A review by thenovelmaura
Lovely War by Julie Berry

emotional hopeful medium-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? No

3.5

This is a long book that covers a lot of history, so it makes sense that I would like some elements and not others! I sort of liked the framing where the Greek gods were telling the story (Hades' bits were the most impactful for me), but the initial premise just didn't make sense. Why did Aphrodite get to tell a lengthy love story during her trial for adultery? (I wish I was the kind of reader who didn't get hung up on those kinds of details, but here I am.) I also enjoyed the bits where the gods "interfered" by disguising themselves as mortals, simply because it's fun to imagine.

I loved the inclusion of Aubrey as a character (he was my favorite), and the subsequent focus on jazz and the treatment of black soldiers by American and European troops alike during WWI. And I loved Hazel and Collette's friendship. On the other hand, the majority of the book focused on two romances, and things got too sappy for my taste. I also thought the romance slowed down the pacing and made the book longer than it needed to be; fortunately the audiobook was beautifully read, so I powered through. Overall, this was a well-researched and bittersweet look at WWI through the eyes of 4 young adults and the Greek gods who support them.
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