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opossumom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Antisemitism and Outing
brisgris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
It is set during the First World War and the premise of the book is the romantic relationship between two boys - behaviours and attitudes about this are therefore era appropriate.emilygibbs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Vomit, and Classism
evilyreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Medical content, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Absolutely devestating.breanneporter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This novel is not for the faint of heart: it is heart wrenching and painful and describes in visceral detail the terrible gore and tragedy of war, as well as the long term effects, both physical and mental, on those who manage to survive. I listened on audio, which was excellent, but at times very difficult to picture.
As many other reviewers note, however, there is levity and humor and romance interspersed in the horror. There are triumphs, big and small, and there are beautiful depictions of acceptance and found family. One of my favorite parts of the novel was
Throughout the novel I kept googling WWI history based on Winn’s writing, and I feel like I re-learned so much from this novel that I’d long forgotten, and I’m so grateful for that. I would highly recommend to all historical fiction and LGBTQ fiction fans (even if you’re war-wary like me)!
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
raisinreads's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and War
lpats82's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
knittingtipsy's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
kiwij96's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The characters were all privileged brats in the best possible way. You can imagine these boys existing and having these conversations, they're so realistic. The history was well-researched and beautifully written - the horror and the brutality of war. The romance was appropriately written for two teenage boys navigating a world where their love is forbidden, it was also age-appropriately awkward as most teenage love is.
This book broke me in more ways than one. By halfway my heart had broken maybe 5 or 6 times, and by the end I was just broken and sobbing.
Great pace, characters, history and plot. Would highly recommend.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide and Classism
Minor: Sexual content and Antisemitism