Reviews

The Attic Child by Lola Jaye

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home_again's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

It made me ugly cry.

The issues touched on in this book are heavy and real. While it's definitely a historical fiction, the historical moments are woven in so seamlessly that they never get in the way of the plot. They are more of a distant setting while the emotional impacts of those moments take center stage.

We get an intimate look at the hearts and minds of the two main characters who are both victims of horrifying abuse. While it is easy to gloss over the horrors found in history, it is impossible not to perceive the terrible impact they had on the characters. The characters also have hard conversations with each other, addressing important issues about equality, abuse, mental illness, and overcoming hardship.

In the end, these two people both find healing in forming loving ties with people who respect and care for them. It's a hopeful and positive ending.

I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 12. The issues are difficult but presented in ways that younger readers can digest. While it's troubling material, it also contains very important ideas that are necessary to understand as we move forward to combat the social ills of our day.

kaceyjoy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad 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

5.0

toyalee's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

knotabookclub's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

dmillet's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

faithemt's review against another edition

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5.0

a deeply moving and powerful historical fiction about loss and identity; abuse and what today we would call human trafficking; belonging and family/love. HIGHLY recommend this book.

Full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2022/11/2022-book-review-35-attic-child.html