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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a two-star book for me the majority of the way through, but it earned an extra star since it ended with some much-needed character growth.
Rants I wrote while it was still driving me crazy:
-I texted my mom to ask if Ada had been such a sad sack in the first book, too. Her response was "yup, she sure was."
-Ruth is a petulant, bitchy, unsympathetic teenager with less common sense than you'd expect from someone her age. People don't know about Judaism? Better be an utter bitch to them, instead of explaining what they don't know.
-I was complaining to my husband about it and stumbled upon what bothered me so much about Ada's sad-sack disposition: sure, life had been pretty horrible to her for a long time. But her life had turned around, drastically, for quite a while -- and she STILL couldn't get over her initial horrible distrust of everyone and everything. I understand it takes time to change your entire outlook on life, but when the character continually does NOT show ANY growth, it really becomes grating. "Something happened? Well, obviously it's going to be the worst possible outcome. The end. WHAT THINGS ARE TURNING OUT OKAY?? DO NOT UNDERSTAND, MUST GET ANGRY ANYWAY BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T EXPLICITLY SPELL EVERYTHING OUT FOR ME."
Rants I wrote while it was still driving me crazy:
-I texted my mom to ask if Ada had been such a sad sack in the first book, too. Her response was "yup, she sure was."
-Ruth is a petulant, bitchy, unsympathetic teenager with less common sense than you'd expect from someone her age. People don't know about Judaism? Better be an utter bitch to them, instead of explaining what they don't know.
-I was complaining to my husband about it and stumbled upon what bothered me so much about Ada's sad-sack disposition: sure, life had been pretty horrible to her for a long time. But her life had turned around, drastically, for quite a while -- and she STILL couldn't get over her initial horrible distrust of everyone and everything. I understand it takes time to change your entire outlook on life, but when the character continually does NOT show ANY growth, it really becomes grating. "Something happened? Well, obviously it's going to be the worst possible outcome. The end. WHAT THINGS ARE TURNING OUT OKAY?? DO NOT UNDERSTAND, MUST GET ANGRY ANYWAY BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T EXPLICITLY SPELL EVERYTHING OUT FOR ME."
(Double-posting this review for #1 and #2 of this series)
Recommended!
The War That Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won, both by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, are excellent middle grade historical fiction, featuring the determined Ada Smith. I CROWED with delight when I realized that they are read by Jayne Entwistle, my favorite reader of the spunky Flavia de Luce mysteries! These Ada stories take place during the London blitz, and she and her brother, Jamie, have been evacuated to the countryside. I teared up at certain moments because Ada's upbringing was horrible, and she was so understandably frustrated when she couldn't grasp something new to her. But she persists and prevails! She made me want to cheer!
These books remind me of Goodnight, Mr. Tom, by Michelle Magorian. This is another novel for young readers that takes place during the blitz, and I read it over and over as a kid. A few years ago, I stole it from my parents' house and re-read it. It was so SAD! How did I not fall apart when I was a kid? But it's also so good, and I'm glad that book was in my life.
Recommended!
The War That Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won, both by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, are excellent middle grade historical fiction, featuring the determined Ada Smith. I CROWED with delight when I realized that they are read by Jayne Entwistle, my favorite reader of the spunky Flavia de Luce mysteries! These Ada stories take place during the London blitz, and she and her brother, Jamie, have been evacuated to the countryside. I teared up at certain moments because Ada's upbringing was horrible, and she was so understandably frustrated when she couldn't grasp something new to her. But she persists and prevails! She made me want to cheer!
These books remind me of Goodnight, Mr. Tom, by Michelle Magorian. This is another novel for young readers that takes place during the blitz, and I read it over and over as a kid. A few years ago, I stole it from my parents' house and re-read it. It was so SAD! How did I not fall apart when I was a kid? But it's also so good, and I'm glad that book was in my life.
Loved this duo. A kind of war story I had never considered.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was fantastic, and a great chance to see the characters again. It didn't quite live up to the first one, but that just means it's great instead of amazing. And yes, I cried several times!
I wasn't really sure that the original book needed a sequel, but I think this one may even be better than the first book. The author really brings the time and place to life, not to mention really getting into the head of a traumatized girl recovering from a history of childhood abuse. I read the book in a single session today, and teared up in the best way several times. Ada is such a striking and remarkable protagonist, and while I feel this book wrapped her story up well, I could definitely read more books about her.
I did not love this as much as the 1st book in the series, but it was still enjoyable. The characters were well-written with real flaws, and they learned and improved throughout the story.
It is very difficult for me to find the right words to portray my feelings towards these two books: The War That Saved My Life and its sequel, The War I Finally Won. Originally published for ‘young readers’, the minute you read the first page you will understand this story is meant for any set of eyes in any stage of life. I cannot stress enough how beneficial, endearing and earth shattering these stories are. You absolutely need these books occupying your shelves.
The War I Finally Won is the perfect sequel and ending to Ada’s journey. The war continues on and things seem to be getting worse for London. While the outside world seems to be falling apart, Ada’s is slowly piecing together. Susan received approval, as her legal guardian, to move forward with corrective surgery to fix Ada’s club foot. Now Ada can walk as a normal person without cutting and tearing her foot with each step.
One morning, a young girl named Ruth with dark hair and eyes is dropped off and told she is to live with Jamie, Ada and Susan while Susan tutors her in math. The catch? She is German. Skeptical that Ruth may be a spy, Ada’s defense mechanism’s are in full throttle , as her trust for anybody is extremely scarce.
As the war prolongs and Ruth becomes a tenant of their home, we begin to see Ada come out on top of her own war. Showing us what it takes to survive among her war-ridden mind and a disheveled London, she is the perfect example of grit and hard work. She may not be perfect, nor is Jamie or Susan, but their life together is worth fighting for.
FOR FULL REVIEW VISIT: https://thebookmarkerblogs.wordpress.com/2019/07/27/the-war-that-saved-my-life-the-war-i-finally-won-kimberly-brubaker-bradley/
The War I Finally Won is the perfect sequel and ending to Ada’s journey. The war continues on and things seem to be getting worse for London. While the outside world seems to be falling apart, Ada’s is slowly piecing together. Susan received approval, as her legal guardian, to move forward with corrective surgery to fix Ada’s club foot. Now Ada can walk as a normal person without cutting and tearing her foot with each step.
One morning, a young girl named Ruth with dark hair and eyes is dropped off and told she is to live with Jamie, Ada and Susan while Susan tutors her in math. The catch? She is German. Skeptical that Ruth may be a spy, Ada’s defense mechanism’s are in full throttle , as her trust for anybody is extremely scarce.
As the war prolongs and Ruth becomes a tenant of their home, we begin to see Ada come out on top of her own war. Showing us what it takes to survive among her war-ridden mind and a disheveled London, she is the perfect example of grit and hard work. She may not be perfect, nor is Jamie or Susan, but their life together is worth fighting for.
FOR FULL REVIEW VISIT: https://thebookmarkerblogs.wordpress.com/2019/07/27/the-war-that-saved-my-life-the-war-i-finally-won-kimberly-brubaker-bradley/