Reviews

The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson

steviesnatches's review

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adventurous informative fast-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? No

3.5

lysimache's review against another edition

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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? No

4.75

scmacey16's review

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5.0

Best book ever!

shrrawat's review

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emotional 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? Yes

3.75

 "The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin" is the story of Hilde, 18 years old and attempting to find her way in the world in 1930s Berlin. When she meets Rosa, a vivacious Jewish girl and nightclub singer in the queer bar Cafe Lila, Hilde finds herself embarking on a journey of self-acceptance, friendship, and even love.

I liked this book for its examination of the little known history of Berlin's vibrant nightlife and gay culture prior to the Nazi takeover in 1933. It gave voices to the young people trying to carve a life in the middle of extreme social upheaval, with some rather scary comparisons to today's political climate. While I feel the free verse style was not necessary, it did not necessarily detract from the story or the message.

My only complaint was the rather quick character development that took place. Hilde's love for Rosa was a little too instant for my taste, and her friendship with a rival, Lena, also seemed rather quick and a tad bit forced. I feel that the pacing could have been slowed down with these character developments in favor of fleshing out Hilde's journey in building self-confidence, the plotline of which was, in contrast, on the slow side. 

ashbrown23's review against another edition

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5.0

I have no words for how much I loved this book. I didn’t want to stop listening to it, I wanted to hear more and learn more about these beloved characters. I couldn’t get enough and I will definitely be reading again in the future

kparrbooks's review

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 I appreciated the perspective of this novel, as it's not one we usually see - both the queer aspect and the fact that it's right before the build-up toward World War II - so that was definitely refreshing. It was a quick read, and I liked that the song was sung in the audiobook version. Overall, a decent historical fiction book!

thatlizhunter's review

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1.0

I really do love history that centers LGBTQ+ people - however The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin fell flat for me. The actual historical events were glossed over as though far too familiar to the reader. They seemed to happen to characters who knew these events would happen, and not in the natural shock and unprecedented nature that was 1930s Berlin.

I also found the main character not very compelling and her relationships seemed very one-dimensional. The villains were clear from a mile away - in the tone and descriptors you could guess the plot. Also, the miraculous good luck of this main character, it was just a lol moment when everything just works out for her.

Overall, a quick read that left much to be desired. It read more like middle-grade than YA, and seemed to just gloss over reacting to actual history.

susanhobbs's review

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4.0

3.5 - 4.0
A lyrical coming of age snapshot at the close of the Weimar Republic era Berlin. Kip Wilson paints a captivating LGBTQ world worthy of any nostalgia for Cabaret and the stories it’s based on. There’s a niggling sense of foreboding for readers with the knowledge of our modern political climate and the impending Third Reich.

allison87's review

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3.0

I liked the book, but it wasn't long enough to truly develop. But if my only complaint was that it wasn't long enough, that's good?

thenextgenlibrarian's review

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4.0

A fascinating YA queer historical fiction novel in verse set against the backdrop of 1932 Berlin.