Scan barcode
issysarchives's review against another edition
4.0
Now don't get my wrong this is a great book, I loved the way it was written, I love that it didn't seem to follow a "beginning, middle and end" structure, and was simply a snippet of a few people lives over a few years. I loved that something would happen every so often and because the relationship you have with the characters is purposefully built up, any danger has your heart in your mouth. This book made me laugh, it did not make me cry, it was not sad, but it made me melancholy and empathetic. It made me think of the war differently. The ending, although I understand why it was done, was not my cup of tea. It seemed so abrupt and it seemed to me that after 200 pages of bulling up their relationship and my connection with them, for it to end the way it did, seems like it unravels all of the authors hard work. I understand why it was done, it said to me that things can end just like that and there's not necessarily one answer to a question or problem, i know it is meant to leave you with uncertainty and doubt about the fate of the characters, but for me there was just a little too much uncertainty for my liking. But again, great book if you want to be living along side someone else's life for a while without everything happening all at once.
gellyreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
How can a book where it feels like nothing happens be so emotional and intense? I don't know, but I really felt for Anna and her found family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, Violence, Murder, and Pedophilia
sumayyaha's review against another edition
4.0
This is just one of those books that'll have me thinking about it for quite a while. And I do highly recommend it if you want to feel melancholic.
treeleef's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
debbiebarr's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Compelling and beautifully written, but the ending ultimately left me unsatisfied. Definitely YA, despite the character's young age.
The audio version was wonderfully narrated.
The audio version was wonderfully narrated.
megkelly79's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
readthestars's review
emotional
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? No
5.0
I am pleased even though the ending felt abrupt and hollow and sad. This is probably how Anna feels, in the world as she continues to experience it, with difficult questions and sorrowful but sustaining memories of past-lives. Why did what happened happen? Will she ever know, as she matures? Is there a straight forward answer that we as analytical readers should know? I feel the uncertainties of change, the lonely and hollow feeling of love, loss, and truth, and the pains of human life and loss on earth. And ultimately, our lack of control as the world goes on and on and on, and we learn as we live and die many deaths in it. A story like this will live on in me the same way that life does, uncertain, not yet ended, and beautiful and sad all at once.