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theseventhl's review
5.0
I loved this even more than the other Balloonmakers book in the duology (which I loved an awful lot). Queer Jewish magicians in WW2 and one of them is a science genius yes yes yes y e s ♥️♥️♥️
PS: For my fellow DoE nerds, half of the novel takes place at Oak Ridge, TN, and now that I've finished the book, I ain't even mad they didn't go to New Mexico. It worked out!
PS: For my fellow DoE nerds, half of the novel takes place at Oak Ridge, TN, and now that I've finished the book, I ain't even mad they didn't go to New Mexico. It worked out!
readmoreyall's review
3.0
I figured out the twist about three pages before the reveal. I don’t love the additional storyline (set up for sequel I assume) but I did enjoy the core of the story.
sigfig's review
5.0
I love these books, they simultaneously teach about real history and often the glossed over parts of history while throwing in just a small fascinating twist.
abergland7's review
3.0
Not as good as the previous book but still a good read. Totally stand alone.
mallorypen's review against another edition
Didn’t renew from the library in time, and honestly wasn’t invested enough to get it back.
ilikecows321's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
hannahbisbis's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Maybe I’m just not used to reading young adult lit, but there were so many cringe moments in this book between the needless commentary, overly descriptive sexual tension scenes, and the not-actually-funny one liners that try too hard to be edgy (“tell your mama you got punched by a queer Jew,” “time to punch some Nazis” — although I’m obviously anti-Nazism). It wasn’t very well written and parts of the story were left undeveloped or rushed. I was ready for the book to be over well before the 355 page mark. Certainly no Hunger Games, but maybe that’s an unfair bar to set.
alyram4's review
3.0
3/5 stars
Historical fiction for me is tricky, but reading this right after a book I loved (also historical fiction) I just didn't find myself interested. I got bored A LOT, so much that I felt lile stopping at points or skimming pages. There were times where I was actually really interested, but they werw few and far between. Beginning was unbearably slow where I nearly DNFd it 70 pages in. The ending was nice and tied it to a nice bow, leaving it open for interpretation. But yeah, this definitely wasn't for me. I couldn't care much about what happened to the characters. Even the magic aspect just felt lile ot could have been expanded on a bit more or even shown more. This is not magical realism at all, so reading this made me feel like there was so much missing. Anyways, this wasn't for me but I know many people enjoyed it. I'd pass on any others in this particular series for the time being.
Historical fiction for me is tricky, but reading this right after a book I loved (also historical fiction) I just didn't find myself interested. I got bored A LOT, so much that I felt lile stopping at points or skimming pages. There were times where I was actually really interested, but they werw few and far between. Beginning was unbearably slow where I nearly DNFd it 70 pages in. The ending was nice and tied it to a nice bow, leaving it open for interpretation. But yeah, this definitely wasn't for me. I couldn't care much about what happened to the characters. Even the magic aspect just felt lile ot could have been expanded on a bit more or even shown more. This is not magical realism at all, so reading this made me feel like there was so much missing. Anyways, this wasn't for me but I know many people enjoyed it. I'd pass on any others in this particular series for the time being.
kaylakaotik's review
4.0
I'm rather fond of this series.
The Spy with the Red Balloon missed the high bar that was set by The Girl with the Red Balloon by just a bit. For a decent chunk of the book, I felt the story dragged on and on without much happening. However, it did pick up in the second half and that mostly made up for it.
I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if another book was to pop up in The Balloonmakers series.
The Spy with the Red Balloon missed the high bar that was set by The Girl with the Red Balloon by just a bit. For a decent chunk of the book, I felt the story dragged on and on without much happening. However, it did pick up in the second half and that mostly made up for it.
I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if another book was to pop up in The Balloonmakers series.
doublearon4321's review
3.0
I only read this because I read the first one in the series. Not my cup of tea but still a good read. I like the fact a wee bit of history is pulled into the story.