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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
I loved The War that Saved My Life. I didn't think it needed a sequel.
This sequel deserves its status. Ada learns even more. Side characters are deepened. Tragedy and triumph both shine. And as an adopted mom, while I still maintain that "all you need is love" is a gross oversimplification that can do more harm than good, Ada's development is hard-won and believable, and Susan's instinctive understanding of what she needs is made more believable by the never spoken yet clearly obvious fact that she has been ostracized as a lesbian and knows what it means to not fit in, to not be accepted, to be smart and angry and scorned and stubborn and brave.
This sequel deserves its status. Ada learns even more. Side characters are deepened. Tragedy and triumph both shine. And as an adopted mom, while I still maintain that "all you need is love" is a gross oversimplification that can do more harm than good, Ada's development is hard-won and believable, and Susan's instinctive understanding of what she needs is made more believable by the never spoken yet clearly obvious fact that she has been ostracized as a lesbian and knows what it means to not fit in, to not be accepted, to be smart and angry and scorned and stubborn and brave.
"you can know things all you like, but that doesn't mean you believe them."
this sequel picks up pretty much right where the first leaves off and instantly made me fall even harder for this wonderful cast of characters with their strengths and weaknesses; hurts and healing. 😠I think I loved it even more than the first so there's no choice but to give it five stars!
"you can know things all you like, and someday you might believe them."
this sequel picks up pretty much right where the first leaves off and instantly made me fall even harder for this wonderful cast of characters with their strengths and weaknesses; hurts and healing. 😠I think I loved it even more than the first so there's no choice but to give it five stars!
"you can know things all you like, and someday you might believe them."
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this entire book in one day back in October of 2017, and I was a complete mess after finishing. It wasn't a perfect storybook ending, and it wasn't as though every single problem was magically fixed or made better. But it was incredibly real, and incredibly heartwarming.
I listened to it on audio for my first reread, and it was a really good experience. The most difficult part was trying to remember to be patient and not rush to my bookcase to get my print copy so I could finish faster, haha. I do think I didn't connect emotionally the same way to some of the parts, listening to audio vs reading print, but it still had a profound effect on me.
Maybe I'll be able to write a more cohesive review after my third reread, but for now I'm just going to leave you with the note that I cannot more strongly recommend both this book and its predecessor, The War That Saved My Life. <3
I listened to it on audio for my first reread, and it was a really good experience. The most difficult part was trying to remember to be patient and not rush to my bookcase to get my print copy so I could finish faster, haha. I do think I didn't connect emotionally the same way to some of the parts, listening to audio vs reading print, but it still had a profound effect on me.
Maybe I'll be able to write a more cohesive review after my third reread, but for now I'm just going to leave you with the note that I cannot more strongly recommend both this book and its predecessor, The War That Saved My Life. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse
Moderate: Antisemitism
Heavy, hard hitting topics discussed - but still feels suitable for younger readers, especially if a parent or guardian can be there to assist the reader with questions.