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secre's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The novel follows two threads; one the present where Yael is a member of a resistance group determined to bring down the Fuhrer's rule through assassination in the most public and splashy fashion, and the other the past where Yael is herded through a concentration camp as a child, part of the obscene experiments done on individuals of all ages and races. This is a novel full of action and intrigue as Yael takes on the biggest challenge of her life so far; masquerading as a known race competitor to win the annual race and have her one and only chance to get close to the Fuhrer. It's also a novel of subtelty and reflection; Yael wears many faces, yet has to come to terms with finding her own identity.
It's a book that doesn't pull it's punches, yet equally doesn't fall into the trap of too vividly imagining the horrors, making it suitable for young adults as well as older readers. The cross country bike race is the main mission, with Yael taking the place of Adele Wolfe. It's full of twists and turns as youngsters from across the world compete in what can be a deadly competition, spanning thousands of miles and multiple countries. Graudin builds the tension throughout as the competitors are challenged by the terrain and by less conventional issues. He balances this with Yael's backstory well, making it both an exciting and heart-breaking experience to read.
I finished it and instantly picked up the second novel in the series. That's how good it is.
Graphic: Genocide, Death, Slavery, and Forced institutionalization
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Medical trauma, Antisemitism, Grief, Torture, Blood, Child abuse, Gun violence, Murder, Racism, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Confinement, Colonisation, Misogyny, and War
cj13's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Antisemitism, Child death, Classism, Death, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Blood, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Grief, Medical content, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
julierambaeck's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Racism, Medical trauma, Grief, and Drug use
kirstenf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Gun violence, Medical content, Deportation, Genocide, Murder, Death, Medical trauma, Child death, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, War, Confinement, and Antisemitism
Minor: Torture and Sexism
ameliaamison's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Genocide, Antisemitism, Torture, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Body horror, Colonisation, and Death
achay91's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Religious bigotry, Violence, Racism, Antisemitism, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: War, Death of parent, Child death, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Minor: Police brutality and Alcohol
nexon'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
4.5
Graphic: Genocide, Gun violence, Antisemitism, Death, Murder, and War
bettysbookishworld's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Kidnapping, Hate crime, Genocide, War, Xenophobia, Torture, Medical trauma, Antisemitism, Toxic friendship, Deportation, Death of parent, and Death
hauptmannerika's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, and Death
Minor: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and War