Scan barcode
alexxrose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I struggled to connect with the main character's love of the artist Edvard Munch. This might be because I'm not well versed in art but I also felt like the paintings were supposed to be in reference to things happening in Lina's story but I couldn't make the connections very well.
I felt like the book shied away from some of the horrors of these camps. I don't know if this was a specific choice give the fact its a YA novel, or if the author didn't feel like it would be appropriate but it felt like it took away from the story. I don't need to see misery and death exploited on the page but it felt like there were grim undertones that were being purposefully looked away from. Which did disappoint me given the topic of the book.
The book also ended very abruptly.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Child death
Moderate: Excrement, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: War, Animal death, Sexual assault, and Suicide
brittsbooknook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
POV - Lina, back & forth between her present time and her memories of before their wrongful imprisonment in Siberian labor/prison camps.
Lina's mother - what a heroic character. She did not let bitterness overtake her.
"His eyes found mine. "I'll see you," he said. " 😭
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
danileah07's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Antisemitism, Deportation, Suicide, and Sexual assault
Minor: Excrement and Vomit
lostintheplot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide, War, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Genocide, War, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child death, Body horror, and Gore
Minor: Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
victoriaa's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child death, War, Suicide, Death, Police brutality, Violence, Torture, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Slavery, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
literary_lady602's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death, Murder, Animal death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Child death
susylamb's review against another edition
- 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
Wow! Wow!
This is the saddest/ hardest story I have ever read about the Stalin/Hitler reign. Incredible these stories of Lithuanians who did not give in. 12 years in prison camps, death, and sickness. The brutality that humans can inflict on other humans is heart wrenching. Yet, they fought for their freedom and for their stories to remain alive. I believe it honors their story when I can read it.
Read the author’s note at the end! This was her family/ her history that she wants people to not forget.
I have recently discovered this author, and I am thankful for what she is bringing to light.
Moderate: Sexual assault
Holocaust brutality, death,ioanabooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Child death, and Police brutality
Moderate: Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Suicide, and War
bailey63's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child death, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual assault, Genocide, Blood, Excrement, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, and War