Reviews

Sisters of the Great War by Suzanne Feldman

helayne's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.5

bemon's review against another edition

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Sappy romance with detailed sex scenes disguised as a Historical Fiction book. Advertised as a real account into nurses in WW1 but in reality focuses on the 2 main characters bland relationships and 3 page sex scenes, and makes WW1 feel in the background. 

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sarahbeth621's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

khaynes75's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved this historical fiction book about two American sisters who volunteer at the front during WWI. There aren't as many WWI books so it was nice to read about what life was like for the women working on the frontlines as ambulance drivers, nurses and doctor's assistants. The author does such a great job bringing what it was like on the front to vivid life. The conditions in the medical tents and the state the makeshift hospitals, as well as the primitiveness of the medical treatment was all described to great effect.

Told in alternating perspectives between the two sisters, Elise dreams of being an actual doctor, and her sister Ruth finds the freedom to be her true self far away from the strictures of heteronormative life in American society. Both sisters find romance on the front, Ruth with another woman ambulance driver and Elise with an army surgeon. Highly recommended for any historical fiction fans, especially those wanting to know more about the bravery and courage of women in WWI. Great on audio and perfect for fans of Band of Sisters or The woman on the front. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!

kdurham2's review

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4.0

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

Two sisters head to Belgium to give what they can to the efforts of World War I. One has an unfinished nursing degree with the hopes of becoming a doctor at a time where female doctors were few and far between. The younger sister has always tinkered with things from clocks to cars and after looking into the Ambulance Corps, Elise may have found just the right place for herself.

Switching back and forth between each sister's points of view, this book gave such a perspective on this war that is unlike anything else I have read. It was easy to know who was narrating the story and I loved that while they were stationed close they had their own lives and the reader received a full perspective from the battlefield to the hospitals near the front lines what life during the Great War would look like.

kategci's review against another edition

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3.0

Thank you to Bookbrowse.com and Harper Collins Publishers for an ARC of this novel in exchange for a fair review. A variation of this review has been submitted to Bookbrowse.com. Historical fiction about World War I gets short shrift compared to the large number of books written about World War II. This novel carves out a small section of the war to tell the story of two sisters who leave the comfort of their Baltimore home to join Britain's war effort as a nurse and an ambulance driver. They are sent to Ypres, Belgium and are immediately in the middle of some of the most gruesome parts of the war. This novel showed women leaving their homes, going to war and then having the ability to live different lives than their mothers. World War I opened up the possibilities for women to have careers and lives that did not include marriage and children.

illreadmyownway's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was emotional and harrowing, and gave me insights into World War 1 that I had never had. A highly recommended read.

novelesque_life's review against another edition

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4.0

RATING: 4 STARS
2021; Mira/HARLEQUIN

Sisters of the Great War was way better than I thought it would be. It is not like many of the WWI/II novels out there. While there is romance in the book, it is not the main element in the story. I really loved that it stayed in one timeline as I really fell into the story. The cover as pretty as it is, does not do the synopsis justice. This is about two sisters, who do not seem to fit in anywhere, and are often rejected by their stern father and grandfather. While Ruth is attending classes to be a nurse, she wants to do more by becoming a doctor, like her own father. While her father allowed her to learn at his side, due to societal norms, he tries to push her into becoming a nurse. He does it by cutting her confidence down. While Elise is left alone a bit more, she is also labeled as "less intelligent" and fixing cars is the only thing she can do. They want more then what they are allowed, so they decide to enlist in the war. I loved Feldman's realism of the time and that the characters were more than just archetypes playing the part. I just added Feldman's [b:Absalom's Daughters|26792275|Absalom's Daughters|Suzanne Feldman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444884904l/26792275._SY75_.jpg|46812672]!

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

catreader18's review against another edition

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5.0

Wartime in Europe and two American women leave their home and join the war effort. This is their stories of being an ambulance driver through some of the worst conditions and being a nurse wanting to be a doctor. I loved the strength of both sisters. They both defy social norms to have the lives they want to have. This book focuses on the emotional side of the sisters. I loved their stories.