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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
The second I finished the previous book, I headed out to the library to get the sequel because I wasn't even close to ready to leave Ada's world.
The war rages on, but Ada and Jamie have found a permanent home with Susan. Lady Thorton pays the bill for Ada to finally have her clubfoot corrected. Although she will never have a completely normal foot, once the healing is over and the casts come off, she can walk - and even run! - without pain for the first time in her life.
After the bombing of their home, they've had to move into the old groundskeepers cottage on Lord and Lady Thorton's estate. Eventually, the main house is taken over by the military and Lady Thorton has to move into the cottage with them as well, joined by Ada's friend Maggie whenever she's home from school. A short while later, Lord Thorton, who has a high-level top-secret job with the government, comes home with another boarder. Ruth is a refugee - a Jew who has escaped from Germany - and Lady Thorton is up in arms about a German living with them. She is determined not to like or trust Ruth, and refuses to allow her to go onto the estate to ride the horses she loves. Maggie's older brother, Jonathan, an RAF pilot, visits occasionally, and they all worry greatly about his safety.
In the meantime, Ada, though healthy and cared for, still has emotional scars from her difficult childhood. Consistent love and care from Susan helps her slowly get better, but she still is irritated when the less shell-shocked Jamie begins to call Susan Mum. It takes a tragedy and a health crisis to finally break through to her.
The riding, care and love of horses remains an important part of this book, and a way for Ada to form stronger connections with Jonathan, Fred, Ruth, and even the prickly Lady Thorton.
I absolutely loved both of these books. I've always recommended them to students even without having read them, and now, having read them, I will push them even more. Both stories have amazing heart and depth.
The war rages on, but Ada and Jamie have found a permanent home with Susan. Lady Thorton pays the bill for Ada to finally have her clubfoot corrected. Although she will never have a completely normal foot, once the healing is over and the casts come off, she can walk - and even run! - without pain for the first time in her life.
After the bombing of their home, they've had to move into the old groundskeepers cottage on Lord and Lady Thorton's estate. Eventually, the main house is taken over by the military and Lady Thorton has to move into the cottage with them as well, joined by Ada's friend Maggie whenever she's home from school. A short while later, Lord Thorton, who has a high-level top-secret job with the government, comes home with another boarder. Ruth is a refugee - a Jew who has escaped from Germany - and Lady Thorton is up in arms about a German living with them. She is determined not to like or trust Ruth, and refuses to allow her to go onto the estate to ride the horses she loves. Maggie's older brother, Jonathan, an RAF pilot, visits occasionally, and they all worry greatly about his safety.
In the meantime, Ada, though healthy and cared for, still has emotional scars from her difficult childhood. Consistent love and care from Susan helps her slowly get better, but she still is irritated when the less shell-shocked Jamie begins to call Susan Mum. It takes a tragedy and a health crisis to finally break through to her.
The riding, care and love of horses remains an important part of this book, and a way for Ada to form stronger connections with Jonathan, Fred, Ruth, and even the prickly Lady Thorton.
I absolutely loved both of these books. I've always recommended them to students even without having read them, and now, having read them, I will push them even more. Both stories have amazing heart and depth.
The War I Finally Won made me better appreciate its predecessor, [b:The War that Saved My Life|20912424|The War that Saved My Life (The War That Saved My Life, #1)|Kimberly Brubaker Bradley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1453342842s/20912424.jpg|40277782]. This sequel was less focused, and thus, less impactful.
The trouble began at the start with the two biggest obstacles facing Ada speedily resolved. WHat?! That put me off because it felt like the author just wanted to be done with those issues and move on to others (that were never as interesting).
Then it became the Thorton family show. I mourned the time given to Lady Thorton that could have been Susan's. I wish it could have been back to the trio (Susan, Ada, and Jamie). Jamie barely had any scenes by the end.
I've only read two of her books, but it seems Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has little sense of pacing. Or, more likely, she's indulgent and that leads to a wandering plot. And her editor doesn't have a spine.
