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amberc's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This was interesting and not interesting enough. A lot of it felt very slow, but somewhat interesting. In the last 50-100 pages so much happened and it was very intense.
This was interesting and not interesting enough. A lot of it felt very slow, but somewhat interesting. In the last 50-100 pages so much happened and it was very intense.
thereza's review against another edition
5.0
my poor heart couldn't handle this book and now i am dead and how is your day going
fancypython's review against another edition
4.0
This is a gripping, intense read. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. Definitely for older teens, as it has war, bullying, and different forms of abuse.
shelovestoread's review against another edition
3.0
"Would the future Germany have any evidence of its crimes? Would it smell bad and would people even know why?"
This book is a World War II novel. The main protagonist is Sarah, who is a Jew with an Aryan appearance. After her mother get killed abandoned and alone she meets a man who turns out it be a spy. She is recruited by him to to be a spy and go inside and infiltrated a Nazi boarding school.
Sarah was an incredibly strong character. She kept all her suffering and violence she has witnessed buried in the back of her mind and used it to be stronger and more push through situations. She is clever, sharp and Swift and deal quickly with situation to keep herself safe.
The world building and the insight to Nazi time is done very brilliantly, you can see the research done.. It has a lot of German words and I had to constantly search and find out their meaning (because well I didn't know any of them, totally new to me). But they provided a great insight into those times.
This book portrays a great deal inside the mind of Nazi's and how wrong and bad things were back than. The race complex and all the superiority. Also how everyone was supposed to be strong and brutal and serve the "fatherland". How everyone was assigned a role. This book tells you a lot of facts.
The thing I struggled with this book was the plot. I know it's supposed to historical fiction. But I just had this feeling in the back of my mind about this being fiction. And how the plot didn't feel so enthralling to me. I know that these things really did happen in time and all. But just this story of Sarah, it being fiction. I don't know to explain but it just didn't move me the way I should have. But that's my own personal problem. I have know to cry over WW stories but I guess I just didn't connect with this one sigh.
The plot was chillingly uncomfortable. A lot of things happens that make you gag. Or chill you to the bone.
This book though historical fiction is more on the side of a brutal and very difficult spy operation with the war on the backside of things.
Over all this book is hauntingly intense. Gives you a deep insight of Nazi times, it's deeply educational for people who might not know nitty gritty in the background of the world war II.
Thank you to Usborne for the ARC.
_marissagodfrey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
lilbookishdragon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
catherinecabbage's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so we’ve encountered a five star read. It’s the first one in a while, which is what really excites me! Historical fiction has got to be my favourite genre and this book has everything in it that I love about the genre. There were elements in it that were unique, such as including the dreams/nightmares of Sarah. They weaved into the plot slightly and gave it a lot more depth.
Rest of the review is going to be uploaded on to my blog soon: http://kittyjadeblog.com
Rest of the review is going to be uploaded on to my blog soon: http://kittyjadeblog.com
jeanie1's review against another edition
5.0
This book was nothing short of incredible. Gripping, emotive and factual, it tells the story of a young Jewish teenager caught in the fire of the Second World War. The author’s use of language devices (primarily metaphors, similes and contrast) join with historical events to create a captivating journey. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, particularly those who enjoy history and historical fiction. I can’t wait for the sequel! :)
meganlovesbooks's review against another edition
DNF @ 51% I may or may not come back to this. Just not in the mood for it