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mjlease08's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
yourschloex's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bookphenomena_micky's review
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Headlines:
WWII story in Norway & the Shetlands
Failing then carrying on
Pacey
At the heart of this book are two great characters in Hedda and Bill but the execution of this story didn't always carry me along in the way I wanted. Hedda was exiled from the far reaches of northern Norway and Bill was court marshalled up to the Shetlands. In that grim and barren environment, these two found a way to survive as individuals, Hedda as a parent and then with a slow connection.
Their story was told over years and I enjoyed the turning of time. What I did struggle with was the very slow start and for me, it took till about 25% in for the story to really get going. The chapters were narrated in alternating (mostly) POVs of Bill and Hedda. Bill had nine lives and Hedda wasn't far off.
The description in this book was vivid, you felt the wind, rain and fear. The tension and suspicion of the time was palpable. I was a little impatient for the ending for the last 10%.
Overall, an interesting read with ebbs and flows.
Thank you to the publisher through netgalley for the review copy.
WWII story in Norway & the Shetlands
Failing then carrying on
Pacey
At the heart of this book are two great characters in Hedda and Bill but the execution of this story didn't always carry me along in the way I wanted. Hedda was exiled from the far reaches of northern Norway and Bill was court marshalled up to the Shetlands. In that grim and barren environment, these two found a way to survive as individuals, Hedda as a parent and then with a slow connection.
Their story was told over years and I enjoyed the turning of time. What I did struggle with was the very slow start and for me, it took till about 25% in for the story to really get going. The chapters were narrated in alternating (mostly) POVs of Bill and Hedda. Bill had nine lives and Hedda wasn't far off.
The description in this book was vivid, you felt the wind, rain and fear. The tension and suspicion of the time was palpable. I was a little impatient for the ending for the last 10%.
Overall, an interesting read with ebbs and flows.
Thank you to the publisher through netgalley for the review copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
emilinkaa's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
As an avid reader of WW2 fiction, I was excited to see something that wasn’t the same old same old London/Paris/Berlin plot. The way this author blended fact and fiction, the way I am desperate to visit the far northern reaches of the Shetland Islands now? Gorgeous. I also loved that this story wasn’t about your typical WW2 hero and heroine, but instead, two people who were older, and had lived through a few experiences already. Happily recommend this one to fans of WW2 fiction!
I was provided an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks to the publisher and the author for providing it to me.
I was provided an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks to the publisher and the author for providing it to me.
jlvgriffin's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
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