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Reviews

קרב החורף by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

mariespuna's review against another edition

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4.0

Hacía tiempo que quería releer este libro y reconozco que ha envejecido medianamente bien.

El Combate de Invierno es en realidad la historia de Helen como alumna huérfana en un internado primero, y luego como fugitiva escondida del régimen. No dejéis que la sinopsis os diga otra cosa.

Me ha gustado que, por una vez, la protagonista cumple su papel de no tener ni idea de lo que está pasando. Y los adultos son los suficientemente inteligentes como para no poner a una chica de 17 años al corriente de todo lo que es la resistencia a la Falange. Lo que no me ha gustado tanto es que Mourlevat no profundice un poco más en las historias de Milos, Bart y Milena.

En general es un libro que está bien y se lee rápido, aunque peca de diálogos, sobre todo los de los adolescentes, que se nota mucho que los ha escrito un señor de mediana edad que está desconectado con el discurso de los jóvenes.

katie_sandifer's review against another edition

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1.0

I didn't finish the book. I may pick it up again, but at this point in time, I don't think I have the will to read it.

I am sure that when I do come back to the book, I will enjoy it, but right now I can't seem to focus on the plot line at all.

elizziebooks's review against another edition

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5.0

I was going to make a video about this because I really liked this book. A lot. But after spending 4+ hours on the Linger Read-Along video last night, I’m not feeling like making a video for this. So, here we go.

This past week, I read the English translation of Winter’s End. It was originally written in French, so some of the wording is a little odd. That’s not to say it’s hard to understand. It’s absolutely brilliant.

Winter’s End is about this group of kids (Bartolomeo, Milena, Milos, and Helen) who go to two different but very oppressive boarding schools. Their parents were killed when this group of barbarians (Phalangists, as they are called in the book). The four kids escape their respective schools in search for freedom and to find out what actually happened to their parents. Along the way, they find many hardships and even face death at times. And they’re actually the ones to lead their country’s revolution against this evil government.

I found this story to be quite interesting and original. The whole idea of a barbarian government oppressing them rather than some uptight dictator is new to me. At least as far as fictional literature goes. The story in this book is very fresh and original. I’m sure you could compare it to other dystopic novels or to novels set in World War II Germany, but really the story stands on its own.

The characters were amazing. From the four main characters to Catherine Paneck, Jahn, and the horse-men. You will love the good guys and absolutely loathe the Phalangists. Especially Van Vlyck. He’s just plain awful.

The setting was absolutely dismal. That is to show how harsh the times were. Just like winter, these people were battling through some terribly cold times. Everyone is questioned. Anyone who objects with authority is thrown in jail or ripped apart by the dog-men. And near the end of the novel, Spring comes forward and times get better. The Phalagists either disappear or give up their reigns.

Although on Amazon they say it’s an 8+ book, I’d say it’s more of a 14+ book because of some of the violence in the novel. So have a mature mindset and a strong stomach. I mean, if you could handle Hunger Games books, you can handle this.

girovy's review against another edition

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1.0

In una parola: orribile!
Noioso fino alla morte, con dei personaggi inutili e un finale insulso. Bah bah... Sarà che sono sprucida io

scaifea's review against another edition

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3.0

Dystopian YA in which the children of the leaders of the past revolution are kept in prison-like boarding schools. Some escape and aid in the overthrow of the evil regime.
Meh. It's not bad, but it also doesn't add much to the genre, and the story could have been fleshed out a bunch more.

holtkaren's review against another edition

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1.0

Not finished too much like the Hunger Games with the prep for the Gladiator's ring

heli_mads's review against another edition

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4.0

la fin, c'était vraiment émuant ♥ j'adorais "la riviere a l'envers" c'est pourquoi c'est pour moi difficile d'exprimer mes émotions sur ce livre -> 4/5

didyousaybooks's review against another edition

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3.0

Prenant. je l'ai commencé et fini en quelques heures!

jldyer's review against another edition

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2.0

This book had potential, but the world, the storyline, and even the characters fell flat. I don't know if it was due to the translation, but it just didn't hang together well. I found myself struggling from the beginning to understand what was going on and what kind of world the characters lived in. I even found myself questioning the characters themselves.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone to read. I was disappointed.

debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition

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4.0

A 1001 Children's Book. That's Winter's End. It's translated from the French. In view of my upcoming trip, I've decided to focus on reading those 1001 CBs that have French authors. And, though this book was set in a mysterious alternative universe following a dictatorial takeover, the book had a decidedly French feel, placing its trust in art to save the world. Very dark for a children's book, but with a hopeful ending. I worried the book would be first in a trilogy, but, no, it was complete in itself.