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A review by stacey_the_booknerd
The Girl Behind the Wall by Mandy Robotham
1.0
Thank you Net Galley, Mandy Robotham, and Avon Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
One of my favorite genres is historical fiction set during the 20th century, especially events around or during the time of All in all, The Girl Behind The Wall definitely failed to hit the mark for me, which is such a shame as I was really looking forward to finally read a book set during Cold War Berlin. I seem to be in the minority though, so who knows, this story might just work better for you.WWII. I was instantly drawn to this book because I've read the author before, and because I have never read a historical fiction with the setting during the Cold War and the rise of the Berlin Wall. Because of my excitement over being allowed the privilege to read this book, I was sadly disappointed when I didn't finish it due to the lack of storytelling. The story was very slow, it wasn't keeping my attention, and it bounced between the two sisters way too often for me to be truly invested in what was going on in each other's life. I think that staying with each sister for more than a couple of pages would have benefited this story greatly, because as it is you hardly get the time to start feeling invested in either point of view. The characters themselves felt rather flat and cliche and I was never able to warm up to them. I think part of the reason was also the constant repetition of their situation and surprisingly shallow feelings and thoughts. It felt as though the story was simply going in circles at times, repeating what was already said and done before over and over again.
I also struggled considerably with the pace, which was slow and didn't help at all.
All in all, The Girl Behind The Wall definitely failed to hit the mark for me, which is such a shame as I was really looking forward to finally read a book set during Cold War Berlin. I seem to be in the minority though, so who knows, this story might just work better for you.
One of my favorite genres is historical fiction set during the 20th century, especially events around or during the time of All in all, The Girl Behind The Wall definitely failed to hit the mark for me, which is such a shame as I was really looking forward to finally read a book set during Cold War Berlin. I seem to be in the minority though, so who knows, this story might just work better for you.WWII. I was instantly drawn to this book because I've read the author before, and because I have never read a historical fiction with the setting during the Cold War and the rise of the Berlin Wall. Because of my excitement over being allowed the privilege to read this book, I was sadly disappointed when I didn't finish it due to the lack of storytelling. The story was very slow, it wasn't keeping my attention, and it bounced between the two sisters way too often for me to be truly invested in what was going on in each other's life. I think that staying with each sister for more than a couple of pages would have benefited this story greatly, because as it is you hardly get the time to start feeling invested in either point of view. The characters themselves felt rather flat and cliche and I was never able to warm up to them. I think part of the reason was also the constant repetition of their situation and surprisingly shallow feelings and thoughts. It felt as though the story was simply going in circles at times, repeating what was already said and done before over and over again.
I also struggled considerably with the pace, which was slow and didn't help at all.
All in all, The Girl Behind The Wall definitely failed to hit the mark for me, which is such a shame as I was really looking forward to finally read a book set during Cold War Berlin. I seem to be in the minority though, so who knows, this story might just work better for you.