A review by bettinab
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A heartbreaking, devastating story about a part of WWII history we never really get to know about. I'm not usually big into historical fiction, but this book drew me in. It is raw and brutal, not for those who want to escape (read TWs if relevant for you). It is as much history as it is family drama, a tale of a bored housewife who seeks excitement in an affair, becomes a spy and as such basically allows WWII to unravel the way it did. The first 80% made me turn the pages and kept me going, the last 20% do fall a bit flat - the story almost becomes rushed, like it's falling over itself, but maybe that was the intention given this is how WWII came to an end. Also, while I liked the multiple POVs, I think this could have also worked by adding some layers to Ceciky's story only instead. Regardless, a fantastic albeit immensely sad read.
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