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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
This book was just as good as The War That Saved My Life. Sometimes sequels don't quite hit the level of the first book but this one knocked it out of the park. I didn't want to leave Ada's world. I listened to the audio, as I did with the first book, and it was spellbinding. Five big stars for this one. One of my favorite books of the year.
Ada's story continues as she copes with the aftermath of her mother's abuse, trying to find the courage to trust and build relationships with her adopted mom and new friends. Susan Smith is a wonderful character, as she nurtures Ada without coddling her, whilst dealing with her own grief.
I am a sucker for a sequel and this one was perfect. I loved reading more about Ada and the rest of the character’s resiliency and love during WWII.
A reference to my review for the first book in this pair: "this book is amazing" and "the second book is even better."
Really, really good. Ada is such an interesting, realistic character. I love that everything isn't all sunshine and rainbows now she's with Susan, and she has such a lot of work to do accepting love and trusting anyone other than herself.
The story itself was also very good. Not a ton of plot, per se - it's much more "a year (or 3) in the life," but when the years covered are 1941-43, there's a lot of very interesting things that can happen.
I loved the inclusion of Ruth, and everything about her story. I loved that Lady Thornton is such a varied character - she can certainly be harsh, but also very soft. There are really NO black-and-white characters in these books.
The story itself was also very good. Not a ton of plot, per se - it's much more "a year (or 3) in the life," but when the years covered are 1941-43, there's a lot of very interesting things that can happen.
I loved the inclusion of Ruth, and everything about her story. I loved that Lady Thornton is such a varied character - she can certainly be harsh, but also very soft. There are really NO black-and-white characters in these books.
I loved The War That Saved My Life, and it is such a pleasure to revisit these characters in this sequel. The narrator is superb, again delivering Ada's conflicting rage and vulnerability with nuance and care. I love the way she says 'Butter'. I'm only part of the way through, and I've already cried three times.
I listened to this via audiobook, and I felt that it was extremely drawn out. I skipped the last two discs and listened to the last chapter, because I was so bored with Ada’s story. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book, so I didn’t have super high expectations.
I did appreciate Ada’s perspective as an abused child, and the difficulties she has as a result. I feel like that was a pretty realistic portrayal, and I see it in my students all the time. Knowing how these kids think and feel helps me react to their actions in the classroom.
I did appreciate Ada’s perspective as an abused child, and the difficulties she has as a result. I feel like that was a pretty realistic portrayal, and I see it in my students all the time. Knowing how these kids think and feel helps me react to their actions in the classroom.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brilliant. The second of a magnificent two-part series, this story continues Ada’s personal war with herself, while WWII wages on in Britain. It is a testament to the author’s talents that Ada’s (who is aged 11-14) voice is so authentic and pure, and it is through her that readers come to understand with such clarity the other characters in the novel. Besides The Nightingale, this series, written for middle grades, is my favorite historic fiction about WWII. And I should add that Jane Entwistle is perfection as the narrator of the series on audiobook.
I’m very clearly in the minority here, but this book didn’t do it for me the way its predecessor did.
My issues surrounded bringing up some important topics and then skirting them (specifically musings on death/heaven, and insinuations that a couple characters are lesbians). My feelings: go all in or don’t go at all, but don’t bring it up and then skirt the issues.
I also got annoyed with some of the reputation of events that happened in the first book for the reader’s sake. Maybe more sequels do this and I’m uninformed because I read mostly stand-alone books?
The book was a fun, action-packed read, but ultimately I was just a little disappointed.
My issues surrounded bringing up some important topics and then skirting them (specifically musings on death/heaven, and insinuations that a couple characters are lesbians). My feelings: go all in or don’t go at all, but don’t bring it up and then skirt the issues.
I also got annoyed with some of the reputation of events that happened in the first book for the reader’s sake. Maybe more sequels do this and I’m uninformed because I read mostly stand-alone books?
The book was a fun, action-packed read, but ultimately I was just a little disappointed.