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belwood303's review against another edition
3.0
Very intense beginning but it just ends abruptly. And honestly after such an emotional investment in being taken prisoner and held hostage in a concentration camp, the ending doesn't give any emotional closure at all and gives the book an unfinished feeling.
booksrachelreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
deschatjes's review against another edition
4.0
Masterful writing & research on a little known piece of history.
icecreampages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and War
vlisa's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
brky1144's review against another edition
4.0
Emotional read
A moving, historical recreation of a forgotten people during WWII. Absolutely heartbreaking, but inspiring as well. I give it only four stars because the ending was a disappointment. Anticlimactic and abrupt conclusion.
A moving, historical recreation of a forgotten people during WWII. Absolutely heartbreaking, but inspiring as well. I give it only four stars because the ending was a disappointment. Anticlimactic and abrupt conclusion.
haleighgill's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely haunting account of the occupation of the Baltic states. Sepetys' dedication to depicting the pain inflicted is admirable, drawing from true stories and accounts of these situations for this novel prevents these horrors from being buried and forgotten. This novel was heartbreaking and uncomfortable to read, as it should be. I do not usually veer towards historical fiction but I will absolutely be reading Sepetys' other novels. Thank you for not allowing the horrors of the past to be forgotten.
faith_schmitt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- 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
usually there are characters in books that i find annoying. however, i love every single character in this book. what they went through is horrible, and its written to show the pain without being too graphic. i usually cry when things get sad and can’t handle the Holocaust, but i was able to read this and i didn’t cry. you can see the how horrible it was without knowing all the even worse truths. this book is easy to read but challenging at the same time and extremely informative and important. it shows a different perspective from World War II that is not always talked about that should be, despite its horrors. it should be talked about and not forgotten, and this book is perfect. however, it almost ends on a cliff hanger, and i wanted more of an ending, however, i also know that this book ended perfectly.
penguin96's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Violence, War, and Deportation
ladyaylesworth's review against another edition
3.0
This hould be required reading for all high school freshmen: just the right dose of the ugly side of history.