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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
World War II is underway and children were being sent away to other countries for their safety. Lily Nicholas had thought to keep her young children with her despite the perilous events surrounding them. However, bombing in England has become far too regular and she makes the decision to send her children to somewhere safe.
Alice King has taken on the duties to escort children to different countries. When the ship that Alice and the others are on is torpedoed, those who survived are evacuated to lifeboats. Alice and a small group of children get on what is the last lifeboat.
In this emotionally riveting story, readers see things from both Lily and Alice’s points of view. Lily is understandably anxious about the fate of her children and Alice is focused on keeping the children on her lifeboat safe with hopes of rescue. They have eight days of unspeakable horrors and danger while desperately awaiting rescue.
What an incredible novel. Although this is a fictional story, by reading the author’s note at the end of the book, readers can see the amount of research that went into writing this compelling novel, as well as the history of the true events with the organization that got over 20,000 children out of London during the war.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Alice King has taken on the duties to escort children to different countries. When the ship that Alice and the others are on is torpedoed, those who survived are evacuated to lifeboats. Alice and a small group of children get on what is the last lifeboat.
In this emotionally riveting story, readers see things from both Lily and Alice’s points of view. Lily is understandably anxious about the fate of her children and Alice is focused on keeping the children on her lifeboat safe with hopes of rescue. They have eight days of unspeakable horrors and danger while desperately awaiting rescue.
What an incredible novel. Although this is a fictional story, by reading the author’s note at the end of the book, readers can see the amount of research that went into writing this compelling novel, as well as the history of the true events with the organization that got over 20,000 children out of London during the war.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Wow what an amazing book!! Don’t skip this it’s a must read!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
⭐️4.5⭐️ This was a great fast paced novel. I really like the intertwining characters and storylines. And it was cool learning about children being evacuated to Canada during the second war because I had no idea.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
Another interesting historical fiction story from author Hazel Gaynor; [b:When We Were Young & Brave|50358061|When We Were Young & Brave|Hazel Gaynor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597017295l/50358061._SX50_.jpg|72583548] made my favorite books of the year list. This time, Gaynor writes of the sea-evacuated children during WWII and the demise of one of the ships carrying 90 children away from war-torn Britain. The story is told from two perspectives: Alice, a chaperone for the children on their way to Canada, and Lily, the mother of two children on board. Both women gain strength through their trials. The characterization drew me in, and the back and forth story-telling between perspectives moved the story along, keeping the tension high.
Physical book
I picked up this book on a whim while getting Christmas presents at a book store. So glad I did. I didn't know this story before reading this. Survival books like this always make me wonder what I would do. We want to think our best selves would come forward, but I hope to never have to find out.
I picked up this book on a whim while getting Christmas presents at a book store. So glad I did. I didn't know this story before reading this. Survival books like this always make me wonder what I would do. We want to think our best selves would come forward, but I hope to never have to find out.
Stumbled across this book at the library and checked it out on a whim. It was incredible.
Inspired by the true story of the sinking of British evacuee ship SS City of Benares in the mid-Atlantic on September 17, 1940, Gaynor based her story on the known dates and facts surrounding the event and the eight days that followed for the survivors in lifeboat twelve.
Alice much prefers to find adventure in the pages of a book instead of real life. After witnessing g a tragic plane crash, Alice is inspired to do something important. She volunteers as an escort for CORB (Children’s Overseas Reception Board) helping children flee war zones.
Lily is a doting mom facing g the grim realities of war with her husband gone. Alone and scared, she faces the impossible choice of trying to protect her children at home with daily air raids and bombs lurking closer and closer to her home OR send the children away, by themselves, where they will be cared for and safe. With the heaviest of hearts, Lily finally agrees to send her children away.
This story is a heart wrenching look at war from two points of view: one entrenched at sea with hundreds of children seeking safety and another of a mother at home. Alone. Waiting. Powerful, inspiring, heartbreaking. So so good. Alice is a character I will think about. And the mothers and all the children.
Inspired by the true story of the sinking of British evacuee ship SS City of Benares in the mid-Atlantic on September 17, 1940, Gaynor based her story on the known dates and facts surrounding the event and the eight days that followed for the survivors in lifeboat twelve.
Alice much prefers to find adventure in the pages of a book instead of real life. After witnessing g a tragic plane crash, Alice is inspired to do something important. She volunteers as an escort for CORB (Children’s Overseas Reception Board) helping children flee war zones.
Lily is a doting mom facing g the grim realities of war with her husband gone. Alone and scared, she faces the impossible choice of trying to protect her children at home with daily air raids and bombs lurking closer and closer to her home OR send the children away, by themselves, where they will be cared for and safe. With the heaviest of hearts, Lily finally agrees to send her children away.
This story is a heart wrenching look at war from two points of view: one entrenched at sea with hundreds of children seeking safety and another of a mother at home. Alone. Waiting. Powerful, inspiring, heartbreaking. So so good. Alice is a character I will think about. And the mothers and all the children.
Gaynor’s fictional take on the sinking of the “seavac” ship, Benares.