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daralexandria's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Genocide and War
redmoran1's review against another edition
5.0
As a Jewish woman living in Israel WW2 is a subject very close to my heart.
I know this is a fiction book but the true events of Jews during that dark time in history can never be forgotten and the fact people read and learn about the past is important.
It wasn't an easy book to listen to, it was depressing in times but that's real life for you!
I know this is a fiction book but the true events of Jews during that dark time in history can never be forgotten and the fact people read and learn about the past is important.
It wasn't an easy book to listen to, it was depressing in times but that's real life for you!
bethaniekay's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars - rounding up to 4
I really enjoyed other books by this author, so when this one came out a couple weeks ago, I rushed to grab it.
The premise of the story is compelling, adding a slightly different perspective from other books in the WWII genre. As usual when reading books like this, the descriptions of the horrors the Jews had to endure are vivid, allowing the reader to imagine the unimaginable. I enjoyed the relationship that grew between Sadie and Ella, and the triumphs they experienced, and how Ella grew and took more risks as she realized what was truly at stake. And having been to Krakow myself, I loved the author's descriptions of the Old Town, and the different neighborhoods where the story takes place. I could picture the river, the castle, and some of the main streets - bringing the story alive a little more.
I think the only reason I'm not rating this book higher is that there seemed to be far too much repetitiveness leading up to the apex of the story, and then it all unraveled so quickly and was resolved without quite enough detail for me. I really wanted to know a lot more about what happened after the escape from the sewers, including efforts to locate the others and how their lives were lived in the aftermath. It also would've been interesting to learn about what transpired in Warsaw, with the characters who went there (trying not to give spoilers here), and the relationship they had with each other.
Overall, though, this was a very good read and I'd recommend it for those who enjoy this genre.
I really enjoyed other books by this author, so when this one came out a couple weeks ago, I rushed to grab it.
The premise of the story is compelling, adding a slightly different perspective from other books in the WWII genre. As usual when reading books like this, the descriptions of the horrors the Jews had to endure are vivid, allowing the reader to imagine the unimaginable. I enjoyed the relationship that grew between Sadie and Ella, and the triumphs they experienced, and how Ella grew and took more risks as she realized what was truly at stake. And having been to Krakow myself, I loved the author's descriptions of the Old Town, and the different neighborhoods where the story takes place. I could picture the river, the castle, and some of the main streets - bringing the story alive a little more.
I think the only reason I'm not rating this book higher is that there seemed to be far too much repetitiveness leading up to the apex of the story, and then it all unraveled so quickly and was resolved without quite enough detail for me. I really wanted to know a lot more about what happened after the escape from the sewers, including efforts to locate the others and how their lives were lived in the aftermath. It also would've been interesting to learn about what transpired in Warsaw, with the characters who went there (trying not to give spoilers here), and the relationship they had with each other.
Overall, though, this was a very good read and I'd recommend it for those who enjoy this genre.
bsmith27's review against another edition
4.0
A story of 2 Jewish families that live in the sewer of Krakow during Nazi occupation. Sadie is a young woman and sees Ella through the grate above her. Ella is the stepdaughter of a ruthless woman who is entertaining Nazi officers. She hates her stepmother but her father died awhile ago. She begins to help Sadie, bringing her food and taking her out if the sewer one night. Sadie's father dies going into the sewer and her pregnant mother is her beat friend. Her mother gives birth and the 2 families decide the baby cannot stay in the sewer. So the mother leaves to give the baby to a hospital. Ella discovers that the baby never made it to the hospital but the mother did and she was killed when the Nazis came for her. Sadie becomes closer to the young man from the orthodox family that is staying in the sewer with her. Her and Saul decide to marry. Ella's stepmother discovers a Jewish chiam necklace and questions Ella. She throws her out. Ella goes to her boyfriend who is a part of the resistance. Chris has hidden some guns In the sewer. The guns are gone and they realize they have to get the families out. Saul and his father are ahead of Ella and Sadie when the mined sewer begins to collapse. Ella and shady are trapped and rising water. Sadie is wounded and cannot swim and Ella said she will get her out but then a part of the mine collapses and Ella is killed. Sadie makes it out she discovers that she can become Ella and does. She fights with the resistance and goes on as Ella. At the end of the book it is 2016 and the baby that was given to a priest fines quote Ella " and realizes that it is actually her sister Sadie.
i_eat_books_for_breakfeast's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
worldsunlikeourown's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own.
