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fantastiskfiktion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Xenophobia, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Racism, Antisemitism, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, and Sexual assault
cr4nkyp4nts's review against another edition
5.0
I do think this book was amazing. While it was a little slow to start, there was a purpose to it. Rose was a little naive and upbeat and cheerful, but there was a purpose to that, as well.
The author's descriptions and characters put me right in Ravensbruck with Rose, the Rabbits, and the other women featured in Rose Under Fire. I think this one will stay with me for awhile.
If you've read [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity|Elizabeth Wein|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1337034341s/11925514.jpg|16885788] and enjoyed it, you must read this. If you haven't read CNV, you should and then read Rose Under Fire.
Thank you, Elizabeth Wein, for helping to tell the world.
The author's descriptions and characters put me right in Ravensbruck with Rose, the Rabbits, and the other women featured in Rose Under Fire. I think this one will stay with me for awhile.
If you've read [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity|Elizabeth Wein|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1337034341s/11925514.jpg|16885788] and enjoyed it, you must read this. If you haven't read CNV, you should and then read Rose Under Fire.
Thank you, Elizabeth Wein, for helping to tell the world.
alicebme's review
5.0
Even without the reveal that the first book had, this sequel/companion novel was such a satisfying read. I loved the use of poetry, and I'm putting an Edna St. Vincent Mullah book on hold at the library tomorrow.
libvin96's review against another edition
4.0
I learned about aspects of World War II that I had previously never heard about! A very important and educational read. I thought the element of suspense was interesting for this novel because we know early on that Rose and Roza and Irina all survive in the end. That took the suspense and intense emotion out for me but what kept me hooked was what happened with this group of prisoners, the Rabbits, and what daily life in the concentration camps was like. I don't really like to read YA novels anymore because they've become too predictable, but since this was historical fiction rather than realistic fiction, the other YA factors were tolerable. Overall a great read and a brilliant exposure of one of the many Nazi atrocities that are too often glossed over or just skipped.
book_concierge's review
4.0
Audiobook performed by Sasha Pick
From the Book Jacket - When ferrying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet Rose Justice is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbruck, the notorious women’s concentration camp. There, she meets an unforgettable group of women, including a once glamorous French novelist whose Jewish husband and three young sons have been killed; a resilient young Polish girl who has been used as a human guinea pig by Nazi doctors; and a female fighter pilot and military ace for the Soviet air force.
My Reactions
The book started out slowly for me but really picked up once Rose had been captured and the focus shifted to her experiences in Ravensbruck. Rose is young and a little self-centered, but she’s only eighteen when the novel begins, and she has led a relatively sheltered (and privileged) life. While she has begun to awaken to the realities of the war she is still unprepared for the deprivations and dehumanizing treatment of the camp.
I liked how Wein showed the women banding together and forming “families” – with a designated “mother” – who looked out for one another. Many of these women showed true compassion, ingenuity, selflessness, generosity and great courage. That they were able to ever find any joy or humor in their situation is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Make no mistake, however, there are horrific scenes in this book, and some readers will have a very difficult time reading them, albeit this is a young adult novel and not as graphic as an adult novel might be. I have read other novels and memoirs dealing with life in concentration camps, as well as seen movies (both fictionalized and documentary films). The material isn’t new to me, but I still found myself shocked and unnerved by some of the depictions. I suppose that’s a good thing; much better to be disturbed than unmoved by such atrocities.
Thousands of women were interred by Germany in “work camps” during World War II. Many of these civilian prisoners had been part of their native country’s resistance forces. But Ravensbruck was not simply a labor camp. The things that happened there (and in other concentration camps) are too horrific to contemplate, and yet we must look upon those atrocities to learn from history, to try to understand the depths to which humans can sink, to celebrate the courage of those who resisted, and to honor the memory of those who lost their lives.
The audiobook is capably performed by Sasha Pick. She has a wide repertoire of voices to use for the many female characters, and I was easily able to keep them straight. I did think her voice for the young Polish girl, Roza, was irritatingly high-pitched and shrill.
From the Book Jacket - When ferrying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet Rose Justice is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbruck, the notorious women’s concentration camp. There, she meets an unforgettable group of women, including a once glamorous French novelist whose Jewish husband and three young sons have been killed; a resilient young Polish girl who has been used as a human guinea pig by Nazi doctors; and a female fighter pilot and military ace for the Soviet air force.
My Reactions
The book started out slowly for me but really picked up once Rose had been captured and the focus shifted to her experiences in Ravensbruck. Rose is young and a little self-centered, but she’s only eighteen when the novel begins, and she has led a relatively sheltered (and privileged) life. While she has begun to awaken to the realities of the war she is still unprepared for the deprivations and dehumanizing treatment of the camp.
I liked how Wein showed the women banding together and forming “families” – with a designated “mother” – who looked out for one another. Many of these women showed true compassion, ingenuity, selflessness, generosity and great courage. That they were able to ever find any joy or humor in their situation is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Make no mistake, however, there are horrific scenes in this book, and some readers will have a very difficult time reading them, albeit this is a young adult novel and not as graphic as an adult novel might be. I have read other novels and memoirs dealing with life in concentration camps, as well as seen movies (both fictionalized and documentary films). The material isn’t new to me, but I still found myself shocked and unnerved by some of the depictions. I suppose that’s a good thing; much better to be disturbed than unmoved by such atrocities.
Thousands of women were interred by Germany in “work camps” during World War II. Many of these civilian prisoners had been part of their native country’s resistance forces. But Ravensbruck was not simply a labor camp. The things that happened there (and in other concentration camps) are too horrific to contemplate, and yet we must look upon those atrocities to learn from history, to try to understand the depths to which humans can sink, to celebrate the courage of those who resisted, and to honor the memory of those who lost their lives.
