Reviews

An excellent evocation of what it must have even like to live through the Black Death which killed half of the population of Europe. Sally Nicholls brings out the horror of those times, reminding those of us who enjoy dystopian novels that England has already experienced an apocalypse, and survived.

georgilvsbooks's review against another edition

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2.0

Oh gosh, I really wanted to like this one. The Black Death is something I’m interested in! However, this just didn’t work for me. I found it quite boring at times and none of the characters likeable.

If you like middle grade and historical fiction you might be interested in this book.

stephh's review against another edition

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4.0

I always feel like I completely judge whether or not I'm going to like a book before I've read it. I bought this shortly after reading Ways to Live Forever, which is a great book, but then lost interest in the idea of this and it sat un-read on my shelves for years. However, this really surprised me. I'd say it definitely feels more like a teen book than YA, and the storyline was a little too on-the-nose for our pandemic times, but it was a read I enjoyed.

All Fall Down is set during the Black Death of 1349. Isabel and her family are living in a small village in England, and when they hear of this plague sweeping the country, they pray fervently that it doesn't touch their lives. However, soon it starts wreaking havoc even in their isolated part of the country, and Isabel's life gets more and more challenging as a result.

This was so well written. It felt almost spooky knowing the book was written pre-Covid, and reading it whilst we're struggling through our own plague. The isolating of infectious people, fear and confusion were very much too close to home. I found myself drawn into the characters, and very sad when tragedy struck. It was a quick read with a lot of depth to it, and didn't seem *too* miserable, despite the core of the plot. I gave this four stars because I found the book kept me interested, the characters were well fleshed out and intriguing, and I usually struggle with teen books but this one felt like I would have enjoyed it when I was a teen and now as an adult.

leollii's review against another edition

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I cannot remember the exact date of which I stopped reading this, however I couldn’t finish this book, as there was so many characters and plot introduced all at once in the first few pages. Personally, it was very difficult to concentrate on.

annarella's review against another edition

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5.0

This is an excellent historical fiction, a story set during the Black Plague that made me understand what meant during that pandemic.
The author is a talented storyteller and the historical background is well researched and vivid.
Excellent character development, a plot that kept me reading.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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