Thank you to HCCFrenzy and HarperCollins Canada for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sadie Gault and her family are forced to flee the Krakow Ghetto when the Nazis arrive to liquidate it and they seek refuge in the sewers. Ella Stepanek, a Polish girl leads a comfortable life as her stepmother has made sure to ally with the Germans. When passing through the market on an errand, Ella notices something moving under one of the grates and is startled to find that someone is actually living in the tunnels beneath the city. An unlikely and immediate friendship forms between the two as Ella becomes determined to help Sadie. But Nazi occupied Krakow is a city that is becoming increasingly dangerous for both of them.
WWII historical fiction has become quite a regular on my TBR over the last year and I hesitated to pick up this book initially, wondering if it would have anything new to add. While this did remind me a little of The Light in Hidden Places, The Woman With The Blue Star is definitely a story that stands out. This was a fast paced and gripping read. The author easily draws the reader into the world of Nazi occupied Poland right from page one, showing us Sadie’s flight from the ghetto, and how, having nowhere else to go, descend into the sewers of the city in desperation. The conditions in which Sadie and the rest are forced to live in is truly heart breaking and it’s horrifying to think that this was inspired by real life stories. This book brings to life the story of the beautiful friendship between these two girls, the awful situations the hunted Jews found themselves in yet mustered up the strength to get through it all and how the Polish people were courageous enough to go against the Nazis silently and help in whatever small ways they could.
The main characters, Ella and Sadie were fantastic and seeing this era through their eyes, and understanding their thoughts and struggles, though leagues apart, had me really invested in their stories and fates. The secondary characters like Krys and Ella’s stepmother were not as well described, and I would have liked to know more about them, particularly the Rosenbergs, who live alongside Sadie and her mother. With the swift pace this book keeps up though, there isn’t all that much time to think about it.
The ending felt a bit forced to me and the explanation of what happened to each of the characters was so quickly explained that it felt like there was a rush to finish the book. It would have been nice if the author had taken more time with the ending and built up the tension slowly. However, this was an amazing read and I would highly recommend it for fans of WWII historical fiction.
Thank you to HCCFrenzy and HarperCollins Canada for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sadie Gault and her family are forced to flee the Krakow Ghetto when the Nazis arrive to liquidate it and they seek refuge in the sewers. Ella Stepanek, a Polish girl leads a comfortable life as her stepmother has made sure to ally with the Germans. When passing through the market on an errand, Ella notices something moving under one of the grates and is startled to find that someone is actually living in the tunnels beneath the city. An unlikely and immediate friendship forms between the two as Ella becomes determined to help Sadie. But Nazi occupied Krakow is a city that is becoming increasingly dangerous for both of them.
WWII historical fiction has become quite a regular on my TBR over the last year and I hesitated to pick up this book initially, wondering if it would have anything new to add. While this did remind me a little of The Light in Hidden Places, The Woman With The Blue Star is definitely a story that stands out. This was a fast paced and gripping read. The author easily draws the reader into the world of Nazi occupied Poland right from page one, showing us Sadie’s flight from the ghetto, and how, having nowhere else to go, descend into the sewers of the city in desperation. The conditions in which Sadie and the rest are forced to live in is truly heart breaking and it’s horrifying to think that this was inspired by real life stories. This book brings to life the story of the beautiful friendship between these two girls, the awful situations the hunted Jews found themselves in yet mustered up the strength to get through it all and how the Polish people were courageous enough to go against the Nazis silently and help in whatever small ways they could.
The main characters, Ella and Sadie were fantastic and seeing this era through their eyes, and understanding their thoughts and struggles, though leagues apart, had me really invested in their stories and fates. The secondary characters like Krys and Ella’s stepmother were not as well described, and I would have liked to know more about them, particularly the Rosenbergs, who live alongside Sadie and her mother. With the swift pace this book keeps up though, there isn’t all that much time to think about it.
The ending felt a bit forced to me and the explanation of what happened to each of the characters was so quickly explained that it felt like there was a rush to finish the book. It would have been nice if the author had taken more time with the ending and built up the tension slowly. However, this was an amazing read and I would highly recommend it for fans of WWII historical fiction.
micheleweeks972's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0