Reviews tagging 'War'

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

600 reviews

uselesspirateraven's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, and War

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Mass/school shootings, and Murder

Minor: Terminal illness, Medical content, Death of parent, and Abandonment

mboutlaw's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad tense 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? Yes

4.75

This book wrecked me. As a mother of two young children especially, it hit HARD. It was triggering to a point of me almost marking it DNF. I used a whole box of tissues and gave myself a headache in the reading of certain scenes. 

However, I kept reading because I felt a need to find closure of this story and I am glad that I did. Truly. Isabelle/Vianne’s story of loss, hope, and unending compassion was life-changing. By this book, I will forever be reminded of the thousands of stories of the small (and yet huge) acts of kindness, love, and rebellion during times where people were forced to look into the very face of evil.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Moderate: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Infertility, and Miscarriage

This is a book about WWII, it will describe war crimes against Jewish people and those suspected of helping them. It describes multiple graphic instances of child death at the hands of Nazis. Would not recommend this book to anyone sensitive to any of these themes and moreover would encourage mothers of small children to avoid this book.

geminisoul's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This books is probably one of the best books I have read this year. The strength that the characters find throughout the story is astounding. The author has done a fantastic job of world and character building. I couldn't help but cry at times while reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

charlotterose13x's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

“I know now what matters, and it is not what I have lost, it is my memories. 
Wounds heal, love lasts, we remain” 

The most heartbreaking, beautiful book I have read in while and my favourite book of 2024 so far.

 This story has me fully invested in these women’s lives and their stories. I was moved greatly by their relationship and sisters and their experiences throughout the war.

 The way Hannah has written from both women’s perspectives is incredible. Both ladies living different lives but despite all odds brought closer by the outbreak of war in France. Vianne and Isabelle are both equally as strong and inspiring fighting their own battles against the Nazis.

Well worth a read and I will be recommending to all 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Infertility, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Torture, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

ms_emily's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Antisemitism, and War

baileewyatt's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book was amazing. I loved our two main characters and as heartbreaking as their struggles got, it felt so honest and raw that it was truly captivating. 

When I first started it was a little difficult to follow the timeline. I found myself getting confused which would take me out of the experience a little. That is the only reason I took off .25 because once the story started picking up, and especially in the latter half, I was so hooked. I didn't want to put it down. The last 5-10 pages got me right in the heart. I had made it through most of the book without crying but I did not get out unscathed because all of my tears had been saved up for those moments. 

This story is intense and it's not one meant to be read quickly so don't go in with that mindset. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, is looking for a book that will really touch you, or just loves a story about life and sisterhood. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Rape, Murder, and War

sadie_bg's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and War

miorinsa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Powerful, but extremely tough story about two sisters in occupied France. The author uses a delicate hand to tell such a strong and needed tale. I am in awe of her characters and the real women they represented and I am in awe of Kristin’s talent as a writer. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and War

sydfree320's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, and War

karliphelps's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Torture, and War