The audiobook is capably performed by Sasha Pick. She has a wide repertoire of voices to use for the many female characters, and I was easily able to keep them straight. I did think her voice for the young Polish girl, Roza, was irritatingly high-pitched and shrill.
acaciaw's review
5.0
Wow! this was even better than Code Name Verity. Easily my favorite World War II book ever!!
chris10b's review
5.0
I absolutely adore this book.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I finished reading Lilac Girls, which focuses on WWII and the "Ravensbruk Rabbits." When I chose to read Rose Under Fire for a class assignment, I knew it was about WWII, but I had no idea it would transport me back to the exact same place. While our main character, Rose, is a work of fiction, the novel is loosely based on the real life experiences of the women who were held prisoners inside of Ravensbruk, specifically the story of the "Rabbits," who underwent harsh medical experiments at the hands of the camp's medical staff.
I have come to be some what fascinated by the stories of these women. What they experienced was so tragic, and readers will find their heart breaking for the characters they are reading about, and a thousand times more for the women who actually lived through this part of history. But the women are also intriguing--their acts of resistance, their perseverance, their determination to make sure the world knew about what had happened at Ravensbruk, is amazing, and will leave readers wanting to make sure that their names are indeed remembered.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I finished reading Lilac Girls, which focuses on WWII and the "Ravensbruk Rabbits." When I chose to read Rose Under Fire for a class assignment, I knew it was about WWII, but I had no idea it would transport me back to the exact same place. While our main character, Rose, is a work of fiction, the novel is loosely based on the real life experiences of the women who were held prisoners inside of Ravensbruk, specifically the story of the "Rabbits," who underwent harsh medical experiments at the hands of the camp's medical staff.
I have come to be some what fascinated by the stories of these women. What they experienced was so tragic, and readers will find their heart breaking for the characters they are reading about, and a thousand times more for the women who actually lived through this part of history. But the women are also intriguing--their acts of resistance, their perseverance, their determination to make sure the world knew about what had happened at Ravensbruk, is amazing, and will leave readers wanting to make sure that their names are indeed remembered.
roseleaf24's review
4.0
I didn't love this like I loved CNV. I appreciated the crossovers, but they felt a bit overdone. The three separate parts didn't work well for me; the middle section was the most compelling and immediate, but it was the least original. How she got to Ravensbruck and the third section of the story, to me, were the most intriguing parts of the story, but they felt rushed or skipped over because of the framework of their telling.
But the characters are very real, and the descriptions are genuine and easy to find yourself pulled into. This is an important story, and it is overall well told.
But the characters are very real, and the descriptions are genuine and easy to find yourself pulled into. This is an important story, and it is overall well told.
saintburns's review
5.0
My cats were concerned with how hard I was crying and stepped on this book several times. Definitely a heartbreaking shattering read.
stephxsu's review
4.0
For me, [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity|Elizabeth Wein|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1337034341s/11925514.jpg|16885788]'s domination of the YA literary scene came about not from its compelling premise and thriller-like aspects, but from the strength of Elizabeth Wein's writing, of her writing voice. Which is why I never had a doubt that ROSE UNDER FIRE wouldn't be excellent. To have what the narrative voice that I associated with Julie/Maddie in CNV seemingly transplanted onto Rose was a little jarring at first for me--but then Rose's own unique brand of strength emerged, roaring, and fed my readerly sympathies and investment. She is smart, resilient, and a much more resonant writer than she gives herself credit for... in other words, exactly the kind of YA heroine that can win hearts anywhere.
ROSE UNDER FIRE deals with a particular dark chapter of World War II history: Nazi doctors performing torturous experiments in the name of "scientific advancement" on young prisoners. The very idea alone is chilling enough, but ROSE UNDER FIRE stays clear of historical moroseness and heavy-handed eulogizing by ensuring that its focus stays clearly on the characters. Rose is joined on the page by more admirable female supporting characters than I can keep track of. What Wein does so well in her two WWII historical novels is that she doesn't merely let the characters' predicaments demand readers' sympathies: rather, the characters--big-hearted, smart-mouthed, brave or frightened--and the empathy they deserve speak for themselves. These are characters we would like anywhere, in any story, in any time period.
Elizabeth Wein has accomplished what few YA writers have yet to do, and that is to make historical fiction popular and resonant. If she continues to write historical fiction, I'll for sure be glad, but I'd also be happy with whatever else she chooses to write in the future. Her surehanded characterization and narrative voice have made me a fan through everything.
ROSE UNDER FIRE deals with a particular dark chapter of World War II history: Nazi doctors performing torturous experiments in the name of "scientific advancement" on young prisoners. The very idea alone is chilling enough, but ROSE UNDER FIRE stays clear of historical moroseness and heavy-handed eulogizing by ensuring that its focus stays clearly on the characters. Rose is joined on the page by more admirable female supporting characters than I can keep track of. What Wein does so well in her two WWII historical novels is that she doesn't merely let the characters' predicaments demand readers' sympathies: rather, the characters--big-hearted, smart-mouthed, brave or frightened--and the empathy they deserve speak for themselves. These are characters we would like anywhere, in any story, in any time period.
Elizabeth Wein has accomplished what few YA writers have yet to do, and that is to make historical fiction popular and resonant. If she continues to write historical fiction, I'll for sure be glad, but I'd also be happy with whatever else she chooses to write in the future. Her surehanded characterization and narrative voice have made me a fan through everything.