Scan barcode
A review by promisedlostboy
Lovely War by Julie Berry
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
This is supposed to be a love story worthy of Aphrodite, and yes it has a pretty satisfying ending that tied a nice bow on everything, but that ending doesn't really feel earned when the first two thirds of of the love story isn't even the best one in it's own book.
For a majority of the book Hazel and James don't stand out in any way that would be worth the attention of a Goddess, let alone the Goddess of love.
Hazel is a quick witted Pianist who catches the attention of would be architect James, The pair are immediately smitten with one another, and throughout the book grow closer in spite of the on going war. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why Aphrodite was so invested in this romance, Especially since Colette and Aubrey are by far a more interesting duo and if given more attention, probably could have had a better romance. I understand that the author wanted the parallel of James/Hazel and Aphrodite/Hephaestus, I do however feel that the story suffers because of this.
Unless that's another point the author is trying to make, That Aphrodite's perfect love story isn't the love story that is the most engaging, It's the love story that just is, because that's all she wants. If that's the case, then sure... But it doesn't make for a very good book.
I feel I may have been a bit harsh on this book, I want to reiterate that there is quite a lot about this book that I enjoy, especially in the last 150 pages, and everything with Aubrey and Colette.
For a majority of the book Hazel and James don't stand out in any way that would be worth the attention of a Goddess, let alone the Goddess of love.
Unless that's another point the author is trying to make, That Aphrodite's perfect love story isn't the love story that is the most engaging, It's the love story that just is, because that's all she wants. If that's the case, then sure... But it doesn't make for a very good book.
I feel I may have been a bit harsh on this book, I want to reiterate that there is quite a lot about this book that I enjoy, especially in the last 150 pages, and everything with Aubrey and Colette.