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louisek's review against another edition
4.75
Thought this was a brilliantly written book, I could not put it down! It's so bleak but I love that there's a small semblance of hope at the end.
hitch's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
4.5
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book that I simultaneously enjoyed and feel confused about. Jessika is such a convincing and strong character, all of the characters have just so much conviction--and yet it feels strange to not only entertain and alternative history that leads to Nazi Germany still being in existence today, but it also feels weird to follow a protagonist who, at the beginning, is so clearly on the wrong side of history.
But I feel like these narratives are so needed, despite any of my apprehension. Yes, we love our radicals, but what about our protagonists who realize that what they've been doing their whole lives is wrong? The protagonists who commit little, tiny acts of treason every now and then, who long for the chance to rebel but are too afraid to.
As Jessika and Clementine grow up, the farther they grow apart. Where Clementine is straight, open, and radical, Jessika is a lesbian, demure, and conservative. And all Jessika wants to do is keep Clementine safe--and if that means observing her and reporting her, then so be it.
This whole book was just incredible and intriguing and chronologically fascinating as timelines are weaved with each other, compounding upon each other to build tension. And even the ending is something both satisfying and disturbing--Jessika comes out safe, and yet so many of her dreams and wants are deferred...which she's okay with, because she knows its her penance. And yet even within that frame of disturbing reclamation of her homeland, she finds revolution and rebellion in found books that may or may not have been banned years ago.
Sometimes, we must make do with what we have, and we must make do while keeping ourselves safe. It's a hard lesson to learn, especially when I feel that we as a society are now so used to the trend of strong female protags who take down an evil regime with the help of her friends.
Overall, this book is well worth the read. It's intriguing, it makes you think, it offers a scary look at what could have been--and what may be today in the United States.
Review cross-listed here!
But I feel like these narratives are so needed, despite any of my apprehension. Yes, we love our radicals, but what about our protagonists who realize that what they've been doing their whole lives is wrong? The protagonists who commit little, tiny acts of treason every now and then, who long for the chance to rebel but are too afraid to.
As Jessika and Clementine grow up, the farther they grow apart. Where Clementine is straight, open, and radical, Jessika is a lesbian, demure, and conservative. And all Jessika wants to do is keep Clementine safe--and if that means observing her and reporting her, then so be it.
This whole book was just incredible and intriguing and chronologically fascinating as timelines are weaved with each other, compounding upon each other to build tension. And even the ending is something both satisfying and disturbing--Jessika comes out safe, and yet so many of her dreams and wants are deferred...which she's okay with, because she knows its her penance. And yet even within that frame of disturbing reclamation of her homeland, she finds revolution and rebellion in found books that may or may not have been banned years ago.
Sometimes, we must make do with what we have, and we must make do while keeping ourselves safe. It's a hard lesson to learn, especially when I feel that we as a society are now so used to the trend of strong female protags who take down an evil regime with the help of her friends.
Overall, this book is well worth the read. It's intriguing, it makes you think, it offers a scary look at what could have been--and what may be today in the United States.
Review cross-listed here!
scarletohhara's review against another edition
4.0
A very well written book, this one is. A chilling story set in a world when the Nazis won the war (Much like how it would've been if Communism would have continued , or how it is in North Korea even now), told from the perspective of a 17 yr old girl, who herself is one, but is seeing the light now.
This book reminds us to ask questions, as many as possible, and never believe propaganda or what is said in popular media.
This book reminds us to ask questions, as many as possible, and never believe propaganda or what is said in popular media.
marshaskrypuch's review against another edition
5.0
A compelling coming of age novel with an intriguing premise. Imagine what it would be like as a teen in a contemporary Britain that lost WWII to the Nazis. Remaining citizens have been purified to the Aryan ideal, thoughts and opinions not sanctioned by the government are illegal. People who doesn't measure up for a myriad of reasons disappear and life goes on -- until you're the one to disappear and you see what it's like on the other side.
Told from the POV of Jessika, whose father is a high ranking Nazi official, the reader is plunged into a seemingly ordered and prosperous world, witnessing how someone in Jessika's situation could fall for the big lie. The consequences for deviating are massive.
Well-written, consuming and prescient.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the e-review copy of this excellent novel.
Told from the POV of Jessika, whose father is a high ranking Nazi official, the reader is plunged into a seemingly ordered and prosperous world, witnessing how someone in Jessika's situation could fall for the big lie. The consequences for deviating are massive.
Well-written, consuming and prescient.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the e-review copy of this excellent novel.
shannonxo's review against another edition
4.0
Oi, this was disturbing to read, but I mean that in a good way. I'm sure many people have wondered what would have happened if the Germans had indeed won World War II when they were at their height of invincibility, and this book has an interesting take on it.
It is as oppressive, brain-washing and militaristic as you would expect, and it was utterly fascinating. It's literally the Germany of 1940 and fast-forwarded to the 2000's with a few more technology advancements. It was interesting too to get a glimpse of the rest of the world order with most of Europe under the Reich.
I did struggle a little bit with following along. It was a bit challenging to get into it at the beginning, taking three/four days to get going, but I flew through the last half of it in a day. The second part of the book was also difficult to understand what was going on, as it jumps back and forth between two time frames. However, I think that issue came from my NetGalley copy, as the formatting was atrocious and there was no break to indicate a change. I wish we could have seen a little bit more from the main character as she did come across as a little flat and dull at times, but I suppose concessions can be made for her being programmed by the Reich.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
It is as oppressive, brain-washing and militaristic as you would expect, and it was utterly fascinating. It's literally the Germany of 1940 and fast-forwarded to the 2000's with a few more technology advancements. It was interesting too to get a glimpse of the rest of the world order with most of Europe under the Reich.
I did struggle a little bit with following along. It was a bit challenging to get into it at the beginning, taking three/four days to get going, but I flew through the last half of it in a day. The second part of the book was also difficult to understand what was going on, as it jumps back and forth between two time frames. However, I think that issue came from my NetGalley copy, as the formatting was atrocious and there was no break to indicate a change. I wish we could have seen a little bit more from the main character as she did come across as a little flat and dull at times, but I suppose concessions can be made for her being programmed by the Reich.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
gaybutwithbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rainyreadingrite's review against another edition
5.0
This affected me. It really did.
But I guess when a book touches you on one level (or more), when it gets you thinking, then it's very, very good. I'm rating it 4.5 (maybe even 4.75) stars, rounding it up to 5 stars though. There were some things in the book I didn't quite understand, but those minor things didn't really matter. Loved it.
Spoiler
Why couldn't Clem and Jess find a way to stay together, stay friends, stay normal? I get that the wrongness of the regime, the unlucky circumstances etc. is preventing them to have a normal life. I get that both of them stood up to the regime and that this was a) the exact right thing to do but b) their doom? I get that the real world is like this, that you can't happily live in an authoritarian regime while working against it. It's just how it is. But however; their seperation, Clem's fate and the fact Jess has lost the person she's loved most in the world - is just utterly depressing, but also very realistic.But I guess when a book touches you on one level (or more), when it gets you thinking, then it's very, very good. I'm rating it 4.5 (maybe even 4.75) stars, rounding it up to 5 stars though. There were some things in the book I didn't quite understand, but those minor things didn't really matter. Loved it.
frizabell's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
carolinerosereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0