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emilyceratops's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
First act was a bit of a slog to get through. Pay-off in the second half is not bad. The second half of the book moves at a cracking pace. I really liked the main character there.
adelle_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Je zvláštní, že mě autorčin doslov nadchne víc než závěr?
Ale je to úžasný příběh. Nemám ráda válečné romány, ale tenhle stojí za to. Nutno označit štítkem "hell", protože to je asi nejvhodnější ekvivalent, i když ani zdaleka nevystihuje celkové dojmy z téhle knihy.
Polib mě, Hardy!
Ale je to úžasný příběh. Nemám ráda válečné romány, ale tenhle stojí za to. Nutno označit štítkem "hell", protože to je asi nejvhodnější ekvivalent, i když ani zdaleka nevystihuje celkové dojmy z téhle knihy.
Polib mě, Hardy!
kishma_'s review against another edition
5.0
This book has been on my TBR for YEARS (at least 5) and I only picked it up now, despite reading good things about it (which was the reason I bought it in the first place - such is the life of being a mood reader). I was able to get the audiobook for a good deal, which was what made me finally pick it up in the end.
This book did not disappoint. The audiobook just added to the experience! The narrators they got for the two main characters were perfect (in my opinion). I really felt they brought their characters to life.
It was an unexpectedly funny and inherently heartbreaking story set during WW2 from perspectives I hadn't read from before or really heard about until recently. All in all, I really really enjoyed this and glad I finally picked it up.
This book did not disappoint. The audiobook just added to the experience! The narrators they got for the two main characters were perfect (in my opinion). I really felt they brought their characters to life.
It was an unexpectedly funny and inherently heartbreaking story set during WW2 from perspectives I hadn't read from before or really heard about until recently. All in all, I really really enjoyed this and glad I finally picked it up.
emilybacher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kvanderbeek21's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
I cannot explain why I just didn't love this one.
vinjii's review against another edition
3.25
Wonderfully written, but some bits of it are so wholly unbelievable that the longer they went on the less I was able to suspend my disbelief. If I ignore those bits, I'm left with a wonderful friendship, a novel about courage and loyalty, and I liked all of that.
I struggled with the fairly slow start, but the plot itself is gripping, and the characters well developed. Unfortunately, I was promised a mind-blowing read, and it just wasn't. (Although, admittedly, I would have absolutely loved this twenty years ago.)
I think this is a case of "it's not you, dear book, it's me" and if you typically enjoy YA novels, and like the sound of the premise, you will most likely love this.
I struggled with the fairly slow start, but the plot itself is gripping, and the characters well developed. Unfortunately, I was promised a mind-blowing read, and it just wasn't. (Although, admittedly, I would have absolutely loved this twenty years ago.)
I think this is a case of "it's not you, dear book, it's me" and if you typically enjoy YA novels, and like the sound of the premise, you will most likely love this.
emmaleigh55's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
An INCREDIBLE book. This is the book that I measure all other historical fiction against. This was one of those books that I read over half of in one night, literally on the edge of my seat. A slow start, but it picks up FAST. I cannot recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Violence
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
I saw this in the Carnegie shortlist a few years ago, but decided not to read it - another war story, I thought, probably a love story. Nothing special.
Could eat those words now. Completely spellbound from the first chapter, I've never seen a narration like it. Yes, it's a war story. But it's written as a series of letters / journal entries from a female British spy, forced out of her by her German captors. Each piece of writing is tortured out of her, to gain information on British codes and plans, and while she writes her story and snippets of information for them, she curses them knowing it will all be translated and read back to them, and she will be punished.
A second voice later offers further narration, and the women's stories are absolutely riveting from start to finish. Our spy, Maddie, is vilified by other prisoners for co-operating, and we see through her own words just what the Germans do to her. Her spirit and endurance are incredible though, and there cannot be a reader out there who picks this up and doesn't will for her to make it out of the hellhole she's in.
To write more would risk spoilers, and there is no way I would want to spoil this unbelievably brilliant story for anyone not yet familiar with it. The connections between parts of the story that Wein draws are cleverly done, with turns popping up and making sense of the unfolding war story. The women are strong and worthy role models, their war experiences horrific and hard to forget.
I enjoyed the author's extra notes at the end, and she include a useful bibliography of sources she used to gain information on women in wartime. This could be a very good choice for KS3/4 classes in English and History, and the unusual narration has a lot to be discussed for classes and book groups (teen and adult).
So sorry I didn't read this sooner, I hope to buy a copy for my library shortly. Highly recommended. Age 13 and above, and adults - read this now!
Could eat those words now. Completely spellbound from the first chapter, I've never seen a narration like it. Yes, it's a war story. But it's written as a series of letters / journal entries from a female British spy, forced out of her by her German captors. Each piece of writing is tortured out of her, to gain information on British codes and plans, and while she writes her story and snippets of information for them, she curses them knowing it will all be translated and read back to them, and she will be punished.
A second voice later offers further narration, and the women's stories are absolutely riveting from start to finish. Our spy, Maddie, is vilified by other prisoners for co-operating, and we see through her own words just what the Germans do to her. Her spirit and endurance are incredible though, and there cannot be a reader out there who picks this up and doesn't will for her to make it out of the hellhole she's in.
To write more would risk spoilers, and there is no way I would want to spoil this unbelievably brilliant story for anyone not yet familiar with it. The connections between parts of the story that Wein draws are cleverly done, with turns popping up and making sense of the unfolding war story. The women are strong and worthy role models, their war experiences horrific and hard to forget.
I enjoyed the author's extra notes at the end, and she include a useful bibliography of sources she used to gain information on women in wartime. This could be a very good choice for KS3/4 classes in English and History, and the unusual narration has a lot to be discussed for classes and book groups (teen and adult).
So sorry I didn't read this sooner, I hope to buy a copy for my library shortly. Highly recommended. Age 13 and above, and adults - read this now!
lurker_stalker's review
5.0
I think everyone should read this book. Or listen to the audio book. Both, really.
alicebme's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely an addition to my never sell/trade book shelf, this book kept me in an alternate universe the entire read. I think I'll reread it this summer when I can savor every detail. Actually, I want to draw maps, take notes, sketch character portraits, and write dramatic fan fic to act out on my back patio. Oh my, this book was delicious.