubted it.
This review can also be found at: http://www.wrote-with-love.blogspot.ca
I enjoyed the characters a lot. Molly is a strong young lady who seems to always have a battle raging within her, but does the right thing. Her two lover interests – Will and Dr Maclean – are wonderful. I love ‘love triangles’ and I always root for someone from the start to finish, but I didn’t in this one. Before she met Maclean, I was rooting for Will. But once she met the charming doctor, I was torn. Both men are so different in the best of ways. Emma is a good companion for Miss Molly, though at first I wondered what she was about.
The plot is amazing as is the description. I felt as if I was there and could see everything vividly in my head – the swaying ship in the storm, the battlefield, and the wounded soldiers. At times it was so descriptive in what was happening during the operations that I had to close my eyes, take a deep breath and get a new pair of knees before continuing.
There was a moment near the end (when you read it, you will know which part) that affected me greatly. I was sitting in class when I read it, tears pricking my eyes. That wasn’t the only part where I cried. I can promise you, if you read this there is a 96% chance of muttering ‘who is cutting the onions?’
Even though there were many sad parts, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Molly ends up happy with one of her young men though there were many times I doubted it.
This review can also be found at: http://www.wrote-with-love.blogspot.ca
celbl8o's review
5.0
Okay, I'm still crying. I loved this book so much. Absolute perfection!! Definitely would recommend to literally the whole world! While I'm one who loves historical fiction--I really don't think that you have to like historical fiction to like this book! Absolutely phenomenal!