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megdye487's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Death, Rape, and War
cheard's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lawnchairbookworm's review
4.0
This was a beautifully written story about two brave young girls in WWII. The author takes you back and forth between their two stories. Imogene is from England and Magda is from Germany. It was interesting to see the different perspectives of each girls situation as they both found their own way to help with the war. You really feel for these girls as they deal with all the heavy aspects of war. It was an enjoyable read and I would recommend this to my friends. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
christina_billhartz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
cheryl59's review
5.0
I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. It was brilliant, superbly written and the characters were so believable. I shall be recommending this book to my friends.
xxjenadanxx's review
4.0
Dual perspective WWII novels are super popular right now, but this one is a standout. I loved that they were not only existing in the same timeline but how their stories were interwoven throughout the book. It was expertly and thoughtfully written. Even better is that the author ibased her characters on real people - her parents - and their actual experiences. I loved being able to witness such vastly different experiences and perspectives of the war. And there was so much depth of character and strength of the women (and men) portrayed. I love that there was more to the girls than finding a husband to settle down with. I also learned something new in reading this, as I had no idea how the Nazis "replaced" Christmas traditions and how they deified Hitler to the point of prayer. Fascinating and terrifying how someone can have such a hold on people.
I'm a MASSIVE fan of historical fiction, especially WWII stories. This is a great addition to the genre!
I'm a MASSIVE fan of historical fiction, especially WWII stories. This is a great addition to the genre!
picture_pretty_books's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
iwanttoreadallthebooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Secret Letter is a beautiful novel, inspired by a true story, about bravery, kindness and hope in a time of war, devastation and absolute horror. Magda is a thirteen year old girl German girl in 1939 who lives with her parents on their farm in the countryside. While she is forced to join the Hitler Youth, she is horrified when her friend Lotte is sent to a concentration camp. Magda hates the cruelty and fanaticism of her peers who revere Hitler as a god. She finds out about the White Rose movement, a German rebel group who wishes to fight Hitler and the SS's oppression, and joins them. In a world that is already upside down, Magda's world is further tilted when an English RAF pilot is found near her home after being shot down. Does she risk helping this stranger or put her family in danger? Imogen is a fifteen year old English girl in 1939 who is taken away from her family and forced to evacuate to go to school in the Lake District. As she gets older, she joins the war effort as part of the Wrens. As the war progresses, Magda and Imogen are forced to grow up quickly in a horrifying world. Their lives interconnect and their bravery impacts not only their families but each other.
I love WWII historical fiction. I find the the war and the years/events leading up to it to be both absolutely fascinating and at the same time, heartbreaking and devastating. I have read many novels based on WWII and I won't lie, I almost always enjoy them. While some are clearly stronger than others, I just can't get enough of these stories that are based on events that should be fiction but unfortunately were very real. I found The Secret Letter to be an excellent example of what WWII fiction should be. It is absolutely beautifully written and Magda and Imogen absolutely jumped off the page. They felt real and their stories were incredible to read. I admired their bravery and their willingness to stand up for what they believed in, even if it meant they were endangering their own lives. The author moved seamlessly between the two girls and I loved how she weaved their stories together.
A beautiful story about a terrible time in our world's history. But it is stories like those of Magda and Imogen that give me hope, that people are good and willing to stand up for what is right.
4 stars!
I love WWII historical fiction. I find the the war and the years/events leading up to it to be both absolutely fascinating and at the same time, heartbreaking and devastating. I have read many novels based on WWII and I won't lie, I almost always enjoy them. While some are clearly stronger than others, I just can't get enough of these stories that are based on events that should be fiction but unfortunately were very real. I found The Secret Letter to be an excellent example of what WWII fiction should be. It is absolutely beautifully written and Magda and Imogen absolutely jumped off the page. They felt real and their stories were incredible to read. I admired their bravery and their willingness to stand up for what they believed in, even if it meant they were endangering their own lives. The author moved seamlessly between the two girls and I loved how she weaved their stories together.
A beautiful story about a terrible time in our world's history. But it is stories like those of Magda and Imogen that give me hope, that people are good and willing to stand up for what is right.
4 stars!