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conjurerachel's review against another edition
4.0
"Get in, losers," she called out. "We're blowing up Nazis."
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In a companion story to The Girl with the Red Balloon, the stakes are high as America joins the second World War. The government is tracking people with magic abilities, drafting them for the fight. Ilse and Wolf Klein are caught in the middle of practicing and are separated to do their necessary part in ensuring America’s survival. Combative Ilse is sent to lead a group in the Manhattan Project where a spy threatens to spill their secrets. Wolf is trained to be a spy where he unexpectedly collides with an old friend. Both work to understand the properties of their strange blood and what uses they could have beyond killing, and Ilse and Wolf are aware of what being Jewish means in the war effort.
I can describe this book in two words: Jewish catharsis. Coming from a similar background as the author and the siblings, it felt really good to see Nazis being punched by angry Jewish people. The fact that Ilse, Wolf, and the others aren’t used as tragedy porn because Locke understands the weight representation has. Privilege is explored through race, religion, sexuality, and gender, showing how these characters act in these intersections at the battleground and in the lab
This is an excellent read that has made me loudly cheer at each heroic fight, the relatable Jewish-ness, and how she perfectly worked in a Mean Girls reference.
I highly recommend reading this and be sure to have a copy of The Girl with the Red Balloon to enjoy the moment even more.
I've received the arc from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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In a companion story to The Girl with the Red Balloon, the stakes are high as America joins the second World War. The government is tracking people with magic abilities, drafting them for the fight. Ilse and Wolf Klein are caught in the middle of practicing and are separated to do their necessary part in ensuring America’s survival. Combative Ilse is sent to lead a group in the Manhattan Project where a spy threatens to spill their secrets. Wolf is trained to be a spy where he unexpectedly collides with an old friend. Both work to understand the properties of their strange blood and what uses they could have beyond killing, and Ilse and Wolf are aware of what being Jewish means in the war effort.
I can describe this book in two words: Jewish catharsis. Coming from a similar background as the author and the siblings, it felt really good to see Nazis being punched by angry Jewish people. The fact that Ilse, Wolf, and the others aren’t used as tragedy porn because Locke understands the weight representation has. Privilege is explored through race, religion, sexuality, and gender, showing how these characters act in these intersections at the battleground and in the lab
This is an excellent read that has made me loudly cheer at each heroic fight, the relatable Jewish-ness, and how she perfectly worked in a Mean Girls reference.
I highly recommend reading this and be sure to have a copy of The Girl with the Red Balloon to enjoy the moment even more.
I've received the arc from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
voidfish's review against another edition
5.0
By far one of THE best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It was thrilling, suspenseful, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. I won't lie, I was scared as hell the entire way through, but each character and each part of this book have left an imprint on my heart and I am so glad I was able to read it. I can't even imagine the research that went into this book.
I don't even know what else to say. It's a book that, once it's finished, leaves you a little speechless. Thank you for the work you put into it and for sharing it with us; it was magical.
I don't even know what else to say. It's a book that, once it's finished, leaves you a little speechless. Thank you for the work you put into it and for sharing it with us; it was magical.
mtdegrace's review against another edition
3.0
That book was a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions. I really enjoyed it and the story and everything that was going on, but I will say that the magic system was kind of hard to follow and I couldn’t really grasp totally how it worked. I’ve never read a book like this before, and it was really fun to read.
mewinig7's review against another edition
5.0
There was a moment about a third of the way through when I realized this book had the ability to break my heart. There was a moment about halfway through that I realized that it was worth it.
This book is so brutally hopeful. Despite its appearance -- the magic, the banter -- it is still, at the core, a war story. But instead of falling into the trap of endless loss and despair, Locke used quiet moments masterfully. The moment that stands most clear in my memory is Wolf and crew all laughing together, and it was so gently inserted between horrible moments and I felt more in that moment than any climax (though those were also beautifully put together).
I am in love with every damn character, and the relationships between them were stunning. This is also a story about love -- familial, platonic, romantic, etc. Their voices were so strong and I was invested in the lives of each of them, especially when it came to the way they interacted with each other. What can I say, I'm a sociology nerd.
Long story short, this book is all of my favorite things combined. The perfect mix of bitter and sweet. Lovely work, Locke.
This book is so brutally hopeful. Despite its appearance -- the magic, the banter -- it is still, at the core, a war story. But instead of falling into the trap of endless loss and despair, Locke used quiet moments masterfully. The moment that stands most clear in my memory is Wolf and crew all laughing together, and it was so gently inserted between horrible moments and I felt more in that moment than any climax (though those were also beautifully put together).
I am in love with every damn character, and the relationships between them were stunning. This is also a story about love -- familial, platonic, romantic, etc. Their voices were so strong and I was invested in the lives of each of them, especially when it came to the way they interacted with each other. What can I say, I'm a sociology nerd.
Long story short, this book is all of my favorite things combined. The perfect mix of bitter and sweet. Lovely work, Locke.
ashleybashley's review against another edition
4.0
ahhhh this was so good. I love Ilse and Wolf so so much
I'm coming to realize historical fantasies are one of my favorite genres. I love how magic and weave between true historical events (the research it must have taken!!!) I read these out of order so will 100% be reading the girl with the red balloon whenever I can get my hands on it.
You should read this book because:
- queer jewish siblings fighting nazis (!!!!)
- very cool magic system based in blood + science
- demi rep!
- balloons! with magic!
I'm coming to realize historical fantasies are one of my favorite genres. I love how magic and weave between true historical events (the research it must have taken!!!) I read these out of order so will 100% be reading the girl with the red balloon whenever I can get my hands on it.
You should read this book because:
- queer jewish siblings fighting nazis (!!!!)
- very cool magic system based in blood + science
- demi rep!
- balloons! with magic!
mrsbofe's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable books with great twists. Enjoyed the siblings and their relationship throughout this. There were some aspects that maybe were a little much for the age of the main characters, but I do enjoy a good YA book, and this book was enjoyable for sure. It might have helped to have read the first book, but I felt it wasn't necessary. Fun read.
jessmcall's review against another edition
3.0
Rating 3.5. It always takes me a bit to get into a story by Locke, but once I'm in I thoroughly enjoy them. Her writing is really engrossing. I think you would really enjoy this if you love historical fiction and magical realism. I much preferred this story to the Locke's other book "The Girl with the Red Balloon. The time period, for one, is much more interesting and I loved following our 2 main characters--Wolf and Ilse. They were both distinct and well written. It was also nice to see how things came to be in the time period of The Girl with the Red Balloon. The only thing I didn't really love was the romance element concerning Ilse. It felt underdeveloped which made it seem unnecessary to the overall story. I would definitely be interested in reading more about the magic system because I can't say I completely understand it yet.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
penguininabluebox's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, in comparison to its predecessor/companion, this one severely disappointed me and just didn't hold the same magic or interest for me.