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jlarrew's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I do wish I would have learned more about Germany itself in 1933 and 1936. We learned that the Nazi's were going into power and the changes that happened (the book focused on a book burning event in May 1933 and Adam being sent to and then killed in a concentration camp in 1933). But why was this possible in the first place? What led people to believe in Hitler? The book was missing some of that for me.
I thought that the Viv story line was the least interesting. I do wish there was less about her and more about Hannah and Althea. I love that the book includes a queer romance between them. I love when multiple people groups are represnted in books. I did not suspect Dev being a spy and I hate that she gave Hannah's brother to the Nazi's.
I was very angry with Hannah when she found out that Otto was the traitor that gave her brothers whereabouts to Dev and she didn't contact Althea. And the fact that Otto comforted Hannah (who left Althea on the street after being questioned by the Nazi's) knowing that he was the cause of her pain.. UGH! That moment in time seemed to set both of their trajectories on a more miserable path, and I hate people suffering for no good reason.
The part of Viv's story line that was most interesting was her desire to end censorship. Americans are in this battle as we speek. My local school district has banned 4 books to date. I love her crafty way to do it in 1944 and I love even more that it worked. I am not going to lie and say that what happened in the book didn't feel eerily familiar to what is happening in the US now in 2024.
I normally like it when authors tie all the details up with a pretty bow at the end. In this case, Hannah and Althea are together in their 90's. Viv married Hale and has 3 children and at least 1 grandchild. They are at a memorial for the book burnings. And if i am honest, I did like it this time. However, I don't think it is realistic that everything would have worked out so neatly for ALL of them. Maybe that's just my inner skeptic though.
redheadorganist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
This book was a slow start for me. At first I thought I might not finish it, but I am so glad I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Death
Minor: Suicide, Confinement, Sexism, Cursing, Genocide, and Sexual content
bookaliciousjourney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
saracat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-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
When looking for historical fictional novels, it often feels to me like there are two main categories: WWII and non-WWII. Despite it feeling like the historical fiction market is saturated with stories that take place during WWII, this one feels like an important reminder of some of the lessons the world should have already learned then. While at the same time being very focused on the main characters of the book and their personal stories.
The story is told by going back and forth between three women. Focusing on each of them during a different point in the war. Sometimes the connection between the women became clear before explicitly written, but other times it came as a surprise. And there were more points surrounding the main characters that Labuskes was able to keep a secret until the reveal. Yet the puzzle pieces always easily reworked themselves to make the correct picture.
The story is told by going back and forth between three women. Focusing on each of them during a different point in the war. Sometimes the connection between the women became clear before explicitly written, but other times it came as a surprise. And there were more points surrounding the main characters that Labuskes was able to keep a secret until the reveal. Yet the puzzle pieces always easily reworked themselves to make the correct picture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Racism, Bullying, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Blood, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Genocide, Self harm, Sexism, and Torture
mtzbookworm64's review
5.0
Another great WW2 era book based on true events.
Vivian Childs project works to keep Senator Taft’s bill from banning and censoring the Armed Services Editions of books into the hands of soldiers fighting the war. Her efforts will bring Althea James and Hannah Brecht back together after they last saw each other during the Nazi book burning in Berlin.
Vivian Childs project works to keep Senator Taft’s bill from banning and censoring the Armed Services Editions of books into the hands of soldiers fighting the war. Her efforts will bring Althea James and Hannah Brecht back together after they last saw each other during the Nazi book burning in Berlin.
debbiecollectsbooks's review
4.0
I enjoyed reading this historical fiction story revolving around the lives of three women during World War 2. I won this book on Goodreads as a uncorrected proof copy. It is available now for everyone to purchase. It has well developed characters and flows smoothly. I recommend this to anyone who loves reading historical fiction.
tessa3768's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
jillianjiggs666's review
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
macsuga's review against another edition
5.0
So on point. So the reason why history must be told without any lens of politics. So good. Well told. Vivid.
lucawartna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Lovely piece of historical fiction with books and stories at its center. I love that part of the story plays out in Berlin before the war. And it’s wonderful how the main characters connect in the end.
What I didn’t like was that for all the talk about ‘complicated story endings are more beautiful than simple ones’, this book ends with a quite simple one. It’s cosy and satisfying but also overly simplistic.
What I didn’t like was that for all the talk about ‘complicated story endings are more beautiful than simple ones’, this book ends with a quite simple one. It’s cosy and satisfying but also overly simplistic.