A review by teacupsandfirereads
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed that this was a WWII story told from a different perspective and country. It is one I hadn't read before, about the war's impact on Italy. What makes it even more striking is that is it based on a true story. So much so that though it is fictionalized, the author chose to keep the character's name the same.

The writing was rich and detailed, making it very engrossing. Though at time some of the dialogue felt weak. It is on the longer side, so it felt like a bit of a feat to get through it, but it was jampacked the whole way. I enjoyed the story, though heartbreaking, and how it was told. The characters where well developed and strong, adding to the realistic feeling. 

I enjoyed the first half of the book a bit more, where it felt more hopeful. The second half was far heavier and didn't have much hope or uplifting moments in it. I do understand that being war, this will happen, but the ending left you with little hope and I wish there had been more. I did get a little bit of a sense of that though from the author's note at the end.

I think this is a story worth reading for historical fiction fans who want a different take on WWII.
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