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frostap's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't love this and it wasn't the most well-written book ever, but the story was interesting and the plot and language were clean.
frooml's review
challenging
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
4.5
rmla's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed all the way through but wish there could have been a bit more of a "happy ending" - or if we could have seen more of their lives after the action and the concluding 1947 chapter's miserable ending.
joyceontheroad's review against another edition
4.0
Goed boek, maar ik had er meer van verwacht. Ook omdat ik het heb gekregen en ze er toen razend enthousiast over waren. Dat kaliber was het dan helaas niet.
taylor1997's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Torture, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, War, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Rape
verderebelde's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-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? No
4.0
juliehunt77's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
leahgol04's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
viealves's review against another edition
2.0
The book was slow to start but sucked me in around page 100. There are a lot of characters to keep up with and I feel like I should have had more knowledge about the Spanish civil war before reading it. It was a very well written story and though the ending is a bit frustrating, I enjoyed it.
gingerliss's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy this book, don't get me wrong. Three stars to me always looks so little and a tiny bit negative. This book is good but the reason I've given it three stars is I felt it was quite stretched out. The whole middle bit, while the ending all went very quickly. it just felt a bit tedious at times. Apart from that I loved getting introduced to a part of history I wasn't very familiar with. The Spanish Civil War and its aftermath was all very new to me and very interesting. The book made me want more so I'll probably be getting my hands on some history books about it at some point.
I think the characters in the book were well written. They weren't perfect and they made mistakes, which made them realistic.
Spoiler alert from now on
I was expecting a plot twist at the end, but something else than what actually happened. It was quite a shock that Sofia was killed, I didn't see that one coming. I'd actually considered her maybe ending up being an enemy. Then I felt bad.
After the finale the book ended on a very melancholic note. Which I both liked and disliked. I do always like it if an author doesn't finish a book with a Hollywood typical ending. Then again, who doesn't like a happy ending? It did leave me feeling a bit ugh! But it also motivated me to really do something with my life. Unlike Harry's point of view at the end of the book.
I wouldn't have compared this book to Ruiz Zafón, which the Daily Express does on front cover, I think this is more of a historical thriller whilst Zafón's work to me is more literary. I haven't read anything written by Faulks yet, but as far as I know he is more of a literary figure too. This of course is not the authors fault. ;)
I think the characters in the book were well written. They weren't perfect and they made mistakes, which made them realistic.
Spoiler alert from now on
I was expecting a plot twist at the end, but something else than what actually happened. It was quite a shock that Sofia was killed, I didn't see that one coming. I'd actually considered her maybe ending up being an enemy. Then I felt bad.
After the finale the book ended on a very melancholic note. Which I both liked and disliked. I do always like it if an author doesn't finish a book with a Hollywood typical ending. Then again, who doesn't like a happy ending? It did leave me feeling a bit ugh! But it also motivated me to really do something with my life. Unlike Harry's point of view at the end of the book.
I wouldn't have compared this book to Ruiz Zafón, which the Daily Express does on front cover, I think this is more of a historical thriller whilst Zafón's work to me is more literary. I haven't read anything written by Faulks yet, but as far as I know he is more of a literary figure too. This of course is not the authors fault. ;)