Reviews

The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange

tiffani_reads's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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? No

3.5

zoetaboada's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.25

kelsey_keeps_reading's review against another edition

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hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious sad tense

4.0

missnatcat's review against another edition

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4.0

Really wonderful read.

frederique's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Loved this one, my favourite Lucy Strange book 

in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition

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4.0

I do love a Junior book that could be written for adults as much as the intended age group.

Given a chance I would have given it 3 1/2* as no one questioned what was in the wood.

bailey_story's review against another edition

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4.0

A tender, heartfelt exploration of mental health and grief set against the backdrop of post-World War I England.

annecarts's review against another edition

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3.0

A difficult book to review because I found out it's a children's book which is probably why the plot is so predictable. I did like the way it tries to be like a classic secret wood type children's book. However it feels a bit try hard in many ways with overly flowery language.

staciam's review against another edition

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2.0

Goodness this was sad and dark.

knynas1's review against another edition

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5.0

Beautifully written with wonderfully vivid characters. The main character Henry has had to deal with a lot in her 12 short years. That age can hold many frustrations, inconveniences, and confusion. It is an age where one is caught between child and teenager.
This story depicts the atrocities that women faced in the early 20th century. When mental illnesses such as PTSD and post-partum depression were yet to be named and "treatment" could range from scalding hot baths to lobotomies. Women were seen to be hysterical or psychotic when going through the natural progression of grief or anytime they tried to defy a man. Many women were institutionalized.
Henry's character was both an early feminist and a heroin. She knew right from wrong and stopped at nothing to protect her family. This story has a mix of the classics and fairytales. It is heartbreaking, yet hopeful. I would recommend it for ages 12 and up as some of the subject matter may be either too dark or would go over younger children's heads. I give this one 4.5 stars.