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emiliareads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
mbesq's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
A powerful, creatively written novel about The Great Hunger.
mj38012's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
3wilcotroad's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
leona28's review against another edition
emotional
sad
5.0
📚 Book Review 📚
Title: Where the heart should be by Sarah Crossan
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this much I devoured it in about two hours! Definitely one of my top books for this year, it's amazing! I preordered this book after seeing the description and loving the sound of it. However, I didn't realise the book is written in verse and I won't lie when I opened it, it threw me off it a little bit but I was definitely wrong! I normally don't read books written in verse as I find them hard to get into but this definitely was not the case here and as soon as I read the first line I couldn't put it down until I finished it and that's exactly what I did. I read this in about two hours on a bus journey and it will have you feeling so many emotions! I definitely wanted to cry in certain sections of this as it is also heartbreaking but also so lovable.
The book is set in a fictional village called Ballinkeel in Mayo in 1846, the time of the famine. We see the devastation of the failing crop, families trying to survive, sickness, emigration, friendship, love, community and it's a beautiful book. The book follows the story of Nell a sixteen year old who is clever and a scullery maid in the local big house for Lord Wicken. Earning a living to support her family when the family's crops are failing and devastation is to follow. In the big house, we have Lord Wickens nephew Johnny Browning who is nothing like his wicked uncle, he's seventeen and only newly in Ireland from England to be trained into the upkeep of what will eventually become his estate. As hunger and disease run rampant Nell and Johnny find each other and a spark of hope begins but what will it mean for both of them.
I loved everything about this! I'm a huge historical fiction fan and you can clearly see the extensive research Sarah did for this book. From the very first page you are immersed into the village in Mayo and everything is so clearly defined you feel as though you are there. I loved Nell's character, her family and friendships and that she wasn't afraid to voice her opinions. This book will definitely stay with me for a long time and I recommend everyone to read it! I absolutely loved it!
Title: Where the heart should be by Sarah Crossan
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this much I devoured it in about two hours! Definitely one of my top books for this year, it's amazing! I preordered this book after seeing the description and loving the sound of it. However, I didn't realise the book is written in verse and I won't lie when I opened it, it threw me off it a little bit but I was definitely wrong! I normally don't read books written in verse as I find them hard to get into but this definitely was not the case here and as soon as I read the first line I couldn't put it down until I finished it and that's exactly what I did. I read this in about two hours on a bus journey and it will have you feeling so many emotions! I definitely wanted to cry in certain sections of this as it is also heartbreaking but also so lovable.
The book is set in a fictional village called Ballinkeel in Mayo in 1846, the time of the famine. We see the devastation of the failing crop, families trying to survive, sickness, emigration, friendship, love, community and it's a beautiful book. The book follows the story of Nell a sixteen year old who is clever and a scullery maid in the local big house for Lord Wicken. Earning a living to support her family when the family's crops are failing and devastation is to follow. In the big house, we have Lord Wickens nephew Johnny Browning who is nothing like his wicked uncle, he's seventeen and only newly in Ireland from England to be trained into the upkeep of what will eventually become his estate. As hunger and disease run rampant Nell and Johnny find each other and a spark of hope begins but what will it mean for both of them.
I loved everything about this! I'm a huge historical fiction fan and you can clearly see the extensive research Sarah did for this book. From the very first page you are immersed into the village in Mayo and everything is so clearly defined you feel as though you are there. I loved Nell's character, her family and friendships and that she wasn't afraid to voice her opinions. This book will definitely stay with me for a long time and I recommend everyone to read it! I absolutely loved it!