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natalie183's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Antisemitism, Genocide, Pregnancy, and Medical content
emily_koopmann's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, War, Xenophobia, Death, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Medical content
arlingtonchamberofgay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Xenophobia, Death, Child death, Vomit, and War
Moderate: Trafficking and Medical content
Minor: Rape
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Graphic: Medical trauma, Grief, Gore, Blood, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Ableism, War, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Rape, Medical content, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Antisemitism
Death during child birthamberinbookland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Racism, Violence, Grief, Deportation, Death of parent, Death, Ableism, Medical content, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, War, Physical abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, Murder, Child abuse, Body horror, Antisemitism, Animal cruelty, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
books_for_life3000's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: War, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, and Medical content
lsmith725's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I was captivated. This book is beautiful. The people in it and the beautiful language are just so well done. Ruta Sepetys has done her research for sure. You will cry, smily, and learn a lot with this one.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape and Blood
Minor: Medical content
mformato's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed that each character had their own distinct voice but I hated that they all withheld information from the reader. I understand that building up to a big reveal helps create tension but it felt unnecessary for all of them except Emilia. She was definitely the one with the most intriguing arc and I wish we had more depth with her.
I found myself skipping over most of Alfred's imaginary letters cause I just couldn't stand him and it really added nothing to the story. Even his big secret was muddied by his disillusion and not that monumental.
I adored the relationship between Klaus and the Shoe Poet; such a wholesome and tragic bond of two people in a time of war and I almost wish there was a novella from the Shoe Poet's perspective starting from right before he joined the group to how events played out in the novel.
Joana and Florian felt like generic YA characters to me. Not the worst, not the best. Just okay.
Overall I would recommend this book to others who enjoy YA and/or historical fiction. I am impressed with the amount of research Septeys does for her books; she truly cares about creating a historically accurate story with her own voice and I am definitely interested in more of her work.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, War, Grief, Racism, Genocide, Medical content, and Sexual assault
mayukiiq's review against another edition
5.0
* reminiscent of All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr) in some ways
Graphic: Medical content, War, and Death
Moderate: Gore, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Minor: Antisemitism and Rape
izwit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Antisemitism, Rape, Child death, Death of parent, War, Grief, Medical content, Death, Violence, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Blood