All that said, I still found Ada's emotional journey compelling. Of course she was prickly, of course she didn't trust mothers to be anything but what her own blood had been. How Ada untangled her trauma was the shining thread for me.
The trouble began at the start with the two biggest obstacles facing Ada speedily resolved. WHat?! That put me off because it felt like the author just wanted to be done with those issues and move on to others (that were never as interesting).
Then it became the Thorton family show. I mourned the time given to Lady Thorton that could have been Susan's. I wish it could have been back to the trio (Susan, Ada, and Jamie). Jamie barely had any scenes by the end.
I've only read two of her books, but it seems Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has little sense of pacing. Or, more likely, she's indulgent and that leads to a wandering plot. And her editor doesn't have a spine.
All that said, I still found Ada's emotional journey compelling. Of course she was prickly, of course she didn't trust mothers to be anything but what her own blood had been. How Ada untangled her trauma was the shining thread for me.
Seriously? I read this because people said it redeemed the first. Where? It was just as, if not more, depressing than the first. Not much got better. Yes she “won” in the end, but at what cost? Such a terrible life for all involved.
Yes I know it’s real life. I am known to enjoy depressing books. But his was too much. Everything that could go wrong did. So much death and suffering. Nothing was ever easy for Ada. It didn’t need to be THAT hard. It was not believable.
So, yeah. I guess I’m not understanding why this series is so popular. But it is well written 🤷♀️
Yes I know it’s real life. I am known to enjoy depressing books. But his was too much. Everything that could go wrong did. So much death and suffering. Nothing was ever easy for Ada. It didn’t need to be THAT hard. It was not believable.
So, yeah. I guess I’m not understanding why this series is so popular. But it is well written 🤷♀️
One of the best middle grade/young adult historical fiction books I ever read. The characters and setting feel so raw and authentic. I really hope there are more in the series.
inspiring
medium-paced
A great conclusion to the TWTSML duology. I would recommend it to elementary school kids or early middle school kids.
My review of the first book for more thoughts:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3285866261?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
My review of the first book for more thoughts:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3285866261?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
emotional
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
Absolutely wonderful. I loved every minute with these characters in all their beautiful complexity. My grandfather was a navigator in WWII, so hearing about British airmen fighting for their land and against the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis was incredibly personal. Highly, highly recommend to kids, teens, and adults alike.
Oh, this book. It was so good and I'm glad that I got this amazing opportunity to read it. It's all about hope and courage. Never lose hope over things. You lose more than you win but winning is always worthy. This book helped me thru a lot and I'm really grateful.
I loved these books! If you haven’t picked them up yet, go for it! If you have children. Find them some coloring books to play with and sit there with them and read it out loud. It is the perfect book for that.
I loved getting to watch Ada grow and learn and expand her wings. Learning to accept love, learning to allow herself to be vulnerable with people again. ❤️❤️❤️
Watching everyone in the story come together through hardships to help each other and carry on. Such a beautiful thing to witness.
These aren’t big books or hard books. The Audio is also very good. I listened to them on Audio, but had the books at my house from the library because... you know... pictures. Lol. ❤️❤️❤️ Anywho, my sister is here visiting, saw the books and read them in one weekend because she couldn’t put them down. In fact, she finished before I did and was like. Hurry up I need to discuss these with you. ❤️❤️❤️ Total #bookishmomentoftheweek especially since this sister isn’t really a book person. Totally made my week.
I loved getting to watch Ada grow and learn and expand her wings. Learning to accept love, learning to allow herself to be vulnerable with people again. ❤️❤️❤️
Watching everyone in the story come together through hardships to help each other and carry on. Such a beautiful thing to witness.
These aren’t big books or hard books. The Audio is also very good. I listened to them on Audio, but had the books at my house from the library because... you know... pictures. Lol. ❤️❤️❤️ Anywho, my sister is here visiting, saw the books and read them in one weekend because she couldn’t put them down. In fact, she finished before I did and was like. Hurry up I need to discuss these with you. ❤️❤️❤️ Total #bookishmomentoftheweek especially since this sister isn’t really a book person. Totally made my week.