Reviews

The Hunger Between Us by Marina Scott

Only show reviews with written explanations

becandbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

3.25

This is a book about poverty, desperation and an undying focus on possibility and survival. Transported to another time, readers will find a story that while gut-wrenching and engaging in its content, is frustrating with a sad but repetitive narrative.

Liza has unbelievable hope about the dire nature of her circumstances. It demonstrates the stark nature of desperation for hope, but it also leads to incredible foolishness and unnatural blindness to her circumstances. While a time of poverty and extreme classism would no doubt cloud judgement and skew trust, it often feels disjointed and forced for the sake of the narrative. As well, the overarching mystery element of the story that threads throughout feels drawn out and slow, with the character repeatedly having the same conversation and thought process with the same repeated result for the majority of the story.

Scott has done an incredible job with the story's world-building, but the plot and characters leave something to be desired.

Content Warnings

litletters's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

ameyerle's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A gripping story about a young girl learning about herself and friendship, all while struggling to survive in a war torn and starving Soviet Union. Faced with many hard choices, Liza makes decisions as best as she can in attempts to find her missing best friend. The audiobook was easy to follow along and added to the experience with well done accents.

robyndansereau's review

Go to review page

3.0

"The Hunger Between Us" was a hard book to read, not because Scott is a poor writer but because the subject matter is nothing short of horrific. Scott did a great job sharing the reality of 1942 with readers who may not know what exactly was going on in Russia at that time. I found I was angry throughout the book on behalf of Liza and what she was going through. The only reason this isn't rated higher is I wasn't satisfied with the ending. Still, I like Scott's writing and hope to read more by her in the future!

gonsiorc's review

Go to review page

challenging dark informative mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

britt281's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense 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? No

5.0

Content Warnings

libbyallan's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I was a little disappointed in the ending, it felt really unresolved. It was really interesting learning about this horrible point in Russian history but i wasn't that impressed with the characters.

Content Warnings