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esmeralda's review
3.5
This was a book that falls into the category of books I almost didn’t read – what ended up grabbing me was (a) the taking on a new identity piece (what can I say? I love the drama that this trope usually triggers) and (b) the munitions factory focus, an area of WWII that I have read practically nothing about.
The characters were pretty pleasant, decent people who cared about their country and families. I can’t say that they were memorable though.
The story was engaging – with some tense life-or-death moments – and it was in no way a boring read. Breslin’s writing is solid and clear, but I didn’t find it especially remarkable, and that’s the theme here I guess: As Dawn Breaks is a solid, but somewhat unremarkable read.
amandasbookreview's review
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you, Kate Breslin, NetGalley, and Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin takes place during World War I and there is espionage on all sides. Rosalind Graham escapes her guardian by working in a munitions factory in England. Her guardian treats her with little respect and has plans to marry her off to a cruel man. Her only friend is a co-worker named Tilly. One day, Rose leaves work early for a party and then her world gets turned upside down. The factory explodes and her friend Tilly is gone. But she has an opportunity. Her family thinks she died in the blast. She can escape her dreaded future by becoming Tilly. She moves to Scotland and begins work in another factory, saving until she can make her way to Canada. Alex Baird is an RAF captain but goes undercover to see who is targeting the factories. He hasn’t been home in some time since his brother’s death and is surprised to find a young woman renting a room from his family. He doesn’t trust her, but her kindness soon chips away at the wall he has built, but secrets could destroy everything.
Let me start off by saying that I love that this book takes place during World War I. World War I doesn’t seem as common as World War II novels. I love the settings along with the history behind undercover agents and women in munitions factories. There is even a little detail about Canary Girls–the women who worked in the munitions factories were dealing with so many toxic chemicals that it turned their hair and skin yellow. There is also the complexity of the storyline. Every chapter was like pulling back another layer of information that could lead to another twist.
There were a few things that could have been stronger in this story. For instance, there is a lot of back and forth and switching of points of view. Some of the points of view weren’t even main characters, I felt there could have been another way of incorporating them into the story. That constant switch was not a smooth transition, it really slowed down the pace of the novel. Then there is Rose. While I LOVED her development there is one thing that bothered me. I understand that this book falls under Christian Historical fiction but her guilt with God was a little much. There were several moments where she believed God would be angry with her for taking on Tilly’s identity and lying—even though it could have saved her life. Every bad thing that happens to her she believes that it is God telling her that she is in the wrong. Her only lie is her name change. She stands up for girls under her supervision, helps out the family she stays with, even saves lives but she was still full of shame. I am just saying…I don’t think God would have been angry for fleeing what could have been a harmful marriage.
Rant over. But I have to tell you about how much I loved Alex Baird’s family. They take Rose in as their own and they have such a strong family unit, despite the tragedy they have endured. I also loved Hannah, Alex’s little sister. Even though she works in a factory in the middle of a war, she is still a sixteen-year-old girl and desperate to still be a teenager. Overall, it was a delightful read and I will be checking out more of this author’s reads. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Let me start off by saying that I love that this book takes place during World War I. World War I doesn’t seem as common as World War II novels. I love the settings along with the history behind undercover agents and women in munitions factories. There is even a little detail about Canary Girls–the women who worked in the munitions factories were dealing with so many toxic chemicals that it turned their hair and skin yellow. There is also the complexity of the storyline. Every chapter was like pulling back another layer of information that could lead to another twist.
There were a few things that could have been stronger in this story. For instance, there is a lot of back and forth and switching of points of view. Some of the points of view weren’t even main characters, I felt there could have been another way of incorporating them into the story. That constant switch was not a smooth transition, it really slowed down the pace of the novel. Then there is Rose. While I LOVED her development there is one thing that bothered me. I understand that this book falls under Christian Historical fiction but her guilt with God was a little much. There were several moments where she believed God would be angry with her for taking on Tilly’s identity and lying—even though it could have saved her life. Every bad thing that happens to her she believes that it is God telling her that she is in the wrong. Her only lie is her name change. She stands up for girls under her supervision, helps out the family she stays with, even saves lives but she was still full of shame. I am just saying…I don’t think God would have been angry for fleeing what could have been a harmful marriage.
Rant over. But I have to tell you about how much I loved Alex Baird’s family. They take Rose in as their own and they have such a strong family unit, despite the tragedy they have endured. I also loved Hannah, Alex’s little sister. Even though she works in a factory in the middle of a war, she is still a sixteen-year-old girl and desperate to still be a teenager. Overall, it was a delightful read and I will be checking out more of this author’s reads. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Breslin always writes the most intriguing stories. From the very beginning you are sucked into Tilly and Rose's friendship. Their sisterhood was so wonderful.
This book kept me guessing and I never completely figured out who was who in the story. Breslin did a fantastic job of keeping you in suspense.
I love her attention to historical detail in these books. I loved learning more about the jobs the women did while the men were at war.
But as good as all those aspects were the love story and happy ever after we're still my favorite part.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
This book kept me guessing and I never completely figured out who was who in the story. Breslin did a fantastic job of keeping you in suspense.
I love her attention to historical detail in these books. I loved learning more about the jobs the women did while the men were at war.
But as good as all those aspects were the love story and happy ever after we're still my favorite part.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Death
mjsh's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
"Maw tells us that even a wee bit of help makes the grander things possible."
I've always loved Kate Breslin's historical fiction but this newest has become by favorite. What an incredible novel with swiftly moving plot, fascinating historical tidbits during WWI, wonderful characters, and gasp-inducing suspense and twists! The author has always had some element of mystery and suspense in her books but this one really hits the jackpot with intrigue and espionage during the Great War. You won't be able to put this book down once you start; fans of historical fiction will absolutely adore this book.
I loved Rose and Alex - their determination, loyalty, compassion, and strength of character, The voices of the antagonists were featured throughout the storyline as well, which made them less pure evil and more misguided, broken, and lost even in their evil ways and dealings. Learning about the munitions factory life and work during WWI was eye-opening and the backdrop of Scotland was beautiful. This book also has cameo appearances from Simon and Eve from High as the Heavens but you don't need to have read that book to fully absorb this book.
It's another great novel from Kate Breslin that will enthrall you. I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.
I've always loved Kate Breslin's historical fiction but this newest has become by favorite. What an incredible novel with swiftly moving plot, fascinating historical tidbits during WWI, wonderful characters, and gasp-inducing suspense and twists! The author has always had some element of mystery and suspense in her books but this one really hits the jackpot with intrigue and espionage during the Great War. You won't be able to put this book down once you start; fans of historical fiction will absolutely adore this book.
I loved Rose and Alex - their determination, loyalty, compassion, and strength of character, The voices of the antagonists were featured throughout the storyline as well, which made them less pure evil and more misguided, broken, and lost even in their evil ways and dealings. Learning about the munitions factory life and work during WWI was eye-opening and the backdrop of Scotland was beautiful. This book also has cameo appearances from Simon and Eve from High as the Heavens but you don't need to have read that book to fully absorb this book.
It's another great novel from Kate Breslin that will enthrall you. I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.
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